The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-01-29

We we're yesterday favored with q call
from Nr. Charles Johnson, direct from the
gold mines, bringing dates from the min
ing district to the 18th nit. Most of the
letters published elsewhere in this number
Of our paper were brought BY him. Mr..
johnson is gentleman we'll known in this
community he has resided several years in
this city, and in Bellevue and we can assure
our readers that his statements are entitled
to the fullest credence. Chief Justice Hall,
Col. Gilmore and several other of our most
prominent and worthy citizens vouch fol
his veracity. --.. -r. -,
Mr.. johnson left this city for Cherry
Creek the 7th Of September last, and reach.
cd his destination about the 1st of Novcm.
Der. lie prospected III the vicinity Of Cher
~ Greek both North md South OF the South
fork Of the Platte, and in the mountains
until after the middle of December, and
started on his return the 10Th of last month
Gold was found almost everywhere on the
prairie one or two miles back from the
river and creeks, as we'll as in the immediate
banks and beds of the streams. Until af.
ter the lst of December nothing but scale
gold was found. But about ten days pre-
vious to his leaving, quartz and shot gold
were discovered in abundance. A speci.
men of quartz brought in by Mr.. Johnson
has been submitted to the inspection OF
several California miners in this city, who
pronounce it more than twice as rich as any
they ever saw in that State.
The quartz was discovered on the NORTH
side Of the Platte about twelve miles below
Auraria, near the foot of the mountains
on a small stream known as Rallston'!
Fork, and shot gold was found in its immc
diato vicinity. The quartz crops out in thu
banks of the stream to which We alluds
and was discovered by accident miners
having frequently passed without imagining
its value. 1t exists in large quantities, and
will doubtless be worked the coming season.
Mr.. johnson confirms the former s'ate-
ments published in this paper in reference
to the timber, streams, &C., in the arrifer-
Gus regions. The few Indians, (Arapa-
hoes and Cheyennes) in that vicinity are
very peaceable and offer no disturbance or
annoyance to the miners Up to the time
when Mr.. johnson left the winter had not
been very severe, some snow but Mt no time
over eight or nine inches deep, and not very
cold The coolest day experienced there,
about the lst Of December, the Mercury
stood at only 10 degrees below zero. The
cattle and other stock taken out by the
miners last fall, were in good condition,
and all doing well. The miners had suffer
I'd no inconvenience either for want Of pro-
visions or clothins-thcre being plenty OF
both in the country.
Mr.. johnson returned on horseback, but
in company with several persons with OK
teams. The men who accompanied him on
his return, went out by the Sante Fe r,ute
last summer, and uied the North Platte
route on their return that they might Judge
of the merits Of the two. They passed
through this city day before yesterday, and
with Mr.. johnson, unite in advising all
persons contemplating visit to the Ne
braska Ophir, to take the route from Omaha
City, via Fort Kcarncy. Mr.. johnson
reached his home in Sarpy county. on FRI
day last, having parted company with his
fellow travellers at Fort kearncy. lie tells
us that he shall settle up his business in
this vicinity, md return to the diggiDgs rs
soon as the Is; Of April next. The men,
who accompanied him, to whom We have
referred above, will be in this city ready
for n start with Il load Of provisions, &c,
about the Jst Of March. They reside in
Missouri and Kansas. Omaha NebrdSkidn.