San Andreas independent., 1858-05-01

! ~
any advantage, though they are known to be
rich. Many efforts have been made to effect a
sufficient drainage, but hitherto without sue
cess At the present time a company of mi
| ners is engaged in tunneling through the hiNs
which Hank the Stanislaus and the south side
of the valley, with view Of effecting the de-
sired drainage. If this proves successful, it
will certainly make Fallecito mining town
of great Importance. 1t is an enterprise that
would oren an almost boundless fed for prof
liable labor; it can be DONE and sooner or la
ter it aciH be.
DOUGLAS FLAT.
From Vallecito we drove up the valley, to
Douglas Flat. This place is famous in the an
mails of g big Jumps and rich strikes Its
soil has paid golden tribute to many lands :;
and in several States of the Union, there are
little farms shining out through a wilderness
of thrift and happiness, whose occupants got
their start in life out of these banks and gull
ches. Just now, mining seems to be on the
decline, though there are still some rich hill
CIditifS Dclii3 hOlhCO- IlClC Iuc 2eOIO8lCuI
formation seems to change: the predominating
rock is blue, compact limestone, and this
prevails from here to Murpiy's. Some of the
finest specimens of the live-oak anywhere to
be seen are growing around on the hills, their
perfect symmetry and refreshing shade having
protected them from the ruthless axe of the
miner, long after the destruction of the forest
that once surrounded them Long may their
green boughs wave and whisper thanks
at the amorous kisses of returning Spring.
MURPHY's.
From Douglas Flat to Murphy's is about
two miles. Driving along the base of the hills
at the north side of the valley, with water
bitches intersccting the face of the country
like network, and fields and gardens to our
right smiling in verdure, we made sharp
turn to the left, and directly before US, at the
extreme head of the valley, lay the Miners
Paradise-the far-famed Murphy's. The stu
alton of the town was we'll chosen, independ-
ent of its proximity to exhaustless mines
1t has large resources in timber, agricultural
advantages, extensive grazing grounds and
a climate, moderate enough in the winter and
of less intensity in the summer than most mi
ming towns of the State. The fat upon which
it stands is almost perfect level containing
some sixty to seventy acres of rich alluvial
mold; the hills rise somewhat abruptly to the
north, west and east, shutting the town from
view except from the south, and are. covered
with the tall, spiral hickory pine, save one
which is overgrown with chapparel. Entering
town, we passed through clusters of dainty
homelooking cottages, emboWered amidst
young trees, in which we readily distinguished
the peach, apple and cherry. The yards and
gardens are laid out and ornamented with
much good taste, and seem to occupy large
share of the industry of the people. The
houses are generally neat wooden structures
but the merit of the adjective neat is scarcely
applicable to the northern extremity of town.
which would certainly be benefited by fire.
near the ceter Of town stands the ncompara-
ble hotel of Messrs. Sperry & Perry it is a
commodious two story structure, built of the
blue calcareous rock which here abounds; but
it is far less remarkable in point Of exterior
show, than it is for the substantial and elegant
comforts and hospitalites within. In these
respects it is model for any country, and
what is worthy of note, the charges are quite
moderate. Parlor bar-room, billiard table,
beds, apartments, viands, every thing, to the
minutest details Of correct house keeping, ex-
act the compliments of the most fastidious,
and to crown ALL polite servants, agentleman-
| ly landlord and quiet, orderly guests, contrib
ute to the social enjoyments of the stranger.
| In company with an old resident we visited
the ground f1ume now in course of construc-
ton, which is designed as drain for the dig
gngs on the fiat. This work was commenced
about FIVE months ago, by the miners who own
claims that will be benefited thereby. 1t is an
enterprise that will cost at least $4,000 to
complete. We reinformed they have already
expended $4,000, which has brought the cut
through some 700 feet of solid rock, from six
to thirty feet in depth. This distance carries
the work nearly into the basin, where the pay
! dirt is deposited, so that hereafter they will
progress with more rapdity and less expense
the remainder of the cutting being chiefly
through gravel. The work is still to be car
ried six or seven hundred feet farther up the
fat, and can hardly be finished before the first
of August When this cut is finished, MUIR
phy's will doubtless be the most fourishing
mining town south of the American river. 1t
will drain and open to successful washing, so
or sixty acres of ground, from 40 to 80 feet
deep, already tested and known to be rich
Heretofore these placers have been worked by
means of horse-pumps and steam-engines-
raising dirt and water from great depth to
the surface. Such an awkward, slow and ex-
pensive process did not suit the times, nor the
enerue,ic character of tie miners.
quarter of mile to the north of town is
the celebrated wire-suspension fiume, put up
bv three or four mining companies for their
snecial use. 1t is 700 feet from hill to hill.
$50 feet high at the point farthest from the
ground. and carries some FIVE or six sluice-
heads of water.
Wa rerrot opr want IF snace TO enlarge on