The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-03-22
ANKIvA1. OF SAW. CURTIS AND ID.
L. NHCHARDSF FROM TIE NERRA Az.
n "A GOLD MINES.

AnR s.s,t.1 OF ?, ms sA A., CURTIS AND d.
n A GOLD MINES.
RELIABLE lNFORMATIoN-PLENTY OF GoLpi-
NORTH PLATTE RoUTE THE SHORTEST ,-Ey
ERYBoDr GOING! !-MKN WITH WAGONS HAND
CARTS AND WHEEL BARRows-SMALL BOYS ON
FooT!-THE WHOLE WORLD AGoG.
From tie Nebraska Republican Extral
Our worthy friends Sam. Curtis and David L,
Richards came in last night from the South
Platte Mines, bringing the most reliable and
satisfactory information yet received.
Mr.. Curtis is the son Of Col. Curtis, Member
OF Congress from Iowa. We all know him here
be is a truthful intelligent and enterprising man.
Mr.. Richards was formerly a member Of our
City Council, and his statements will be endorsed
by every citizen of this town. Mr.. Curtis has
kindly furnished US with the following state
ment which is fully endorsed by Mr.. Richards.
II any persons in this community have here
totore entertained doubts of the existence of
gold in the South Platte region, they have them
no longer. II eastern Nebraska is not entirely
depopulated, we shall wonder.
OMAHA CITY, March IL, 1859.
MEssRs. EDITORS Having to-day arrived
from the Nebraska and Kansas Gold Mines, and
finding great deal of excitement prevalent
throughout the States with regard 10 that coun-
try, have thought that a short statement Of |
fact in the case would be acceptable to your |
readers and Il many persons thinking OF emf |
grating to that place.
At the ii, left (l6th of February there
was not a great deal doing in the mines in the
way OF digging. small number Of persons
were at work, with rockers, working from two
to five hours day, as the weather would per-
nit, and making from too to .fve dollars per day,
IN m Enn led and -
making more.
The weather, though very pleasant for that
season of the year, would not permit of running
slulce to any advantage. l feel very conf
dent miners can make from THREE TO EIGHT DOL
LARS PER DAY, with rockers, during the sum-
mer. Where water can be obtained to run
sluices, | feel confident that from EIGHT to
TWENTY DOLLARS PER DAY can be made.
Gold has been found ON Cherry Creek, Dry
Creek, Platte River, Vasquer's Fork, Thomp-
sons Fork, St. Vralns Fork, Cache lie Poudre,
and the Boiling Springs. believe that the best
dggngs now known, lie on the first four of the
above named streams. They are all OF them
branches of the South Platte, except the Boil
ing Springs, which empties into the Arkansas.
Shot gold has been found in small particles
on ST. Vrains Fork, and that is, believe, the
only place where it has been found in that coun-
try. have heard of no gold quartz being
found, and think that up to the time of my
leaving, none had been discovered.
do not know single California miner who
thinks OF returning at present, and but very
few who are at all dissatisfied, and even they
will wait to prospect in the mountains.
Every one feels confident that heavy gold
will be found in the Mountains during this
spring or summer, and it is the general opinion
that miners will average six or eight dollars per
day in the di gngs now known.
There is 10 doubt IN my mind that gold
abounds in sufficient quantities to pay well for
digging, and laboring men can make more mo-
ney there than they can in the States. Wages
for day labor were three dollars at the time
left, and plenty of work to do. l think great
many persons not accustomed to work will come
back dissatisfied because too many of that
class are going there; but whether they 60 now
Or year from now, that country is destined to
be settled, and the better the routes are known
he more certain they are to go the North
Platte route.
l was twenty three and half days coming 10
Ibis place from the Table Mountain diggings on
Vascuer's Fork of this time laid up four and
! halt days on account Of storms and for great
part OF the way the roads were in a very bad
condition. l have seen more winter and un-
pleasant wea her since leaving the mines, than
did before during the five months that have
|
hat With good weather and roads, should
ave made the trip in from sixteen to eighteen !
lays. believe this to be the nearest point on :
he Missouri river to the mines, and it is SO re-
,arded there. The road, following as it does, !
he Great Platte Valley, cannot be surpassed,
md it is already supplied with settlements to !
he Government crossing of the South Platte,
hree hundred and fifty miles from this place.
had no difficulty in crossing any of the streams
pon the route, save Prairie creek, which at 9TH
II times have jumped across; and upon which
be military road bridge, which was destroyed !.
asst year, will be rebuilt by the enterprising
itzens of Columbus, and vicinity. ! shall re-
urn to the mines in few days, and shall
most certainly 60 by the North Platte route.
expect to leave this place about the 10th of
April. dependent upon time to close up my
BUSINESS east.
Respectfully yours,
SAM. S. CURTIS. r