Author: dave

SUNDAY 24th

The weather this week has been quite Stormy      Instead of rain however we have Snow which makes it quite Uncomfortable. We have prospected Some in the Ravines amoung the Mountains, but have not found anything very rich as yet.  We found one peace of Gold, however lying bare upon a Rock in the bed of a Small revine, that weighed nearly half an ounce $8. On Friday,

N. Wadhams & R. Gilles Set out for San Francisco bearing quite a number of letters for the next Steamer bound for the States. From myself, One for my Cousin David at Sing Sing and one to Mr. D. Post of N. Y. Mr .Wadhams and Gilles expect to return in the course of a fortnight and with them I expect letters from home. The thought is truly cheering. Provisions are coming down in price very fast. Flour can be bought now at retail for 30 cts and Pork 62-1/2

SUNDAY 3rd of MARCH, 1850

It does not Seam posable, for Such a differance of Climate to exist, between the American Camp and this Place, a distance of only 35 or 40 Miles, but it is true, there is indeed a very great differance. In coming that Short distance we have experienced a change from Summer to winter, from April Showers, to Januarys Snow Storms. We was in hopes, that the winter had closed about three or four weeks ago, but we begin to think now that it has just begun. It has Snowed near every day this week, Making it very disagreeable, and rendering Mining, prospecting etc entirely out of the question. There was one day this week (however) quite pleasant. That was Friday.      We Set out on a prospect, but with very little Success. The great difficulty with which we have to contend, is the vast quantity of water that is in the ground .    it is impossible to give any of the Streams a fair prospecting, because we have to go down Several feet before we could get the bottom, and the water rushing in So, from all quarters, Makes it impossible to reach the rock. during our tramp over the Mountains, and along the Streams we came acrost what I call a natural curiosity. it was a Small tree about five inches in diameter, growing out of a Solled Rock, not the Smallest particle of Earth near it. before we came up to it, we thought it must be loose, but on examining it and knocking against it with our tools, we found and immoveable, its foundation was a rock. It had Stood no doubt for Many years, upon the edge of that Stream, biding defiance to the torrents that washed its base. While Many whose tops assends, as it where to the clouds, and appear to boast of their Gigantic Strength, have fallen to the ground, when the Storms came and the winds blew, because it foundations was Sand.

There is Some Most Splendid pine timber in this nabourhood very Straight and tall, and large at the butt. There is one that has fallen near our tent. I measured it and found it 150 long. a temporary Sketch of one may be found in Sketch Book page 11

SUNDAY 10th

We have had three Stormy days this week and Snow at that.     is winter one day and Summer the next. After Spending Several days, prospecting, we finally Succeeded in finding a Spot, that paid for working very well  we commenced working it yesterday Morning and Succeeded in getting three and one half ounces of very handsome Gold   it is not So fine as that at the American Camp, but it is very pure and Bright, and I think it will demand a very high price. One Night when returning from work after a light Snow, we crossed the Tracks of a Grizley Bear. The prints where very large, and we think the creature passed along but a Short time before. I have heard of Several of these ferocious Anamels being Seen during the winter. One day a Young Man from Hancenson’s Bar was out among the Mountains hunting for deer he got Sight of a very fine one (deer) and crep up to a Bush with the intention of killing him, but just as he was taking aim with his Rifle he caught the glimpse of an object close at one Side. he turned his head, and to his horror he beheld a Monster Grisley Bear Standing erect upon his hind feet at a distance of about 8 or 10 ft, prepairing to Spring upon his prey. the young Man knowing this, thought best at first to turn about and run but he knew he would run a great risk in so doing.    a Second thought (therefor) induced him to level his rifle for the Creatures head. being a good Marksman, he fired and put the Ball between his Eyes. Killing him instantly to the great joy of the adventurer. Wolves are very plenty, also in this Nabourhood. They come very near the tent, at night and growl makeing a tererable noise.     they never venture in the daytime (however) or they would frequently get buck Shot. The Indians of this portion of the Country, are a Miserable race of beings. I am induced to believe them to be very indolent from the fact that they frequently enter our Camp and beg from tent to tent. Some appear with a pair of Old pants, a wornout Coat a Miserable Shirt, and a pair of thrown away Shoes, and many appear with nothing on but a Shirt. They are known I believe as the Digers. From Many little incidents occuring from diffaculties between them and the whites, that have come to my notice, I conclude they are very Cowardly, especialy when life is in danger.   when they think they have great advantage, they appear very Courageous, but the Sight of a Rifle or Gun, Overcomes them and renders them very Submissive. Their Arms for killing Game and for Self defence are the Bow and Arrow. It is astonishing to See with what force and accuracy, they Send their Arrows with the Bow. There have been cases of difaculties which have resulted in the death of Men, both White and Black, and one or two but a Short time ago. Speaking of their fear of Guns, I will just State a little incident that occured a Short time ago, on a Small Stream that empties in the Spanish Slaugh. An American was there at work alone, his rifle lay near by prepaired for anything that might come along in the Shape of game.   about the midle of the afternoon an Indian appeared on the opisite Bank and commenced talking with the American the latter replied in the Native tongue but in the course of the conversation that took place between them The American Said Something that the Indian did not like, where upon the latter retraced his Steps a Short distance and picked up his Bow and Arrow, and again advanced towards the white man   the latter perciveing his intent, Seised his rifle and prepaired for Self defence the Indian no Sooner perceived this than he Stoped threw his Bow and Arrow to the ground, and the next moment Sung out wally wally, wally wally, (Friend Friend, Friend Friend). The American told him to vammoce (go away)   his Orders was amediately obeyed and was not troubled by the red Skin any More. Some of them was Shot a few days ago for Some Misconduct or crime, on the Spanish Slaugh, and the Captain or Chief with a large number of his Men came to this place to know if the whites intended or wished to live friendly with them.  they Said they wished to live peaceably with us, but if we did not want to do the Same, they would take every opportunity for revenge.      they was told that we had no desire to injour them but if any of their number Should be caught in the act of Stealing he Should be Shot and if they Should kill a white Man without Sufficient cause, the Americans would turnout an kill them all off      The Chief replied that his people Should be told our words and everything done to prevent future difaculties. Last Evening the Citisens of this placer held a Meeting for the purpose of adopting the By Laws, by which they are to be goyerned the insueing Summer . A Coppy may be Seen in the latter part of this Book.

