The bulk of this page is transcribed from very faint microfilm prepared by the Bancroft Library.
   
Also see Hiram F. Weymouth's stories of his 1852 overland journey and time in Yreka.


    Old Bartlett, father of the girl who lately married four or five million dollars in N.Y., has published a letter in one of the N.Y. papers in which he claims the authorship of the first editorial, and to have worked off the first newspaper ever published in S.F. The old fellow's object in making the assertion does not appear, but it is [illegible] clearly evident that his assertion is untrue.
    The first paper ever printed in S.F., the Star, was worked off by Sam Brannan, a little after midnight on the 9th of Jan. 1847. The Grenada National thinks it probable that the press used by Brannan was burned in that establishment in 1855. To this opinion of the National several demurrers have been entered. The Shasta Courier gives it as its opinion that the pioneer press is still in existence, and is now in the Union office in this city. The press referred to was bought in the spring of 1853 in S.F. by C. H. Thornburg, who brought it to this city, and published upon it the pioneer paper of Yreka, the Mountain Herald. This press is one of the kind known as the Ramage patent, and is believed in size one of the smallest ever made. It is now in the Union office and is the property of M. J. Tyson. Should anyone object to Mr. Tyson's press receiving the honors which first [illegible] are bestowed on the little pioneer, where is another claimant? We have a press in the office of the same size and the same patent number. Our pioneer is number 259 of Ramage's patent, and was bought in 1856, in the state Journal office of Sacramento, by W. J. Mayfield, who brought it to this city, where it was used as a job press in the office of the Siskiyou Chronicle until within a few months past, when it became a part and parcel of the goods and chattels belonging to the Northern Journal. This press is just as likely to be the one used by Sam Brannan as that in the Union as any other printing establishment in the state.
    But [illegible] a damper on the prospective glory of [the] little Ramage. In the Sacramento Union of Dec. 25th, 18[illegible] a history of all the newspapers that published in the state up to that date in which it is unqualifiedly stated that the one used by Brannan was a small hand press of [illegible] manufacture.

    The Yreka Journal of Dec. 15th, 1859 speaks of the introduction of gas into Yreka, and says that the street lamps would be lighted for the first time on the following Saturday, Dec. 17th.

Condensed from the Yreka Mountain Herald, Sept. 24th, 1853:
    J. P. Goodall, writing from Jacksonville, speaks of Gen'l. Jo Lane as having just returned from a trip with his guide into the mountains to interview the Indians in the direction of the Siskiyou Mtns. He met Tipsey-tyee (or the bearded chief). Gen'l. Lane found him & his party excessively timid & afraid of treachery, and would scarcely allow Gen'l. Lane with his two men to approach. The general intends to go out again soon with Capt. Robt. R. Williams' company of 80 rifles, which is the only company of mountain men now in service.
    Tomorrow the general goes down to the agency to see Joe, the principal and Sam and Jim the subordinate chiefs. It is but justice to say that since Gen'l. Lane assumed command of the forces on the 21st ult. every exertion has been made by him (even after a [illegible] received on the 24th August) to settle these Indian difficulties which had stopped nearly all the business of the country. When seven days after the action of [the] 24th of August a treaty was made, which if adhered to by both parties will greatly aid the prosperity of the country, troops kept in the field at an enormous expense to the country, and who were consuming the subsistence of the settlements, were sent home, and of the necessary defenses taken to protect the valley, by keeping in the field a small force to awe the Indians, who cannot always be relied on, the countryside will settle rapidly and our Indian troubles will cease.

From the Yreka Mountain Herald, Sept. 24th, 1853:
    Yreka is situated about 125 miles north of Shasta City, by a mule trail over a very rough country through which it is next to an impossibility to make a wagon road with [illegible] to the east of the Shasta Butte, which route would make this place to the Sacramento Valley from 150 to 200 miles. We have a wagon road, however, from this place to Oregon and the Umpqua & Willamette valleys. The distance however to the seaports in Oregon accessed by wagon is so great as to preclude all transportation of merchandise whatever. Merchandise for this place is packed on the backs of mules, [illegible] from Red Bluffs or Shasta to the south, or from Crescent City or Scottsburg to the north.
    The town is situated in a branch of Shasta Valley in the midst of a country the resources of which for wealth are equaled by few and not surpassed by any on the continent. The agricultural and grazing portion of the country . . . can feed stock and raise sufficient vegetables & breadstuffs for the support of many thousands of inhabitants. As many are now turning their attention to the growing of wheat . . . the crops this year have yielded beyond expectation.
    The mining resources of the region are unsurpassed by any other part of California. In addition to the many rivers and smaller streams in this part of the country, we have a considerable amount of placer diggings in nearly every part of this section which can only be worked in the rainy season.

