Author: dave

SELEBRATION of the FOURTH of JULY /50

Through the kindness of an overruling Providence We are spaired through a nother year, to witness the Selebration of the Birthday of our glourious independance. With this day comes many thoughts of home.

 

EXPLOREING a CAVE etc.*

* (Quite likely this is Mercer’s Cave)

For a day or two previous to the fourth I was wondering in My Mind how I Should Spend that great National day, a day to be observed all through our land of Liberty as the Birth day of her Indipendance. I know I could not enjoy Myself in town among gamblers and drurikards, Nor could I think of Staying about the Tent all day, and as for working I was opposed to that. Well the question was what Shall we do to Spend the day agreeable. Hearing considerable Said of a cave that had been discovered (in the Side of a Mountain of Rocks) but Never explored. Curiosity led me to the conclusion of trying to See the full extent of this place under the Mountain.  I Mentioned it to a few acquaintances who agreed to go with Me. The Evening previous to the fourth the constant fireing of Guns was kept up till very late and continued the next Morning, with scarsly any interuption  by 9 O clock our company had began, and were near collected together, ready for a Start on our expedition to the Cave. Said one les give them one more Salute agreed said another       we loaded and eight or ten reports were Suc­cessively heard Echoing through the Valley.  Now for the Cave.  Hurry up there Mr Norten Mr Benwell, Mr Myers Mr Leads Mr Pene­becker Mr Rempee Mr P.H.Halsey Mr G.W.Halsey and I.S.Halsey. those are the Names of those who compose our party. All being ready we loaded our Guns and Rifles, got a long roap, a candle and Lamp etc and Started for the Cavern, which was about 1 Mile distant, North of this place. We Started from our tent (or rather from Allendale)        Just over a nole and we were in a very pleasant Valley through which we had to pass. We continued up this Valley till it was confined to a Small Ravine at the base of the Mountain that wound its way up to its Summit. Up this we traveled till near a very high ledge of Rocks (composed of What is called white Rock).  We here turned to the left and continued around till we had gained the rear of the Ledge or Bluff.  here we found the entrance of the Cave which was about three feet Square  We then fastened one end of the rope to a rock at the Mouth of the Cavern and threw the remaining part down the Hole to assist us in our decent.  After loading a pistol with Buckshot, and preparing ourselves for whatever we Might have to encounter, we lit our torches and commenced the decent down the pasage, which we found to be perfictly Straight for a distance of about 50 ftt through Massive Rocks that were laid together so perfictly that it Seemed impossible for Nature to have don it              the wall on the right hand Side was perfictly Straight and Smoth for the dis­tance above Mentioned . We found that the pasage was divided into two, by a rock below. from this point up to the Enterance the assent was about the same as a common pair of Stairs.  But the pasage was now divided into two, the one on the left being Small and continueing Straight with the Main One, and the one on the right Side was also Small but the largest of the two, and the decent perpendicular for a distance of about 10 ft.  It was very dark down there, and to make our decent Safer we lowered a light down first and then decented, (With the help of the roap) ourselves one after the other.    we here found an appartment, about 5 ftt Square, and 8 or 10 ftt high, the Sealing of which was composed of Massive rocks, arched together whos Surface’s was covered with congeated cristialized fluid that had run down when hot, and cooled in every Shape and form imaganable, resembling Icisickles giving the place a splendid appearance . It was indeed beautiful I have no language to discribe it.  this congealed Substance Suspended from the Sealing and the walls around, was of a witeish coller and easely broken. We broke off Many peaces as Specamins, Some of which I Shall try to take home with me.    on the left hand Side we found another broad pasage, but very low, So Much So that we had to creep in order to get in. the cealing and walls of this place was decorated in the Same manner as the one last described.  the distance from the fatherest end of this part of the Cave to the perpendicular Rock (before Mentioned) was about 12 ft.  after takeing a good look in this part we Set out in Search. for any pasage to other parts, if Such there where. We Soon found one to the right takeing a cours at right Angles with the first enterance to the Cavern, its dimentions was about 2 ft broad the highth variing from 2 ftt 1 ftt 6 in.  and about 30 ft in lenghth from the perpendicular Rock.           the Smallness of this pasage rendered it necessary for us to creep upon our hands and knees in order to get through to the next room which was, about 8 ftt in diameter it being in a circular form with an Oval Cealing. (as Shown by a temperary ground Sketch in Sketch Book Page 19) The higth of this appartment was not Sufficient to Stand upright, but by Stooping a little we managed to get along to the right for a distance of about 20 ftt. where we came to a very large place Splendidly decorated with the christialized ornaments before Mentioned. when we came to the Edge of this part of the Cavern we found the Cealing to be about 3 ftt higher than the place where we were Situated (I mean the Rock upon which we were Standing) and the Bottom about 17 ftt below, making the whole higth to be 20 ftt. The length and breadth was about equal I Should judge 12 ftt, forming a pretty good Sized room. two of the Side walls was perpendicular and Straight the remaining two were very precipitous but not So much as the others owing to Some loose rocks that had been thrown on the top of the other.  one of these Sides was next to us, thus making our decent much easier than it otherwise would have been,  we wend down to asertain weather the Cave extended any farther. We :ound a pasage sufficiently high to enable us to walk erect but narrow this opening we found in one of the fartherest corners (of the large room) takeing a circular cours and decreasing size untill it became to Small for us to pass through. but by holding the light in one end and looking into a passage that we found in the oposite Corner of the room, We Soon asertained that both cavities were connected and that this was the termenation of the cave. the distance from the fartherest point to that, to which the distance was last given was about 40 ftt making the whole distance from the Mouth or Enterence of the Cavern to its termenation, to be 162 ftt. the Cave wound around So far to the right that the last Mentioned room was Situated about under the Enterence.  We came out well pleased with our visit to the Cave, and Set out for our tents   on the way we met a friend who informed me that the Express had arived and that there were two letters for me   Welcom News, I Soon got them and once more heard good News from home  all well and in good health, One was from D S Ludlam of S. S. and the other from the 16 St Choir through Mr Pond. Sent a letter by this Months Express to Mr T.A Ludlam.

