The weekly ledger., 1857-05-23
Fort John Correspondence.
FoRr JONI, NAV 10Th, l8t


Messrs. Editors: To assure you that the
good people of this place have not "stuck me
in the creek" or otherwise injured my hand
some person, ] will take few moments while
the beans are boiling to write you few lines,
and if possible give you fent idea of the
past, present and future of this celebrated
place.
Fort John retains more OF the signs and
characteristics of old Forty-Nine times than
any other place in this section of California.
You behold the log-cabn, with canvass roof !;
the clapboard palace with mud chimney emit
ting the savory perfumes Of burnt slapjacks
and beans straight, not forgetting the bounti-
ful supply of orc that lines the pockets of the
"honest miners" Everybody is proficient in
the mysteries of poker and old sedge, and
the way bad rum is consumed is caution to
Miss Pellet, and, (as John Palmer would
say "would make her spectaces to stand on
eend like squills upon the fretful tnrpentine."
The miners eschew even on Sunday all such
frivolities as "store clothes"-come out in
their regular jeans and gray flannel. A plug
hat would create greater excitement here
than did the first steamboat on the Mississip-
p and "biled shirts" are only known in his
tory Even the Aboriginees, declining all
such modern "escuents" as jerked beef and
musty -four, stick to their time-honered and
national diet Of acorn poy and graSshoppers
Ia mode.
The gulches on the northern divide are
supplied with water from the Volcano branch
ditch, and the miners are generally making
wages notwithstanding the high price they
have to pay for water. There is to be meet
ing of the miners here on Saturday evening,
for the purpose of amending the laws, so as
to enable them to hold their claims over until
another year, without working them, or until
water can be had at reasonable rates
There is plenty of water in the creek at
present, and the boys are making good use
of it. The Fort John Fluming Company have
completed their fume and are making from
eight to ten dollars per day to the hand. Great
credit is due the members of this company for
the energy and perseverance with which they
have prosecuted this work. against many diff
fcuties in the shape Of freshets, law suits, and
the like
The Ball of the season came off on Thurs
day evening last at the Montgomery Ranch
and was mumerouSly attended by the beauty
ana chValry oi upper Ranchera, flddle
town, Fort John and Volcano Mr.. Reed
the proprietor, spared no pains or expense in
getting it up. The music was excellent, and
as for the supper-"oh, git e-o-u-t-w haynt
ate anything since, and / noticed a repug-
nance to bacon and beans among all the boys
for several days after the party
was at Upper Rancheria on Sunday last.
Times appeared to be very lively there, and /
was Informed that there had been more gold
taken out in the last fortnight than in the
same length of time at any preceding period.
Good for Rancheria
What is the reason Tracks" has never
visited us? | can insure him lots of fun and
plenty of items. He need not be afraid-we
have no weapons here more dangerous than
"AHen's' revolyers.
But must draw to close, for the mail
mean the Butcher-is about to start So
no more at present from GMLET.