SUNDAY 17th

One year from Home

This week has been very Stormy indeed, it has rained and Snowed together five days rendering work out of the question. One year ago the 12th of this Month we Set Sail from the City of New York (last Tuesday) how well we remember the time and how many thoughts are Stired by the recollection there of, the parting with friends, the last Sight of our Native home etc. Time waits for no man, how true. A year has already gone, and what a change from friends near, and home ever Dear.        we was born, or wafted by the winds of heaven, far off upon the restless bosom, of the boisterous Ocean, preserved by the grace of God, from dangers Seen and unseen and finally landed in a distant land, and a Strange Country. And what for, Gold!    Yes Gold, what Sacrefices Men make what risks they run for gold, home Friends honor Life and to complete their ruin they hazard their Souls all for Gold……..Let Me be the Poor Man at the rich Mans Gate that I may at last rest in Abrahams Bosom, rather than possess riches and at last go down to the grave and have it to Say, the harvest is past the Summer is ended and my Soul is not Saved.

SUNDAY 24th

This is indeed a beautiful Morning, and in fact all this week has been quite pleasent. Spring with her flowers appear to cheer us with beauty and glee. White geese are emigrateing, to the North­ward with Many other Species of the Feathered tribes Singing merrily as they pass along through the green Pines hoping from twig to twig. The Fields look green, and Show forth many flowers of different Colours     While prospecting yesterday I Saw Several very fine beds of wild Pansy, Sage pepermint the first I have Seen in the Country I think it would Supprise Some of our New York housekeepers to See the Californians mix Bread Cook wash and Mend. It appears to be the pride of Some to make their Bread as light as posable and excell those around them.     indeed we have one or two in our own party who make great brags of this accomplishment in this line, and frequently gives lectures to others on the Subject. I think it will be the cause of many difaculties between them and their wives (if they Should ever get married) from the fact that the husband will be apt to know (or pretend to at least) more about general housekeeping than the wife.   the neadle to Comes very handy to; Well, perhaps when they return home they will come to the Conclusion that they need no wife, and spend the remainder of their days keeping Batchalers hall.

