The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-11-02
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
SAN Francisco, Cal. !
Oct. 18th 1872

wv. lfCu, 1919.
MR.. EDIToR:-Perhaps there is not an
estate in California better known by name
than the "Mariposa, or Fremont Grant,
in Mariposa county. 1t is fourteen miles
long and some miles wide. 1t was former
ly an old Spanish floating Grant; but when
the auriferous sand was discovered to be so
very rich in gold in that vicinity, they float
ed the fourteen miles Of Grant to this
place, and agreed for that to be a fixed
fact. In order to do so many illegal acts
we're resorted to before they drove off the
rightful owners from their claims. Some
years since on this estate were many lively
mining camps; whereas, now owing to the
exhaustion of the placer mines, those towns
are "gone down." and quartz mining is
almost the only mining done. was all
through the pine tree vein, which has been
operated on for several years. All of
those gold-bearing quartz veins in this vi
cinity are embedded in the slate formation.
The gold disseminated throughout the rock
is so fine as to be imperceptible to the I'M
aided eye, hence the necessity Of crushing
it, for which were erected the Benton Mills,
two miles from the mine, consisting of "a
stamps, each pulverizing three-fourths of
ton per day (of "a hours, yielding about
Sc, 900 to $1,000 per month. These mills
are situated on the MERGED river, the stream
that leaps over and flows through the Yos-
emite. Scores of thousand of dollars have
been thrown away by this Company trying
new inventions for the separation of the
gold from the rock and base metals; yet
after all they have fallen back on the old
and simple process first introduced.
On mount Bullion, looking eastward, l
saw the entrance to the Yosemite" the
last of Earth which every person ought
to see, so everybody says. Notwithstand-
ing, am told that farther south at the
head of Kings river, there is such pic
turesque scenery that the Yosemite COM
pared to it is insignificant.
After bidding adieu to my Sierra Noun
tain friends, l took stage at Bear Valley,
nice little mining town, situated in wide
canon, and was formerly the rendezvous OF
bears-hence the derivation of its name
and in due time arrived at Hornito's, where
an old topper told me they "sock" it to the
Yosemite travellers by charging $l.O0 for
everything which can get for "two-bits;;'
and the old lad was true, because by wear
ing the hat away back covering the occiput
of the head, one can get on deal cheaper
in these country towns; they think he is
I'D to the scratch" you know, and is no
.tender foot t" lone straight from the East
Still going on, we soon entered Smelling,
the capitol of MERGED county. 1t is pref
ty little city, but has reached the maximum
of its splendor. 1t is situated on the Mere
ed and is celebrated for its chllls and fever.
Leaving there and going over houseless
tract of country for twenty two miles,
once more entered MERGED city. What a
change since my first visit in April last.
Streets we'll laid out and good buildings up
and others in course of erection, and in
stead of having to sleep on boards and fod-
der. as heretofore, there is now the Ell Cap
itan Hotel, the largest outside OF San Fran
cisco on the Pacific coast.
Next day took cars and soon passed
Modesto city, on the Tuolumne river, and
crossed the Stanislaus river. All of these
rivers we're formerly rich in gold. Going
along the Visalia Railroad, one is surprised
to see the amount of wheat waiting ship
ment. Also in San Francisco city there
are not vessels enough to take it away;
consequently every vessel is chartered to
transport it to foreign shores, and had not
English enterprise in the maritime line
been greater than ours vast amount OF
wheat would be left to the mercies OF the
clements. One is surprised to see so many
foreign flags waving in the harbor; where
as. the Stars and Stripes are few and far
between. think California would do bet
ter to devote her time to building vessels
and steam boats, the sound of which would
be far preferable to the clapping of hands
at horse races.
Great political demonstration every night,
Greeley in this city
Feels so queer,
He can't stay here,
So he is going to Chappaqua.
On the morning of the 18th, old Mother
Earth had another shake. You can scarce
" imagine the delightful sensation it caus-
es, especially when up four stories high
The gentle oscillations are equal to the
best alarm clock you ever heard.
1t is surprising to see so many young
men who have come to California without a
trade or profession, thinking that they
could pick up fortune easily and speedily
anywhere on the Pacific Coast; but to their
sorrow soon found their anticipatIons
blighted. So being remote from the watch
full care and guidance of parents and friends
are thrown on their own resources, and
become utterly Respondent and are now
hanging about the streets, confirmed
"bummers, associated with thieves and
Inhabitants of the lowest groggerles. at
home, their mothers are anxiously think
ing of them; YEARLY fretting over their