White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-08-23
The Gold Mines,

we nave LOT some une past salu very
little about the Pixies Peak mines, from
the fact that we never had much faith in
them, notwithstanding reports indicated
that apparently large amount of gold
was being taken out. While we admit
that gold has been found there. we be-
lieve many of the reports were exaggera-
tions, and that the metal has not been
found in paying quantities. We see re-
turned miners almost daily, and they con-
firm our belief About ten persons are
now returning. to every one going in the
direction of the mines and the number
of the former is rapidly increasing. while
that Of the latter is decreasing. Mining
will not pay, there is no produce raised
in that region, and there is nothing to
do; and approaching Winter will drive
thousands upon thousands home. Yet,
during the coming Winter, we doubt not,
innumersble stories Of wonderful discov.
cries will be industriously circulated by
interested and designing persons; and by
early Spring. the rush to the mines will
be as great as ever, only to result in dis
appointment. as heretofore.
The Leavenworth Times, the leading
"gold" organ on the Missouri River, re-
Gently contained q statement Of the re-
ceipts Of gold from the mines, by express.
during . period of fifty days. commenc-
ing the 7th of June, and ending the Goth
of July, embracing the most active min.
ing season. The amount was e105, 655.
The receipts at the Philadelphia Mint
were much greater, showing that only
about one fifth of the product was sent
by express. The Times estimates that
the whole amount taken out during the
fifty days, was about 525.000-and
doubtless that paper placed the figures as
high as its conscience wauld permit. 1t
is estimated that one hundred thousand
persons, at the lowest calculation, were
at the mines. Now, admitting that the
Times figures were correct, the average
amount for each person, for the period
stated, would be 1926, or ten cents and
q half per day! But estimating that
only City thousand persons were at the
mines, the average would be e10.50 per
man, or t,renty one cents per dayl Is
not that paying hugely' Taking into
consideration teams, outfits. travelling
expenses, the enormously high prices of
provisions at the mines, probably exor-
bitant doctors bills, and numerous other
expenses, to say nothing of privations,
hsrdships, and exposure, and of what
benefit would twenty-one cents per day
be to q man? Some, it is true. get much
more than that, but greater number get
nothing ct all
To enable fifty Thousand men to aver
age one dollar per day. would require
80, SOC. 900 to be taken out every fifty
days and out of this amount must be
taken living and other expenses. How
much would there be left to send East
by express? At the same ratio, the pro-
duct for one year would have to be over
916, 0o0. 900. But instead of that amount
having been obtained, we doubt whether
81, 000,0 900 have been taken ont since
the FIRST discovery of the diggings, now
about two years since. How foolish,
then, for men to be going to the mines.
How much better it would be for them
to stay at home, where every man can
obtain at least one dollar per day and
board; where he can have proper and
sufficient rest, and live like a white man.
II they will 60, however, in the face of
facts and figures, or without taking the
trouble to figure at all. be theirs the dis
appointment and suffering; but to drag
women and children out there, to suffer
and starve, as is frequently done, is the
height of brutality, and no man with @
spark of feeling will do it.