Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-01-19
Mr.. l.. II. Fisher
Present and Future Of Volcano.


of late made it point to apologize to tn
public and then readers for presenting t
them somewhat lengthy dissertations upon tn
character, resources and prospects Of thei
respective towns and localities. We shal
make no such apology. 1t is the peculia
mission Of the local press to represent loca
interests. Newspapers are established ii
mountain or mining towns for that very pur
pose; and always keeping entirely within the
bounds Of veracity, and avoiding even the
slightest exaggeraton, we shall on no occa
sion hesitate to speak of the present cond
ton and future prospects of Volcano. We
dislike apologies; they are good things with
which to cover up falsehood, but are not Of
much use in the truthful relation of facts, or
in the drawing Of deductions therefrom.
Volcano is centraly located in the county
of Amador, and is surrounded by an ex-
panse of country as rich in gold as any dig
gings that have yet been discovered. The
extent of the mining region is very much
greater than casual observer Of the coun-
try would suppose; the gulches and ravnes
Immediately in the neighborhood, to say
nothing Of the hill and fat diggings. are al
most innumerable. In fact, an expanse of
country many miles in diameter, and of which
Volcano is the centre, is one common gold
field. The diggings are also Of the most per-
manent character; ages will be required to
work it out if, indeed, they shall ever be ex.
hausted. Even as early as the year lS4S,
the rich character Of the Volcano diggngs
was not unknown to a large number of mi
ners; but from that time to the present, only
few claims could be worked except during
two or three Of the winter months. Hence
then are there at this day rich gulches and
ravines that have not even been "guttedr
and hin and fat claims without number that
are not yet taken up.
The commencement Of the works of the
Volcano Water and Mining Co. formel an
era in the history Of this region A pros
peet Of water with which to work the dig
gings, known to be almost fabulously rich,
Immediately turned the steps of the mgra-
ting seeker of golden treasures in this
direction. Large numbers Of hardy, indus
trious and experienced miners located or
purchased claims, prospected thoroughly, and
then set themselves down to await the CON-
ing of water, entirely satisfied that they had
their fortunes. They viii not long be disap-
pointed; the ditch is now undergoing the
process Of pudding" and torrent of water
will be on the hill-tops in very short time,
from whence it can and will be used with
powerful effect for hydraulic purposes. As
the work on the ditch has progressed, large
additions to our permanent population have
settled among us, iu-so-much that Volcano
already takes her position in the front rank
of mountain cities. Her population has in
creased during the last few months more rap
idly than that of any other town in the State.
This increase cannot be estimated from the
number of new buildings that have gone up
Immediately in the town; space within the
distance of one or two miles in every direc-
ton should be taken into the account In
single ravine, (which will be supplied with
water as soon as the ditch is puddled) a friend
counted, the other day no less than fairtv-sir
new houses, all within view from the same
SPOT, and all of which had been built within
two or three mouths. Some of these houses
are occupied by families, and Others by CON-
panies of miners. There are numerous other
ravines Of which equal stories, with truth,
might be told. We will not attempt to es-
innate the population of the "basin," at
present; suffice it to say that it is fully double
what it was six months ago.
Business has greatly improved since the
rain commenced falling, The miners who
have been able to abtain water are literally
baking their piles" Some of the richest
hydraulic claims in the world are being sue
cessfully worked, and the gold is taken out
by the onnce and the pound. In the course
OF two or three weeks more, when some of
this dust shall have been returned from the
mint in the shape Of coin, money will be
plenty, and lively time may be anticipated
The future of Volcano is full of interest
We will soon have more miners al icork. in
the same area, than any other town in the