The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-03-09
PIX ELS PEAK.

a large number of letters it has received
concerning the Pixies Peak gold Dig
gings:
|. No doubt there is gold in the soil,
or just above the "bed rock" beneath the
soil, of Western Kansas. The intrinsic
probability, based on the undoubted and
abundant production of the shining met
al on the opposite side of the same great
mountainous region, combines with the
direct positive testimony of scores of liv-
ing witnesses, to place this fact beyond
questiin.
IL. Though the Pixies Peak gold re
gion has as yet been inadequately pros
pected, we believe it will be found less
prolific in Gold than the mining region
Of California. We infer this from the ge-
ology and topography of the country, as
also from the fact that the average yield
thus far has been meager indeed.
ILL.,. Still there is gold in Western Kan
probably a great deal of it-and
tens of thousands will soon be in hot pur-
suit Of it. Some of these will doubtless
come back with money in their pockets
thrice as many without cent-while
a good many viii not return at ALL On
the whole, we do not believe the emf
grants to Pixies Peak, in 1859 will aver
age a nett yield Of fifty cents .perlday over
their expenses from the time they leave
home till they get back again. We can
not doubt that nine teuths of them might
do decidedly better, and make money ca
sier, by hiring out for the best wages they
could command just where they are to-.
day, than they will by going to Pixies
Peak. We say this, with no hope or de-
sire that any who. have caught the gold
fever can be cured by anything we may
say. Like the daughter, whose mother
had seen the folly Of dancing, and wish
ed her on that account to let it alone,
they will insist on seeing the folly of it too.
There are certain popular manias for
which experience is the only cure. Gold
digging is one OF them. So, instead Of
seeking to dissuade any, we say to all
who are infected to 90 ahead. Those Of
them who are good for anything viii re
turn cool, sober, reasonably wise. and
convinced that potato digging is much
easier and surer road to wealth than gold
digging. The other sort, will for the
most part, not return at all.
". Of course, we do not think it advis-
able for men who can find work on this
side ofthe Mississippi to go rowing after
gold at Pixies Peak. We agree with a
western friend who dryly observed that he
din'nt want to go to Pixies Peak after
gold, as there was more of that article in
Michigan than he could get hold Of
Whoever has useful employment that af-
fords him decent living may far better
stick to it. But there are thousands of
inveterate idiers, gamblers, loafors, tip
piers, rowdies and other neer-clo-wells
throughout the country, whom we would
gladly incite to strike bee line for Pike, S
Peak at cnce. Not being able there to
live Oh other mems earnings, they may
be constrained TO dig little gold, every
ounce of which will be so much clear gam
to mankind. Judge Lynch will deal with
some of them; their own vices will dis
pose of others; so that q good many of
them never viii come back. We wish
they would all go.
V. Whoever is bent on going to the
new diggpgs should buy a through ticket
by the cheapest route from his residence
to the Kansas frontier. Which line that
is, will depend upon his present location.
For most persons in the North and East.
we believe the route to Quincy Illinois
and thence by the Hannib and st. Jo,
seph Railroad, is preferable. Some, ad
better 90 BY St. Louis. Those who cross
Iowa viii generally fit out at Omaha or
some other Nebraska town on the Mis-
sonri. Those who may go through Mis-
souri, to Kansas, may try Leavenworth,
Atclison, or any of the smaller border
cities, or may buy their outfit at Lawrence.
We hear all sorts of stories as to the re-
spective advantages. of these rival towns,
and cannot decide between them. Who
ever is going should be on the Missouri
BY the 1st of April, ready to push across
the Plains so soon as the grass will sub
sist cattle. And be sure to start with no
animal which is not in the best working
order.
VI. As to localities IN the diggings it
would be absurd to proffer advice. 1t
will be time enough to talk Of them when
YOU reach the Missouri. There you will
be pulled and hauled all manner of ways,
and be forced to listen to any number OF