Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-07-23
The Frazer River Gold Mines.

the 18TH OF June, Drought down about
500 OF. of gold dust, and her report is as
follows:
Owen Hoy, formerly in the employ of
Mr.. R. f. Kerrison, came down. He
had been at work on Hills bar, and
when mining he did not make less than
S25 per day, and from that to $50.
Thus far the miners have not attempt
ed to go to the bed rock. 1t appears to
be generally conceded that when men
are at work, with the water at favora-
BILE stage, they can earn from IS to S58
per day to the hand.
At present the water is too high to
allow of washing on the bars, and it is
not expected to fall before the 18th of
July.
The Indians do not allow the miners
to work on Thompson's river.
The Sea Bird and surprise are run
ming up Frazer river, to Fort Hope and
Yale, and carry passengers to those pla-
ces from Victoria for $50 each. Vessels
are not allowed to go up the river from
Whatcom.
Provisions are reported to be scarce
and dear in the mines.
Miners at work in the banks of the riv-
ers are now making S. per day.
Mr.. James A. MeCrea, writing from
Whatcom, under the date of June 9th,
says:
There have been several miners here
from the mines, all with plenty Of gold,
and they give favorable reports, such as
making from one to six ounces per day
to the man, when the water is low. So
we may expect to have plenty of ore
soon.
There are about one thousand Of peo-
pie at Whatcom and Sehome, most of
them waiting for the trail to be opened.
The town is quiet. There is none of
that roughness for which California was
distinguished in early times. Gambling
is not allowed.
The Puget Sound Herald of June II.
says:
"Frank Matthias, W. H. Wood, w
Tidd, Terry, and several others, have
just returned from the mines for more
provisions, boats and mining implements.
All previous reports of the richness of
the mines has been confirmed. All these
gentlemen have large quantities of the
ore and state that they dug from $50 to
$48 every day they worked. Goods are
very scarce and consequently very high
at the mines.
The steamer Surprise had gone up
Frazer river with Gov. Douglass. All
steamers can navigate Frazer river by
procuring a miners license at a cost of
s. per man, for every one Of her pas
sengers, and conforming to certain con
ditions of suferance,' among which are
these: That no goods are to be shipped
that are not bought of the Hudson Bay
Co., that no arms or ammunition are to
be carried which are not imported from
the United Kingdom; that no miner is
to trade with the Indians, etc.
Samuel McCaw of Steilacoom had
some two thousand dollars worth of goods
confscated by the Hudson Bay Compa-
ny's officers at Fort Langley.
Money is plentiful at Bellingham Bay.
Provisions are plentiful and to be had at
fair prices. Many buildings are m pro-
cess Of construction at Whatcorn and Sc
home.
Mr.. Woods informs US that repeated
difficulties have occurred on Frazer riv-
er between the Hudson's Bay Company 5
officials and miners, in consequence of
the former selling the canoes and effects
of the latter for infringements on the
rights of the company.
A correspondent of the Oregon5a1
gives the following as his experience in
the navigation of Frazer river:
CATER two days soiourn we started
six in each canoe, and arrived after ten
days travel at Bellingham Bay, where
we purchased some more provisions
Next day we left and in two days arrived
at Fort Langley, where we intended tC
buy some -four, had not the fellows ask.
ed such high price-$35 per barrel
After travelling fifteen miles above For
Langley we encountered the first rapids
and, wherever it was practicable, We
hauled on our lines on shore. The cur.
rent increased daily, and not being able
to haul our lines on shore any more, we
were compelled to get into the water, anG
God knows what we have suffered. Fol
five days, from morning till NIGHT W,