, 1862-03-22

much since the first of February. But for the
great drawback of having so much snow to show
e away, work would now he going on rapidly.
AS it is, nearly all are busy employed getting
ready for the anticipated thaw, and when it does
come we will astonsh YOU by the quantity of gold
that this district will produce, Waiting and hop
ing for that good time, we will proceed to give
you some Of the news items of tbs vicinity.
a MYSTERIOUS DUTCHAIAN. o1
This camp has a mysterious Dutchman-such
another as Maryatt describes in the Phantom
Ship" He comes into Florence occasionally and
buys provisions and disappears under the cover of
night. He pays for all that he gets in coarse
gold '-smokesa q pen lerous meerSchqom-never
anSwersia question, but smokes contmuallya Such
a parsonage attracts attention, and his repeated
visits to camp at last raised the fever of curiosity
to the boiling pitch. " A report" is circulated.
the Dutchman at last is found-the mysterious
Teuton was detected He had secreted himself
thirty miles northeast of Florence at the Hole
in the Ground, Then comes the busy hum of
preparation; snow-shoeS were made and grub pre-
pared. -Four hundred honest miners started out
in two days; some struggled back the first night.
and within four days all the prospecters were back
Then came the summing up-fou~ hundred pros
pecters out an average Of three DAYS and no
Dutchman found vet The exciting questions now
are at this camp: If four hundred men cannot find
the mysterious Dutchnan in three days. how many
men and how long will it take them to find him !?
and-ls there live mysterious Dptchman ex-
tant? This excitement occurred about three
weeks ago. The next most engaging topic is
THE COMPLETE EXHAUSTION OF THE WHISKY
SUPPLY
Yes, sir! the alarming fact has transpired that
there is no whisky in camp We made it 90 as
far as we could. When but few gallons could
be found we heightened them out bv the usual ap-
planes, but there is an end to the plongation of
most things. and we come to a point when dis
guised water is unable TO make drunk come. and
then we must perforce suspend Such is our aw-
FIJI fix, such our disagreeahle predicament While
| would not be understood 10 say that whisky IS
necessary to our existence | am prepared to as
hsert most emphaticalg that it is great comfort :;
for what can be more agreeable than TO
.'wbouse indeep carouse
In mpers wing DER,
I'LL we forget 0ur cares and debts
lre Aldmind enr gfefs no more = gf
\ SHORT SUPP OF PROVISIONS.
During the past six weeks great number Of
miners have come in, and unless we are supplied
within thirty DAYS anticipate absolute suff; ring.
Baconsis not to he had AZ any price. and beef has
been packed from the foot Of the mountains on
mems backs and sold at 81 per pound The dis
tance is twenty-five miles and freight BY this new
mode of conveyance 40 and 80 cents pound. |
am sure that months supply for four hundred
men could be sold between the 1st of Anril and
the middle of that month at the rate of s per
lEound for -four and all other articles in ike pro-
portion. -Four hundred long handled shovels
would command ready sale at SIG apiece. a ike
number o6camp-kettles at from SS $40. and
! l., lr,,1 III Il. 1
| dred would be sure of sale. Syrup vinegar and
anti-scorbutics are in great demand No. heavy
flannel clothing is much needed Judging from
appearances, soap and towels would ring extrav-
agant prices. In a strictly confidential way let
me hint that Lyon's-or anybody elSe's- Flea
/ Powder lnfalhble Magnate Electric, &C.. Of
course-wGuld be productive of rapid depopu-
latiOn of some hundreds of pairs Of blankets To
quit ones native country is always source of
grief; to be compelled thereto is perfectly awful.
but in this case compulsory expatriatioE would be
decidedly case Of "q'-itting ones country for
that country good' | advise, in view of the
above. that Your business men push forward sup
plies within the demands mentioned and as far as
| am able to form an opinion, they will find my
statements as near the truth as can be come at.
and believe the demand will far overrun the
calculation Da
NEW ROAD OVER THE MOUNTAINS.
The propriety of breaking the Millner trail
from Camas prairie to this point is strongly urged
1t saves twenty miles in distance and is a better
trail in every way than the one at present used.
During the high water the trail up Salmon river
is flooded in many places, and the packer, drover
or traveller is compelled to climb along high and
dangerous cliffs Such was the case when came
up, and from personal observation know the JUS
iice of the objections urged against this route.
If the Millner trail was opened beef cattle could
be driven ir at this time and The danger of sarv-
alton avoided. If Mner is still below, it might
not be a bad idea to have him bring in party BY
that route, and when once the thing is started the
travel will come by it.
UNABATED CONFIDENCE IN THE MINES.
During the few days of thawing weather which
we have had since the last month many good davs
work have been done, and other proofs added to
the richness of the diggngs. It may be. asserted
with truth that there is not miner in the camp
who doubts that abundance of gold is here for ALL
and that the half has never been told.
5000 II. NJ.
-s.,-f s. Fourth letter.