Year: 1860

When the Snow Melts."


Just now the whole State is in o tremor of ex
citcment over the silver discoveries at Washoe,
beyond the Schas. In many qf the lower min
ing counties whole commupities are leaving for
the newly discovered Opbir in mid-wnter, prob
ably to repent of their haste before months
stay at Washoe, and who will return wiser for
the lesson they have learned. But little is said
bere yet, and as far as we know only three or
TOUR persons have gone, but when the SHOWS melt
the excitement may receive new Impetus and
induce many, as did the Frazer river stampede,
20 lose their reason for q time We conversed a
few days since with gentleman--an old lead
miner-who had just returned from San Francis
CO, and who had taken pains to learn the truth
Of the Washoe discoveries with view TO reno
wing there, if he could be satisfied that his pros
poets were better than in Trinity. He met and
conversed, while in the city, with the original
discoverer of the Washoe silver mines. He re-
ceived all the information in regard to the
country, the position OF the first discovered vein,
etc, that be desired, and was informed that the
vein already discovered was rich, very rich, that
its course was north aud south, and further that
the country for miles and miles in parallel line
with it, in either direction was claimed and the
snow dotted with stakes. The advice our nfor-
mant received brief and pertinent that
capitalists might have opportunity TO invest
money to advantage, should the country prove
10 be rich in silver, but that men without means
should not venture until more was known Of the
newly discovered country. That advice we be-
lieve monrylees men are in duty bound to heed !;
whether they will, is question for time to solve.
The sensible portion Of the press of California
are administering like advice, warning men to
remember Gold Lake, Gold Bluffs, Kern River
and Frazer River, before they venture to sacrifice
what little they may have accumulated in a trip
10 Washoc We append the following warning
remarks by the editor of the San Francisco Pa
cije, paper of sound judgment, and devoted to
the interests Of its fellow men


We do not expect the State to he depopnlated
hy the Washoe fever. We will not say That it
will suffer as it did two years ago but it seems
strange that Frazer River should be so soon and
easily forgotten. Men who are never carried
;,aay by any great excitement. are going to
Washoe to see the country perhaps it will do
them good to be a little excited there is no
knnwng I'll the snow mels. Men who have
fiothing to do here, say they may well be there
;sS anywhere ; perhaps thousand times better,
nS may appear when the snow mets Those who
live bard by Washoe, just this side of the hills,
Intend TO pay flying visit and return that de
prnds, however, on what turns up when the snow
mclts. Others that live at the opposite extreme
of the State crazest of ALL because the farthest
"f and under the spell of a mighter encbant-
meni, are bound-have vowed TO 90 whether the
snow mclts Or not Men Of capital-men of en-
tfrprse aud adventure, are eager to be there,
aud are now inpatient for the snow to melt All,
the snow will melt enough and with il
thousands and thousands OF fortunes. The bright
ore piled away in chambers of Arabian imagery
Will vanish when the early spring sends the snow
water to Hood out or dissolve the shining CT ystals
and globes of the enchanted chambers


Standing by the swift torrents Of the North,
we remember very we'll how many Of our people
waited for the river to fall II fell, but it swept
"n too, and alas, how many heavy hearted aud
disappointed saw their hopes sink beneath the
cold llde Of Frazer. SO now, men are waiting
Tor tie SHOWS TO melt, and something else will
melt away with it.


We are moi alarmed at any exhibition of euter-
prise or the spirit of adventure on the part of
our people The world owes too much of its
progress and Improvement 10 il tpr any one to
oppose it, but let tpOse who are not in a condi-
ton to afford loss and disappointment, remain in
the State let them not sacrifice sure thing
give up fair aud good living for something
that nobody knows whether it is under the snow
not.