Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-10-17
The " Capeo Claim.

We copy the annexed portion Of letter from
the Orovile correspondent of the Sacramento
Union, believing it will interest our readers
Eschcwing prod raity Of statistics. few facts
with regard TO the Cape Claim may not be unin-
torcst.ng. The lume which drains the river is
three quarts Is Of a mile in cngth aud about twcn-
ty feet broad. Two hundred and fifty hands are
now engaged day and night, picking, shovcinF,
sluicing. rocking, carpeutcring, and the hundred
varied occupations which so complicated an nm
dprIaking presents. As is absolutely necessary a
regular routine prevails. Time is precious. Not a
second is wasted, For the benefit Of those who
have not sufficient philosophy to resist an occa-
sOual dive into rich dirt. capacious boot tops
meet with nfeXible and peremptory prohibition
Cold so proiuscly lavished-specklng the ground
on which you Wallk--clngng to yOu with Midas
like tenacity--would arouse the avaricc Of an an
chorite. Quite village has sprung up to meet
the requirements of those engaged on this claim.
| glauc d in at the public dining room The ar
ray of platter was ovcraWing. This dcpa tment
hclungs to the company, who board th :ir men at
reasonable rates The Office of the company pre-
sent d a busy scene. Seated in a little room, pro-
tcct, Il 10y gratugs from the approach of the vul-
Gat was an ancient and dat" looking trio. in
tent on cleaning and weighing huge piles of dust
constantly being repcnished from without. These
were the managers and "big bugs of the compa
ny. Their cOuntenances wore an air of most pro-
voking complacency-at loast So it appeared to
those whom surftit had not yet taught the hum
bling lesson that gold is dross. had the tantali-
zing felicity of an insight into the strong box
where, in two huge sacks, lay concealed two
! thousand ounces.
My position commands a comprehensive view
of the ume and its operations. Animation is
all pcrvading, The fash of fifty revolving wheels
each one in the littul sunlight surrounded with a
halo of stars and prsms, delights the eye, while
the din of labor salulGs the ear. Aud now th"
horn sounds. Magical sound Forthwith nook
and projecting rock yield forth their tenants. On
they come to one spot intent. Each eye with
gOHtH,aHd frenzy rolling. Their approach de-
notes d structiol-he lardcr will suffer the din
ner horn has sounded.
Rather remarkable accident and an even
more remarkable escape occurs TO me- A man
loaded with timber was crossing the fume, Il por-
ton became entanglcd in the wheel, he missed his
balance, fell, and passed successfully under six
wheels, the water moving with a velocity cf about
eight miles an hour. It was impossible to resist
its momentum. With remarkable presence of
mind, he saved himself ircm being crushed by
diving as he approached each wheel The last
one was reached, and in another moment he would
hay c been carried through The tume, together
with about thirty cubic feet of water, and crushed
among the rocks below, when he, fortunately,
grdsp,d crossing plank aud saved himself
The N0rM Californian says that 100000 have
already been taken from this claim and there
are now fourteen " toms" at work. which will
average from SIS 900 to $20, 600 per day