The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-12-25
More about the Kansas Gold Mines.

MeSSfS. y. French ana i. 4. Dick son
members Of the Lawrence Company that
discovered the Pixies Peak gold mines las,
>ummer, are now at Ali.n and have given
the editor Of the Couricr of that city the
following account Of the new E Dorado:
In extent the gold region is very lengthy
and of unknown width. For at least two
hundred and City or three hundred miles
along the eastern side Of the mountain
range, indications of gold are abundant; and
at great many points throughout this ter
rito-y it has already been found. Messrs
French and Dickson, however, confirm the
reports heretofore made, that the principal
paying diggings yet developed are 10 the
north OF Pixies Peak about sixty OF seventy
miles, in the vicinity Of Cherry Greek and
South Plat river. They also confirm the
reports that in the immediate vicinity of the
Peak the yield Of gold is not large and say,
indeed, that it is less than at Fort Massachu-
sets, two hundred and TWENTY-FIVE miles
south. The Cherry Greek dlgsings are
about forty to fit, miles in length north and
south, and extend westward into the noun
tains an unknown distance. The gold thus
far taken out consists of the scale of drift
variety, and is said to bs about TWENTY-FIVE
carats tinc. 1t Is generally found at depth
varying from SIX inches to as many feet be-
low the surface, in a formation composed Of
nuartz and e-~.'sa rohble stone black SLATE
&c, varying in thickness from three or four
to twelve inches. This drift yields from ten
and twenty cents up to one dollar per pan,
and even in Some instances as high as three
dollars; and hardly pan full can be taken
up which will not yield something. 1t rest.
upon strata OF hard clay, or upon forma-
ton resembling sand stone. Whether depo-
sits Of gold exist beneath this. is a question
as yet unsoived. Me>srs. French and Dick.
son are of the opinion that extensive devel-
opments Of quartz gold will yet be found in
:he mountains, and tell US that they OBJ
served many lodges Of this rock cropping
out. They say. and in this they also bu,
confirm other reports, that persons NAV re
aize from one to fifteen dollars per day with
but the ordinary pan for washing-dspsnd-
ing in great measure upon the industry
and taste Of the MINER and upon the proxi-
nifty Of the diggings to water; and declare it
their firm conviction that with the modern
improvements of long toms, rockers, &c, at
least from thirty to forty dollars per day
may be obtained.
They give it as their opinion that, in the
extent Of country which they examined
about sne-third of the gold region is covered
with timber. This is, to great extent,
pine, both white aud yellow, but principally
of the SO called Norway variety. There are
also groves of cottonwood, and some spruce,
box elder, &c. In some section. the timber
is confined to the banks Of the MANY
s,rea;..s which find their way down frsn the
mountains, whi.e IN other parts the grand
forests of pines. shooting I'D one hundred
feet clear Of limbs, spread out for scores of
miles upon the plains. They report hnling
but little hard proper. the spruce beins
mostly not more than Eve or six inches
through. There is. however. no lack of tim.
Der such as it is. and the pine attairs very
large size.
Water courses are abundant; an, in the
spring and early summer months, are mostly
full Of soft water. As autumn approaches.
many of the streams become considerably
reduced in volume, and some of them en-
tirely disappear, leaving their beds dry
These, however, evidently but take an I'M
dsrground channel; for, BY digging down
from one to five or six feet, they arc usually
found.
OF course but little attention has vet been
paid to the farming resources of the ceun-
try, but Messrs. French and Dickson say
that the Platte Valley and also the valley Of
Cherry Creek are excellent for tilliag BUR
poscs-the soil being light, mellow, and ap-
parently quick. To the east of Pixies Peak
is a region which they are also sure must be
good for farming.
OF game there is no lack. Antelope, elk,
two varieties Of deer, black, brown, and
grizzly BEARS wolves. &C., arc to be had for
the hunting, though the bears and wolves
arc so abundant as to be dangerous or trou-
blssome.
Messrs. French and Dickson intend to re-
turn to the Valley of Cherry Greek early
next spring. Already two or three villages
have been located in the neighborhood; and
at the junction of the Greek and the South
Platte, town has been laid out and named
st. Charles. 1t is said to be fine situation,
and is certainly central point. They cx-
press decided preference for OK teams and
the northern route. For an outfit the cost
is much less than many persons think. The
best way to go is to form companies of four
and buy one wagon and three yoke of cattle.
The cost of these, with provisions for six
months residence in the diggings, Gncluding
the month occupied in going need not be
over from one hundred and twenty-five to
one hundred and fifty dollars per man. OF
course . more expensive outfit NAV be Oh.
tanned; but one costing no more than 1850 |
for four men, is every way comfortable.