Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-07-19
Cariboo Gold Mines.

THE GOOD PILGRIM sAFC-lIIs TRIP Up.
ANTLER CREEK. june 90. 1862.
FRIEND MURPHY After much toll and
vcxation, l am ut last saf. in the mines. 1t
has not by any means been pleasure trip.
However, having packed our provisions and
"traps" on Cayuse train at Lillooct, we
footed it along very well eighteen days up to
the Forks of Qucsnclle. Here came the "tug
of war;" 1t being too early in the season for
pack trains to cross the mountains, we shoul-
dercd our blankets and what provisions we
could carry and started over For four days
we wallowed through the snow, mud and wa
ter, like packed mules, to this place. As miles.
II my ears should be little longer when
come below, you will know where to attribute
the cause.
Many friends from the Sound country are
here, and on nrighbo'ing creeks. Every day
brings some new ones. who again push on to
other portions of the mines, all intent OH find.
ing little of the gold laying OH the "bed
rock" Those who have claims, business or
employment are busily engaged. Some, of
course, find little to do, and like hundreds of
other men of almost every nation and tongue,
are nnxiously waiting, Macawbcr like, for
something to turn up.
MINERS SORRY THEY LEARNED THE TRADE
TOO LARGE A RUSH.
presume there is upwards Of 5000 men
in the mining region. Hundreds have gone
back, and hundreds more will have to soon,
as they have little or no provisions or money,
nor is there sufficient employment for them.
Particular is this the case with large numbers
of Canadians, who claim to have been badly
"sold" by tho Munchausrn gold.storics of
some Rev. Dr., Of New Westminster. cxtcn.
sively circulated last winter through all the
Canadian journals. AS many are returning
as are coming in, but surely enough are stop.
ping. If you hear Of any more intending to
come this season. for Gods sake stop them if
you can. Too many have rushed up, not
half prepared for the trip. or knowing what
piivations or hardships they would have to
encounttr-tl,ere is no feather beds to sleep
on in Carboo.
GOLD THERE. But THE MINES SPOTTED.
Besides this, / have visited most Of the
other creeks, aud found but few claims taking
out gold; but a number Of others arc ground
sluicing. putting in fumes and slucirs, and
otherwise preparing. Undoubtedly n large
amount Of gold will b. taken out this sum.
mer, but it will only b. in the hands of few.
1t Las only been found in few leads, which
are very rich, rs yet, and not generally in
the mines as it was in California in earlier
days. The country has been prospected to a
considerable extent, but perhaps not thor
oughly, as the diggings are deep, and some Of
it was done over snow and frozen ground.
No new discoveries have been made this
spring, but as summer wears away, and the
waters run of. you may expect to hear Of
some. rs it will be strange il these few leads
contain all the gold in these mountains
Claims rate very high-soms ON Williams
Greek having been sold at $4,000 per share.
TROUBLE WITH CLAIMS.
There is likely to be some trouble with
claims this summer, and the Judge of the
District has been anxionsly looked for to set
matters Alright. He has arrived. however,
and 10 now On Williams Greek. settling ssv.
cral law suits and other cases concerning
rights Of claimants. The time for occupying
claims having been put of from the let Of
june until the LIST Of July. has caused good
deal Of dissatisfaction. 1t was thought to be
an advantage At iirst to old claimants, ON &C.
count Of the scarcity Of provisions, hard win.
ter, etc. but 10 likely to cause much trouble
among new ones. Us persons have secured the
mountains putting up notices for Themselves
and fricnds, and conseti uently stopping others
from working until after tho LIST ii July, aud
not working themselves.
PROVISIONS, WAGES AND PACKING.
Provisions ars very high. "riM an sprard
se~deSey" ! will give a few quotations Is
near right % l can guess them for this creek,
the scarcity Of the articles often changing the
price: Flour, 81 per H.; bacon, 81 Is; beans,
81 80; sugar, 81 IS; tea. g; beef. G5 cts;
tobacco. 81; salt. 81 rs; nails, (nonr) % per
h.; gum boots. $50 per pair; picks, $iO,
shov~ls. %; other things in proportion. On
other creeks. provisions are much high~r-for
instance, on Williams Greek -four 10 selling at
81 373 per ID. Lumber 10 Is cents per foot
here 20 to Is elsewhere. Wages, ss pcr
day. without board go on other creeks.
But very few pack animals aud few beet
cattle have cans IN over the mountains this
spring enssqusntly most Of the packing has