The Placer herald., 1871-12-16
LETTER FROM EMlGRANT GAP.
EMGRANT GAP, Dec. 11th, 1871

and this affords me an opportunity to give
you some social gossip, interesting to US If
not to the balance of your readers.
The snow commenced to fall in earnest on
the 25th of November and continued with
out intermssion until the 29th, when the
clouds cleared away and we have had clear
and cold weather up to this time. During
the continuance of the storm the snow fell to
tie depth of four feet, but at the present
writing it has settled down to half that
depth.
The dull times have just commenced, with
no prospect Of improvement until the open
ing of Spring. Nearly all outdoor work
has been abandoned for the Winter. Mining,
that during last Summer seemed so prosper
Gus, was partially abandoned even before
the storm. Want Of capital and energy has
been the cause. There is large extent of
country in this section not yet thoroughly
prospected, nor ever will be until money and
perseverance combine to develop its hidden
resources; but the probabilities Of this union
are far remote and may not come to pass for
years. The Dalonega company is the only
one that has shown any energy in this branch
of industry. They erected an eight stamp
mill and crushed some 800 tons of their
rock last Fall which did not satisfy their
expectations and partially discouraged them.
The rock was taken out mostly from the sur
face and did not more than pay the expenses
of labor and crushing The owners, being
sanguine of its richness, were greatly dis
appointed at the result, and without testing
the mine thoroughly with deeper excavations,
have suspended work for the present. The
quartz already worked is no test, being only
surface rock, which in very few instances is
the standard which guides the practical and
experienced miner Money and time, prop
erly applied on this mine, will make it val
liable property at no distant day.
Another quartz discovery was made, last
month, eight miles north of this place, by
Judge Landrum and others. The ledge is
purely quartz, and is heavily studded with
rich sulphurets, and shows free gold in con-
siderable quantities. The ledge being lately
discovered has not yet been fully developed
but enough has been done to warrant a far
ther and more vigorous prosecution of the
work when Spring opens.
The conilagraton which destroyed our
thriving village last Fall has had tendency
to do some good in the end The burnt dis
trict has all been rebuilt and in a more safe
and durable manner. The snow sheds are
now built of good material; square, sawed
posts and Traces now take the places of the
unweldy round poles heretofore used, and
aside from its durability, has a neat and me
chanical appearance. a new round house
and freight depot has also been built. Both
are permanent structures and far superior TO
the old ones. A new office has also been
erected, and for neatness, convenience and
durability is not equaled by any on the road
east of Sacramento. All the business houses
destroyed have been rebuilt by the same
parties, and but for the change of location
Emigant Gap is the same as before the de-
vouring element laid waste this thriving vii
lage. There was an additional evidence of
the magnanimty and generosity of the rail-
road company evinced towards the unfortu-
nate men who lost their all in the fire. Wish
ing TO re-establish their business as soon as
possible, they commenced to build near their
old locations some had their foundaton
laid and considerable work done on their
houses, when an "order" came from head
quarters that, the town being located on an
odd section, (and consequently belonging to
them,) no buildings but their own would
be permitted nearer than 200 feet of the
track. No one dare to raise voice against
this command, and the poor unfortunates
were compelled to pull up stakes and move
outside the prescribed limits, they having no
rights this company were bound to respect
Trembe and obey is the only alternative
for those whom misfortune has thrown in
their power.
Our Republican neighbors are somewhat
reticent when speaking of the lower branch
of our State Legislature. In their organiza-
ton and preparations for business it seems
that the most of the speaking is done by the
Speaker. His tongue is ever ready to in
struct his fellow Republicans in the science
of legislation. but if they are correctly re-
ported, he has so far made but little pro-
gress In fact, some of them are so dull of
apprehension that although they feel a COM
Portable warmth, up to last accounts they
were not aware from whence it cometh,
whittier it goeth, or how it is produced.
Keep on, Mr.. Shannon, don't relax, you
will make them legislators, in time with
proper instruction, and your reward will be
commensurate with your trouble.
There is another thing that annoys our
Il. Il al. -.