The mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1863-1943, 1865-05-20
Letter from Idaho.
Rrpr CRY, H.T., J April 18th, 1866

RUBY CRY, Il. To April 18th, 1865.
EDITORS DEMocRAT: As you are aware,
sailed from Placervile March 18th, 1865, on
board the good ship Kitty, having in tow the
transport Red Rover, both christeDed by lit
tie four year old, over in Kelsey Township;
the transport being loaded with stores and bag.
gage for a voyage to Idaho. As we rounded
the point by Brewsier's store in Upper Placer
Vile, the tow line of the Red Rover caught un.
der the rudder-post Of the Kitty, and the latter
suddenly put her helm a-port, and showed her
heels in very naughty, if not true nautical
style but by cutting loose from the Red Rover
aud bracng the kitty's foreyard sharp'up,
was enabled to get her once more on her course;
and, witbU0t reciiing but few Of the incidents
Of . VOYAGE across saeo plains and alkali des-
erts, suffice it to say arrived here on the Sth
instant, heartily tired of the accommodations
afforded By the Hotel de Sage.
! The Indians did not modest us, and we saw
but few. though We met with several parties
who had lost stock by the raseals. We saw
where II party of travellers had camped, leaving
bit of board driven in the ground, on which
was written" Bad Luck Camp. Had seven
horses stolen, March 9th, 1865" Signed, J.:
Dugan. We learned of several instances OF
| this kind-Une where O man was en- route to
this locality with goods, had his cattle stolen
and was unable TO proceed. Another, where
coo sheep we're stolen, and several similar cases,
enough to show that "Lo! the poor Indian, y
/ will not do to tie to-" In this connection |
would respectfully suggest, that extermination
seems 10 be the only civilization that can be
I beneGciaily nS;led into their treacheruus souls
/ and budics and were | tn do so audaci GUS s
! thingAs IT, offer my advice TO the powers that
| be, would say, offer a reward Of one hundred
dollars for each and every scalp, as the cheap
est and most expeditions way Of civlliZinR the
Indians, aud placing the hardy pioneer in .
| situation 10 build his home aud develop the
resources Of the country.
| In regard 10 mining 10 this locality, can say
but little at present, from actual observation,
either in regard to quartz or placer mines. -
! Jordan Creek, now covered with snow to the
depth Of from eight 10 ten feet, is the principal
stream where placer mining has been prose-
cuted 10 any extent. This, in spots. has been
quite rich, and will pay generally for the dis
lance Of about nine miles, from three to si1
dollars per dav. The present season will SO
much exhaust this, as to make il Improbable
TO work without a great reduction in the ex-
penses Of living. There are other smaller
streams which have been pro~pected aud have
paid something; but placer mining is not to be
the support Of this locality; 10 the quartz
lodes, in which silver largely predominates
must the Inhabitants look tor the remuneration
of their toll and investments. That there art
some rich leads here has been clearly demon
strated, both bv mill tests and tire assays.-
The lodges, as far as have seen, are not sc
wide as in California, and do not dip at all IL
the Orc Finu NINE a shaft has been sunk 10 the
depth of $50 feet, and tunnel run to meet i
go feet, both on the vein. The width ot thi.
lead varies from one To three feet, and has i'm
proved in richness as il has been developed
This, believe, is considered the best lead We
worked. Much work has been done on thu
Morning Star Home Ticket, New York, FlOri
da. and other leads. The character of the rocl
in tins section is Grayish gruUite. There arr
three mills here, two ct which are in operation
several others are New on the way hitler. Thu
present season will prove, beyond a doubt. hi
extent and richness Of the quartz lodes here, al
all interested seem alive with hope, and de
} termination to give them a tAir test. Iaburer
I Vt present are abuud ant wages fr urdinarl
work e. per day without board. Board from
$l5 20 as per week. w.th. 1t lodging. PruVis
ions scarce and hiSh Flour siU per bundred
bacon, - cents per pound sugar, brown, -
ceuts; crushed. 10 ceutS; butter 81 -, syrup
81 per gallon, aud every ihing in propnrtion.-
These prices will, however, be reduced as sooI
Us the snow will permit freight to come in, q
there is much on The way.
Rents are bigh-au ordinary log cabin rent
Ing for 50 per month. Lumber 81 - pc
, thousand, and nails 20 cents per 10. | hav
not time nor space 10 do justice to what hAv
experienced Of the climate since | came here
will deter that for another letter
Yours. c.