Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-02-09
A Trip to MurphYs.

year since we had had an opportunity to
catch breath of fresh air and view the
country. at the solicitation of friend we
took trip to Murphys. Procuring span
of fine roadsters and buggy at "Grif s."
an early hour in the morning found us en-
route for our destination. The day was a
lovely one. The sky was perfectly cloudess
and the bright, warm rays of the sun, as it
rolled majestically up from behind the Sierra
Nevadas, tinged hill and vale with their gold
en- hues. The atmosphere was cool and brac-
ing, and delightful breeze, pure as the
mountain snow from which it was waited,
rendered the morning enchanting. Even the
horses appeared to feel its exhilerating infu-
ence, and notwithstanding the roughness of
the roads, whirled US along at a slashing
pace. pleasant drive of nine miles, dur
ing which we passed Though the fourishing
little villages of Chill Gulch and Junction,
brought US to the county seat of Calaveras,
San Andreas.
We spent an hour very agreeably in call
/ iiiS upOl JUL duu lOItueI lellOW -lOWuS-
men, the county officers. Although they
have "changed their base," and the "place
which knew them once will know them no
more forever" we found them to be the same
gay. jovial fellows they were when they oc-
cupied the palatial court house at Mokelum-
ne Hill. The equanimity with which they
bear the great misfortune which befel them,
is truly commendable. A more efficient, at
tentive, gentlemanly set of county officials
Calaveras has never had, and if the people
consult their own interests they will remem-
Der them next Fall. We also had the pleas
ure of forming an acquaintance with our
neighbor of the Register. Mr.. Ransom has
had long editorial experience, and is one of
the most pungent, forcible writers in the
State. The Register could not be in ADLER
hands. The temporary county buildings
although some of the offices are rather small
and crowded. are much better adapted for
the purposes for which they are used than We
anticipated. The court house, especially, is
a fine building, and the court room large and
commodious. Business, generally. is rather
dull at present in San Andreas. The severe
weather we have experienced during the past
few months has impeded travel and seriously
lnterfered with every branch of industry
There are some good mines in that vicinity,
and when the weather clears up so that labor
can be resumed, and the erection of the coun-
ty buildings commenced business of every
character will revive, and San Andreas be-
come in reality ''very fine place" We took
numerous observations of the town through
glasses kindly furnished US for the occasion
by our old friends Sharp, Sloss, VIC" and
Wallace, and we left San Andreas happier
man than when we entered it. Journeying
on South, we passed through one of the most
delightful sections of Calaveras county. The
country is bros en- and uneven. but the seem
cry is charmingly diversified. The road de-
scends gradually into lovely valley, dotted
with neat white cottages surrounded with
fruit and shade ees-unmistakab!e evidence
es of thrift and industry. The grain was
just springing up on the rich, alluvial bottom
land and the whole valley looked as if it was
covered with green carpet. A stream of
water, clear crystal and sparklir g like
diamonds in the sunlight, danced musically
along over its pebbly bed-s thread of silver
set with emeralds. Leaving the valley, the
road runs along the side of high ridge,
gradually ascending, until the summit is
!
magnificent view of mountain scenery is OBJ
tanned. To the east the Sierra Nevadas lift
their snow capped peaks in solemn grandeur
to the very clouds. while to the west, as far
as the eye can reach, a low, indistinct blue
line marks the Coast Range. A drive of IL
miles from San Andreas brought US to the
thriving town of
Angels
This is one of the liveliest and most flour
lshing villages in the county. Capitalists
have taken hold of the numerous rich quartz
lodes in that vicinity, and mills are springing
up as if by magic. The Angels Quartz Min
ing Company have erected one of the finest
mills In the State on their lead, and have al
ready commenced crushing. The battery
consists of thirty stamps, and the mill is
supplied with amalgamating pans and all the
latest improvements in quartz mining ma
chinery for saving the gold. The Company
employs large number of hands. and should
the rock pay as well as is anticipated it will
add materially to the prosperity of the town.
Three other mills are in process of erection,
and will be ready to commence operations
early in the Spring. The resumption of la
Dor on the various lodes has attracted a
large number of people in that direction, and
business of Ill kinds wears a promising as
pect. We were sorry that our limited time
would not permit us to visit the mines in
that vicinity. The citizens of Angels are
very hopeful for the future prosperity of their
town. and we most sincerely wish that their
most sanguine expectations IN that respect
may be more than realized. They have been
energetic and persevering in their efforts to
develop their mineral resources, and we are
happy to know that their labors will be
crowned with success. We met number Of
old friends at Angels. by whom we were very
Hospitality entertained. Continuing our
journey, an hours drive brought US to
Vallecito
This town. like most others, has "seen
better days." but still presents quite an ami
mated appearance. There is more placer
mining being carried on in the vicinity of