Year: 1859

TEXAS BAR" lmpresor," residing therea-


AS | SIT IN my CABIN door, ana gaZc ouJ upon
the scene before me, cannot but reflect on the
changes that have taken place in the short time
that have been in the vicinity. The scene is
by no means an inviting one the SHOWS of win


ter have but lately left us, and the ground every
where presents the same dreary aspect of earth
and rocks, and the few oaks that dot the hills
opposite extend their leahess branches in the air
and wait for the verdure of spring.


How well do remember the different appear
ance this place presented when, five years since,
| stopped on the mountain side and glanced on
the scene below me. The clear waters of the
Trinity glanced and sparked in the MONDAY
sun, and the green alder and cottonwood frnged
the banks on either side, until projecting noun
tain then hid it from view. Directly beneath me,
rising in low, level benches from the waters
edge, lay the bar, its surface half covered with
waving grain, and but for the blue smoke which
lazily curled upward from two or three cabins
near the foot of the mountain, and the clang of
a few Chinese rockers, might have thought the
place deserted.


But to look at the place now, there is no dis
tinguishing feature of old times left. The wheat
field is field no longer, its black surface has
long since mingled with the waters of the Trini-
ity, and the sun glistens on the the piles of blue
rocks below. The alders and cottonwoods have
disappeared, save here and there where q strag-
gler has escaped, and the thick clumps of willows
are buried beneath piles of tailings, while the
thick yellow waters of the river, mute evidence
of the miners toll. move sluggishly along.


But to the early pioneer and the native Indian,
how much greater must be the change Then
the lofty pine and spreading oak cast their shad-
ows alike on the mountain side and the valleys
depths then every creek and rill ran clear as
crystal, and the spotted trout and glossy salmon
played in their depths or offered tempting
mark to the long light spear of the native. The
bank, to the waters edge, was covered with a
dense underground, scarce penetrable by the
suns rays, and the timid deer bounded in troops
over the hills or reposed in fancied security un-
der the dense foliage of the fir. The sharp crack
of the rifle had not yet startled their ever listen
ing ears, and they heard not the noiseless tread
of the native, and saw not the silent but uner-
ring messenger of death which laid them low but
showed not whence ii came.


But those days are gone by. The smoke of the
Indian camp fire is nearly extinguished. and the
axe has laid low the tree beneath whose shade
bis hut was built A few of his race still linger
and roam over the land they once called their
own, but which has passed into the hands of the
white man. In few years more not one will be
left to dispute his title.


All is changed. An old pioneer one told me-
"We always went in the morning to the mouth
OF Weaver creek to get clear cold water" To
look at Weaver creek now as it comes down thick
and muddy, bringing half its bulk of sediment,
the light sailings of hundred sluices, coloring
the river to a yet darker hue, who could think il
ever had been pure


AT Manzanta Flat, Mcclure, Folger & Co.
have averaged all the season 81 per day, which
will increase from this time forward, as they have
enough ground sluiced TO keep them cleaning up
until the lst of July Coopers is the only other
claim worked on the lat-bave not begun to
clean up. The greater part Of the ground on
the fat can only be worked in the summer, by
drifting.


THE Mathews Co. on the high benches back of
Cox's bar, have commenced to run their cut with
an inadequate supply Of water, but are already
takino ont aynanqpe The ool1 ie cOarfe