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Me §ujtaticWASHOE CORRESPONDENCE.The following interesting letter from Trnc-kee Meadows was brought to us by Lang-ton’s Utah Express, two days after date :Trnekee City, Utah, April 1, 1860.Editor of Hydraulic Press :—We have arrived M this point safely, after a somewhat tedious trip from Eureka, via the Henness Pass ani Dog Valley. A feeble effort is being made to break the trail down the Truc-kee, but it is too small an effort. It should be doubled. There is no doubt this willWhat Bayard Taylor Says of Us.Recent numbers of the N. Y. Mercury contain Bayard Taylor’s account of his visit to Nevada county. His descriptions are graphic,favorable and generally accurate. Not having room for the entire account, we quote here only what he says of North San Juan andvicinity:prove the fancy route for staging and teaming as soon as the turnpike is completed.— The route is a short and very direct one, and the difficulties on the way so easily overcome with a moderate fxpe iture, that it wouldseem the most natural passage for the iron horse over the Nevadas. We left our horses a few miles this side of Eureka, on account of the noncorapletion of the trail, and made the balance of the trip to this point on loot, stopping to prospect some on the way. We found a lead of apparent value had been struck on the north side of the Truckee, about three miles in the hills nearly abreast of Stout’s Crossing, where we all took up a claim each, of 200 feet, and will return and prospect it after resting a day or two at this place. Other ledges of mineral are said to exist near this locality, but a determined secrecy prevents us from learning which side of the river. We think the opposite side to the one we visited. We are here for the minerals, and shall give new discoveries our attention. Two of us were induced by some remarks we overheard, to lay out one night and watch, expecting to see parties go onto the secret claim. After midnight we thought we had them, but found there was another company watching us: supposing wc had the knowledge and were on our way to it. After a good laugh at each other we descended the hills. We found log houses going'up at all the eligible points on the route down the Truckee: at the junction, two miles east of Maples’; at Sardine Valley ; at Tule Valley (Nevada Junction Road); and Dog Valley. At the upper crossing of the Truckee (O'Neals), we found a substantial log house. The proprietor has good accommodations for a few, and is enlarging ; has a wife aud grown daughter. Here we left the river to the right, and took a trail up the old emigrant hill. This trail was viewed and marked out by Messrs. Mastin Beach, as we learned at O’Neal’s, and will probably be adopted by the turnpike company, saving twice bridging the river at that point where fording has been twice necessary. At what is termed the lower crossing on this Truckee route, Messrs. Stout Mastin have pul up a small house and built a bridge of suificient strength for the heaviest teams. One side, six feet wide, is now covered, and a good railing up to give good sure passage for mules. They will have their long planks sawed and on the bridge by the 1st May, enabling wagons to cross. The snow has all left as far up as O'Neals, 15 miles above this place, and grass is growing finely. The side-hills in Dog valley are mostly bare and grass starting. Everything begins to look green and pleasant in the Truckee Meadows, and as I sec the hundreds, or perhaps thousands of cattle coming into the Meadows from Pyramid Lake, where they have been wintering, it is to my appetite what a good whetstone is to a dull knife.The Brothers Fuller have established aCrossing on the Truckee River, where theyare building a good substantial bridge/This is on the line of travel which comes by way of Beckwourth's and Long Valley, and is a saving of about six miles as formerly traveled via Stone Gates crossing—Harrison’s crossing is about half way between the two —each one striving to prove theirs the best route. There is no doubt that Harrison has the best fording place, and fording will have to be done at both of the places until 1st of June, probably. Stout Mastin, on the Trnckee-Henness route, have led off in bridge building, and will reap their reward as soon as the travel is fairly opened on the latter named route, which in time is bound to be the favored route for all parties between Downieville and Marysville. When the railroad is completed from Folsom to Marysville, a large amount of the San Francisco travel will also pass over it. Two or three towns are contemplated in the Truckee Meadows, but from all appearance Truckee City'has the clear inside track. Its location has many advantages above the others, in the opinion of those who are well acquainted in this portion of the Territory. The site is certainly very imposing to a new comer. And although it is but just starting, (one house up and the lumber being hauled for the second,) it is probable that it must become the county seat of this section.A town once well located and fairly started in this valley will build up very rapidly.— This may be our point to operate in, or a part of our company, while the balance traverse the hills. Lots up to this time have not been offered for sale, but will be in the course of the coming week, at prices rang ing from $75 to #150. The company are donating lots to actual settlers who will go on and build immediately. This really strikes me as being a good field of operation, aud if the boys want to anchor a little money safely let them take a lot or two in this town Another view of the matter should be taken as well as money making. Every possible effort is made by parties interested in routes south of os to draw the immigra tion over their line of travel. Every immigrant, after this, who comes in on the Carson route, will do it simply because he can find supplies this side of the Sierras. This should be looked to. The Truckee Route is conceded to be much the best route as far as grass, water, and distance is concerned, and the Henness Pags will far excel any pass south of it.Let the people—yes, let all the people of the north unite as one man in furthering the objects of the Trnekee City Co., as we learn it is composed mostly of merchants of the northern section who wish to establish a rendezvous, or emporium, on the northern route, contiguous to the mines and directly on their line of travel.As soon as I have taken a look at the great mineral richness of this section, I willwrite joft again. Fall Smith’s saddle tram arrived here in good style on ThursdayI --nnr. and returned this morning. Thisw c .sent tri-weekly, but soon willMr. V . II. IT. Fall is here arrang-ve a stable put up immediately in Ciry. where the company will make ....... • ers on ibis side of the mountains. They will soon have a hundred mule3Merrily we rattled up