SUNDAY 14th

The Canal (before Mentioned) was completed on Monday, and it has proven a Successful experiment we have got rid of about 4 ftt of water which helps us in working Our holes upon the flat wonderfully. We do not use our pumps now at all having the Canal handy we bale the water into it thus in place of three or four Men to work the pump it takes but one Man half of his time to bale it out     We have been working this week in My Hole and will probably finish it this week it continues to pay extraordanary well. Murders occur very frequently now days    reports come in most every day of Some one having his throat cut in his tent at night or being found butchered in a most hororable Manner by the road Side . We had an Excellent Sermon this forenoon and afternoon, and a proff table prayer Meeting in the Evening. the Spirrit of’ God was one in our Midst according to his Most precious promis. A man who had traveled for Some distance through the day was in Search of a place to Spread his blankets and rest for the night, he said he had just gained the Summit of a Small hill near at hand when his attention was arrested by a voise that appeared as one in earnest prayer to God               he proceeded in the direction from wence the voice came and he was Soon in our little Meeting the first one he Said he had attended while in California and he Said it was truely rest to his Sole, and Body also. When we came away he remained and Said he Should make that Sacred Spot his Stoping place for the night

SUNDAY 21

Finished the working of My Claim on the Flat on Tuesday, and it continued to pay to the last.      commenced on Georges Claim on Wednesday. The weather has been quite warm the past week the themometer vareing from 100 to 110, but this making it cool and pleasant  I notice here that about the full of the Moon the wind and the heat is the Strongest.  Three Successive Meetings was held at this placer last week for the purpose of Takeing into consideration the best Mode of guarding against the depredations of the Many Murderers and Robbers that infest the country around.  Their actions at the Meetings were unde­sided on account of a Mass Meeting to be Held at Senora for the Same purpose. Messrs Wiat and Marshal were appointed delegates to attend that Meeting and report at an adjourned Meeting to be held at this place on tuesday Evening next.  posted a let­ter to Mrs L of S S on Monday 1 5th 5 0 Clock pm        We have just returned from Meeting preaching this afternoon by Mr Spreague on the Subject of predestination. the attendance is quite regular, and I am happy to State that God our heavenly Father never fails to be one in our Midst when we come with the right Spirit. Just as we returned from Service we received the information of the death of our Much essteemed friend and Ship Mate Norman Wadhams. When we arived at St Francisco the Excelsior Mining Co consisted of 9 Members three of Whom are now laid beneath their Mother Earth     first Moses C Wadhams next Lyman B. Oviatt and now Norman Wadhams,     Mr Oviatt was a Brother in Law to Norman Wadhams and Moses W was a Cousin to them Both, and they were from the Same place Go— Conneticut.

