Weekly Trinity journal., 1858-07-10
"You,u Find Vie Pretty Well zip she River

Major William Downie, the founder of Downic-
willie, and the pioneer miner OF Sierra, Is going
to Frazer river He is n remarkable man, and
has dug more gold than any one man in that sec
tion of country Downie is u Scot, of the nober
sort one whose cabin door has ever been open
to the desponding adventurer, and whose strong
arm has struck many n nervous blow III defence
of the weak He is u man of great hearted I'M
pulse, and, after u residence of several years in
the town to which he gave name, we testify that
in n twenty mile circuit there is not nobler spec
linen of man. He is the autocrat OF Sierra mi
ners; his decision is law, and many time disputes
involving thousands of dollars have been settled,
definitely, by momentary submission to his sa
gacty and sense of justice. Downie built the first
cabin at the Forks of the Yuba;' his camp has be
come prosperous community, despite fire and
frost and flood But civilization has crowded out
the Pioneer and he is going West. May Gods
provident hand lead him to the richest treasures
of the new Dorado
ALPHA, June %, 1858
FRIEND Mac Your JOURNAL came to day, and
clad am |, at all times, to hear from you ii il
be only n line, il IL devourCd with cagcrncss.
Many time have felt lost in Downevile, since
Won left and, | think am not saying too much
when | say that your place has never been filled.
But what are we to think of this new excite
ment? | have tried to keep cool, but II is no use;
am still running bed rock tunnels, and the one
depended most on is stopped Well, | would
not fight against fate, but considering it all over,
determined to 60 to Frazer river. am going
over to Downicvlle to spend week with our
mutual friends, Mr.. and Mrs Pond do feel re- |
luctancp To bid them good hye--thcy are such |
good people, and it is seldom that wandercr, |
such as !, meets with so kind friends. But |
shall not complain | can look back many
pleasing scenes, and happy times | have had,
even in the mountains of California. am afraid
Sierra will suffer more than any other county
You know the nature of the miners here !; they
are men of strong passions and determined minds,
and when they go about doing anything. do it
with will. The Downcvilc miners will make
their mark wherever they 90. | intend to leave
on the 9th Of July :; that will be exactly nine
years, to day. since l left San Francisco.
You may think | am going on wild goose
chase, but | feel confident that | will make n
strike yet. feel that am born to make my
way up, up not to live the best of my days
pounding away at bed rock tunnels. And, now
that have got started, will try and find ont
what is at the head of Frnzer river. | am your
warm friend, and we may meet in the voyage Of
life, yet. If you think of coming up, youW fnd
me pretty ,ceH up he river. Good luck, my dear
Mae, and may you be well and happy, is the sin
cerc wish of your friend WILLIAM DowNIE.
The manuscript of the above has been forward
ed to Rev. Mr.. Pond ii should be put in the ar
chives Of Downevile as n remembranccr Of the
Foander. The Reverend gentleman and his beau
tiul wife will therein read the reward of having
given sanctuary to n good man whose memory :
IS retentive Of kindness. {