Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1859-11-16
For the Chronicle.
0TUMWA, K. 7.
Oct d 1870

gether with the fear that some persons hav
formed incorrect opinions, in relation to tn
mines, and have purposed to go thither
partly in consequence Ofmy representations
has induced me to indite this in order L
save myself from the imputations and ven
geance of those who might 90 there. an,
meet with i'll success. am well aware Q
the feelings, that are harbored in men
breasts when allured to mythical gol
countries, at much time and expense, by m,
acquaintance with those cnticed by the fab
ulOus stories of the riches of Platte Vale,
and Cherry Creek. l am still better con
sciOus of the harm and injury inflicted whel
men are deluded from comfortable homes
to meet with dire poverty in an isolated
distant land. Better by far be too low il
ones estimations of such country's merit
and inducements. than to be too enticing
Some will no doubt reason-without ;
thought to the fact, that it takes both tint
and money, to find paying site-that golC
has been found upwards of three hundred
miles along the Mountains, many places
really mined proftably, while vast section!
have merely been ascertained to contain tht
precious metal that IN the disembowclin,
they stand an equal chance with the best
Experience will soon teach that brilliant
anticipatiOns are widely different from the
real hardships and difficulties endured il
prospecting for claims. ---....... -.
1t was on the 9th of Sept that l left Tho
gold country, yet considered | had expe.
rienced enough changes of weather to war.
rant me in leaving, and l have heard moth
ing since that would have altered my opin-
ion. On the 4th of Sept snow fell the en-.
tire day. Previous to this cold rains, ac-
cOmpanicd by halls had prevented profta,
bic mining. And after this date the same
causes kept men within tents longing for
more comfortable domicils The migrate
ry birds had departed, the fall flowers sue
cumbed, and everything in nature indicated
a change in the season. The miners We're
going out if the diggings in herds. Much
-sosiEiiy was eSiBeed among that class who
were buying claims, hoping to get greatly
enhanced prices in the Spring upon the re-
fux of emigration. Such a sudden transi-
ton from summer to winter, though believ-
cd by the majority, was considered by the
few nothing but the premature appearance
Of the equinoetial storm. No doubt exists
in my mind but that the inclemcncy of the
weather will present profitable mining in
ordinary years, after the first week in Sep
tember. This limits the time in the near
est localities to four months, as no work
can be done before May; surely brief pc
riOd for one to get claim, get located,
make expenses, and common wages for time
spent.
l hare frequently seen large masses Of
ice during the first days of June as low
down as the Gregory gulch Such sea-
son and barriers in places farthest from the
snowy range, what must not be the i'm
pediments to mining and the briefness of
the mining season, where claims were stalk
cd in ice and snow, during August, as was
the case in the newly found extents about
South Park, and the rivers north of the
first mines? If ice and snow are still OBJ
stacles to the miners during the beginning of
August, the very time of all others the
are most barred of snow, it might
be serious question whether the natual
barrier will ever permit such region to be
mined.
However, the feasibility of working the
newly found mines on the Eastern slope
will be demonstrated next year, as hordes
lave gone thithcr to winter, and be ready
or operations at the first peep of Spring.
10 prove the western slope is a question
# longer time. Thc insurmOuutable OBJ
cannot bo passed till the hottest
lays of summer. Their parties will have
o erpss with sufficient supplies to do them
trough a year, as no paying work can be
lone in the limited time Offered for a re-
urn over the main range, within the same
ear.
Next year will be better year than the
'ast has been, and two years hence will
,robably be the best of all, as by that time
'rovisions will be at reduced prices, the
ountry will have been developed, and per-
ons failing to obtain good claims for them
elves, there viii be 50 many in want Of
len that wages will be advanced beyond
he prices the past seasOn-which viii re-
Iard them very well. My opinion can be
iven in few words. Any young man. who
; not at steady employment at good wages,
Tho has the time to spend, and strong
esire to roam. would do to 90. But mar
led men. with families, obliged to earn the
nds with straits and sacrifces-would be ,
II better of in the states.
BUTT soeUIs that the latter class possess
lore determination and industry, than the
primer, that they will open and explore the
2untry, and their successors reap the ben
fits. d, Il
On the 9Th of June, not half dozen of
luices were in operation. At that time
ne whole attention of the miners was turn ;
d to leads, and not till the season was half!
one, did they work gulches.
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