The warning is be ye also ready.  Our Friend who died to day has been Sick about 6 Weeks he has had constent Medical aid, but at about 5 O Clock P M to day his time had come and his Spirit was born away to try the realities of another world. His funeral will take place to Morrow at 9 A M. I will also Mention the Suden death of an Italian to day who was berried Shortly after his death (Just before Sunset) without Coffin and without Seramony.   this does appear to heathenish indeed .

SUNDAY 28th

On Monday last we attended the funeral of our Friend Wadhams and consined his remains to the ground. I was very much pleased to See So Many turn out in honor of the dead.  Mr Spreg read a Chapter from the Bible and Exerted therefrom.  Mr or Brother Atwood Made a prayer, and Brother Small dismissed us with the benediction, after which we bore the dead to his grave upon a high Mountain just South of the town. Where he now lies and where he will remain till the resorection day.  We have reason to Hope (by conversation held with him previous to his death) that he died with a hope of a Glorious immortality beyond the Grave wherein he now lies.  The Sun has not been quite So powerfull the past week as it was the week previous. I understand that the Americans at Senora had ordered all Foreigners to leave the country in a cirtain numbers of days. commited etc.  Reports are coming in every day of Merders being having bought a Log Cabin an the South Side of the Crick in order to be more Secure from Midnight assasin         we were under the disagreeable necessity yesterday of leaving our pleasant Situation in Allendale.  it was indeed hard for me to leave it.     Service as usual

SUNDAY AUG 4 /50

Nothing of Much interest this week. With the exception of a Meeting of the Miners at this place, for the purpos of passing Some resolutions to Secure claims to their Owners     the Registaring law runing Out on the first of August etc.  I had near for­gotten to mention a horrorable Murder that was commited on friday night about 1/2 Mile from this place. The unfortunate victims were two Mexicans who were Murdered with a Crowbar, and by one of their own comrads. it appeared that, three of them came into town a day or two previous to purchase Some Articles of food, and on friday evening Started out again, and after geting about 1/2 a mile from the place they layed down for the night. Some time in the night One of them awoke (as is supposed) and commited the horrorable deed, giving each a dreadful blow acrost the face, with the crowbar and not only one but Several So that their heads were affully Mangled. the Murderer Escaped .

SUNDAY 11th

Many are leaveing these Mines daily On account of the Flat proveing a failure. So far at least as this, that not more than 1 Hole Out of 20 that will Pay for Sinking. Among this number we find Mr Myres, One or our old Ship Mates. Mr Myres health was not very good and he thought best. to go home.    he Started on Thursday the 8th, he took with him a large number of letters, for individuals in these Mines. As he had gone direct for N.Y City it afforded us an excelent Opportuneity which I embraced.   and Sent one letter to Father 1 to Mr Hand 1 to Mr Lawrence and one to Miss E.H.     I Must here State that a number of our Much essteemed friends have left this place for other Mines, and Some who we Miss very Much at Our religous Meetings, Mr Atwood, Mr Small, Mr Pane Mr Rightington and others.

SUNDAY 18th of AUGUST 1850

Stoughtenburgh Placer has become almost deserted, in con­sequence of the flat proveing a complete failure. Many have Stayed at this place, all the Spring and Summer with the Expec­tation of geting Some considerable of Gold from their Claims, which they had Spent So Much time and Labour upon, but when the time came for them to give them a trial, they found them to fail. Being thus situated they would not be long Making up their Minds what to do.   but pack up amedeately and scamper for Some other digings.  But there are a few who have been very well paid for their labour, but the number is very Small comparatively. A considerable of Excitement pervades among those that remain here caused by discovery Said to be made by Mr Fletcher, who pretends that he has invented a Machine or instrument by which he can tell where the gold lies or where there is no gold etc   Some belive and others do not. about fourty of the former are going to work next Monday (to Morrow) to test a Spot that has been Servayed by Mr Fletcher, and pronounced by that Gentleman as containing a rich lead of Gold.  We do hope that the result of this experiment will be Such, as Shall bring about the convertion of Many of the unbelivers. It is reported that Mr Burns one of our Expresses, has Abscon­ ded with a considerable amount of Money. We did not think this of Mr Burns, all who knew him, had great confidence in him, and many Sent Money by him for remittance to the States. Search is Makjng for him, but nothing has been heaxd of him yet.  I discovered a root to day that I was totly ignorent of its groth here before.    it is the Ginger root.      it is quite Strong and in considerable quantities.  Service as usual to day, but very few attended only Six of us in the afternoon. Men in california prefer Spending the Sacred hours of the Sabbath in Card playing drinking and rioting to listen to the word of God.   Oh it is hororble to witness the degree of dissipation which Men go to here     Men who have wives and families at home.

