The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-03-18
MARCH Is, 1859.
From the Mines-Encouraging Ac.
counts-Towns.
iAC-

papers, who is encamped at Auraria, mouth
of Cherry Creek, on the South Platte River,
with soven other st. Louis men, writes as
follows;
Our prospects in this country are botter
than ever. Each day brings to light some
new discovery which goes to provo this
country another California. Gold is found
il paying quantities from the Arkansas to
the Cucho-a-a-Po Poudrc, creek which ompt-
les into tho South Platte on the Nebraska
line. All the creeks running from the
mountains into the Souh Platte are rich
with tho precious stuff. The only mines
that arc worked aro on the South Platte and
on Cherry Greek Men who work mako
from three to eight dollars per day with
tho pan; the watur too cold to use tho rock
or aud long-tom. Tho population of the
valley is said to number two thousand souls,
but think the number over estimated.--
We think wo have got good thing, and eE-
pect 90 get rich out of it.
We have linked our fortunes with the
Georgia Company, who first opored the
mines in this country in the spring Of 1858,
and have laid out city named as above
Aurara. 1t is beautifully situated at the
mouth of Cherry Greek, on the south bank
of tho South P1atto The mountains aru
about twelve milos from us, but to the ego
it looks to be only two or three miles. Wo
hayo over two hundred good log cabins
built aud G population of abour five hun"
dred men and three lddips | think wG
will be able to furnish accommodations for
five or six thousand people in the spring.
Every man who can get u team and axes 10
hard ut work building cabins. The lots arc
large--G6 by l32-and tho place already
looks like u city We have a claim club,
signed by half the men in the valley, whose
business it is to see that all town sites an&
farming and timber claims are recorded,
So far we have done well, and hope tho
county officers that will be elected in March
will take up the business as we leave it, It
so there will DO no trouble; if not, the
bloody scenes and riots of Eastern Kansas
will again be enacted, and many good men
will fall in defense of their actual rights.
One third of the population is composed
of broken down land spcculators from Iowa,
Nebraska and Kansas, and they arc ready
for anything that will make trouble.
Governor Denver sent out last fall
body of mon with commissions sufficient to,
organize and carry on tho business Of the
country. They have not all done their du-
ty, and tho people are not satisfied with
their conduct. Tho people had u meeting
in the last of December, and passed resolu-
tions expressing their dissatisfaction.
An election will bo called for the 4th of
March, and already the ball has been set
rolling to bring in men from Arkansas and
Nebraska, making this county over two
hundred and fifty miles long, and heaven
knows how wide, for tho Territory west of
tho mountains extends into tho eastern
limo of California.
We look for q large emigration in the
spring. The excitement is great and tho
many will get rich, thousands will be disap-
pointed. Tho gold is hore, and the people
arc bound to find it; but in the search many
will become disheartened and go home dis
appointed. Toll all, through your paper, 10
buy provisions, outfits, AMI teams in St.
| Louis and tho surrounding country, for the
Jews and traders in Leavouworth aud Kan
sas will charge exorbitantly for ovrything.
| am at a loss to say what road is prefcra-
bic, Some say the Fort kearney and South
Platte road is the shortest and best, but
have travelled through tho country good
deal, and have mover, in the whole course of
: my life, seen such good roads as arc to b0
found on the Great Santa Fe mail route,
I thence up the Arkansas. Wood, water and
grasG arc found along this route, for nine
months in the year, aud al that immense
P trade which comes into this country comes
D over this road. This is tho great road that
r Capt Marcy opened, and will, l presume,
q be the favorite route for all who are seeking
n now homes in this far distant land.
:, The manner in which ustce is dealt out
! in the new gold regions may be determined
y from the following
IL Yesterday man who was caught stealing
l. from a merchant was tried by seven men
J. and found guilty. He received thirty lash
t, es op the bare back, and was ordered to
Y leave the district to-day, never to return.