The hydraulic press., 1861-02-09
Downieville Correspondence.

BONNEVILLE, Jan. %, 1861.
ED. HYDRAULIC PREss:-
In compliance with the re-
quest which you were good enough to make,
send you what particulars are available. be-
ieve it is usual for newspaper correspondents to
commence by saying: "I have nothing of inn
portance to communicate"-and then fill col
umn by way of substantiating the fact.
There is not much mining activity at Camp
tonville, or anywhere along the road, SO far as
my observation extended People are complain
ing grievously of general business stagnation;
but that usually happens every winter on these
heights. Citizens of Downieville assert that
times are harder now than they have been since
1852. But already improvement commences;
the sun is shining brightly to-day, and it is evil
dent that the severity of winter is over. Down.
ieville has improved much within year. A large
hotel is nearly completed on the site of the old
'United States," and magnificent building it
! is. The most attractive portion of Downieville
is Jersey Flat, which is occupied by handsome
cottages, two churches and printing offce-the
last-named where Homer King and A. A. Cooper
inculcate good old Democratic doctrine through
that famous old journal, the Sierra Citizen. I
do not think that two better men can be found in
the ranks of California journalism, or a journal
more dignifed and worthier of respect and party
confidence. The Citizen has given celebrity to
Downieville, and holds an exalted place among
contemporaries. Homer King is widely known as
one of the old stand-by's of the Democratic par
| ty, and is hardly less extensively known as
man of high intelligence and generous heart. In
all my business relations I never encountered a
more honorable, high-souled, and generous man,
or one who would take more pains to serve a
friend. King should have been State Printer,
and would have been had justice been DONE
Cooper, young gentleman associated in the
Citizen with Mr.. King, gives promise of great
distinction as a journalist, and is the best in
structed politician of his years that have any
| where known.
| From Camptonville to Goodyear's Bar travel is
accomplished On sleighs: the first mile is sub
stantially sleighing in the mud, but the road is
generally excellent. The people of this neigh
borhood have accomplished great and import
| ant public improvement in construction of the
Sierra Turnpike, which, 1 am told, pays WE'LL
The people here intend to construct wagon
road to Washoe, which they will accomplish af
ter awhile; but to raise the town from ashes and
directly after build the Sierra Turnpike, was as
much as could be done within two years. Several
parties came in from Virginia yesterday. Lang
ton runs regular express to Washoe, and in
forms me that the trail is in good condition and
has been so all winter. l am sorry to say that
'sSam" has been somewhat under the weather
for a month or so, having suffered the conse-
quence of former exposure to the rigorous cold
of the mountains. He has been very i'll of neu-
ralgia, but is now much better. Langtons in
domisable enterprise has done much for Sierra
county, and he deserves the rest and happiness
which, doubt not, are his in the handsome cot
tage on the hillside.