SUNDAY 25th of AUGUST 1850

It has been very dull times with us this week.    and indeed there would be nothing doing here if it were not for Mr Fletcher’s Experiments, which have progressed very well this week, but none of the Holes under his directions are down yet, but this week I think will determine wether it be fals or true.  On Friday a party of us Set out from this camp about 8 O Clock for Chiota lower bridge, distant about 11 Miles.  work is the greatest that I ever Saw.  This peace of Natures Chiota Crick winds its way through a very deep gulch between two high Mountains, also very Steep. the trale is Made along the Side of one of these Mountains and it was the Most fatiguing road that I ever traveled. When we arived at the first Bridge We found that the Mountains were So connected that the water passed through under the Mountain.  A Mountain composed of rocks with the exception of a few feet of Earth on Top     the mouth of the Tunnel was about 15 ftt high and 18 ftt wide, and the whole tunnel is in gothic Style of form. the rock is lime, and by the water running through for Many years, Numerous Ornaments are formed which would pusel a genuine Mason to complete. Its Splender baffles all description. person here who has Seen the Falls of Niagra Says that these Nateral Bridges On Chiota Crick are far Superior to that Noted place.  A Doctor of this place, while rideing from Carsons on his way here, was Stopped on the road by two Men Speaking the Spanish Language. One of them was Asking him (the Doctor) how far it was to Chiota and at the Same time his com­panion rode up to the Doctor and presented a Pistle to his head.  But the Doctor catching a glimps of the fellows Movements raised his hand and knocked the Muzel of the Pistle just as it was discharged, thus preventing his death by the Ball passing through the crown of his hat.     the assailants put Spurs to their Horses and were out of reach before the Doctor could return the Shot with his revolver, a very narrow escape that.  Many are leaving these Mines, as well as Many Others of the digings, for the Mountains in search of New Placers to work. we have already heard very extravigent reports from that direction, but cannot Vauch for their truth. More will Pro­bably be know Soon. Preaching But Once to day.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1 1850

Mr Tod & Brians Express arived Yesterday but no letters.

On Monday the Stars and Stripes were floating in the Breeze half Mast having just recived the News of Gen or President Taylor ‘s Death. This news was very Suden and unexpected, how true the poet, The tall the Wise the reverned head, Shall lie as low as ours.

Received a note on friday from Friend Atwood.

SUNDAY 8th /50

Having done all our business at this place in the way of Gold diging, We thought best to Set out in Search of Some place to Spend the winter. With this in view we Started on Mules about 11 0 Clock A M on Friday for Mokelome Hill distant about 30 Miles, taking a N-W Cours. We arived on Saturday Morning having one night to Sleep on the road inconsequence of loosing the trail on friday afternoon, by going up the North Branch of the Calaveras Several Miles. But we percived our Mistake and turned about ariveing at right track by Sun down where we camped for the night beneath a large Oak and beside the beautiful Stream of water the North Branch        from the Hill we decended the Mountains to the River (Mokelome) where we found our Friends Atwood, Small, Pane, and Wrightington very busily engaged in turning the Stream with a force consisting of 19 Men. We remain with them to day and expect to return tomorrow I am happy to Say that Our Brotheren have extablished religous Meetings here and I had the pleasure of hearing two exclent Sermons to day one by Brother Atwood, and another by One Mr Harris of Ten.  There is a vast extent of Country here for opperation in the way of gold diging. But all the richest Gulches are dug out. But Still I think that Miners will do full as well here as at any of the digings this coming winter.