The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-07-09
From the Gold Mines.
Letter from John Graves.
ArRAR1A. X, T. June 7, 1859.

: l. TOLL UI1C NIo1Nt ANA1l1CSs
| Letter from John Graves.
AURAR1A, X. T. June 7, 1859.
DEAR H, On the l4th of April last, l
left here for the mountains, from which
have Just returned, for the first time. For
the first month We had a very snowy, stormy
time, since which, we have been at work
turning the creek (South Fork of St. Vraip)
and building dam, which wet complet'
ed, when the water raised and we were
obliged to suspend operations till the water
goes down, when we will makeit pay. Whilst
waiting for this, we have gone over to what
is called Gregory's diSsings, and have struck
a lead Of quartz gold, where we viii WORK
til! the water goes down. l am now down
for grub, whilst my partners are at work.
There is more gold in these mountains, and
will be more taken out in the next few years
than ever WAS in California. had nearly
commenced thinking there was not many
places that would pay large, but since the
new discoveries have been made. ain per-
fectly satisfied that this is the greatest gold
country now known, to my certain knowl-
edge, six dollars have been washed out u
one pan Of dirt, and good men have told me-
that they have washed out 20 dollars, and
the dirt will average s. to thepan, one man
sold his claim for sd 900, the same man
sold another for s. 900. Several others
have sold for various sums varying from
$50 to $4,000. will leave in the morn
ing for the mines and will not be down
again for about three weeks. | expected to
have met JOHN LAFFERTY, STARRING, Mrs.
ALLEN and others here, but 10 they have
not come.
fear that some or all Of them have
turned back through bad reports those now
coming through, say that they heard more
lies by returning emigrants, than they
thought men were capable Of telling they
would tell them that Auraria and Denver
CITY were burned, the principal men hung
or fed to the mountains, that the Indians
were about to kill what few they had loft ;
that there was not $500 in gold, in the
whole country now these are ali lies, moth
ing uncommon has TRANSFERRED, gold and
provisions nro plenty, harmony prevails
generally, but YOU never saw such n rush
for the mines in the world, hundreds are
going in daily, every creek and ravino look:
like a camp meeting Ia full bloom all who
will work, can find claims that will pay, and
nv ouinion is, that there is room for ten
hundred thousand men.
John Trowbri1ge made out to got through
but when he got here, h. was 50 tagged out
that he could not stay, AMI, was not even
'uJle to drive team back, therefore ht
started down the river in boaf, So that ht
could now and then take a nap; teil him ht
!yf. little too soon. ! received letter
from you Of April u, the last have h2aFt
from s2me, cxcept by some men who campec
~ in the hollow by PEERlN's. and one wo'
man who said you WAS up there and sa'dyot
intended to send a letter by them, but did
not send i up. an anxjou>ly l9ok;n5 II
Nrs. ALLEN, 90 That can get one good
meal of vitua.s. All the boys from the B.utls
now remaining, are alive and nre generally
doing well, have hear nothing from LISTER
Write whether he would send out 4 stock 0!
boots and shoes. If he had them here Low.
he conIl sell at any price he would ak, AID
very FIST At that, half The mn AZ wearing
moccl>juS.
Tell Mr.. DvHN-;u Fox's stor2-tlet
received his letter containing DR.. SuANEo'
note, etc. Doc. says he Will pay 1t ~ a
short time, he has a clam in the mountaiue
for which he wns offered $1,000 but pre-
fers working it himself. would no. hrvC
YOU understand that these sales are for cash.
As there is hut few here now VII have niue!
money. but they are sold on credit, the Nur-
chaser paying from $500 to $40 per week
prefer opcuinc one t. huyjng. l shall
also work ont my river cain if have to
hire hands, there is always some men who
cannot NUEk lOT themselves, III 'ItlD!t nv '
must work for wages. lean hire men il
the nine. for three dollars per day, whilst
some men are working their CLAIMS and
making over one hundred, will wri!e agar
before leave town. Yours truly.
JOHN GRAVES.
June c,h, Isj9
start this morning for the mines, | have
been here three days-news comes IN more
favorable daily.
HORACE GREELEY, editor Of the New York
Tribune, made q big speech here on the 9Th,
he has gone TO the N mes, and says he Will
mike an honest report Of the matter through
the TG5ane, which will probably be in this
case correct. | %ead you the Rocky Noun
lain Nc,rS, so that if you should not hear
directly from me, YOU may know the gcnar-
al news. | will write as soon rs have M
opportunity. | expect yon hrve written
often ana sent by om;srants who hay" tax
en- the wrong end Of the road, but the cx-
press will come on regular.
remain, yours truly,
JOHN GRAVES.