the plank street of Nevada, around the base of the Sugar Loaf, past the mouths of mining drifts, and the muddy tails of sluices, and into a rolling upland region, about half stripped of its timber, where every little glen or hollow was turned upside down by the miners. After a drive of three or four miles, the blueness of the air disclosed a gulf in front, and we prepared for a desceut to the bed of the South Yuba.It was a more difficult undertaking than we were aware of. The road plunged down the steep at a pitch frightful to behold, turning and winding among the ledges in such a manner that one portion of it often overhung another. Broad folds of shade were flung into the gulf from the summits far above, but the opposite side, ascending even more abruptly, lay with its pines and large-leaved oaks, sparkling in the clearest sunlight. Our horse was equal to the emergency. Planting himself firmly on his fore-feet, with erect, attentive ears, he let U3 carefully, step bystep, down the perilous slopes. With strong harness, there is really no danger; and one speedily gets accustomed to such experiences.After a descent of more than a mile, we reached the bottom, where a wooden bridge, suspended on strong iron rods, crossed the river, high above its current. There was, of course, a toll house, a peach-orchard scattered over the stoney steep, and men washing for gold in the sands below. Beyond this all was a savage mountain wilderness. While paying toll, I was attracted by the boxes of peaches on the veranda, and inquired the price. “For you, sir, nothingat all,'’ replied the man, calling me byname,and therewith liberally supplied us. Being raised without irrigation, they were rather dry, but of remarkably fine color and flavor. The toll-keeper informed us that he carried on gold-mining regularly, in addition to his other business, and found it nearly equally remunerative, one year with another.The northern hank, as beautifully diversified with picturesque knolls and glens as the rapidity of the descent would allow, confronted us with an unbroken climb of a mile and a hftlf. Luckily we met no down-coming team on the way, for there was no chance of passing. At the summit, where there is a little mining camp called Montezuma, we again entered on that rolling platform,which, like the fields of Norway, forms theprominent feature of this part of the Sierra Nevada—the beds of the rivers lying at an average depth of 2,000 feet below the level of the intervening regions. Looking eastward, we beheld a single peak of the great central chain, with a gleaming snow-field on its northern side. Montezuma has a tavern, two stores, and a cluster of primitive habitations. Theycm/tf “loafer” is also found —no country, in fact, is so new that it does not flourish there. Far and wide the country is covered with giant pines, and not a day passes but some of them fall. They are visibly thinning; and in a few years more, this district will be scorched and desolate. It is true young trees are starting up everywhere, but it will be centuries before they attain the majesty of the present forests.Pursuing our winding way for three miles more through the woods, we saw at last the dark-blue walls of the Middle Yuba rise before U3, and began to look out for San Juan. First we came to Sebastopol (!), then to some other incipient village, and finally to our destination. North San Juan is a small, compact place, lying in a shallow dip among the hills. Its inhabitants prosecute both drift and hydraulic mining, with equal energy and success. As at Tiinbuctoo, the whole mass of the hill between the town and the river is gold bearing, and enormous cavities have been washed out of it. The water descends from flumes in tubes of galvanized iron, to which canvas hose-pipcs, six inches in diameter, are attached, and the force of the jets which play against the walls of earth is really terrific. The dirt, I was informed, yields but a moderate profit at present, but grows richer as it approaches the bed-rock. As each company lia3 enough material to last for years, the ultimate result of their operations is sure to be profitable. In the course of time, the very ground on which the village stands will be washed away. We passed some pleasant cottages and gardens which must be moved in two or three years. The only rights in the gold regions are those af miners. The only inviolable property is a “claim.” Houses must fall, fields be ravaged, improvements of all sorts swept away, if the miner sees fit—there is no help for it.In the church, that evening, I met an assembly of eager, intelligent and friendly auditors. Judging not only by this, but by various other evidences, I was disposed to consider San Juan as the most spirited, wideawake village in California. We had endurable quarters at the hotel. One disadvantage, arising from the prevailing dust, is, that nothing appears clean. Wherefore, if the landlords would give us a really clean floor without carpets, linen sheets, no matter how coarse, and the crashiest towels instead of pocket-handkerchiefs, with plenty of water, and cane chairs rather than damaged plush, the comfort of their hotels would be greatly increased, at less expense to them —Truly, the art of living is, of all arts, that which is understood by the fewest persons.In Italy, with all its fleas and dirt, one is better lodged than in the majority of the country taverns throughout the United States.CLCI ItHow to Keep Out of Scrapes.—Y’oung man, listen to the words of age and experience, as uttered in the subjoined paragraph:“Make the dear, sweet girls your constant companions ; go with them to church, Sunday school and singing school; go into the fields and woods with them and gather flowers ; listen to the warbling of the birds, and let the girls teach you songs as sweet. Do right, and they will reward you with their sweet smiles. Discard whisky and cards, and the money you would save by this, spend with the girls; take them a buggy-riding and eat ice cream and strawberries with them, whenever you think you can afford it, and when you get a good ready, select one for a mate and settle down. By doing this, young man, yon will be apt to keep out of scrapes and live happy.S. IIIa\receIt«lt;WhLOTAs tliAlso-YAA full fIn everNov.NE’EitherThe:warrar be aatiNtTIIlt;rooms.4know i world:sons say i .jivepayTlfacttorsandowiitbcjT. this in osill * tim thesome «AlStPateArt and blt; rabilil offini: of wcj Per: picturOldprove*Vie'shorteDec*ner.N\1 Art atAMAnTwenty-six whales have been caught at Monterey since Feb. 1st. from which aboutSep*SA1sweetAnd**-NTruTlten pe ten do by the on or I B'Feb’ N. fl the off felA
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North San Juan Hydraulic Press
North San Juan, California, US
Sat, Apr 07, 1860
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USA 02 Jul 2022
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