Year: 1871

|
1t used to be, Notwithstanding my own bad luck,
whatever | engaged to do for others always pros
pered, but of late years it does seem to me that
whoever employs there and then commen-
ces series of mishaps and catastrophes unac-
countable for in any other way than the fact of
my presence being the sole cause In crossing
bridge this side of Hay Fork, with four-horse
team belonging to John Smith, the stringers
gave away, preciptating wagon, horses and
driver (Jay Kellogg into the stream below :;
smashing wagon all to pieces and injuring horses
more or less. How Jay escaped without injury,
is almost miracle. About ten pounds of but
ter intended for me is under that load yet.
should think that the weight or the wagon, to-
gether with an additional forty hundred of wheat,
ought to squeeze the brine out pretty we'll.
think the bridge will go next. Neither the
shrewdness of the devil nor the diplomacy of Bis
marck will save it. Two to one-who takes the
the bet that she goes inside of ten days?


The Judicial election is close at hand. Repub-
licans are you ready? If so, fire, and be sure
to hit the ballot-box with an unscratched Re-
publican ticket. The past election has given
US prestige we must hold. What will Demo-
Gratis have to urge against our candidates now
That they are unhealthy, and if elected will re-
sign to become IT, S. Senators Now, we have
one Republican candidate for county office and
two for this district. am personally acquainted
with all of them, and if they are not healthy,
they certainly look so, and do not think that
either of them aspire to be U. S. Senator lust at
this time. interviewed our Douglas City can
ddate only yesterday Says his health is good;
never felt better in his life says if elected will
serve his term out with an eye to the Supreme
Judicial Bench POGO tempo. We all do not view
matters and things in the same light but the
fact is would not resign butcher shop to be
President. | would much rather be ANNOYED
with flies and yellow. jackets than with place
hunters, and furthermore am remarkably fond OF
beef and mutton-chops; you bet, you. Young
and old bucks desirous of matrimonial alliance,
come down after election, bring along your dull
ceneas and you can be spiced according to law
and gospel, or according to Hoyle. You d" bays
your monish and you dakes your choice"


We are now having more or less high winds
a pretty sure indication Of ran-and taking the
three last seasons guide, if it does not rain
in September we may expect another dry Winter
to follow. The question arises can we gentry
of the ragged-s profession stand another dry
season. The merchants may ask themselves the
same question-can we furnish the miner with
another Winters grub space and take the
chances? The question is debatable, no doubt
but the grub men can answer their own ques-
tions. am a practical miner, and individually
it makes no difference whether it eyer rains
or not. l am never benefited by shower or in
jured by drouth. | prayed for rain in '52 I
got what | wanted and some to let, and since
then have prayed mostly for health and the
g sand " to brave misfortune


The miners about Douglas City are cleaning
out bitches, repairing reservoirs and " "choping"
bedrock preparatory to the Winters mining
Since the successful blast, on Dutton's creek,
the miners talk powder great deal. My opin-


ion is that most of the gravel banks ranging from
20 to 100 feet in depth will yield better profit
to the miner by blasting. The money expended
for water will purchase the powder-that is the
water necessary to get down the bark. have
seen only one of the partners (James Dixon) in
the Dutton's creek mine since the blast, and he
was wearing smile, not exactly confined to his
contenance either, but from the crown of his
head down to his boot straps. | do expect the
boys feel fine, as their prospective show is GER
tainy good for big thing when water comes.
If they think it will set them ahead any they
can have my good wishes, which | think along
with Franks octave prayers ought to help some.


We are having more or less ague Filibuster
and Smiths Flats. | am unable to tell the
causes. Physicians say ague is caused by de-
composition of animal and vegetable matter.
Can see it. To be sure, Democracy is some
what on the decline, but then it's not dead yet


in fact it's liable to lnger a year, or until the
next Presidential election, but not day nor an
hour longer. Sorry, too; as we will have no
one to quarrel with.


My old friend Stephen Lane has disposed of
his Point Bar property, Joseph Ham being the
purchaser. The exact amount paid l did not


learn. In days gone by Point Bar was lively
mining camp, and when first knew it, the pre-
cinet was overwhelmingly Democratic but OF
late years Republican, and liable to continue so
until grizzly bears are seen roofing up volunteer
spuds along Trinity river in droves. When that
time shall arrive the settlers may judge for
themselves, but Stephen saw bear in his door
yard one night last week.


The miners elated at the thought of having
the waters of Stuart's Fork brought into Weaver
Basin. The ditch agitation this time seems to
have much Importance attached to it, and all
unite in saying that ditch from Stuarts Fork,
on the old line survey, will be the salvation of
of Trinity county. God speed the noole work
This survey was made by Henry L. Wheeler one
Of the best civil engineers | ever met with.
was rod-man at the time, and assisted him in