New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-25
GOLD MINERS ADVENTURES.
HARD TIMES IN 40.
SOME OF THE EXPERIENCES AND PRI
VATIONS IN EARLY CALIFOR-
MA DAYS.

OUT OF THE WORLD OF CIVILlZATloN-A BILL
OF FARE WITH HIGH PRICEs-DooKs AND
PAPERS AT A PREMIUM-HOw a "FARM-
ERs ALMANAC WAS APPRECIATED.
The discovery of gold in large quantities in
Alaska and the reports of large finds nave stiinu-
lated travel in that direction. and excitement
similar to that which prevailed in the United
States when gold was discovered in California.
and in England when the first reports came from
the African gold fields. prevails in the far West
Mining and exploring expeditions have already
started and others are being organized. New
York Philadelphia and Chicago papers contain
advertisements of prospecting parties which
any person may join by paying an initiation Zee
Of $500 and Adventures are working their way
toward the Pacific Coast with view to being
near the mines. II they cannot be in them
There are many original Forty miners" In va
rious parts of the United States. and many
cities have organizations where the original
gold-hunters meet every year to tell the stories
and relate the adventures which made the
days of 40" the most important in their
careers The experiences of these men are
listened to with renewed interest at this time.
Many of the white-headed gold-hunters Of the
days of 40 believe that the risks which
men take in going to the new gold fields are
as nothing compared with what they did way
back in 40
mo matter how hard they will have to work."
said one old man, 1.-The men who go to Alaska
will never have to put up with what we had to
r the days when gold was frs: found In Cali
,ornia There are railroads and the telegraph now,
and improvements Of all kinds that bring people
near to civilization, no matter how far away
they may be- but in those days we got on a ship
and went by way Of Aspinwall and Panama, with
the chances four out Of ten that we should die
of the fever; or we went overland In 'prairfe
schooner with the chances about the same that
We should be killed by the Indians or robbed ny
desperadoes Once on the spot we were cut OF
from our friends, and there was no regularity
about communication with the rest Of the world.
California was a world for itself, and all Things
considered, a pretty tough world at that, where
everything except hum IN life. was HIGH where
man had to have his wits about him every min
ate and be prepared to fight for his rights
To prove the fact that everything was high 1t
1as shown by old memorandum books that when
the roads to Sacramento City were poor prices
advanced in fabulous degree. Flour sold at 81
a pound, molasses and vinegar brought 81
bottle-and a small bottle at that-potatoes were
quoted at 81 so pound end other provisions in
proportion An Ames shovel was worth SIG and
a good pair OF heavy boots were worth from
$40 to $50.
THE chief article of food" said the story
teller lin those days the Gillian bean. and
such was it's value that in times of scarcity huge
nuggets of gold We're given in exchange for a
bag Of beans"
The following bill of fare from primitive hotel
In a mining settlement will give an idea of the
cost of living: