The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-01-01

previous accounts of the richness Of the
mines. Gen. VIZ. LARixsR, whom many OF
our citizens will recollect, writes that he
"6nds things very encouraging.
Miners are making from three to FIVE dollars
per day, with good prospects Of doing much
better in the spring." Another writer, JOHN
BUELL., says--"The soil produces every
thing, and the climate is luxurious. Oppo-
site my cabin miners are making from five
to eight dollars q man per day. They carry
the dirt some twenty yards to the river. 1t
race was constructed from the ridge to the
river, upwards Of $40 could be made by ev-
cry miner in a day. Old miners are quito
confident that the gold region will be very
profitable. A you approach the South Park,
the gold improves in abundance and quality.
The Georgia Company, in this expectation,
went to the edge Of the Park, but did not
prospect therein. 1t is the general opinion
hcreubouts, by those we'll qualified to judge,
that this South Park region, at the head
waters of the Rio Grande, Colorado, Arkan.
sas, and South Platte Rivers, will prove II
new FL Dorado.'
We copy from the Times, the following
letter, dated:
Mox1ASA, Nov. Il, 1858.
After working and prospecting in the
Gold Region for three months past, feel
able TO give reliable account Of the mines
"s they exist. My only aim is, and shall be,
to give reliable and faithful accounts to
your readers Of things as they exist, based
upon actual observatiouand experience.
leave imaginative speculations for those who
are prone to sentimentalism. Whatever be
tho facts in regard to this noted region,
must ultimately come to light, and it is fur
better for all writer's to deal truthfully, than
to practice deception. 10 my letters to the
TINES. which, trust, will be regular here
after, l will rather under then over rate, so
that your journal-as fur rs my letters have
m inauence-ins of bcgetting false
hopes in regard to the gold, will induce IN
opposite opinion.
Gold exists throughout all this region
1t can be found cverywhere-on the plainst
in the mountains, and by the streams. l,
is generally Of fine quality, and averages n
few cents to the PAINFUL. When frst ar
rived here, there were but few person,
about. Gradually they commenced to flock
in-but only the latter companies have come
with anything like tho proper implements
for mining the gold. Most of the early en-
isrants were only provided with common
pan and pick. And yet these men have re-
allied from two to ten dollars n day per
man, according to the manner in which they
worked, or the localities where they "squat-
ted"
To tell comprehensive truth in few
words, may say that the whole region is
one immense Gold Field. 1t would seem
as though the gold had FIRST passed through
sieve on high, and then become mingled
with the earth by elemental action. Al
though no large prizes have been found, |
am cognizant Of one miners taking out $7'5
Of dust in two ordinary days work on Cher
~ Creek and have heard on good au.
tbority, reports Of better success than this
on the South Platte, and at the base of the
numerous streams which take their rise in
the mountains. In fact, there is no end to
the precious metal. Nature would seem to
have turned into most successful alche-
mist by converting the very sands of the
streams into gold.
During my explorations, have met num-
erous companies of miners from various
portions of the country. There was one
from Iowa, another from Missouri, another
from the Cherokee Nation, another from
Lawrence, and several companies have re.
Gently arrived from Leavenwortb. l have
thoroughly explored the Platte River, Cher
ry Crock, the South Platte, Rio Grandc aud
Colorado been through South Park
and surveyed the base of the mountains
In no place have failed to find gold on dig
ging, and though l have not tried to mine
for living, have succeeded in securing,
with my own hands, upwards Of $500 in
dust, and think shall be able next sum.
mer to add CIPHER to this without strain
ing myself very hard. The knowledge
have obtained of the country gives me an
opportunity that few possess As yet, and
shall cuieavor to benefit by it.
A great many persons who came out here
became discouraged on the start, without
giving the country or the mines anything
like fair trial. Others gave exaggerated
statements of the gold deposites. Tho truth
lies bctween-the mean twixt extremes
Gold is hero abundant, but it has not been
sufficiently tested to enable one accurately
to state its productiveness. One of the
greatest drawbacks exists in the non come.
at-i-bus of water. This difficulty will, ere
long, be obviated by sluices, races, and the
like, through which the miners will be en-
abled to wash the gold dust without difficult
ty or Inconvenience.
On the whole l have great faith in this
country. believe it will turn out to be
another California. And while have no
advice to give emigrauts, cannot but be-
lieve those who are energetic and indus
trious-who can stand few inconv enieuces
or hardships-will do well. A finer coun-
try than this never "laid out Of DOORS" I
have not had sick hour since left Leaven-
worth, and more than half the time have
slept under the "broad canopy" with no
covering but blanket. Towns are spring
ins up at all available points, and tho dis
trict is now sufficiently populated to give
it an air Of civilization. Log houses are
taking the place of tents, and most persons
and companies are provided with sufficient
supplies to last through the winter. The
winter may be considered as having fairly
set in. Snow is onfthe ground and little
ice has formed on the streams. / have
secured corner 10. for branch Office of
the TINES, in the "city' from which write,