The Empire County argus., 1855-01-13
Correspondence of the Argus.

Mr.. ARGUS Although this is a place ofimpor
tance yet because it has recently-California like
sprung into existence-one may we'll presume that
its situation and consequence are but little known
abroad. The "diggngs' which now properly be-
long to it,were until three four months since in
cluded in Georgetown district but our town which
has almost wholly grown since that time, and
which contains five stores, two hotels, two livery
stables two bakeries, ten pin alley, billiard sa-
oon and other places of business, has obtained for
it district locality. Not unfrequently have busi-
ness places or towns sprung suddenly into existence
with only visionary means of support-ours is not
a case of this kind. Our mines rank among the
first in California, being both rich and extensive,
The prospect in Jones Hill, which is less than
mile distant is not only fattering but really excl
ting, especially to the yery fortunate owners lhe
far famed Iowa Hill can not justly claim snperior-
y except perhaps in extent. Prospects of from SlO
to $50 to the pan are of frequent occurrence, and
and in truth my sense of seeing has convinced me
that the dirt to some considerable extent will pay
regularly from at least $5 to $40 to the pan
Much larger prospects than these have been OBJ
tanned, and that two without selecting the dirt as
is usual in such cases. Nor are these good pros
poets found only in one place or claim-it is we'll
ascertained that the whole lead or channel through
the Hill will pay well. Gravel Hill near by this
is very good, that is if claims good which will
pay from $5 to So per day and last for two Or
three years. Flourishng Hill or rather Bottle
Hill, on which our town stands, is very goodfour
companies are now taking out pay dirt and two
others will soon be through, Cement Hill is hard
to beat--bidding fair to rival old Mamelukeit
is very rich About three miles east of this is Fort
Hill in which good prospects have been obtained
as many as ten tunnels are being run into this
Hill There are other hill diggings in this vicni
ty, and also extensive gulch dggngs Immediately
around us which will be worked whenever we are
SO fortunate as to obtain water. Even the old Bot
tie Hill claims which have once been worked are
paying, where they have water from $50 to ovcl
5000 per week to the hand Our place would be
quite lively, but although the rains and SHOWS have
come, we have no water for washing out gold; and
we are fearful that the snow may prevent our OBJ
tanning water before the lapse of two months
Notwithstanding all these drawbacks we feel a
large degree of independence claiming nearly all
the rights of squatter sovereignty, even plurality
of wives. CTS true the idea of having plurali
ty of wives is rather odd in California, and ndi
Gates insanity, but still this is not only fast age
but age of wonders, and person might be con-
sidered sane who entertains such notions
The name of our place (Bottle I1ill) may appear
to some evil minded persons significant of whiskey
shops, lager beer. piled in the cutters, &c. sc.
but at the same time in sobriety and civility oul
town surpasses most others--a circumstance attr
butable in large degree to the good influence o
the eighteen families who have their residence
among us. w.
N. B. Don't let Crow Bar know that we have
pretty women, both widows and maidens, here fol-
he might desire and undertake to test his new in.
vention in these dggings and this we would con-
slider an infringement, nay bold trampling on the
very essence of squatter sovereignty. We defend
our rights when we know them, and sometimes
use force when we not quite of being right,
you will caution him in this matter. w.