Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1880-07-14
What a Returned Eurekan Says
About 1t.
FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE R0UTl
TO THE MINES.
How the Humbug is Engineered.
DICK BROWNS NOVEL MODE or RAISING
THE WIND.
other Notes and Incidents.

The SENTINEL yesterday had q call from
Eureka District. Mr.. Warren left here
about tens months ago, going to Bodie and
thence to Skagit river. He spent four
months in that northern region, and pro-
nounces the alleged gold mines a cruel
hoax, ~designedly gotten up and boosted by
the people Of Seattle and other towns on the
Sound, to attract and fleece miners. The
steamboat companies are also extensively
engaged in engineering the blk.
The country, Mr.. Warren says, has been
extensively prospected for more than three
years, and to date not a single claim has
been found that will pay grub, much less
wages. He thinks the average yield Of the
day to the man. A few hundred dollars
worth of Idaho and Montana gold dust was
taken in there by interested parties, and
this has been made to do duty in the way
Of keeping up the excitement. He thinks
this same batch of dust has been sent up
the river, and down again as often as so
times. In all some 500 men have been
drawn to the country, but there has never
been but a few men in the mines at any
n time. They soon discover that the
country is a fraud and hasten out. Those
h find themselves broke usually make
for the Canadian Pacific railroad, which is
about 100 miles further north. The road
pays common laborers 81 so per day, with
$3.50 per week off for board. Tunnel men
on the road get 81 rs per day and pay the
same board.
The alleged diggings are 154 miles north
Of Seattle and SO miles above the mouth Of
the Skagit river. The Skagit river is a lit
tie larger than the Humboldt in this State
and is navigable at all seasons to Mount
Vernon, a point twelve miles above the
mouth. When the water is high they go
with small steamers 81 miles further up to
Portage City. Godell is eight miles fur
ther along, and here is found immense
rapids, which mark the head Of canoe
navigation. Eighteen miles, over the
toughest trail in America, brings us to the
new Dorado. 1t requires men two days to
travel this IS miles. At points they are
compelled TO cling to ropes to avoid being
dashed to pieces in the rapids hundreds Of
feet below.
There is no sign Of a town or store on
any Of the streams in what is known as
the mining section. Mr.. Warren says it is
true that there is a little fine gold to be
found in some of the streams, but no
where in quantities to pay. On Canyon
creek, a tributary Of the Upper Skagit, the
snow lies from so to $50 feet deep. 1t did
not disappear at all last year.
Dick Brown, the banjo player, well
known to many old Pacific Coasters, was
met with by Mr.. Warren in the mines.
Dick vas broke, but managed to get up
the wind in a somewhat novel way. He
laid out town which he christeped Ruby
City. He then Joined the boom and talked
loud Of the prospects of the country. As
the new comer arrived he gave them lots
on the condition that they would erect
buildings in a specified time Of certain d.
mansions. He charged nothing for lots in
his town, but he opened a book of record
and exacted a fee Of one dollar from each
person for recording his lot. In this way
Dick made a raise Of about 500 and with
it he struck out for San Francisco, coming
down on the same steamer that Mr.. War
rem arrived N.
Mr.. Warren recounts his rough expert
ence in that northern latitude cheerfully,
and seems to be heartily glad to be once
more on the Base Range. He now thinks
Eureka a good enough place for him.