The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-07-14

readers. Mr.. Burbank was raised in this
city, and his friends reside here. He is well
known, and bis statements may be relied
upon:
GREGORY DieGIsGs,
June "a, 1889.
FRIEND WnL:-After long delay, |
now take the first spare time that really
have had, to write you a few items in re-
gard to Pixies Peak, &c. ----.-
However, We are not at Pixies Peak by
long distance. We are in the Rocky Noun
tains at present, about 80 or 100 miles north
of the Peak. These mountains well deserve
their name; in extent and grandeur they
surpass all that ever anticipated. On their
caps snow exists the whole year round.
arrived here one week ago, after long
but not unpleasant journey of seven weeks
across the plains. We endured considerable
hardship, it is true; the greatest Of which
was experienced in crossing kind of des-
ert Ton the Smoky Hill route). Our water
gave out, and we were twenty-four hours
without drop. You may judge that our suf-
ferings for natures cooling beverage were
great, and that we would have given al
most any price for supply of water.
Since our arrival here, / have prospected
around among the mountains good deal,
and thus far with no success At times !
have been discouraged, and almost formed a
resolution to start for home then again,
1 sometimes feel in better spirits, and
resolve to remain month or so longer,
and give the country fair trial. =
The latter is my present intention, and If |
meet with no better success by the end Of
this month, shall pack my traps and
J start for home re --g--.
Some persons will make money here OF
| this am certain. But the truth is, where
one man who has come out here. this sum
mer has made anything, five hundred have
not, and they are returning u the States
A
say that I am entirely discouraged. am
not. | am simply giving you correct
statement of things as they are TO be found
here at the present time.
Their, are q number of claims here, which
are paying WEI, l'e tes.of which are those
belonging to Green ';l:scll h Co., of Geor-
gia, and those located on what is called the
Gregory Lode THESE claims pay rom $50
to 500 to the man pei day, on an average.
There are number of others which are
paying $50, $40 and So per man. Wages
are from $? to 81 so per day; boarding 81.
Provisions are high; coffee, sugar and bacon
sell at so cts. per To-; saleratus 75cts.;
-four $50 per cwt.; beef 10 to 10 cts; mo-
lasses So per gallon; whisky 81 to S., per
gall. and 20 cts. per drink; eggs Is to 20 cts
each; butter 81 % per ID. In short, every
thing but beef is about FIVE times dearer than
in the States. These high prices canno. hold
muchlonger. In dry goods and clothing there
is not much doing as yet the demand fol
large patches however is very good, which
the miners apply in front and rear, without
respect % color or fashion. In the State:
the dress Of miner would make very
comical appearance, but here its peeuliaritie'
are considered the natural results of thcil
mode of life. These patches are called TIA,
SINNERS sign The weather is ine, will
little or no rain. The nights are cool, al
though it is now midsummer. Men are u
be seen standing around their camp fire
night and morning to keep themselves com
Portable. Good health prevails among Tia.
miners generally. As for myself, have no
experienced days illness since left home
If any Of the boys think of coming out her
The present Summer, tell them not to come
for two reasons. First, it viii be too late il
the season to do anything, and secondly, tn
the prospects for good times are not such a
present as to warrant any one in leaving
good home and take their chances in ihi
|. region. r
Say 10 the boys that they must excuse m
: for not writing to them, according to promise
| If they will wait shall try and fulfil tn
9 promise in good time. | shall start soon (
prospect some claims that located yester
day on Chicago creek. They may turn on
| well, and they may not. Send me the JON
nal now and then. / remain, truly,
, Your friend,