The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-06-20
Albzng ggfgistes.
LOCAL MATTERS.

News. ETC.-Jalnes Elkins, Esq, of
this city has received a private letter
from Mr.. d. d. Gibson, of Ochoco.
lated June 9th. relative to the gold
discoveries out there, the substance of
which he has kindly permitted us to-
nsc. He says for weeks past MessrS.
Bonnell l. Co, of Canyon City. have
been engaged in prospecting the waters
Of the Ochoco. and lately others have
been engaged. On Thursday peced-
ing, being Informed by Tom Stephen
son, who came to purchase an outtit,
that he had struck it rich, from $40 to
$50 day, he thought, on Saturday
Mr.. Gibson went to the place to see
for himself. He found the discoveries
had been made in dry gulch. or de-
preston in the side Of a mountain, OH
the top OF which there appeared to be
a quartz ledge. He found this place
to be about twenty miles from Ochoco,
on the north fork of the Oclioco waters,
some five miles from Stephens farm.
He says he found gold all along the
creek bottom for several hundred feet,
up the gulch, in what they call Belch-
er's Gulch. Stephenson, Canon & Co.
claim to be the original discoyererS of
this. Gold had not as yet been discoy-
cred on the creek. but the Impression
was that it would be found rich, judy
Ing from the hill prospects. A good
deal OF excitement, ofcourse, prevailed
among the people ont there, and Old
men and boys were making for the
place. Mr.. Gibson sent Mr.. Elkins
some gold specimens taken from a
single pan, which are now in the pos
session Of the jeweler in this place.
We would advise our people to await
further developments before theypget
the fever. Mr.. Elkins also received
letter from Hon. j. II. Douthit, dated
Upper 0ehoco, June II, lS73-two
days later than the above. Mr.. Douth-
it says. in substance, that so far, at
least, no gold to amount to anything
had been taken from any of the claims.
although bedrock had not been reached
at that date. The new diggings COM
mence at and run five miles above
Mr.. d. g ranch. He cautions his old
friends and acquaintances in Linn
from getting excited over these reports
of rich strikes in Ochoco, and says if
rich diggings are found or those that
pay reasonably well, he will know it,
and will take the earliest opportunity
Of so informing his friends here. MIR.
D. was in good health and fine spirits.
On the evening Of the 1Ith, Ed. Free
land passed back, en- route tor his home
in Ochoco Valley, having been to see
the ''new mines" The epizooty is
having a big run in the valley but
doesn't seem to hurt much. Feril
Belore's horses recently jumped from
the ferryboat OH the Deschuttes, while
crossing, with the harness on, but
swan out safe. Mrs. Sue Dongherty
was very sick-her life was dispaired
OF. Old Mr.. LATHE was also very sick.
Mr.. Douthit had put in water wheel,
and among other things, was using
the power obtained thereby in running
: churn. No rain to speak Of had
fallen in the valley so far this season,
but the ground was still moist, and
crops gave every evidence of good
yield. On the 10th, we omitted to
mention above, q miners meeting was
called, some five miles above Mr..
Douthitt's, at which Mr.. d. oificiated
as Chairman, over one hundred persons
participating, at which bylaws, etc.,
for the government OF that mining
district were adopted. In places pros
pect holes had been sunk fourteen feet
deep, but no bedrock or gold reached,
but plenty Of water; so great indeed
being the supply Of chuck that further
progress toward bedrock was effectll
ally stopped. Taking all things int
consideration, we wouldn't advise OH
readers to 60 at once for OchocO gol'
diggings, ,sa..5
sa 4 1s5