Yreka Mountain Herald, March 18th, 1854:
    It was not until the spring of 1851 that gold was actually discovered in paying quantities in the Shasta and Rogue River countries.
    Salmon Creek was discovered in the spring of 1850 by a party from Trinity River--and almost the same time by another party who came up the Klamath River [illegible]. It is a large [illegible] stream and has yielded several million since its discovery. Miners on the stream are yet doing well. The diggings are extensive. The [illegible] creek from the mouth to the [illegible] is about 30 miles, all the bars on which have paid and many are yet yielding good wages. The South Fork for about 30 miles is equally rich. On the South Fork are the famous diggings in the vicinity of Bestville which yielded so richly in the winter and spring of 1851. They yet yield good wages. In fact, Salmon Creek is one of the best general paying large streams in California.
    Klamath River--Gold was discovered on this stream in the spring of 1850. The first work which was done was at Red Cap's Bar about 10 miles above the mouth of the Trinity River. This was in July 1850. It only paid, however, from $8 to $16 per day in the hand with common rockers and the party left in search of better diggings. From the mouth of the Trinity to the mouth of Humbug Creek, about 125 miles, gold is found on all the bars and will pay many thousands of men from $2 to $8 per day for a number of years. This stream has been worked comparatively little. There is some good farming land on the large flat, but the river runs generally through cañons and is very rapid and dangerous. Miners at Humbug and other places on this stream from whom we have recently heard are making good wages at present.
    Scott River--was discovered in July 1850. The first successful mining on this stream was at Scott's Bar in September of the same year. The river has yielded largely ever since. The heaviest gold that is found in the north comes from this stream. The bed of the stream has proved exceedingly rich, and has been worked with immense profits every summer since its discovery. It is not, nor will it be, exhausted for many years. It is a stream of "heavy strikes" and has gladdened the heart of many a miner with a pile, and yet contains hidden treasures which industry and perseverance will continue to discover for years to come. We make the following extract from a letter sent us by a friend residing on Scott's Bar. Some of the bank claims have paid first rate this winter. Among others those of Galsham & Co.,  Warner & Co. and Hill & Co., Messrs. Neal and Co. working a hillside claim above the Tennessee Bar have been making some fine strikes lately. On the whole, things are rather dull, owing in part to the inclemency of the weather this winter and difficulty in getting on the bedrock in the bank claims, on account of high water. A great many miners left here to look for winter diggings, but they soon hurried back and there are but few faces here that were not familiar to us last summer, and almost as many!
    Humbug Creek--was discovered in May 1850. It is a small stream 5 miles west of Yreka, and empties into the Klamath River. It yielded very largely for the first year after its discovery. Many returned from these to the States with large quantities of the precious metal, and since that time it has yielded well, and has proved very extensive diggings. Miners are yet working to good advantage. It is thought that it will yield as much gold this summer as it has any one season since the first of its discovery.
    Deadwood Creek--Is a small stream whose waters flow with Scott River, and is about nine miles S.W. of Yreka. It was discovered early in the spring of 1852, yielded largely the following summer, and has been worked with profit ever since. At this time miners are doing well. The new diggings on the main creek below the junction of Deadwood and Cherry creeks have proved to be very rich, and in that vicinity there will be a large amount of gold taken out this season.
    Greenhorn Creek--Was discovered in the fall of 1850. It is about 1½ miles south of Yreka and has yielded well ever since its discovery. It continues to pay good wages. The diggings are tolerably extensive. Most of the water which we now have for mining purposes in the Yreka diggings comes from this stream.
