White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-05-12
}WHOLE NUMBER, 100.
Late and Reliable from the Gold.
Mines.
Letter from Messrs. J. ii. Ming and C..
L. Cooper.
Cor Of tie washington (NO.J Advertiser.

! ICOr Of the Washington mo- Advertiser
AuRARIA. X. T., Feb. 20, 1850.
Mr.. BUCK-Dear Sir 1T isquite natu-
raj to suppose that Won would like to hear
from the country about which there is so
much excitement, and towards which the
thoughts of so many are turning.
! | have now been a resident Of this
country for nearly three months, and have
travelled over considerable portion of it,
and being trader here. have had an OPP
portunity of seeing and conversing with
miners and prospecters from all parts Of
the country. Thus l have had a good
opportunity Of keeping posted in regard,
to the country and what men are doing
in the mines. From my own observa-
ton aud what / can learn from others,
have at length been enabled to form
vague opinion, unlike many, who, after
few days residence here, tell you all about
the couatry, its agricultural resources, as
well as the auriferous richness of the gold
mines. am astonished to learn that the
excitement which was created last Octo-
Der. still continues to increase for can
see nothing YET, which will warrant SUCH
an excitement, and when read of the i'm
mense excitement in the States in regard
to this country, and look around me here,
/ am forcibly reminded Of a certain play
in Shakspeare's works /; notwithstanding
there have been some discoveries made
which viii pay, and / believe that richer
mines will speedily be opened. Each
day brings to light some new develop
ment Gold is found in small quantities
in almost every place along the margin
Of the streams; the Platte. the Arkansas,
and their numerous tributaries. but as far
as has been thoroughly tested, but few Of
them prove Temuneratiye for the labor
necessary to procure the precious metal.
Some miners make money, while others
make none, as is the case in all gold
mines. Sixteen dollars is the most that
l have ever known made in one day by
one man, and that in very few instances.
1 have known three, five, six, eight and
ten dollars per man, taken out in one
day, and at the same time men who
worked near them did not make one dol
lar per day There is very little mining
being done. Very few pretend to work.
All are waiting for Spring time before
going to work, though we have had the
mildest and most beautiful winter, thus
far, that / ever saw. Very little snow,
except on the mountains. Cattle which
have been worked all the winter look
well, having done without any food ex-
cept the wild grass as it grew.
A little more, before l conclude, in re-
lation to the mines. As to their extent, /
am unable to Judge. Gold is found for
several hundred miles along the base of
the mountains, and some say that the
mines already open, will accommodate
fifty thousand miners others say twenty,
and some ten-that is, mines which will
pay. With my experience. and from
what can learn, I do not think the av-
erage pay in the mines now open will ex-
coed hreee dollars per day per man, and
perhaps much less, so yon will see in my
opinion that the country is much over
rated In some respects, though the pros
pect for rich mines is very flattering. As
yet, no rich mines have been found.
A great many towns are being laid out
in this country, some Of which are build
ing up rapidly. This, with its rival town,
Denver City, hard by, seem to take the
lead They both have already several
hundred good log houses, snd many more,
both log and frame, in course of erection.
They have population Of near one thou
sand males. two families and two or three
females. Fountain City. on the Arkansas,
is the next place in importance. Its pop
ulation is about three hundred men, three
women and seventeen children. There
are other towns laid ont, but have not
yet grown much.
Many persons are preparing to go to
farming in the Spring. On the Arkansas
the soil is good, and if tine season permit,
this may be good agricultural country.
Game is abundant in the mountains. We
get supplies Of -four from New Mexico.
Provisions up to this date are plenty.
Some fine beds Of coal have been dis
covered near this town; il is of sIIpe-
rior quality. Soda and Magnesia springs
are found near Pixies Peak. Beds Of
alum, gypsum, salt and iron have also
been found here. Pine timber is album
dant near the mountains, bat harder
woods are scarce. The country surround
ing this town is an undulating prairie,
affording sufficient grass for the stock.
Here you can see the cattle upon a thou
sand hills This, with the snow-clad
mountains, as they tower around, and
hundreds Of feet above. present some very
beautiful scenery. For health, the coun-
try is not surpassed. and the climate un-
Objectionable.
Yours. JonS H. MIHe.