The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-08-06
Oorrepondencs Of the LeavesscortA Hsrasd.
From tho Gold Mines.
Denver CRY. July 10, Il

DENVER CRY, July l9, 1859.
Nh. GILL-Sir You will please excuse
my not writing to you by the last coach
NV reason for not doing so was that l
had expected to start for Leavenworth
city myself tomorrow morning, and il I
had done so should have overtaken the
former coach. am well as usual. Den
yer agrees with me very well. ! suppose
you know all about this much talked of
locality, but I will give You few facts.
Denver City now contains about 200
houses finished, and quite number in
progress of erection. 1t is impossible to
form any correct idea Of the number Of
inhabitants, in consequence Of so many
persons coming and going from the mines.
Auraria lies Just across Cherry Greek. It
contains about rs houses. There is not
any building going on over there at pres
ent. People appear to like the situation
of Denver much better.
Cherry Creek looks like sandy bed Of
dried up stream. By digging in the
sand two or three feet, you come to wa
ter, which is quite cool and pleasant to
drink. In short, the stream appears to
run under the sand. There is no mining
being done upon it at present.
Golden City is a place fifteen miles
from Denver, at the foot of the noun
tains Many think it will be the princi-
pal trading post in short time. 1t now
contains more inhabitants than either
Denver or Auraria. 1t has a beautiful
location-situated in one Of the valleys
bounded on three sides by high peaks
d beautiful stream of cool water running
through it, called Clear Creek. On this
miners are working their claims and doing
well. Another young man, by the name O
Brown, and myself, took couple of PAM
and washed out some dirt alongside o
the creek. We found gold in good pay
ing quantities, from to Is cents to thu
pan.
There is an express line just establish
ed from Golden City to the principa
mines. A person by taking this convey
ance can visit the mines and return il
two days. As regards mining, report
differ very much, but all are favorable
| Water is very scarce up in the mines a
, present.
Gregory's diggings are not doing mucl
at present, in consequence of low water
They are not working more than one-fiftl
of their sluices. Those at work general,
pay well.
At Russell's, water appears to be NOR
plentiful. The miners who are maxim
anything, are realizing from SIS to 81
D per day to the man. 1t is estimated tina
9 there are from 1900 to 10000 men i
the mines engaged in various pursuits
y some prospecting, some trading, mining
&C., and when the mines are in goo
e working order, the estimate of gold take
is from SIS, 900 to $4,000 worth daily.
Provisions in the mines are very chea
: at present. Flour is selling for SIS pr
d hundred, Bacon 80 cts. per d., Sugar an
IS Coffee from % to 80 cts. per ID.
i The statements in regard to the mine
il l have gathered from the express ageI
and Mr.. Clayton, who came out with m
r They were both up in the mountains.
b did not 90 up because l could not get a
, animal to ride. 1t is almost impossib
for stranger to get mule or horse
take trip up in the mountains for loy
" or money. There is very little feed Fl
i them, and it is very hard work. / starte
q for the mountains on Saturday, but g
,, only fifteen miles on my way, when l m,
- the express agent, and had to turn bac
so as to be here in time to take coac
d back to Leavenworth City.
n Thompson's express arrived yesterda
q morning. 1t made a good trip, and ha
plenty of passengers. 1t is now raining
9 for rarity. They have had no rain her
It COR three months before this. Yours wit
respect, F. VAN VLIET.