[Letter from Carson Valley, Sacramento Union February 20, 1860]

 

LETTER FROM CARSON VALLEY.

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The Washoe Mines—The Time for  Starting—Diggings in the Vicinity—Miners must bring Money—Affrays.

            EDS UNION : As it has been some time since I have seen any correspondence from this place, and having a little leisure time, I have concluded to post you, in as short a way as possible, of the condition of affairs in this and the surrounding country. We hare had a very cold Winter so far, the thermometer having been as low as 20 degrees below zero on two or three mornings in the month of December. During the month of January it ranged from 6 degrees below zero to 42 above at sunrise; at 12 o'clock m. it has ranged from 14 to 46 above. During this month, so far, it has ranged from 4 below to 28 above ; the first three mornings it was below. The weather now has the appearance of Spring—the thermometer, at 12 o'clock m. to-day, indicating 46 degrees above zero. The snow is now fast disappearing ; in some places the ground is entirely bare. In consequence of the extreme cold weather there has been but little prospecting done during the Winter, till within a short time past. Now they are pitching in very extensively, and, from what I can learn, with a good show of success. There have been quite a number of claims opened in different localities that are bound to pay much larger than anything that has ever been found in California. They are now getting out rock at Virginia which is much richer than they have ever found it before. I was credibly informed a few days ago by a gentleman that he had seen rock taken out of some of the rich claims there that was as much as one-half pure silver. I was at what is called the Devil's Gate, a few days ago. From the name of the place I anticipated seeing a perfect set of devils, but in that respect I was disappointed, for a more gentlemanly set of men it has not been my good fortune to meet with anywhere. The diggings in that vicinity are turning out rich both in gold and silver. There are also in that vicinity some very good placer diggings where they are making big wages, say from five to fifty dollars per day. They are building up a new town there called Silver City. In the vicinity of this place there is a good deal of prospecting going on. They have already found rock that will pay well both in gold and silver.

            The town is now building up quite fast. If lumber can be obtained there will not be less than two hundred buildings put up here in the next three months. Business here for some time past has been quite dull, owing to the sparse population and the scarcity of coin. More than one-half of the population of this place and the surrounding country are now in California, but I have not known any who have left here but what expect to return soon; in fact a good many of them are now returning. From what I can learn, there will be a grand rush to this "eastern slope" within a short time, not only from California, but from all the different States. I shall not be surprised if "the whole world and the rest of mankind" would be here in the course of the Summer. I have now been here about four months, and have been a pretty close observer of things, and can state that in my opinion this country "lays over" California at the present time, for a man to make a "raise" in a short time.

            It has been the impression of a great many that this was no country for a poor man ; but in that they are certainly mistaken. It is true that it will require a good deal of capital to erect suitable machinery to carry on mining, but, in a short time, it will be an easy matter for those who do not have the means to erect the necessary machinery, to sell a portion of their ground for a sufficient amount to give them a good start, or they will be able to sell their ore at the mouth of their tunnels. Let me say to those who anticipate coming here in the Spring, that, in my opinion, the sooner they come the better. They will stand a better show of getting claims on easier terms than if they wait too long. It is also necessary that they should bring along a good supply of the one thing needful, for it will be some time before they can reasonably expect to realize much out of the resources of the country. We want some good assayers here, such that the people can put confidence in. We have had some here that, I presume, understood their business tolerably well, but they all turn wild on speculations as soon as they get here. They turn their attention to securing claims as soon as they get here, instead of attending to their legitimate business. There was a Dr. L----, from San Francisco, who came here a short time ago, who blowed a good deal about what he could do in the way of assaying, but left with a very slim reputation.

            Yesterday, as you have been advised by telegraph, our Spring fights opened. At Genoa, a man by the name of Wasson had purchased a piece of ground of some one of whom I did not learn. It seems that a man by the name of Trumbo was the agent for the same land; a man by the name of Reese, now living in Salt Lake, claiming it. Wasson undertook to haul some lumber on the land for the purpose of making some improvements, when Trumbo followed him with a pistol, and forbid his leaving any lumber there, telling him if he did he would shoot him. Wasson commenced unloading the lumber, when Trumbo drew his pistol and fired twice, without taking effect. Wasson then drew his pistol and fired two shots, the first taking effect in the shoulder, the second in the groin. About that time a boy thirteen or fourteen years old, a brother-in-law of Trumbo, came up with a pistol loaded with duck shot, and fired at Wasson, which took effect in the face and neck of Wasson. Trumbo remains in a very critical condition ; from what I can learn the chances are against his recovery. Wasson is but little hurt. Fight number two came off about eight miles above here, on the road to Genoa, yesterday.  From what I could learn of the facts they are about as follows : A man by the name of Beard had rented or leased of a man by the name of Marlin a certain ranch and tavern stand, where the affray took place, about the first of December last, and took possession about that time. Marlin and family were still boarding with Beard in the same house. It seems that Marlin was dissatisfied with his trade, and during the temporary absence of Beard, on yesterday morning, undertook to take forcible possession of the premises, assisted by a man by the name of Newberry. In the first place they went into the kitchen, put water into the stove and put out the fire; then commenced putting Beard's things out of the house, when Mrs. Beard interfered to prevent them. They then knocked her down and picked up her child, which is about three months old, and threw it out of doors.  The child being wrapped up in a thick shawl and alighting in the mud, did not sustain much injury. A man by the name of Beecher, who was living with Beard, then went for Beard, who soon returned with him. Beard entered the house, followed by Beecher. Beard asked them what they were doing, when Newberry picked up a club that was lying on the counter and struck Beard over the head, which felled him to the floor; he then struck him again after he was down. About that time Marlin rushed in to take part in the fight when Beecher drew his pistol and fired twice ; the first shot taking effect in the body of Newberry, the ball passing through the body near the heart ; the second shot taking effect in Marlin's shoulder. In the affray Beecher received two very severe wounds in the head —whether before or after the shooting was done I was unable to learn. The affray took place about 11 o'clock. a.m. Newberry died about 5 o'clock, p. m. The rest of the wounded seem to be "doing as well as could be expected." No arrests made. The fact of it is, we have no laws to punish criminals here —the best argument, in my opinion, in favor of the organization of a new Territory that can be made.

            CARSON CITY, Feb. 12th, 1860.                                          G. M.