The Georgetown news., 1855-12-20
Georgetown.

respecting the different lnerhduSti6le reS0ur-
ces of this or that particular locality, and
think it in large majority of instances,
detrimental to the welfare of place. Oc-
casionally, however, a plain, straightfor-
ward, truthful, statement in regard to the
different productions of any section of coun-
try, we deem as being decidedly beneficial
to the community in which a newspaper
may be published and also to those at a
distance who wish to establish themselves
in good locality.
When we assert that Georgetown, in point
of location, stability and steady increase in
improvements of different kinds, is not sur
passed in California, we say nothing but
what is so. Within the past six months it
has increased largely in size and population,
and is steadily advancing. There is not
another place in Ell Dorado county, con-
tanning the same number of inhabitants
that will even admit of a comparison, and
all we lack to make this place second to none
in the county is the manifestation of little
more energy and public spirit on the part
of our citizens.
Our model town is beautifully located
high up on the dividing ridge between the
waters of the South and Middle Forks of
the American, at an altitude of 2,484 above
the sea, with a population numbering near
ly 200, and commanding the entire trade
for many miles east, north and west. We
are surrounded by vast extent of coun-
try not only teeming with the precious met
al, but well adapted to numbering and agri-
culture, in all its various branches.
The mines in this vicinity, north and
west of US, are but just fairly opened, inclu.
ding only that kind of diggings known as
placer and hill-quartz mining not being
carried on at all. The diggings north and
east of this place, have only heretofore been
developed in the rivers, canons and gulches,
where, comparatively, easily worked
There are in this latter named section.
large number Of cement hills, none of which
have yet been fairly prospected Some few
tunnels have been driven in, but were too
high. In every instance however, gold has
been found. There is not a cement hill in
the Immediate vicinity of Georgetown, but
what has proven to be highly auriferous,
and we doubt not all other similarly COM
posed hills will be found to be the same when
thoroughly prospected. We are therefore
confident that large portion of the cement
hills intervening between this place and
Volcanovile-comprising the scope above
referred to-will, at no far distant dav,
yield for years to come, an enormous amount
Of gold.
We venture the assertion, that since the
discovery of gold in California, the mines in
the neighborhood of Georgetown, have pro-
duced more gold in proportion to the num-
Der of persons having been engaged at min
ing, than any other locality in the country
And furthermore, Mameluke Hill has prov
Ell to be richest Of any hill of alike extent,
that has yet been discovered in California.
In point of agriculture our mountain
lands, where farming is managed judicious-
ly, produces abundantly nearly all kinds of
cereal grains, vegetables and fruit. Stalks
of Indian corn, have been known to grow
here to the height Of sixteen feet, and also.
stalks of oats six and half feet in height;
the latter with heads two feet in length and
containing nearly four hundred grains. 1t
is conceded fact that peach and apple
trees are more prolific in the mountains
than the valleys.
Our numbering interests too, are and will
continue to be of incalculabe wealth to this
particular locality. Our facilities for obtain
ing superior quality Of lumber are perhaps
unequalled by that of any other section in
the county. Water and other motive pow
er is easily obtained, and our mountains
thickly studded with luxuriant growths of
the finest sugar and other pines peculiar to
this country. The different saw mills al
ready erected adjacent to this place, are
weekly turning out near 100000 feet of
lumber, all of which is of the first quality.
The large number of improvements going
on in this and surrounding towns, together
with the steadily increasing amount used
for fuming and other mining purposes, fur
nishes ready cash market for the same.
Know Nothingism-a hybrid of-shoot of