San Andreas independent., 1858-01-23
Correspondence Of the Independent.
MU.rnys, JAN. 18th. 1858.

less detailed concerning different mining camps and
towns in the vicina whence your correspondent here
ifers that some notice OF this famous old place might
prove not altogether without interest
1t cannot be denied that the practice of indscrmnate
pulling In newspapers, is which has fallen into ct
odium and disrepute The ausion to it in late COM
muncston from this place, to the ISDEPESDEsr enti-
tied Elephantine Musings by an old settler well ex
presses the general feeling People have come dsbe-
ieye altogether at least to put very little faith in the
newspaper accounts Of great strikes and rich dgng
remarkable commercial prosperity etc; and with too
much reason. What imperfect Information l may be
able to send you it is hoped will be at least reliable
any one whom 1t may concern to inquire, may with
little trouble verify for himself
Since your late visit here there have been there
always are some good claims opened and many pros
pected with favorable indications Of To the
miner who in these hard times is lucky enough to be
making good wages elsewhere, with plenty Of water it
would be wrong to recommend a removal to this vicin-
ity but such otherwise situated and the look
out may chance to obtain their object here we'll In
any locality within my personal knowledge. wstcr is
abundant and be had on easy by those who
willing to work. The may be said of lumber,
which is supplied by two extensive companies, Messrs
Hanford Co., and Sleeper Co.
The immense superiority of the "hydrauic power"
technically so-called, needs not to be dwet upon snf
flee it to say that claim is worked by any other
appliance where sufficient head of water can by any
means be procured; and not few claims long since
prospected worked at loss, and abandoned have by
this simple natural agency, been re-opened and
in successful and reuneratiye operation Almost indis
pensabc to this mode of mining is the employment of
galvanized iron for pipe, hose and pumps This has be-
r.
and vicinity find that its strength durability and resis
tance to oxydation, we'll its cheapness, give it
marked superiority any other material yet discov
cred or invented This peculiar combination is as yet
manufactured only in England There some secrets
about the process not known, it is believed others
than the paentees, We fortunate in having here
experienced and skilful mechanic Mr. II. Rogers who
has for long time supplied this part Of the county with
the various forms in which the above article is used
the general satisfaction.
Prominent among the enterprises and Improvements
here is the suspension ume, carrying water to Central
Hill and elsewhere; the suspension bridge, the
creek ut the western end Of town. forms in its SIM
pcity Of the finest artificial obj cts of interest in
the place. 1t has, and very properly. received several
notices heretofore well in your sheet Others
tunnel about eleven hundred feet in length has been
with great labor and expense through Central il which
supplies water to that rich locality, well Six mile
creek, where steady supply has long been needed
new water ditch from the Middle fork of th STAN
isaus, will when completed, next summer furnish an
additional supply to this vicinity, and open up the mi
considerable extent Of ground which it has itler-
to been impossible to work. though excellent prospects
have been obtained, and unmisakable indications OF
gold are abundant. But the undertaking from which
the citizens Of Muphy anticipate tn. greatest influx Of
gold, and corresponding improvement in all of bu-
sness, is the sinking Of the ume through the old fiat
This has long been acknowledged to be indispensable
requisite to the future prosperity Of the place. and is
in full progress, employing some seventy hands The
richness of the deep claims upon the fat is too wel
known to need remark here. But it has been found,
from year year. that though there seemed end to
the gold in them the necessary expenss of clearing them
of water, detract-d and from the profits of
the work. The miners Of California in general, not
long "making their idea action" where they
clearly right \ call for support and subscription
cheerulIy and beray responded to by all who had
the interest OF the place at heart and the desired work
the fourteenth of September last, and
has been continued sine. with uaremitting assdu-
ity and is in progress to early and successful compile
ton. 1t is carr.d under tn. supervision Of Board
of Trustees elected by tn. Stockholders of which Jas
Silver, Esq, is President and present Magistrate,
James Palache, Esq., Is Secretary and Treasurer The
wages paid In scrip. in six months fifty dollars per
month, with good board, eighty dollars without it,
The par value of stock is hundred dollars.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and other ent rprses
and partly because Of the it cannot be denid that this
shares in with other mining towns. in tempo
rary duness, compared. least with former times
less capital is permanently invested yet the very
ploymen Of labor and money in undertakings Of pros
pectiye though certain advantage may sometimes. to
certain degree d.ract from appearances Of present pros
pcrity, and for reasons too obvious to note.
In is interesting, and uninstrucve sometimes, to
revert to thu earlier history and the palmy days Of 40
and 50 when, yet bitches not; when the
pan, rocker and sheath-knif; sufficient for the
traction of the "al-worshipped' and sluc,s and hy-
may expect in future communication Of
Of earlier days; the progress o the place. together with
such information be collect Of Of the
famous claims
Christmas and New Year with US. passed with the
usual festivities The of the latter sgnaized by
ball. at which the beauty and fashion of the place
sisted Your correspondent observed about thirty
couple upon the floor at the Dance which enlivened
by fine music discoursng the airs Of the modern
and popular pokas, mazourkas and schottsches inter-
spersed with the old fashioned cotillions and
ira dances 1t would be nvidious to discriminate in
pointing out especial tase beauty grace, where all
eminent. 1t Is enough to say that nothing occur
red to the common happiness and enjoyment; that
at H. NJ all down to supper at the hotel Of Messrs
Spcrry 4 Perry, which provided with that abund
and libcralty and cmb.lsed with the good taste
which ever characterizes this fine establishment
Our town has a Masonic Lodg., r. A. Chapter, and
Lodge Of Odd Fellows The recent organization Of the
latter was noticed in your last ssue.
On the annual election, Dec. 24th of Ophir Lodge No.
Ss f. A. Masons the following gentlemen chosen
and subsequently installed officers
w. H. Barnes, w. NJ; reelected w. IT, Crispin, 8.
W. Riley Sent.r, J. W.; reelected. A. II. Putney,
Treasurer. James NJ. Montgomery, Secretary. Henry
Taller. S. ID. Geo. Metz. j. ID. James McGowaa, Marl.
Nelson Card and J. s C. Davis, Stewards JOS Harris
Tyler.
At the annual election of Caaveras A. Chapter, No.
IL, December 3D. the following chosen and INSTALL
ed as officers, by NJ. +. "A ii. Putney
Frederick Faxoa, ii. p. W. c. Crispin, X. Riley |
senter, s. Lewis Weber, c. IT. j. w. Griswold, p. 5.
The limits Of the present communication do per-
nit extended notice of many matters which may ap
pear hereafter Among the newly established concerns,
H. Il n 4 49, TT