The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-04-02
{ To Be continued in our nert. I
From Piks's Peak.

From Pike's Peak
The kindness Of Madison Umphrey, Of
this city, has permitted us to make the
following extracts from a letter received
by him from his brother-Capt II. N.
Umphrey, late of Alton-now in the
Cherry Creek Gold Mines. 1t appears
that Capt. Umphrey does not find the
prospects very fattering. The result Of
his experience and observation go to show
that gold cannot be accumulated there
much if any faster than here. 1t will be
remembered, however, that he had been
there but short time when he wrote, and
ihe may find better prospects upon further
Ryestigation.-Alton Courier.
~ AURARIA, K. T., Dec. 29, 1858.
left Leavenworth City
on the 9Th of October. in company with
five other men. We passed through
Osawkee, Indianola, ST. Mary's Mission,
Manhattan, Fort Riley, and other new and
flourishing towns. We forded Republi-
can river without difficulty; passed juno
ton City, and crossed Solomon's Fork by
carrying our tools over a drift-wood
bridge, and swimming our oxen with the
wagon. Ten miles farther on we crossed
Saline river in the same manner. After
travelling up the Smoky Hill river five or
Bix days, cold weather set in on us, and
wood and grass became scarce. Desiring
to avoid the cold. we turned south and
struck the Santa Fe road one hundred and
fifty miles below Bent's Fort, which lat
ter place we reached on the 18th of No
vember. While on the Smoky Hill we
had plenty of wood, water and game;
after turning south, we found the latter
too scarce. Three of our oxen gave out
in consequence of the wearing of their
feet, and we had to buy another pair.
After leaving Bent's Fort we had very
pleasant weather except one snow storm,
from which we suffered intensely. Some
of our company got their ears, hands and
feet frozen.
We reached Cherry Creek Valley on
the 9th of December, after a tedious
journey of two months. Two weeks Of
this time we were compelled to lie over,
aud we were further thrown out Of our
way and detained by want of q proper
knowledge Of the route.
Those who return from here to the
States will mostly take the northern route
down the Platte river; but think there
will be road opened up through the
Smoky Hill Valley in the spring, which
will be the most direct and best route to
the mines.
Il This town is situated in the forks of
Platte river and Cherry creek, and con-
tains seventy or eighty log cabins now
occupied, and many more are in progress
lof erection, 1t has one store. A large
train, loaded with goods and provisions.
has Just come in from New Mexico. Pre-
viously, flour had been selling at $25 per
100 lbs; it can now be had for SIS 10 $40.
Whiskey sells for SO per gallon. and other
things in proportion. 1t is estimated that
there are seven hundred men on the
Platte river and the creeks in this neigh
borhood.
The weather, since I came. has been
very beautiful and very pleasant. have
been perfectly comfortable, without a coat
on. almost every day.
As TO the Gold-I believe it is here
over large extent of country in length
and breadth; but is not yet been found in
sufficient quantities to pay well for the
working. None who are working are av-
erageing more than two or three dollars a
day. What gold is found is very thin and
light. l have prospected considerable,
aud have found no diggings where could
be sure of over a dollar a day. A COM
pany of Georgians who were here all
summer, and who "prospected" the coun-
try for hundreds of miles, tell me they
have found no place yet where mining
will pay. A company Of us intend going
into the mountains as soon as the weather
will admit of it, where we are confident
we will find paying diggings, if such are
TO be found at all.
There are great many men here laying
out towns, and making q great "blow "
about the gold that is to be found here,
for the sake of encouraging emigration,
and specializing on their town property;
but warn you to beware Of the glowing
aud enticing accounts sent out from such
sources. / intend to remain here until
next fall, and if fiud anything that will
pay, will let you know. If any of you
have got the "gold fever" bad enough to
wish to come here, you must come on
your own responsibility, for cannot now
conscienciously encourage any one to
come. II. NJ. UMPHREY.