The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1859-10-01
LETTER FRON THE MINES.

DENVER CITY, Sept. 4, 1859.
EDIroR News :-Homeward bound. left the
Russell Diggings on the 3lst ult. The miners of
that district are still persevering-some of them
doing well, while others are sinking money
Claim-owners employing all the force that their
claims will admit of. being anxious to take out as
much of the precious metal possible before cold
weather drives them out. Good claims were in
great demand, owing mainly to the constant re-
turn of persons from the Colorado and South Park
countries. who, having found nothing to induce
them to remain there, are eager to try their luck
in this region before returning to the States Of
the thousands who went in search of "pound dig.
gings" that were reported to haue been discoy-
cred on the Colorado, majority, am told by
persons returning from there, are now on their
way to the states. The balance are daily coming
in, some few of them reporting very favorably,
while the most of them pronounce the diggings
humbug. Nearly all state that gold in small
quantities is found throughout large extent of
country lying to the southwest.
Much rain had fallen in the mountains during
the last few days previous to my starting, and
before had reached Mountain City, four miles
below Russells, a heavy mist came on, which COM
PEELED me to lay by several hours. This town is
situated in the heart of the Gregory Diggings and
at the time of the stampede for Colorado numbered
about seventy five houses, and bid fair to become
town of i'm portance; but nearly two-thirds of
her citizens joined in the rush and the town now
presents desolate appearance. The Gregory
Dggings are mostly mountain lead diggings,
and the expense of working them is great that
not much mining is going there now, conse
vuently everything was dull in town. There has
been considerable sickness in Mountain City dur
ing the whole season, which is not to be won.
dered at, the town is built in deep canon, and
Il,
puring into the street, which is about ankle deep
with mud. and the water settling under the houses
must be expected to produce sickness By noon
the weather had so far improved that I ventured
to start on. had not gone far, however, before
the rain began to come down again pretty freely !;
but had nothing to do but to t'face the music"
for we'll knew that should see no more build
ings before night: and had come off without
travel, during which time the rain gradually in
creased, reached a shanty, where / procured
doubtful accommodations for the night. Next
morning, after about two hours walk, en- tered
Golden Gate, a town of about twenty five cabins
situated at point where the road leading from
Denver to the diggings enters the mountains
Two miles further on is Golden City, at the cross
lug of Clear Creek I passed through this place
about the middle of June, and there was not
building on the ground. Now found full fifty,
with half as many more commenced. saw more
here to remind me of home than at any place
have been since coming to the mines. Two steam
saw mills were in busy operation-the stream was
apanned by two bridges-good gardens were
spread out before me, where / melons, corn,
potatoes, and many other good things growing
and last, but by far not the least | saw several
families of women and children. In the evening
1 some splendid strings of speckled trout,
that were caught in Clear Creek.
Denver and Aurara have improved considerably
81 nee was last there, and building is still going
on rapidly The only branch of business which
seems to be carried on extensively here is gam
bling. and that seems to be engaged in by large
class o. the citizens both by night and by day.
A great many leaving for the States now,
and the number Of departures is daily increasing.
The bodies of several men. together with those
of their pack animals, have boon found, recently
on the western slope, supposed to have been kill
ed by Indians. The men were scalped. It has
rained now for about five hours, and is still rain
ing. Yours in haste,
R. w. RANDALL.