The Nevada Democrat., 1856-09-24
For the Democrat.
Relief Hill.

A'NANSN-~
Relief Hill.
Origin Of the nane-Mnng Hscident-1Maerdt Re
Sowces-NdtuYe and Udtue Of the groa1ad-SaAG- |
tor-FIourishing Pillage-LlcreaSe Of population
Prospect IN ftause-Precis location-Logfer's
Retreat.
Mr. EDTToR:-Among the numerous notices
of the various mining localities of Nevada coun-
ty which have appeared in the columns OF the
Democrat, have as yet seen no mention of the
caption of this article. From the most reliable
information l have been able to obtain, this
f1ourishing and beautiful locality derived its
name from the following circumstance.
Some time during the year 1853, four miners,
whose names are Taylor, Bonham, Moore and
Rogers, united their fortunes and set out togeth-
er upon prospecting tour through the noun
tains of Nevada. At a point about three miles
south of Snow Tent, in the northern section of
the county, our adventurers discovered indica-
tions which induced them to commence serious
operations Stalking off small claim near the
head of what is now styled Logan's Canon,
and forms the northeastern boundary of Relief
Hill, they applied themselves with untring
energy and patience. For two long weary
months they toiled bravely on without reap
ing any reward. The prospect was gloomy
Finances were getting Uery low. few days
more, and there was nary red in bank. The
last scad had gone for dozen murphies and a
piece of Spanish beef, and now, these too, had
.'vamosed the ranch" The boys were in di-
lemma They were forced to suspend internal
improvements" or to seek change of venue-
Reduced to positive destitution, and heartily
sick of ''hope deferred" they were upon the
eve of adopting the alternative when one OF the
hungry honsbres struck the shining lede, and
manifested his delight by shouting the word
Relief Hence, the name of the hill.
4 One of the party was forthwith dispatched to
the nearest settlement for provisions, and once
again there was sunshine i'll the camp. Resum-
ing their labors with heightened zest aud re-
awakened hope, it may readily be supposed that
the shovel and the pick moved stead. ly and fast,
and in less than ten days after the discovery,
there were several thousand dollars in the bank
This circumstance very naturally created a
considerable excitement in the netghborhood,
aud but short time elapsed before the entire
ravine was taken up and work commenced
! But lust at this point-"pop went tue weasel -
the ag1ter failed The scarcity Of ths jndlspensa-
BILE element, alone, has kept Relief Hill so long
| in the shade Fortunately however, for the de-
yelopment of her vast mineral resources, two or
three bitches are now coming in, and by the
first of December proximo, it is confidently eX-
pected that there will be supply sufficient to
work every foot Of ground upon the hill. AS q
consequences, business, in every department., has
taken rapid upward tendency Many claims
have been prospected and without single ex-
cept;on, have disclosed magnificent BID of
blue gravel rising within two or three feet OF
the surface and running regularly dowl to the
bedrock Ground, which could have been To-
Gated, or purchased there six months since for
two or three hundred dollars, is not now in mar
ket at as many thousands. The situation OF the
HILL whether considered with respect to the eX-
tensive view it commands Of the surrounding
country, or its admfablc adaptation to the pur-
poses of mining, is indeed almost unsurpassed,
even in the mcn nltains of California. For hy-
draulic operations, its superiority is at once
striking and peculiar, since an abundance OF
beautiful timber and Il fall Of from one to three
hundred feet can be readily obtained upon any
portion of the hill. The top is almost plane
Slightly uldulating, and rather Inclined toward
the river-with q fertile soil, covered with lux
urant grass and irrigated by several never-iall-
ing springs of lmpd mountain water. In the
centre of this plane, a small village has been
recently laid out, and where three months ago,
only a few miners cabins were visible, may now
be seen twenty or twenty-five beautiful frame
houses and almost as many more in rapid pro-
cess of erection. Among the most notable are
Hunters Billiard Saloon, the crack structure OF
the embryo city and Todd's UnitedStates Hotel,
where the weary find grateful rest am in
formed that Hunter has made quite scratch in
opening the Pioneer Saloon at Relief Hill
John always keeps strong lookout Tor the
main chance, and rarely makes miS-cue.
The population is rapidly increasing, and the
settlers, for the most part, belong to that class
of men whose industry, energy and taste have
every where caused the "desert to rejoice and
blossom as the rose"
/ am assured by Captain Monroe, the "oldest
inhab;tant" Of the hill that the progress of RE
lief during the next three months will very far
exceed that of the last two, and upon the COM
pletion of Caatain Irwin's Ditch, that immense
Quantities Of gold will be taken from her groan-
ing mines.
Those, whose crrosity may induce them to
visit this young Ell Dorado, may be glad to know
its precise location, which, as nearly as l can
estimate. is about two niles east of Humbug
CITY. upon the same slope Of the ridge, three
miles from Gold Iill on the opposteside of the
South Yuba, and about one and half miles
this way from :'Loafer's Retreat" alias Fenns
Ranch, about which / propose to furnish you a
few agricultural items in a subsequent issue Of
the Democrat. NEVADA
Sept I5, 1856.
A Tuoucur = remember that Adam Smith