The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-01-01
forntAe ooEaca Blgrs tIo,edl Nonpdrea, Nor. %.
The Gold Mines AT Cherry Cerek, Nehraska.

Inc Gold MINES al OnetIy NoIek, NeutesAa'
/ The companies which left this city,
Omaha and Florence, about the 22d Sep
TENDER, arrived at the mines on the 10Th
of October, making the entire distance, 567
miles, in about thirty days, including una
voidable detentions. One of the gentle
men, Mr. Ritchman, who went out with
the company from this city, returned on
Tuesday last, 23d inst, making there
"trip in eighteen days. He went and re-
turned by the North Platte route. he
arrived at the mines on the Goth of Octo-
Der, and left on the 9th inst. He brought
back numerous letters from the members
of the company to their friends in this
city, and about $40 worth of Cherry Creek
gold dust. He also brought us letter
from our regular correspondent Sam. ).
Curtis, which will be found below. With
regard to Mr.. Ritchman's statements Of
what he witnessed at the mines, we copy
from the Bugle as follows: %
"Mr. Ritchman says that the miners
who have been there long enough to get
permanently located and at work, are max
| ing, without the aid of long toms or rock
ers, from two dollars and fifty cents to
twenty dollars per day.
While Mr.. Ritchman was there he saw
three dollars and fifty cents worth Of gold
washed out of single painful of dirt.
The largest piece of gold found while
he was there, that came under his notice,
was worth forty-four cents. Old miners
have prospected for round gold, and find
it in several places, but always in small
pieces. He thinks when the snow is melt
ed off in the Spring, so that the miners
can work in the gulches in the mountains,
that round gold will be found in more
abundance and in larger pieces."
By this arrival direct from the mines, we
have indubitable evidence, that the gold
diggins on the tributaries of the South
Platte will pay as well as any ever yet
discovered. There is no longer peg to
hang a doubt upon. The richness of the
deposits have ceased to be matter of
speculation with the people of this city
They have to believe the evidence of their
own friends and neighbors. i
The following letter, from Sam. s.
Curtis, speaks for itself. To those &C
quainted with Mr.. c. not word is neces-
sary to insure cedence to his statements.
To those unacquainted with him, we would
say, that he is son of Col. s. R. Curtis,
member Of Congress from this district, and
that any stateme nt he may make can be
relied upon to the letter.
WINTER QUARTERS, 2 IL miles belowl
Cherry Creek, Saturday, Oct. 80, 1855
Mr.. EDITOR My last was addressed
to you from about the crossing Of the
South Platte, and now have another OPP
portunity OF sending few lines. We ar
rived here about 2 O'Clock P. NJ. to-day,
tired of travel, and very glad to reach our
destination before the falling of The snow.
Gold is found here everywhere, in small
quantities, but the best diggings are on
Dry and Cherry Creeks. and cannot be
worked at present, owing to thescarcity Of
water.
There is said to he some digging being
. done on the banks of the Platte, about ten
miles above here, but the water is so cold
that but little can be done. The ice ID
running in the morning, but still the min
ers are making in these diggings (Which
, would not be worked in the Spring OF
Summer) from two to five dollars per day.
, We feel perfectly satisfied with regard
to the gold, and have but little fear of "Old
! Winter" We have as good place 70
: winter as could be found around Council
> Bluffs. 1t is small bend Of the Platte
, filled with young cottonwood, from six.
r teen to eighteen inches in diameter, and
$ will "cutp two or three house-logs TO the
7 tree. s5 "a
/ Deer, antelope, turkey and ssgehens are
, abundant, and there are some panther
E and bears in the timber. There was q Lit
e tie fall of snow here about week ago
e which drove down some black-tailed dee
9 from the mountains, and it is said tina
when cold weather comes on, they will b
: very plenty. 1t is .ate, and, as this mus
e 20 in the morning, must close. AS sooI
e as we are fixed for the Winter, ] will writ
g you more at length. Till then. your
d truly, SAM 3. CURflS;
. P. s. Sunday morning -Snow teni niche
! deep. g '