The Shasta courier., 1866-03-31
The Chances.

ton, sure enough, and people very naturally
look to the COURIER for solution of the
problem. Whether we are equal to the
emergency let the following show:
First, then, we ask, are we not little too
much on the Micawber lay out? Are not
too many of US waiting for something to turn
Up, instead of being busily engaged in turn
ing up som thing? Is it not possible that if
every citizen, each in proportion to his capa
city had actively engaged-say fer the past
six months only-in developing the resources
of Shasta county, to day more agreeable
state of things would have been seen Ha. c
we not been living upon the hope that some
BODY would come along, take the mighty bull
by the horns, and do for US those things
which we ought to have done for themselves!
We lust think that's what's the matter,
no,c.' and has been, not for months, but for
wears. That it is which makes those who
remain wonder WHY so many are leaving for
Iother districts, when we have so much that
is valuable here. Common sense tells us
that is the reason. Common sense tells us
that laboring men naturally seek live places,
where there are live business men; places
where a business proposition meets with an
affirmative where enterprises receive aid and
comfort. instead of that most damnable Of all
responses. Il can't" or You can't" places
where every man pitches in to something
and takes the chances, saying something
must be made to pay, or we must cmigrate.
1t is the want of this spirit among our
leading business men that is the cause OF
this hegira of the bone and sinew OF the
county. There are a very few honorable
exceptions to the above rule, and those ex
ccptions are producing results that will be
felt ere the rains of another winter are upon
Jus.
b Our present condition as town is that OF
worn out, seedy old topper who has seen
better days. We have all the natural sur
roundings necessary to make the town flrst
class one in business sense, but for want of
care, for want of energy in making those sur
roundings available, it is .rusting, and will
perish out entirely unless Young America
comes to the rescue and develops its re
sources.
This is the worst feature of the case. Let
us look on the bright side of the picture and
see what is being done in spite of the droncs
in the hive. Is there anything being done
that will insure life to the town and popu-
lation to the county: Emphatically. yes
The Washington, Highland. and Honeycomb
mills, at French Gulch, are producing large
ly, and they alone will retain a fair popula'
ton there. The Potosi and Eureka compa-
nies, at Midtown, will retain considerable
population there The prospects around
Whiskytown indicate that the population
there will be considerably increased and held
there. AT Lower Springs the indications are
equally favorable and Middleton will be
opened out to some extent the coming sum
mer and will call numbers there. SO far as
the farming interests are concerned, there is
nothing to fear. There are none Of that class
who are not content to stay where they are,
improve their farms, ard live virtuously and
happily.
And then, greatest of all in hopes for the
future is the railroad A few years and the
iron horse will be snorting and cavorting right
here in our streets. That done and Shasta
is permanent institution, for il is so loca ed
that it will suffer no declination of business
when the horse may pass on northward.
In five years Shasta will see better days
than ever before, and it would be well for
some man to come along with a little money
and buy the whole Of it now. 1t never can be
bought cheaper, and it will win as an invest
ment far beyond anything heretofore known
in the form of real estate speculations.
IMPORTANT TO SETrLERs.-The officers of
the L: s. Land Office, in Marysyille, publish
the following communication for the benefit of
settlers: