The San Francisco call., 1897-08-18

seat on the inside of the coach was
smashed and an axle sprng to the extentu
that new coach had to be put in service
this morning. The capacity of each of the
coaches on this line is supposed to be
eight passengers, but that number is now
doubled at every trip.
a little incident occurred this morning
that came near upsetting the plans oi
rather fashionable party OF would be
pros ospectors who had chartered one of the
Weaverville stages. The stage had been
filled with baggage and some sixteen pas
sengers, when a Notwithstanding donkey,
to be used as pack animal, was hitched on
behind, the purpose being to lead the AMI
NAL behind the stage as far as Trinity
Center, and from there put him on pack
train. This particular donkey had seri-
Gus objections TO being led, and he speed
lily made those objections known. Three
or four vigorous jerks and kicks brought
the passengers to q realization of the fact
that the donkey did not appreciate the
company he was with or was envious Of
the horses ia lead Of the stage. There
was general scraplbling Off from that
stage-coaeh and trunks, valises and
bundles of blankets were sent in various
directions. To compromise matters the
donkey was released and swappec for
docie looking horse and the party pro-
cseded north ward.
Pack animals are commanding enor-
nous prices. AS high as $75 has been paid
for scrubby, razor-back. siX-blt mule,
and the purchaser considered himself
lucky to get it at that price. This after
noon two freig ht-wagons came in from
Trinity Center after loads of supplies
From the driver in charge of one o. the
outfits it was learned that new strikes are
still being made. The entire county OF
Trinity is being prospected as it never was
before and much rich ground is being un-
covered.
Ground that has heretofore been con-
sidered utterly worthless for other than
grazing purposes is being dug into and
found to contain plenty of gold. Just be-
yond the Nash deep-gravel mine, near the
Graves discovery, a rich gravel deposit
was encountered yesterday that yie ds $50
10 the pan. The gravel lies as if in an old
river or creek channel and is about ten
feet below the surface. A claim of large
proportions has been located by the dis
oove:ers and water from the Blythe ditch
will be brou ht into the property.
A report that reached Redding to-nigh
is 10 the effect that the rich pocket found
by the half breed, Dick, who was mur.
dered about four years ago, an account OF
which appeared in yesterdays CALL, has
been reopened by two prospectors. This
report, however, has not been verified,
but it is reasonable to suppose that it is
true from the fact that at least five differ
ent parties have been diligently searching
for this lost claim.
News from the new diggings has been
somewhat scarce to-day, but what has
come in is of the most encouraging
nature. New lodges of quartz are being
uncovered in several of the old mines and
location notices are being recorded by the
wholesale. Considerable of the land in
Trinity in the gold belt is owned by the
railroad company. but can be obtained
for 81 so an acre. Many are avaiing them
selves OF that opportunity and instead OF
going to the fields and locating claims
I'll ey are buying railroad lands, and by SO
to their property.
Every tuiHS ID IuuliiuR dt lull DldSt al
Trinity Center. Gambling games OF all
kinds are being conducted. and many
there, rather than endure the hard WORK
necessary in prospecting are taking thei
chances of securing a fortune over the
gamng table Men with cowboy hats.
belts with revolvers and bowie-knives ami
regular 40 ..long coats are secn in num-
bers on the streets. The signs Keno to.
nj ht' are noticeable and the town pre-
sents a genuine '49 appearance. Gold
dust aid nuggets are used as medium If
exchange and the dust is delved out over
the counters in spoonfuls instead of the
regular way of putting down silver or gold
coin.
In 1896 the total value of gold sent from
Trinity County to the United ates Mint
was 81, ,296 33D 80. The value OF quick.
silver sen. was S139,o33, or 1905 TASKS.
Besides this there was a great deal of gold
dust and nuggets that were disposed OF to |
local firms which will bring the total out
put up to $1,000 600. This year, from the |
present indications, this amount will be |
more than doubled.
A wild report reached Redding late |
this evening to the effect that three pros
pectors-one named Gilmore, from San
encountered fabulously |
rich deposit of pocket gravel in Canyon
Creek, a tributary of Coffee Greek, yester-