The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-01-01
--latest Nov. from ths cold Minsa

Der of the Lawrence Gold Company, and
who set out for the mines on the 18th of
May last, arrived in Lawrence on the 10th
of December, having been thirty days on
the route. We briefly alluded to his ar
rival last week. Instead Of walking, as
has been reported, he rode in an Express,
which is now making regular trips be-
tween Montana, st. Charles, &c, to the
river towns.
Mr.. n. says there is country there ex-
tending over territory of over 300 miles
north and south, in which there is some
gold, and he has explored the same for
hundred miles from East and West. How
rich it is, he cannot say. In places, it
will not pay at all in other places it will
pay very well. To say how much a man
can make, is preposterous, as it is mat
ter of chance on the one hand, and indus
try on the other. There are miners there
from all parts of the world-some from
California, others from Georgia, and Aus
tralia-each of whom say that the Kansas
mines are different from any other depos-
its they have ever seen. The soil, strata,
&C., is entirely different, and no slate bot
tom, which was common to Australia.
Mr.. N. prospected from the great bend
of the Arkansas, through the entire re-
gion of country from thence on his route
to the South Platte, but gold was found
in greatest abundance on the Platte, about
twelve miles above the mouth of Cherry
Creek. He thinks there is plenty of gold
on Cherry Creek, but there was not water
sufficient to work with.
The old miners all represented that the
prospects were better than in California,
and none of them were disappointed. All
who have been to the mines through the
summer, as far as Mr.. Nichols is acquaint-
ed, purpose returning early the next sea-
son.
He found large parties all along the
route on his return, who had stopped in
the timber by the way, where .hey pro-
posed to remain until spring. He esti-
mates the number in the mining region,
who will winter there, at from 1000 to
1900. The weather was very cold when
| L. lafk Nd IL 81 ohoa
deep. The climate he represents as very
beautiful, and he would prefer home
there to eastern Kansas. Along the
streams and ravines, in the region of the
mountains, there is an abundance of tim
Der, more than in eastern Kansas. The
soil is good in those valleys, and is well
adapted to farming purposes.
A very important suggestion was made
by our informant, which he desires us to
impress upon every man bound to the gold
regions. 1t is this: Lines of stages, ex-
presses, &C., are being fitted out to take
persons to the mines, costing, for the trip
from $50 to 500. When the adventurel
arrives at his destination he will be with.
out provisions, or anything but his carpet
sack, pick, shovel and pan, and will b.
compelled to go to work for any man be
meets, at just such prices as they are will
ling to pay, or board with individuals a
the most enormous prices. He becomes
slave, virtually, to those who have gone
before him; gets dispirited, and the frs
opportunity which arrives, will return tt
i, the States. '
He advises all persons, going to tn,
mines, to form company of four persons
at least. One should buy good lumbe
wagon, and each of the others yoke o
oxen, and the whole should be we'll sup
piled with mining implements. Let thes'
expend $50, or $75, each, which they
would pay for ride to the mines, in pro
J visions. When they reach their destina
5 ton, instead of being the sport of circum
, stances, they are in an independent condi
ton, with wagon in which they cal
, camp, an ample stock of provisions, tool
to work with, and teams to aid them
which will frequently be of more valu
than dozen assistants; or'if they choose
, they can readily sell the same and realiz
much more for them than they cost OIL
a the border. On some accounts, oxel
would be preferablesfo adventures on tn
I route, but in the mountains, mules o
e horses would be invaluable for. packinI
purposes. Every I'd y shOuld'i If posi-
BILE, have one orsmore mules or horse
I with them, with saddles and harnesses, +
provide against contingencies.
Mr.. n. went out on the southern rout
4 and returned by the northern. The dis
: lance by the southern route, he thinks, j
4 not more than two days travel create
d than by the northern route, but the cas-
s of passing over it is decidedly superio
to the northern. He thinks the middl
|, route, through Lawrence, Topeka, Fol
' Riley and up the Smoky Hill, viii ulti
: mately be the generally travelled road t
II the mines. He says the last end of tn
southern route is much the worst, and tn
: first hundred miles of the northern rout
# is very bad, particularly in the spring.
: He makes the distance to
e Fort Kearney, about 300 miles.
}, Crossings of the Platte. 4so
: Cherry Creek, $50
# Were he on the river, and propose,
9 going by the northern route, he would a
: soon come to Lawrence, and pass up t
d Manhattan, and the Big Blue to Marys
9 vile, and thence to Fort Kearney, as :