The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-07
GOLD-HUNTERS
OF CALIFORNIA.
Some Experiences Of the Pioneers Who
Came Here in 49.
Selling Mine to Chinamen-Racing in
Mining TOwn-HOw the FOrty-Niners Lent
Hand-Preaching- Suit for Six

The following selections are from a series
Of articles published in The Century for
June, entitled THE Gold-hunters OF Cali
foTnia." and were contributed by old
pioneers that were among those who helped
70 open up this country on its march TO Its
present civilization and prosperity:
One Way of saIting Claim.
In 1851 party of American miners had
been working a claim near Columbia, Tuol-
umne County. Cal, and not having found
the "color," they became discouraged; the
NOSE so as a company of Cinnamon short
distance above them were doing very well.
writes Herbert Burgess. The Americans hav-
ing expressed a willingness to sell, one Jay
three Cinnamon went to look at the claim
They talked ii over among themselves, and
finally asked the owners at what price they
would sell. OF course the Americans made
it out rich and put a high figure on it.
though in fact they were resolved to sell out
at any price, beirg sure that the ground was
worthless. 1t was decided that the China
men should bring their picks and pans next
day to prospect, and if they were satisfied
they would buy at the figure agreed upon.
The miners, thinking it Wonld probably
be their last chance to sell, determined to
salt the claim. It was a large piece Of
ground, and tbs trouble was where to put
the salt" One of the men soon hit upon
a very ingenious plan He took a gun and
went as be said, to get quail or two, but
in reality to kill a snake. AS there were
4 great many about the place, be soon killed
q lage gopheT-snake. which resembles the
Tattesnake IN appearance, but Is perfectly
harmless to man. Putting his game into a
bag, he returned to camp.
On being asked by his companions what
he had brought back for supper, he shook
cut the snake and explained his idea thus
Now, boys, when the Cinnamon come to-
morrow, they wont allow any Of Us 20 be too
near, because they're afraid Of salt Well.
Jim, you walk along on top Of the bank ard
have that dead snake in your pocket. BIZ
and me viii stay talking to this Johns. i ii
have my gun over my shoulder as II l was
going for a rabbit, only you see I'll put
salt into the gun instead of shot. Wen
md ont where they are going 10 pan out
next, and YOU be looking on, inDOcent-lke,
with the snake ready to drop where | tell
you. When them felleTs start TO walk there,
just slide him down the bank, and when we
all get there III hOller hold on, boys! and
before they know what's up I'll ire the
salt all around there and make believe L
killed the snake. How'll that dO?'
Next morning four Cinnamon came pre-
pared for work. They tried a few places
but Of course did not get the color the
Americans Kept az distance so that there
could be no COMPLAINT
well, John" said the SchemeT, where
y0u try next--Over IN that c0rner?"
The Cinnamon were suspicious in mo-
meHt. They we're familiar with sailed
claals, and were well on their guard. NO
likee dis corn. Tile him nuddeT corn
pointing to the opposite one.
Jim, with his hands in his pockets, was
above on the bank, many feet away watch
ing; when he saw them point in that drec-
ton, hi, partner gave nod and he pitched
the snake on the ground near the place.
The leader exclaimed Hold on, bOysw
and fired before they could tell which way
10 look Going up to the snake he pushed
the gun under II and carried it away hang
ing over tile barrel Jim walked off and
Bill sat on a wheelbaTTOW on the opposite
side from where they were at work. The
Cinnamon had no suspicion. They carried
away several pans of dirt TO wash in a
stream near by, and when they returned
Bill felt pretty sure they had struck some
Of the salt" but the Cinnamon said moth
ing except Claim no good. Mclean man
tulkee too muchee."
he Americans. knowing the game, re-
fused to take less than the specified price.
which the Cinnamon finally paid and in two
days the sellers ere off to new diggingS.
The slTangest part of the story is mat the
claim turned out 10 be one Of the richest in
the district. The Cinnamon made a great
deal Of money, sold out and went home.