The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-12-18
Niscei iapeops.
The Gold Fields of the Far West

III uIobu Vi lie DOJO is AT laSL I0hd-
lied in the gold fields of the far West
Even the tabled waters that would give
perpetuity of youth seem disclosed in the
sparkling currents whose gathered wealth
can add a bloom to the faded brow of
beauty, or clothe with comeliness the de-
orepitude of old age. Multiplied nara
tives from the trapper who first saw the
glitter in the sands to the latest adven-
turer returning with the yield of sum-
mer's prospecting, all attest the richness
and extent of the gold beds formed by the
washings of the eastern slope of the
Rocky Mountains. Along the banks OF
Cherry Creek, the Fountain qui Bouille,
the South Platte and smaller affluents in
the vicinity of Pixies Peak, surface ex-
plorations have shown an abundance of
the precious metals mingled with their
deposits amply sufficient to repay constant
toll, even with the rudest instruments
Further along faint rumors come to us
Of still more alluring indications upon the
western slope in the Three Parks, and
southwark among the huge formations that
skirt the. Rio Bravo del Norte. From
research so far made, from geological evil
dences, from Evolutionary stories, and
remains Of former civilization, we have DO
room to donbt the general aurifTerous
character of the whole central elevation
of the continent The Sierra San Juan is
known to contain greater varieties of pre-
cious stones, minerals, salt and earths than
any other of the Sierras of the interior
The partial exploration of its treasures
prepares us to hear of developments among
Its gulches unsurpassed in the world. &. A
recent lecture upon physical geography
delivered by gentleman better informed
of the resources Of that region than any
other in America, assumes that gold will
be found there in solid mass, Just as iron
is found at the Pilot Knob or Sheppard
Mountain. And we see no reason To
doubt it, but every reason to believe it,
Still less should we be surprised to note
discoveries of the garnet, the topaz, the
amethyst, the emerald and the diamond
more abundant than those of the great
mountain chains of Europe and Asia. In
Arizona the silver mines have already
attracted large attention, and become
the object Of eager quest, and this is also
apart Of the same remarkable formation
formation embracing an area of ten de-
grees of latitude. Here, therefore, is a
field ripe with the havest, and ready fol
the gathering. Who shall number all its
treasures? How shall we take an inven.
tory Of all its wealth And with the
opening new year, when the grass grows
green, and nature assuming there her gar
ment of rare loveliness. shall invite to the
exploration, what scene of adventurous
industry will be witnessed in that now
silent Territory. More than twenty thou.
sand men will be toiling, digging, search.
ing through every nook of that great vol
canic section-climbing the mountains
penetrating the valleys, turning the
streams, breaking the rocks, burrowing the
earths, polishing the stones, smelling the
silver, cleaning the gold from every
ersViee. The throng of wagons, and &C.
emulation Of provisions, and collecting o.
nerds and hocks along the western lines
OF present settlement, will resemble the
outgoing Of an army of invasion. Tit
tramp OF free labor, as it marches to the
conquest Of the new 0phir, will be hearC
aooVe the din of politics, and the restless
eye oil speculation will wander from gov
srnment contracts, and Congress lobbying
70 watch this exodus to the center-thi'
crusade againstth the mountains-this evan
geito new commerce. The West-th,
.t West-the great West, will loom up il
sne eye OF the nation in proportions o
unreasonable grandeur. Where the dee
aAd the elk now frequent, cities will sprini
Up within the year, rivaling those of tn
valley, and the buffalo path will turn int
highways for hurrying merchandise Tn
1aaesman who can now scarce get togethe
enough In his narrow home to buy an on;
NJ VIII return the millionaire of neN
so'c neld, or the shrewd realizer Of sue
eeSslVe bubble town lots. The ox-drive
wiz merge into the proprietor of the ex
Eess hne; the farmers hey will boast tn
ssess'on Of rancho with cattle on
hundred hills. Nor will there be wantin
T% INES in all this gilded pagsntry?-
tns broken gambler, the youth who's