The Sierra citizen., 1854-06-03
Jzx Caov CAxos,
June 1st, 1854.

Eds. Citizen Some time ago you re-
quested me to give short history Of Jim
Grow Canon, how it got that name, and
under what circumstances, which now
propose TO do in . few words.
Toward the last Of April, 1850, it was
reported in Downieville that large party
Of Kanakas, under the direction Of one
Jim Grow, had discovered very rich Dig,
= gings somewhere between the South and
Middle Forks of the Yuba. The bump of
marvelousness was then largely developed
on everybody's Uranium, and no report
was too incredible to be believed. Little
knots of knowing ones were observed here
and there, talking in subdued tones, and
glancing furtively around, lest eavesdrop-
pers might be around and discover the
secret. Just in the nick of time the re-
doubtable Jim Grow appeared in town,
and by his mysterious bearing confirmed
the suspicious that were already enter
tanned. After making a few purchases
and displaying a well filled purse, he
strolled leisurely out of town. But Mr..
Crows movements had been remarked,
and his departure was the signal for the
shouldering of packs in fifty different
camps. Each party laboring under the
deluson that the secret was known only to
themselves. The wood was alive with
men with picks and shovels and three days
provisions, one party trying to dodge the
other, and all in hot pursuit of Jim Crow.
The result was, that that individual was
tracked to his camp by about two hun
dred men, who found that the secret was
known elsewhere, for eighty or hundred
Americans were camped close by the
Kanakas, keeping watch of their move
ments.
A meeting was called, laws passed for
the regulation of the new diggings, and
Jim Grow was requested to point out the
richest place in the diggings. That gen.
tleman was somewhat uncertain about the
matter-could' say positively, but his
opinion was that in the ravine East of the
camp, the richest deposits might be found.
This was enough. All were allowed fair
start, and the race commenced. Each
one stuck his stake wherever he happened
to strike the ravine, and in five minutes
all the chances were taken. The owner
ship of the ground settled, all returned to
camp satisfied that nothing remained to
be done but to dig the gold. The next
day prospecting began. Holes were dug
in the bank, rocks turned over, and gravel
paned from the bottom of the brook, but
melancholy to relate, it wouldn't pay
Some talked of lynching the Kanakas,
and others of taking vengeance on the
Americans who accompanied them; but
one after another took his departure
until nobody but the Kanakas were left.
After the snow melted away, Jim Grow
and his party gathered up their traps and
left for parts unknown, having camped at
that place for no other purpose than to
wait for the melting away of the SNOW. l
forgot to state Jim Grow was renegade
American, who had resided several years
in the Sandwich Islands, had Kanaka
wife and several children, and was regarded
As leader Of the party.
This wild goose chase induced others to
make examination of the ravine in the
vicinity of the old Kanaka camp, and
some very rich spots have been found, al
though Jim Grow and party knew nothing
of their existence.
In one of these ont of the way places
your humble servant is at present. l have
no big strokes to report, though l now
and then find slug which is slowed away
to be thrown at the wolf should he come
nosing about my door in after years
There are not many miners here. Stranger
get discouraged because the gold is SC
spotted" and take their departure aftel
weeks unsuccessful prospecting; but fo1
my part / make out very well, and dom
feel inclined to migrate. If you can maxi
out my peuciIlinss it is more than | ex
pect, for l have forgotten the use of let
ters, and become fixture about mining
camp. Cayotes take the liberty Of bark
ing at me, and are only restrained from
carrying of my dinner by respect which
they entertain for an old musket which
they have several times accidently dis
charged by meddling with string tied te
the trigger. Respectfully, Yours,
HERMIT.
lxDIAxs AND CaIHANEN.-It IS ludlcrous
70 witness the thorough contempt with
which our shirtless Indians regard the
Cinnamon. They consider them the low
.sst species of anything human, and insult