Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-06-07
For the Ledger.
Jottings by the Roadside.

to Indian Diggings and vicinity. So arising
early, hastily prepared my frugal breakfast
and mounting one of the coaches OF walkers
line, was soon on my way up the steep hills
that environ Volcano. Arriving at favorable
point / stopped TO admire the beautiful land
scape spread out before me. Under my
feet was Volcano looking calm and quiet the
smoke from hundred chimnies showing that
our citizens are not early risers. From thence
my eve glanced at the Masonic Rock and
then at Mahala Flat, with its pyrimids of by
draulic network, looking like they were
about to "fence it in" Pike Hill got
"sheep's eye" from me, and then turning i
glanced at Sutter Creek basin, the most Of
which being under cultivation, gave pictur-
esque appearance to the whole view.
Continuing my way soon arrived at the
summit of the ridge, and then had smooth
road until came to the hill over the South
Fork of the Cosumnes The banks were
rather precipitous, but down ] went and soon
struck bottom Turning up the creek few
hundred yards ! came to Chivalry Hill.-
There is plenty of water, good diggings, and
few miners OF this camp They were very
uneasy about the Indians Continuing my
jaunt soon arrived opposite the diary OF
Frow Saurkinpredseandkra
about three miles from Indian Diggngs,
where was attacked by nine villainous ours
who surrounded me on three sides, leaving
a fine chance for retreat into the house.
The lady above mentioned, i wont punish
the printer with spelling her name again, J
came to the door, brandishng a dirty broom
and shouting at the dogs in some unknown
jargon; but whether it was to call them off
or hustle them on, did not know but sup
posed it to be the latter for as soon as |
entered the house they became very quiet
| invested bit with the old lady and had
very interesting conversation with her
(She could not talk word of English.)
told her that she had some fine trained dogs
that understood the art of running travellers
into the house so that she could sell them
milk and she answeredyaw, yaw, coot dogs
| passed-on my way, and was soon at lndiar
Diggings, which found to be n very lively
hourishing camp The business part of the
town is built on the left bank Of Indian creek
. and one would suppose in dangerous situa
ton as there are several tunnels running un
der the town and small slide might pitcl
! the houses into the creek.
Water is plenty here, and the mines ar
paying well The claim of Bell & Co, il
> Main street opposit the Union Hotel, is pay
ing six hundred dollars week, working fou
: hands. Gamblers, those blood suckers of SC
c ciety are as thick in this camp as flies aroun
dead carcass. Gambling, in open violation
u of the law is carried on in broad day light
l. | stopped here two days and enjoyed the no.
e pitalities Of an old friend, of whom, all tn
It harm l wish him is contained in an Irishism
Hoping that he may live to see the gree
grass growing over his grave
+" Leaving early I journeyed on my way t
+" Brownsville, passing through forest of Ia
: eedars and pines-some of them the larges
n and highest that had ever seen in the country
| soon arrived at my destination, and wa
cordially greeted by my ancient friend Co
Med. This town has a beautiful situation
and is much improved since my last visit t
= it. Several neat dwellings have been erected
the streets improved, and an air of cleanline;
Of about the place which adds much to its beat
n ty. There is a fine sawmill here, supple
" with water power from the Brownsville Ditc
ID Co. The office of this company is statione
= here, but they supply great many claims c
of Indian Diggings with water The diggins
r. this vicinity are not very numerous, but e,
ceedingly rich may be called in the fullei
sense of the word, Big diggings." Two il
% terests sold the day before | arrived in Il
~ Englishmans claim for six thousand dollar
H. tarried here but short time and then co
81 tinued my ramble to Slug Gulch, distant thrt
y miles This place contains about forty mine
io and several families. Water is plenty, al
the boys appeared to be in good spirits, whiC
III means that the claims are paying well Sto
A. ping but short time started for Fairpla
= four miles distant This is a pleasant TOW
or situated on ridge between Pear creek al
nd the middle fork of the Cosumnes. Water