The Placer herald., 1862-08-16
Last Chance Correspondence.
LAST CHANCE. Au0. 18th. Is


Editors Herald:-Whilc our population re-
mains about the same as heretofore in numbers
yet the few we have are enterprising fellows, aud
are continually marching or" in the develop
ment of our mines and mining interests. We
who are here know too we'll the quality Of our
mines to permit ourselves to be driven away by
the deep SHOWS or the cold bleak winds of winter
mentioned in former letter that every CON-
pany, three in number who had got into the
main ridge above town. had struck rich beds Of
gravel which proved to almost \ certainty TINT
miles of that part OF our mining camp was un-
claimed, and that it was good opening for q
goodly number of men from the valley, who are
now barely making living, and who are drink
ing bad whiskey and worse water, and continually
shaking with the ague. l did not write that as
sensation article, for never wish to misead and
deceive, and thereby increase the mislortunes and
miseries OF my fellow men, My assertion is now
proved to be true, for Brady Il Co., have Just
opened claim some two miles above any other
claim. and it has the appearance of being one of
the best in the diggngs, A new company ca lied
the Washington Co., will commence q tunnel in
the same vicinity next week.
The Ell Dorado, Morning Star. Viola, Wolverine
and half dozen other of the old paying claims
are paying we'll as ever, averaging ut low
estimate, from eight to fifteen dollars per day to
the hand.
The Root Hog or Die Co., broke through the
rock in their tunnel to-day. and struck gravel
which has the appearance of being rich. The
Company seem to be well pleased with their pros
poets. The discovery of new ''diggings" in this
vicinity, has caused considerable excitement n
camp during the week.
Al. Conklin, while prospecting on the south
side of Grouse Canon the other day. which lies
outside of the range, in which gold has been
found in any quantities heretofore. found in an old
shaft, which was sunk few feet deep, six or
years ago, u piece of virgin gold weighing
S34 49, besides several smaller pieces weighing
from tn ( in fine
1t was thought for a day or two. that the dscov
cry of this rich deposit would prove fatal to
Couklin. for he showed almost unmstakable signs
of insanity, but few drinks of "Ginger Pop"
cooled his brain and quieted his nerves, and his
medical adviser considers him out of danger, and
his recovery certain.
The next morning after the discovery the whole
town turned out, not en- masse, for some started
before daylight. and wendcd their way to the
new mines, which are not over one mile from
town. Claims are being located in abundance
the right of way for water bitches, and the water
in the canon claims, after which we returned to
town and "rcnewed the OATH" AS soon as q
short ditch perhaps of mile in length can be
cut. those who have claims. will be able to
prospect them. when we can Judge better of their
extent and value.
Some people seem to think that dancing with
Hurdy Gurdies is played out" If they wish to
be undeccivcd let them come to Last Chance and
they will find the boys in their glory, when they
can "trip the light fantastic toe" with Hurdy.
Since writing the above ] understand the Ell
Dorado paid about fifty dollars day to the hand
this week
have just seen new invention, which is no
less than Il compass attached to a pipe, which
must be very convenient to Il person travelling
through these mountains, for while the owner is
leisurcly smoking he can always have the com
pass before him to guide his crrins footsteps
But the owner Of this one, not understanding the
variations got off his course and brought up in
Last Chance where he took the oath much
oitener than the law requires and lost several
hundred hundred dollars OF the gaming table.
| Yuu may think this wrong and inexcus BILE on
the part Of the Last Chance boys. but they plead
strict compliance with Scripture wherein it is
written He was thirsty and we gave him drink,
he was stranger and we took him ill.,"