The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-07-28
r From the Springfield Republican,
THE UEpMnNT nOTn nTCnTNnu


Plymouth ("fve corner'') the central point of
the gold diggings of Vermont, consists of a small
cluster of houses (including good hotel built last
year) among the Green mountains, where the hill
sides steep the sheep, it is said have to be
shod to give them foot-hold. 1t is thirty-five
miles from Bellows falls the first twenty-five of
which is by the Rutland railroad to Proctorsville
station and the remaining ten miles by stage from
the latter place.
The diggings are mostly upon a stream, and for
a distance of three miles ''caims' rights to dig
the banks and bottom of the stream have, here and
there been leased Possibly all of them would ex-
tend a mile. A majority are, however, untouched
or temporarily at least) abandoned and but ten
spots are now being worked, employing about thir-
ty persons. Claims are leased for ten dollars run
ming rod in width three rods (brook included pas
sing through the centre for ten years time, though
all these conditions may vary as buyer and seller
agree. The stream is completely full of gravel
ard stones the latter from the size Of a pea to
boulders of toms weight.
In working a claim, the first thing to be done is
to turn the whole current of the ditch through
brook or large tlume. A regulated supply of water
is then allowed to pass through fiat bOttomed
roughs, inclined, having cleats on the bottom in
side, for distance of about ten feet The earth
and gravel from or near the bed of the stream is
thrown into these trOughs above the cleats, raked
over, the larger stones taken out, much sand and
gravel passing downward with the current and
the gold with sand settling down among the cleats,
whatever may be placed upon the bottom board
TO ODSlTuCI Tue uON Vi water.
After the greater part of the stones and gravel
are worked out in this way, the trough is cleaned
thoroughly into pans, the gold and sand together
washed carefully in order to get out the latter more
completely, and finally, what little may remain is
dried with the gold and blown away bv the breath
Much OF the gold is fine, not larger than pin
head hatened out, and from that of all sizes up to
nuggets" worth from one to five dollars, or even
more
The stream runs directly upon the bed rock in
plnpae. N tln rpCk is covered with
gravel to a greater or less depth, six feet in
some spots. The richest localities are said to be
where the gravel is deep, for there the particles OF
gold have washed Downward and the diggings
grow better and nearer the bed rock is approached
The water which finds its way into the ations
must be lifted out by pumps worked by water
wheel or by the hands.
Mr. Hankerson, former citizen of Springfield
and a returned Californian has decidedly the best
claim as far as yet known. He says he discovered
the gold in this region some four five years ago
and though he spent some time in Maine afterward
''prospecting, he vet operated here 20 weeks las
fall, and realized $500. He says digging don't pay
as well this spring, yet in three weeks he has aker
out about the same amount with the help of tive
men,. He furnishes the ground and the tools, and
takes half the product, the two workmen taking the
other halt. ..-- .....
He has the advantage of others in selecting {
good claim, by his practical knowledge, the resul
of many years labor in gold-hunting, which in hi
favorite occupation He is at present, and was las
fall, as low down as the rock bottom in bed O
gravel. This claim is within ten rods of the vilag
hotel. He takes out the yellow Jumps every da,
worth from one to three dollars. The product q
Mr.. Hankerson's washing last Monday and Tuesda
(June l3 and l4) was S34.
The next best claim thus far worked has paid bu
$25 during the month since it was opened 1t
worked down to the bed rock by an experiences
California miner, and he says he only gets goo
day wages-say $150 to $2-though some days b
has better luck the largest piece taken out p !.
him was worth about $5. Last Monday, be and hi
son together realized $2.75. One other claim
| worked on the bed rock, pays no better, and tn