Los Angeles daily herald., 1874-11-29
LETTER FROM SPADRA.
The Panamint Fever Gossip About
LGse Mincs-SOnle COntented Tillers
of the SOFIA New Colony Uncle
BiEty RubOttOm.

EDITOR HERALD: If there be in Los
Angeles any doubter as to the fact
that valuable mines have been dis
covered IN the Panamint District, let
him take run OH the rail to
Spadra and all his doubts will soon
vanish. Immense boilers, mill ma
chinery and supplies of all sorts are
piled up at the terminus, awaiting
transportation by mule power to the
New Eldorado. The mines must
promise immense returns or such
shrewd capitalists as Jones and Stew
art would not be spending coin with
such lavish hands. And then freight
ers just returned from Panamint write
the most fiattering accounts of af-
fairs at the camp.
The route from Spadra via Cuca-
monga, is little less than two hun
dred miles, by actual measurement,
with comfortable stations distant from
each other not over eighteen miles.
Every day venturesome fellows, in
search of quick fortunes, leave here
for the mines-the lucky ones on horse
back, the impecuniOus adventures on
foot trudging along under the protec-
ton of some friendly teamster The
talk here is Panamint, and nothing
but Panamint, and 1t is evident that
the rush will be immense next Spring.
Although the owners Of the mines say
that all the men they can employ are
now on the ground, with quite force
in reserve, still the exodus to Pana-
mint continues in undiminished num-
bers. "We'll risk hardships this Win
ter" is the cry Of these fortune seek
ers, $50 as to be early on hand when
business commences in earnest next
Spring." The early bird may get the
worm, but he must not starve before
the worm comes out.
Many who have left for Panamint
know no more about the mines than a
China woman does of virtues walks.
What this class will do when they
reach the mines, it is difficult to conjec-
ture. Yesterday among the depart
ures were two ''nobby" youths from
New York, whose delicate fingers
clearly indicated that hard work ever
had been stranger to them. When
they reach the mines their purses will
be depleted and their larders empty;
moneyless, inexperienced, friendless-
what a rough lot is In store for them!
This will show their inexperience-in
selecting their supplies for the trip
they purchased several rolls of butter,
but altogether neglected to secure cof-
fee or the condiments.
But all at Spadra are not seized with
the mining fever. Quite Il number
are here in quest of farms. They
deem it wiser to tickle the fertile soil
with hoe and be content with sure
returns, than to go to an unknown re-
gion and swing the pick in search of
precious ores. A few days ago colony
of some thirty families located several
miles above here, and more are ex-
pected in the Spring. That the lands
in this section are of unsurpassed fer
tility is acknowledged by all agricul-
tural experts who have been here, and
an abundance of water-that great es-
sential--can readily be secured. Land
holders here are wise and all intend
ing to make actual settlement and
improve their purchase can secure
good farms at reasonable figures and
on accommodating terms.
The "big injun " of this section is
Mr.. Rubottom, the hotel proprietor.
a warm-hearted Missourian, he set
tied at Spadra some fifteen years ago,
without single dollar in his pocket.
Now he is as comfortably fixed as any
man in the State, and day by day his
bank account grows larger. Only a
few days ago he refused $50, 900 for
half of his ranch. Others who settled
here about the same time have been
just as lucky, but none deserved luck
more than the good natured, old fash
ioned, generous landlord of the Rubot-
tom House. ROVER.
The Stockton Hndependent, referring