The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-09-09
A RICHMOND MEcHASrc's OPINION o

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CALHoRSIA-A young gentleman in this
city has received a letter from Mr. John
BIongren, who formerly lived in Richmond,
but whose home Is now in Bodle, Califor.
Ma A few extracts from 1t may not be TN.
interesting to some OF our home people.
He writes latter short personal introduc-
tion): ~ H.1'Si Set. <5
"Since my arrival here I have been con.
stantly engaged OF the Maryland Cave, until
q few days ago, and will commence again
when the machinery arrives this week. ]
am engaged to run the engine at S5 per day
during the coming winter. My notion
about the Pacific conBtry was rather O ro-
mantle one, and way very much surprised
to find how practical the people here are.
They seem to have no thought for hything
but to attain wealth, and to use their know
ledge for the sole purpose OF practical use
fulncss; and they have no time for any
thing else in q fast country like this; and I
am really glad to see exertions SO well re-
munerated in the mines, which is due TO the
working and industrial labor being organ
lied for .self.prOtection, although ia San
Francisco, on account of the Chinese, the
people are unable to obtain work even at
low rates. s..s., ga. .... 5.,.s.... .-...,
"I never dreamt Of what a variety Of scene
ry the continent possesses. West Of Chica-
60 everything up the Platte river is most
picturesque and beautiful with the high
est natural fertile appearance. Then, along
the deserts there is the greatest desolation
imaginable. The valley surrounded by
snow-capped mountains terminating in the
West, irst by the Rocky mountains, crossing
the same into Salt-Lake Valley, made habita-
bile BY. human exertlon, indeed presents a
very level, 1nc, and productive place.
Around the lake Grom the crystalization OF
the strong solution OF salt and allalies) the
appearance is like ice or snow-frost glitter
ing in the sunlight. You are, of course, al
ready aware that the lake waters are so filed
with these alkalies that animal life can't
sink. The variety and grandeur OF the see
merry is indescribable. From Nebraska to
California never saw single tree except
those artfcially planted around cities or
towns. The sandy deserts, rough canons,
and the enormous length OF the snow-sheds
in the mountains, are incomprehensible,
and therefore you will understand that the
cost OF the trip is we'll repaid by the see
merry to any one baving q taste for natural
grandeur perfected by the hand Of man.
''This place, Bodie,' is situated south
east $50 miles from Carson City Capital of
Nevada). You travel along Carson Valley
to within three miles OF this place, where the
ascent commences 1000 feet per mile. This
place is 5000 feet above the sea and 800
miles from San Francisco, and west OF the
Sierra Nevada mountains. No one can
think how fast the place is growing. At
least six houses are built every day. In
deed, it is very lively camp. There are
1900 people here, three daily newspapers,
but no churches. Mechanics Of all kinds
receive from S5 to IS per day, miners 81
per day, and board is from So to 80 per
week, and every other house is Il saloon.
This is, indeed, Il queer place-surrounded
by snow-white mountains and five miles
from Mono lake. The lake water is alka-
line, destroying animal and vegetable life
instantly when in contact. For the trans.
portation Of goods large, high wagons are
used, and from six to twenty pairs Of ami
mails meused to draw the same.
"The smallest change we have is ten
cents (called "bit''). but is understood
to be one half Of 25 cents. We have no
coppers or nickels.
/ 1--WE have no rain-only snow-even in
the middle Of summer, when storm may
come. -
"This mine numbers TOO locations, but
only about fifty locations have works erect
ed, and are now sinking for hidden treas
ures. So far they have found gold, silver,
copper, antimony, lead, iron, zinc, and
manganese. If you take an interest in min
erals OF the above metals, I will be glad tc
oop6 po1, pon -