SUNDAY 31 st

The weather has continued pleasent during the past week, but to day we have had a little Sprinkle, for a change.     these Ocasional Showers and the warm rays of the Sun causes the grass and flowers of the Mountains and valies to grow with great rapidity. Mr Wadhams and Gilles, (before Mentioned as haveing gone to Sanfrancisco) returned on Tuesday afternoon , well and hearty   But I am Sorry to Say they brought no letters for me . I am very impatient to hear again from home. Times in Sanfrancisco are very dull at present etc

SUNDAY APRIL 7th 1850

Nothing worthy of Note has occured this week. The weather has been quite pleasent with the exception of two or three Showers. Stoutenburgh Placer is numbering in population very fast       Many of whome are french Men, and as the increase of Numbers      So the increase of Gambling Monte Banks from $3,000 to $1.00 gingl upon the Table every night and day Sundays not excepted, haveing a baneful influence upon the young Men of the Placer whoes pockets are often drained of their hard earned Gold.  I am Sorry to have to Say, that Men who once looked upon Such things as Sinful in the highest degree and poisonous to the morrels of any community. I Say men who protested against Such things Strongly, appear to of lost all Sense of their vowes to the Christian religion which they once professed, and are now Seen with the Crowd around the Tables beting, Sometimes loseing and Sometimes winning. Men leave their homes come to California, Stay two or three Months, return with a fortune and tell their friends about what a rich hole they Struck while in California out of which they took their fortune. Where was their rich holes. On the Beds of the Broad Streams, in the Sides of the Mountains, on the flats or in the Small ravines.   was their rich holes in any of these No, No, with a few exceptions they found them on the gambling Table.        A Boy of 18 or 19 years, who can now be Seen at any time around these places of vice, was detected in Stealing Six ounces of Gold, and no longer ago than last evening I Saw him with My own Eyes take Money from the Table that did not belong to him. See the influence of these Gambling holes, how many Robbers and Murders Spring from these places.

SUNDAY 14th

Very Pleasent. Goods arriving every day in vast quantities . Price of Provisions falling every day            Making Pump, to work the Deep Holes on the Flat

SUNDAY 21

The weather during the past week has been cool but pleasent just right to work comfortably. We has a Slight Shower on Friday night which had a very growing effect upon the Vegetable Kingdom, which is decorating the Country far beyind what I ever expected to See bearing a welcoming, and pleasent appearence no doubt, to the Many New comers that are flocking in every day. This must especially be the case with Females that now and then come to take up their abode for a Season in this placer. It may be the opinion of Some of our Friends at home that there is no Such a thing as a woman in the Mines, but they are mistaken        there are at present in Stoutenburgh Placer five or Six Women, none of Whome however are Americans  they are French, Irish or Chilians. One young French Lady about twenty five years old (perhaps less) living in a tent with her husband wanted rather that She were not known as a female in the Placer and to carry this out, She wanted to deceive by putting on Male attire throughout.     but alas She cannot Succeed, her Soft Sweet voice, Rosy Cheek, and Modest look, betray her.      her hair to combed So neatly back of her Ears and fastened in the usual form, cannot escape the keen Eye of the observer, though it is partly and I may Say Mostly hid by her broad Brimmed Straw hat that She is Accustomed to wear. She is known by all as a woman and as far as I know respected as Such. Stoutenburgh Place Supports at present about forty Stores, including 2 Bakeries and 2 Beef Markets & the number increasing daily.  I judge about two thirds of the 40 Stores are gambling Holes. Finding it very unpleasent to be with a large party & Subject to many little difficulties and bralls we concluded, to seperate and accordingly Sold out last Monday.    having a Tent just -large enough to accomodate 3, We three Halseys Selected a Spot in a beautiful Vale, near a Stream of beautiful water, and handy to wood. I christened it Allen Dale and our little cottage of Snowey whiteness Stands there beneath a Stately Oak whose broad Branches Shade it, and gives it that cool appearance, that is so desirable in the hot Season of the year.

SUNDAY 28

Weather remarkable fine. Travelling very good, provisions cheap. etc.     Flour was Sold yesterday for 15 cts     This is the cheapest it has been Since I have been in the Mines . We finished our pump the fore part of the week, & commenced operations amediately in one of our Holes on the Flat.  The pump works very good, and throws water very fast, but not Sufficiently to keep the Hole clear, after we had got well down into the gravel, which, being loose admitted the water very fast.  failing in our purpose with one pump, we Set about Making 2 More, which are now well under way and We hope to have them ready for use the latter part of this week. We have Some little incouragement from the fact that we found Gold among the loose Gravel. There is Something very Singular about this Flat, that deserves notice.        Natureal Caves Six feet deep have been discovered under the ground con­taining nothing but water. They appear like a natureal aque­duct from the Mountain Crick a distance of about 200 feet. There has been one or two cases where Men have come near falling into them but fortunately they escaped. Radishes have been planted and brought to Maturity in this Nabourhood and are now for Sale at the Store