The Placer herald., 1863-12-12
FROM THE ARIZONA COUNTRY.

Supervisor Ramon has handed us letter,
received by him from Mr.. Edward p. Dunno,
of Forest HILL who is well known to many
of the citizens of this county, written from
La Paz, in the Colorado region, whittier he
went to prospect in the newly discovered
mines. As great desire is felt to obtain in
formation of that country, we make such
extracts As may interest our readers:
LA PAz Arizona Nov. 10th, 1868.
DEAR M: | left Los Angeles on the 18th
of October and arrived here on the goth.
The distance is 275 miles-the last l75 is
through a complete sand desert; and except
occasionally that akali water can be obtain
ed, there is no feed for animals except what
can be bought. | paid twelve cents per
pound freight for provisions, etc, that took
with me. The expense from Los Angeles
to this place was not over $50.
La Psz, in low water is two miles from
the Colorado river-15O miles above Fort
Yuma, and the same distance below Fort
Mohave. 1t contains about forty houses,
including those in course OF construction.
Take it all in all, it is a sandy, uDnvtiug
looking place. Provisions rate as follows
Flour Is cts. per ID; Bacon SO cts Sugar
so cts and fresh beef p cts
| have met number of men that have
been to the Weaver and Walker placer dig
gings. The distance from here to the former
place is $50 miles-to the latter 22O. | can
sum up all that | could ascertain of them by
stating, that there is a moderate amount of
gold-enough TO pay well if there was a
supply Of water. But at Weaver's they
have to pack their drinking water five miles
At Walkers it is not much better. The
principal mining is done by dry washing
Many expect that when rain comes miners
will do we'll there None that have returned
here have vet been to the San Francisco
river mines. As far as | can ascertain there
are none here that know anything of the
latter mines, except upon mere conjecture.
On the whole | believe this country to be
rich in silver and copper AS yet there is
but little work done, and but little capital
invested. In most instances there has been
lust sufficient prospecting done to hold the
leads There are, however, good leads about
80 miles from here partly under way. They
haul their ore to the river and ship it to San
Francisco. There is no mill within 200 miles
of this place. There are any number Of
leads here that would be valued high in
California, that men will not locate on ac-
count of the scarcity Of wood and water
IN many instances the latter has to be pack
ed from 10 to 90 miles.
The Colorado river is Of great value to the
country; and but for it this part OF Arizona
would be worthless. On account of low
water, navigation is very difficult at present
There is but one little steamer on the river,
and it is quite unable to transport the freight
ON which account mining and business
operations are greatly retarded.
Tomorrow another man and myself will
leave for the placer diggings We intend
way. If not successful will 90 to Mohave.
as | have heretofore been encouraged by
Haskell to 90 there, but could not Get pro-
visions to 60 through that way to the placer
mines
Wages here rate from sos to $50 per
month, with grub, but it is difficult to pro-
cure work-and altogether | think a poor
man is but little ahead by coming here yet
But still think if he could hold on, he
would have as good, if not better chance
to make a fortune than in Nevada Territory
But the country is very backward. San
Bernardino, which is 200 miles distant, is
the nearest post office A stages leaves here
every two weeks. 1! takes letters to Los
Angeles for fifty cents EACH Arizona is
something like Washoe in 80.
The weather now is quite warm-some.
thing like the middle or latter part of May
in Forest Hill At Weavers and Walkers
dggings the Weather is represented as quite
cold. 1t is my present intention to remain
down here until spring. would not remain
for any ordinary inducements during the
Summer months, as they tell me the hea. is
almost intolerable.
IT.