Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-12-23
LATEST FROM THE GOLD MINES.
FIVE DOLLARS A DAY WIN 4 PAN ,
FROM TEN To TWENTY
DOLLARS A. DAY WITH A sLUICE Ell.
From the Omaha Nebraska. Dec. 8.

FROM the Omaha Nebraska, Dec. g.
After we went to press last week, we
received call from Mr. Davis, who left
the gold mines at Cherry Creek on the 18th
oil November. and had returned in compa-
ny with AsJ. Smith, whose return we no
ticcd last week, Mr., Davis is a resident
oil Sarpy County; he left this city for the
gold mines about the 18th OF September,
reached the place of destination after in
Vulnerable vexatious delays, from lame
teams and other causes, about the 9th of
October. Mr.. Davis is well known in this
community, is gentleman of responsibility
and honor. and his statements are entitled
to the fullest belief. In company with A.
>. Smith he spent nearly fortnight
prospecting in the mines with the most sat
isfaetory results. Gold was found at
every place tried. from six inches to two
ieet below the surface of the ground, and
III quantities varying from ten cents to one
and half dollars per pan full, generally
IN the form of small scales. A specimen
oil about an ounce. which he exhibited to
us, was Of this description, and resembled
IN appearance the finest quality of Califor-
MIA gold. Mr.. Davis Informed us that
miners were washing out, with PAN
from four to five dollars per day, and his
own experience in prospecting satisfied
him that at least that amount coulL be
be made w tn a pan, and from ten to TWEEN
ty dollars per day, or more, could be re-
allied with the aid of as uiccs," or "long
toms" We append the following letter
written by MIR. Davis before he concluded
to return with Mr. Smith,
Sourn PLATTE, Mouth of Cherry Creek.
November, 8. 1855,
From the uncertainty of news, and the
mcagre accounts from the gold region of
the South Plate. also the interest felt in it
the people this side of the great plains, in
ducc rae to publish the pith of my obscr-
vatlons-having spent some little time in
viewing the genera! land surface, and gain
ing what information l could otherwise
than by observation of the -gold-bearing
country. The first gold is found upon
the banks of the Platte, as low down as
st. Vrain's Fort, and the lands grow
richer as you approach the mountains.
The streams which from the tributaries to
the Platte are rich in the auriferous mental
The quartz rock or natural deposits of
gold have not as yet been discovered
The prospecting and little working which
has been done is confined to this i,nmedi-
ate vicinity; the season is too far advanced
to admit Of profitable working, though |
have up to the time left, seen men make
four and five dollars per diem with a pan,
on what is termed Dry Greek. about six
miles south of this point, or up the river
The dirt yields from three to thirty cents
per pan, it is very fine and requires much
care with such implements to save the
metal. 1t is said TO be tho finest gold
ever discovered, and worth from nineteen
to twenty dollars per ounce. 1t is found
on the gravel banks among large boul-
dcrs. and from six inches to three feet un-
der the surface. Experienced miners say
that from ten to twenty dollars per day
can be taken out of such places with a
sluice and tom, in season when the water
is plenty.
Gold in this country is finer than IN Csi
'f.'ni" or Australia, but far more unver-
sal, being scattered over large area OF
ground it will afford profitable employ
men; to thousands.
Timber is abundant, principally pine
and cottonwood. Some portions of the
river bottom are snsceptivc of cultivation.
also the canons in the mountains. The
streams present fine water privileges. and
the climate is certainly good. The lofty
mountains protecting the immediate coun-
try from the high winds which rush over
the plains.
Provisions are high, but -four will he
brought from New Mexico Tor twenty dol
airs per barrel, in the spring.
4 I Dave