San Andreas independent., 1857-03-21
LETTER FROM MURPHYs.
MURPHY's March IS. 1857.

MURPHY's March lS, 1851
Mr. Editor This being my birthday and
not particularly engaged, permit me to give the
numerous readers of your paper few facts
from this good, old, peaceble, law-abiding Camp.
My age shall not give, not being blessed with a
goodly number of those pretty smiling faces, who
have but little affection and much less sympa-
thy for my class-bachelors. May fortune
smile upon them.
The miners on the Flat are making finish
in washing the dirt, which was thrown up
| last Fall-when there was not sufficient water
/ to work, and many of them have been literally
rewarded for their labor; those who have cot
through, are making preparations for another
profitable seasons work. Ere long the steam
engine, the horsepower, with pumps and hy-
draulics, will each be doing their duty have
no doubt in stating, and l think every one who
have seen the machinery in operation, on this
Flat, will agree with me, that it is equal if not
superior to any in the Southern Mines, both for
/ speed and ease to the miner. In connection
with this machinery is the extensive Flume the
entire length of the Flat, about 1000 feet long,
4 wide; sides d, bottom 2} or inch plank,
constructed by the q Union Water Company, y
at cost of several thousand dollars, for the
purpose of carrying off the fine tailings and
surplus water from the numerous hydraulics,
sluices and pumps. 1t is washed out about
four times during the year, and yields on aver
age, fifteen hundred to two thousand dollars
each washing. The Company have it in con-
temptation to lower the cut fifteen to twenty
feet, which will enhance the value of claims,-
not only those Immediately adjoining but will
he the means of oneninO ont larOa norton of
mining ground which heretofore could not be
worked for want of fall for sluicing. The Old
Flat, as it is called, was worked early in 40,
and almost daily since, excepting the 7th day
of the week, and is now paying at depth of
fifty to sixty feet, and in not one instance has
the bedrock been exposed. Do not be aston
ished when the slate-ledge is reached, to hear
of some lucky miner making his pile in few
tubs of dirt. We have many rich mining To-
calities in the vicinity of this Camp, indepen-
dent of the Flat, where the honest, hard-work-
ing miner is making fair wages. Many of our
miners are introducing the Iron hydraulic hose;
those who already have them, pronounce them
much superior to the duck or canvas hose
Much credit is due the Managers of the Union
Water Company, who have their head quarters
or principal business Office at this place, for
their enterprise and perseverance, through their
worthy Superintendent Mr.. Shearer, and assis-
tants, in charging and extending their bitches !;
tapping the principal branch Of the StanislauS
with its tributaries high up in the snowy re-
gons, guaranteeing to the miners, not only of
this Camp, but of Douglass, Vallecito, Angels,
Albany Flat, Carsons, French Gulch and many
other mining localities, sufficient supply of
water the greater portion, if not the entire
season. Our Camp is growing rapidly; por
tions of land which but a few months ago was
in common, is now being enclosed, and lots for
building purposes are commanding fair prices.
The shingle houses, and log cabins of 40, are
disappearing and good and substantial build
ings are being erected in their stead, many of
which are occupied by families as private resi-
dences,-not only adding much to the appear
ance of our Camp, but giving assurances that
many Of our citizens have concluded to make
Murphy's their permanent residence; but few
years since, the occupants of these dwellings
(women and children), were more precious in
our Camp than ounces, yes pounds, of dust 1t
was in the Spring of 80 when the first Ameri-
can lady honored our then, canvas camp, with
her presence, and | am pleased to say she has
stuck by US, and is with us now, and was the
first white female to see the great natural curl
osties of Calaveras County, (The Big Trees)
One or two of the log cabins erected in 40 yet
remain-one of which is occupied by one of the
individuals who built it. Our village contains
Church, School House, two Express Offices,
a Telegraph Office, Masonic and Odd Fellows
Hall, a number of Stores we'll stocked with
goods Mechanics of nearly all branches, Res
taurants, Bakeries, Billiard Saloons, with few
Lager Beer establishments, and Livery Stable
Persons travelling by stage or walkers line, and
wishing to visit the great curiosities of this
county (The Big Trees can be accommodated
with the best conveyances.
SPERRY's sHoTEL-This large and commodious
fre-proof building was recently erected by the
gentlemanly proprietors, Sperry & Perry. Trav-
elers or miners patronizing this house, will find
the proprietors, gentlemanly and courteous,
giving every attention to their guests, to render
them comfortable and happy The stages for
Sacramento Stockton, (Messrs. Dillon 4 Co.'s
Daily line) Columbia, Sonora and Mokelumne
Hill, arrive and depart daily from this Hotel.
There is one of the best Lumber Yards in
the county, Messrs. Hanford & Co.'s, though their
Mill is located five miles Northeast of this
place, on the Big Tree and Carson Valley Road
The lumber is conveyed on Railroad, one and
a-half to two miles to the summit of the divide,
thence by teams to this Camp, where it is sold
and delivered, supplying all the mining Camps,
for many miles distant. This Mill is capable
of making one thousand feet of lumber per
hour. Respectfully yours
A BACHELOR.
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