Daily national Democrat., 1860-12-19
9a(lg gatlonal Democrat
For the National Democrat
Pioneer "Reminiscences.
BY Old BLOCK.
NIMnER 6.
DY Old BLOCK .
NUMBER 9.

DEAR MAGGtE:-I never knew how smar
man was till crossed the plains never
knew the exact amount Of hard bread which
was necessary to sustain life, till then. nor
was ever capable of looking through mill
stone, without hole in it. till came to Cal
fornia. But once on the western sope Of tbo
Sierra of Snow, found that like the old
Seers of Scotland had the gift of second
sight that is if | didn't see right the first
time, took another look and seed aoain
From pictnring the faces of mankind, turned
to pieturing myself millionaire, and had it
depended upon my own will, strange to say.
should have been a sort Of Sam Brannan in
wealth, at this day. One day. while | was
plying the pencil, an old friend who had
known me at home, came to Marysville to see
me- and to put flea in my ear cold fellow,
there's glorious chance for us to make mon
ey' Now he could originate plans like a
general and | could execute them like a
soldier. lie could give general orders, and
l could attend to detail, both useful qualities
IN their way. California will become a fix
ed fact, and there must be towns somewhere:
at proper distances. Now about twenty miles
above here, on Feather river, is a most snlen-
did location for a town it is in proximity to
the mines, and the river is navirable for
steamboats, to that point,-the land is not
upon any grant, and we can squat on it.
tlke pre-emption, lay off town, and
don't you see" eyes, by Jove, l do see--l
adopt your views and | will go into them at
once. A town must be built somewhere up
there. Won't it knock Marysvile into fits =?
Just as soon as it is demonstrated that steam
boats can run up there, why, all miners sup
plies will go there, and Marysville will dwin-
die to ruin. am sorry for Marysyille, but
ii is fact we cannot refuse to make our own
fortunes Let us be off before the wind gives
our plans wing" threw the pencil aside.
and from that day to this, have not resumed
it
1t was arranged that we should visit the
site, and if it appeared eligible | should at
tend to the surveying of it, while he would
go below, get a stock of goods, and a Lowel
house, and we would make settlement sell
portion of the town, reserying lots enough
to make ourselves California Astors I'VE
did succeed in making ourselves the fist syl,
liable of that great millionaire rame.)
Accordingly, we mounted our horses one
fine morning about the first Of May, and rode
across the plains to point, about a mile and
hall, perhaps two miles above the ford of
Charles Rach. Approaching the river, the
bushes were 50 thick that hitching our horses.
we with some difficulty made cur way thro
them to the river. Upon the opposite side
we Observed an Indian village. Calling out
Justify, the Indians heard us, and after awhile
a young fellow put of to bring us over. The
canoe was somewhat primitive one, being
simply two pine logs dashed together with
the tops squared off, but it answered the put-
pcse, and we were soon landed upon the OPP
posite bank. And here indeed we found
beautiful sight-with Just descent enough to
The ground for sewers to carry off the filth of
large population, yet level in its outline !;
with excellent banks for landing places,
wharves and warehouses, while little back,
oaks grew luXuriantly ready for the carpen-
ter's hand and We saw at glance that ma
ture had made that site for town. which
required of man no filling up of sloughs,
holes, nor cutting down of hills. It really
was a beautiful site We were delighted.
About halfa mile above lived Capt. Yates, a
hearty, bluff, off-hond, clever Californian, an
Englishman 10y birth, once a sailor, but who
had been a soldier under the Bear Flag, and
who had fought in the American cause for
the conquest of California. The previous
fall, he had made a settlement there, but be-
yond a small ranch. no idea of aggrandize-
ment had entered his head In his cabin we
found meal, and a refuge for the night, but
we kept our schemes to ourselves Our plans
were determined. We returned TO Marys4
Vile My friend went below to get a stock
of goods, a house, and steamboat to TAXA
up A surveyor had been employed, who
went up there, and | shortly followed. Capt.
Yates, for the first time became aware that
he had been out-generaled, but with great
good nature he boarded our surveyor and
myself and to this day, feel grateful for his
many kindnesses, at that time, and after
wards
few days after we had been at work en-
our prospective city, a horrible putting was
heard on the river as if some demon was
breathing his last, and at last a small steamer
appeared in sight, trying TO breast the cur
rent and at times it appeared doubtful
whether the river or the steam would be
victorious.
The Indians were in commotion. They
could not imagine what odd fish, or fowl was
coming up with breath of fire and smoke.
The womeu and children fed to the woods
and concealed themselves from the monster,
while the men cautiously peeped from behind
the trees, to see what the enemy was made
Of They were calmed at length by our as
surance that the steamboat would work them
no harm if they did not get on to its back
they returned to their houses Our goods
were on board with the first land O Lord the
last house which was erected in the city Of
Oleepa. 1t was jolly night on board of that
old wheeling steamer, as she lay safely moor
ed along the bank of our city, All the cid-
zens, composed of our surveyor and myself,
turned out to welcome her. There were sew.