Huntsville gazette., 1886-05-15
THE AMooR piGoiNGs.
Adventures from All Nations Hunting
Gold In . Chinese Valley.

Adventures from All Nations Hunting
Gold in . Chinese Valley.
There is considerable excitement
here regarding late gold discoveries in
the valley of the river Djolgonti. This
vale Is located on the Chinese border
of the Amoor river, directly opposite
the Russian colony Of Ignachino.
There is no highway whatever to it,
and the marshy nature of the soil rem
ders the country almost inaccessible.
except in winter. The first evidences
of gold were discovered in May, 1884,
and since that time there has been
drawn to this desolate region very
many persons. The first who arrived
were Russians. Then came some
escaped Siberian convicts and colonists.
These were followed by crows of Cos
sack deserters, vagabonds, Siberians,
some Yacouts, Ostiaks, Coreans, etc.
In January, 1885, there were more than
nine thousand Russians on the ground,
and since that time the crowd has
been largely augmented. Adventur-
ers have flowed to the region with as
much earnestness as they did in the
early days to California. In addition
to the Russians there is colony OF
about six thousand Chinese and about
one hundred and fifty Americans.
These latter have joined their
fortunes with the Russians, and
they play grand role in the working
and management of the dig
gings. The organization of this
TALLY Russian. All the gold-seekers,
except the Chinese, are formed into
seven hundred and twenty-five little
associations, called "artels," and each
man has equality therein. There are
twelve men, called 'the elders"
who do not work themselves, but give
their time to the maintenance Of order.
They each receive two hundred rubles
per month, and are elected by the parent
organization. These twelve 'elders''
form the local police, and are selected
from amongst the dust purchasers, sup
ply merchants, etc.
The diggings are on Chinese soil, but
the seekers do not fear interference
from the authorities of that country,
because "their' rich valley is totally
inaccessible to troops. Neither do these
far-away gold-hunters trouble them
selves as to what Russia may say. They
fear nothing, and are governed by their
own laws, which are exceedingly sim
pie. But they are severe. Cheating al
gambling; the adulteration or misrep-
resentation of the richness of dust Of
fered for sale; theft or pillage; drunk
enness during the hours of labor; are
offenses punishable by death. Insubor-
dination and quarreling are punishable
by compulsory labor. With such laws
there is good government, and very
generally peace and industry reign.
The Russians, as class, are peace
able enough, but when aroused they
are ferocious. Already there have been
three deaths by assassination (on ac-
count of Chinese women) and two
criminal deaths, one by hanging aud
the other, an inventive Hebrew who
mixed brass filings with some dust he
sold, and was ordered beaten to death
with thin iron rods. The fellow who
was hung was convicted of cheating at
cards. There are five ''hotels" and
twenty-five shops of various kinds in
the diggings. The prices for provis-
ions and necessaries are not high, save
for strong drink, which, as in all min
ing countries, is looked upon as one of
the ''necessaries."
These mines, or rather placers, are
exceedingly rich, and, with even the
primitive panwashing, some workers
have secured over one hundred and
fifty dollars per day. No work, it
seems, can be done in summer, IN con-
sequence of an overflow of the rivers
and streams. In winter, however, labor
goes on with great vim.
The Chinese Government has de-
manded of the Gar of Russia that he
withdraw all his people and those Of
other nationalities from the country,
and Alexander has requested the ad-
venturers to withdraw; but they do not
heed the order. What the upshot is to
be no one can tell. Russia has no
power over people not on her soil, and
China does not appear to be able to re-
move them. All along the Amoor are
hosts of Chinese, but they and their
women (of whom there are many cling
TO the "adventurers" as against their
ruler. The Americans are reported as
being the real opponents of both Russia
and China, and their daily advice is to
"hold the fort. st. Petersburg Cor.
Chicago Mail.