The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-12-11
From the Gold Mines.

lVThe following, from the Junction Sen
tinel, is what we consider reliable article
i'm regard to late news from "Pike's Peak"
As it is the latest intelligence from that
interesting portion of Kansas, and seems
to be so candid, we commend it to the
special attention of those who propose
visiting the mines in the spring:
"PIKE's PEAK-Captain Russell, of the
Georgia company, whose name has been
identified with the Kansas gold excite.
ment, passed through here on his way
home from the new Ell Dorado. From
him, indirectly, we gather the following
facts, which go far to corroborate previous
statements
"The past makes the second season the
Capt. has spent in the mines. The sum-
mer of 80 be did little but prospect, but
the knowledge thus gained enabled him,
upon his second visit, to proceed immedi-
ately to the best locality with his compa-
ny, and commence operations without
loss of time. What he has told US rem
ders it easy to reconcile the conflicting
statements that have come to us from
time to time in regard to the richness of
those parts. For instance Capt Russell
met Mr.. Smedley-who has, since his re-
turn, published an article dissuading per-
sons from emigrating thither-and found
him prospecting with little success, and
rather discouraged at his fortune, and
tending to go home. The Capt. tried to
induce him to remain, but did not sue
coed; Smedley returned to the States dis
appointed and disguised. It was after he
left the mines that the richest deposits
were discovered and worked with crafty
ing results. Capt. Russell offered last
summer TO take any amount of men to
Pixies Peak-have them remain three
months-pay all expenses-keep them in
provisions, and return them to the States,
| if they desired to return, for one-half the
gold they might procure. He fears there
will be much suffering amongst those who
foolishly ventured out this fall; he met
many on the way, whose cattle had near
ly given out, and Others who were trying
to get back. The mines where the Capt.
left his company at work, are not, as some
suppose, at Pixies Peak they are situat-
ed 80 miles south of that noted mountain,
and are surrounded by excellent farming
lands, good timber and beautiful clear
streams of water.
"As warning to those who contemp-
late visit in the spring, to this land Of
promise, this gentleman is earnest in inn
pressing upon all, not to be too sanguine
as to the success that may attend their
adventures. There were some in the
mines who were realizing SIG per day,
Others SO, many So and upwards, while
Others could not get for their days laber
SO. His own company were averaging
from SO to $16. We can speak from
our own experience and say, that life-in
respect to the gains from labor-in the
mines, is precisely as life is anywhere else
in the world; while few reap an ample
reward for their energy and industry, the
many must remain content with mod
crate amount of the ssroot of all evil
We are SO constituted that each thinks he
will be among the successful ones, but as
they are the exceptions to the general
rule, we had better, philosophically, start
out expecting little. and should We gain
much, the pleasurable emotions expert
enced will be proportionably greater"