The Georgetown news., 1856-01-24
Pilot Hill.

| and Its enVlFOnS u ItioIy floIG. Ii is SIlHd-
ted on the north side of the dividing ridge
between the waters of the North and Mid
die Forks of the American River, and con-
tiguous to the road leading from George
town to Sacramento. The mines in that
locality were first opened in the year I849
at which time and during the rainy season
of the latter part of that year and the be-
ginning of 1856, several big strikes were
made and handsome fortunes amassed in a
few months by a number of industrious and
frugal miners. 1t being a dry region, but
little successful mining was again carried
on after the spring of 80 until the winter
of '52 and '53, when the diggings yielded
comparatively q large amount OF the pre-
clous metal, and several nuggets of various
sizes were found in the vicinity of the above
place, the largest of which was worth
$1,000. Since then, and until the present
time, owing to the scarcity of water, but
little mining has been done. Within a few
days past, the P. & r. G. C. Co. have in
troduced water into that section, and we
noticed few companies during our ram
bles availing themselves of its use, and up
on enquiry ascertained that the diggings
were yielding from 50 to IS per day to the
man. AS is usual among miners who are
dependent upon ditch companies for water,
we heard great deal of complaint respect
ing the price of the useful element, a large
majority of them averring that seventy-fve
cents Fer inch was too high and that but few
claims would pay more than water money
and other necessary attendant expenses, and
in fact many miners had been compelled to
abandon their claims, which were supposed
to be rich before being tested, but upon
more thorough prospecting had proven to
be worthless, owing to the high price of wa
ter.
The gold taken from the surface diggings
near Pilot Hill being remarkably fine, and
Judging from the mode adopted by miners
for saving it, we should think it not very
profitable, for the very reason that, with
but one exception, not more than from 100
to 300 feet of sluice-boxes are used by COM
panies operating there. In diggings where
the gold ia 80 very fine, it is impossible to
collect it all with less than from 1000 to
1000 feet Of sluice-boxes- among miners
who pretend to know and who have tested
this matter thoroughly, such is the univer-
sal opinion. We would therefore suggest
the use of not less than 1000 feet, and
our word for it the profits would be largely
increased.
Centreville has improved much within
two months past, there having been several
buildings of different kinds erected there.
Farming is carried on quite extensively in
that neighborhood. Large quantities of
wheat and barley are being sowed at Oak
Valley on the ranch of Mr. A. j. Bayley,
and also On Messrs. Browns and Taylor's
ranches, and others in that immediate Vi
cinity.
With the exception of what is doing in
the way of farming, and that is being car
ried on to considerable extent, there ap-
pears to the casual observer in passing over
the road from this place to Pilot Hill, but
little OF striking interest. The most ex-
tensive improvement is that of Mr.. T. III.
Page, two miles below Greenwood Valley.
He is erecting large and commodious inn,
which, when completed, will be one of the
finest public houses between here and Sa-
cramento. The road is in deplorable and
condition, the mud being in many
places, nearly two feet in depth, and upon
the whole, if travelling in a stage coach is a
criterion by which to judge, it is "hard
road to travel"