The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-07-30

another year will present a much better
prospect in the mines, than is present
cd this year. from the fact that miners will
be better able to take advantage of the dis
coveries made, by the introduction of ma
chinery. than they have as yet been able to
do. Wages for laborers, in this city, rate
from 81 so, and boarded, to 50 90 day.
Carpenters receive from 81 so to 50 so
day, but are not in great demand as yet.
Masons are not yet wanted, as there are no
bricks yet made.
Business generally, Notwithstanding the
discovery of the gold, is dull, and prices of
goods by ne means exhorbitant, considering
the distance they goods have been
freighted. Prices fiuctuate very much, on
account of many who, upon leaving the
mining section, having failed to realize their
expectations, sell out their six months sup
plies which they bought for their own in
dividual use. And as the inducements they
hold out to purchasers, depends some, upon
their haste and eagerness to leave this Sec
ton. Goods are bought and sold very much
as chances offer, without regard to any
fixed marketable price. The following will
give you something of an idea of the range
of prices within which. goods sell: Flour
from $40 to $l5. Sugar 20 to soc. per lb.
| Coffee the same. Ham and side meat from
20 to 35c per Id. Tea from 81 90 to SO 90.
per Id. Beans z to l5c. Whisky from 81
to "a per gal. Brandy about the same.
| Liquor sells in this city at retail for 10
cents per glass, with the exception of one
or two places. In tine mines the prices like
wise fluctuate very much, as they do here,
as there are many continually coming and
going, and therefore closing off their sup
plies. Cattle are sold from $50 to $50 a
yoke, but to command the last named price
they must be of an extra quality. Wagons
sell from $40 to $50, and must be of prime
manufacture to bring more.
Gambling is not carried on to any great
extent in this city as yet, from the fact that
money is not by any means plenty here.
Though there are some resorts where it is
carried on upon a very limited scale. There
is not much gold dust circulating as yet in
this city. While in the mines it is tie prin-
ciple article of exchange; it, however, is
increasing here daily but there being no
bankers to purchase it, offering coin, in ex-
change, there is very little offered in pay
ment for goods; on account of the difficulty
which attends the weighing oft, on account
of the scarcity of Troy weight rcales, and
coming therefore, at the right valuation of
it requires more time and causes more
trouble than most store keepers like TO be
taxed with, if they can avoid it by receiv-
ing the coin.
The growth of this city will, doubtless,
ere another year, be considerable; how
large it may become it is impossible to say !;
but rs the mines must in the nature of
things, remain substantial point for the
concentration of labor, business interest and
the investment of capital, it must neces-
sarily become place Of some Importance
for an inland city. But il can never be n
San Francisco, in hardly any respect, though
another year will improve the condition of
everything, doubtless, very much. With
this correct information regarding the pros
poets here for remuneration of labor--con-
sidering the deprivations which one must
necessarily, reconcile himself to--every
man can be his own judge whether the
country offers sufficient inducements to him
to leave certainty and home to come
here at the risk of chances or not.
Very respectfully, rremain yours,
FRANCIS M. EDMONDS.