Butte record., 1856-03-08
Feather River and Cphfr Water Ditch.


friend, Col Stanton, we extricated ourself
from the busy throng ofsubscribers that anx-
iously crowded around our Office, awaiting
with feverish impatience to be supplied with
the Butte Record, and, in search of exercise
and information, We walked up as far the
head dam, about eight miles above here
just above the Junction of the South and
Middle Forks of Feather River, We met our
trieudDiek Woodruff, who. together with some
Of his students in Geology, were making some
interesting experiments on large fragment
Of primary rock, which, by wonderful con
vulsion Of nature Tor gunpowder) had been
lodged in the middle of the Ditch We1aited
to see the result of his Investigations, and
were delighted with his success, when, after
several probings and preparatory movements
with his instruments, he succeeded in sscer-
taining the amount of force of grsvitation
with which '.dorriek'' of its immense size,
(about four tons weight would fall and, in
deed the amount Of accelerated motion was SO
great that in its fearful course, regardless of
all obstacles. it rushed with the impetuosity
Of rampant bull dog" and meeting with al
oak tree of about two feet in diameter, felled
it the ground. and rushing ON like trsmen-
dous cannon ball, finally lodged in the river.
At this point there were about fifty men at
work repairing and widening the Ditch.
We passed on leisurely over the line of the
Ditch, or, rather, Canal, for it certainly de-
serves TO be dignifed by that name wherever
it has been enlarged, and arrived at String
town about II o'clock, and in honor Of our
visit to that young giant of the forest, the in
habitants, through the medium of that no
blest of all noble hearted fellows S. W. Craig,
Esq, rendered us public dinner, which, as
substantial token of their regard, WAS really
grand and "magnitf," and to which we did
ample justice The Colonel, with an elegance
# style peculiar to himself remarked, that he
vas glfd We had been in Stringtown, which
remark has double-meaning. and Was face
tious allusion to one of the principal viands
composing the afore m en- tioncd dinner.
Bidding adeu to our kind.friend, and wend-
ing our way through the closely built and in
tricate streets of Itoine- city, as it might
more elegantly be named, we directed our
steps towards Enterprise, a ''fourishing ham
let" whose name is indicative of it's position
and char acter among the cities Of earth, be-
ing really equal in population and only second
in enterprise" to that pride of '-Old Butte"
Daubytown-and here we would suggest that
if our county seat is to be removed let the
voice Of Enterprise be heard, and let her
wants be properly and truthfully set before
the people.
After short delay in examining and ad-
miring the various public buildings Of this
monument to the energy and industry of her
citizens, we took up our line of march and in
about half hour reached the dam that raises
the water Of the river to level with the
Ditch. Here is quite picturesque natural
cataract, which, with the superadded fall from
the dam makes very pleasing picture, snr-
rounded as it is by grand old rocks, and trees,
and ''everlasting hills" The view of the
river at 2his pluce reminds US of that exquis-
lite effusion commencing
'sSouth Fork child of eternal snow
So placid near the Ferry"
On our return, and just above Entprise, we
met one of the ancient lords of the soil, whose
half-naked and emaciatcd form prompted US
to say to the olopel. that he-the s'iujun'-
and the Ditch, in some of the places where it
had not undergone the process Of repair, re-
sembled one another, both having the appear
ance of ''the last sad remnant of o down -trod-
den race;-from the effects of which effort we
recovered, after the judicous administration
of about a quart of East Boston," prescribed
by the Doctor at the St. Nicholas Hotel.
Stringtown.
After short resting spell, during which
time re recovered our strength and spirits,
''in great measure" we again wrung the
hands of our many friends, (all FIVE of 'em.)
and onco more tnrned our backs on gay, busy
Stringt own and her magnificent: edifces (the
whole seven) and began our homeward march
Mr. Craig has under his supervision at the
upper end of the Ditch, about eighty men.
through whose labors he has already compile
ted about four miles of, and splendid
aqueGu t has made Of it
We returned to Bidwell about five o'clock
the Colonel aad ourself-pretty thoroughly
''gone in with CUR long tramp, (about sixteen
miles.)
That part Of the Ditch that has undergone
the required enlargement and repairs, is re-
ally grand and to our untutored eye, seems
a substantial and complete canal, and is
a tredit to Mr.. Meacham and his assistants
and we really hope that his fondest wishes
may be realized, and that his labors NAV be
completed satisfactorily to himself and the
company. PROTEIN.
The Weather.
More supremely beautiful weather than