    Yreka Diggings--These are placer diggings and the richest and most extensive that have ever been discovered north of the Trinity Range of mountains. They have yielded an immense amount since their discovery, but this is a small amount in comparison to that which these placers will yet yield. As yet there has none of these mines been worked except with the scanty proportions of water from Greenhorn and the gulches afforded in the wet season. There is an area of country from Greenhorn Creek to the Shasta River, a distance of about 6 miles, by about 1 in breadth on an average, all of which with an abundance of water for sluicing will pay largely. This will afford work for many thousands of men for years. We have at this time a fair prospect of a good supply of water from the Shasta River through the Yreka Water Co.'s flume, within one year from the present time. The saw mill will be in operation in a few days, and the flume will be commenced shortly thereafter. When this work is completed, we may confidently expect all kinds of business more flourishing and money more abundant than at any time since the discovery of Yreka Flats in March 1851.
    Backhouse Creek--Empties itself into the Klamath west of Yreka. It is newly discovered and is thought by many to contain extensive diggings. This summer will [illegible] prove the matter as there are many miners at work on that stream.
    Indian Creek--There are several streams of this [illegible] in the north, on all of which gold has been found, but on none of them in sufficient quantities to pay over $2 or $3 to the hand.
    Cottonwood--Is the next placer diggings in importance to those of Yreka in Siskiyou Co. They derive their water from Cottonwood Creek by means of two ditches. There is a large area of auriferous deposits in and about Cottonwood which are being worked at present to good profit. The town of Cottonwood is next in size in Siskiyou Co. to Yreka and the diggings for richness are not surpassed in the county.
    Jacksonville--These mines were discovered in February of 1852. They are rich and extensive. Besides the creek, there is an immensity of placer diggings all around Jacksonville which like those of Yreka cannot be extensively used without the aid of a stream of water. The enterprise of bringing the waters of Applegate Creek to these diggings has long been talked of and will eventually be accomplished. When this is done Jacksonville, which is already the second inland in importance in the north, will be a city of wealth and magnificence; and the mines in its vicinity will be a source of wealth, not only to the miner, but to the farmer, merchant, mechanic and all who are interested in the north.
    Rogue River--The bars on this stream nearly all contain gold, but few, however, have yet been worked to advantage. They will pay when wages are reduced, and provisions can be obtained for more moderate prices.
    Illinois and Cañon creeks--Are situated about 50 miles in a westerly direction from Jacksonville, and about the same distance from Crescent City. There were some heavy strikes made on these streams when they were first discovered, which was in the spring of 1852. They have been worked ever since with tolerable success. In Illinois Valley there is a considerable extent of agricultural land.
    Sailor Diggings--Are also in Illinois Valley and are supplied with water from Illinois Creek by two races. They are placer mines, and are extensive. There is quite a town at that place. They receive their supplies from Crescent City, which is distant about 50 miles.
    Althouse & Sucker creeks--Flow into Illinois Creek and are streams of considerable mining importance. The former yielded largely in places last summer, and will be worked successfully in the bed of the stream the coming season. The latter is generally bank diggings.
    Smith's River--Empties into the Pacific a few miles north of Crescent City; its banks and bars are auriferous, but nothing extensive has yet been found on that stream.
    The Coast Diggings--We will leave as the subject of another article. We are not yet sufficiently informed as to their exact character to do them justice.
    This review of the mines of the north we have hastily condensed. It contains, however, the principal features of the mines of the extreme north. We obtained our information from a three years' residence in this part of the country, and from a practical knowledge of all the mines above described the most of which we have either prospected or worked.
    We have omitted many places of minor importance.

From Mountain Herald, April 15th, 1854:
Condensed.
    A letter from Jacksonville mentions the reopening of the "New England" House by Messrs. Helman [Holman? Foreman?] as an ale and porter house, the beverage of their own manufacture and the first brewery ever established in Southern Oregon, though another in process of erection would soon be opened.

From Mountain Herald, Feb. 10th, 1855:
Condensed.
    A Washington D.C. letter [dated] Dec. '54 to a gentleman in Jacksonville says of Gen'l. Lane and of the collecting of Rogue River war claims, which had thus far been unsuccessful, that "it has not been for want of energy on the part of Gen'l. Lane, for I am certain no other man could have done as much. He remained here the whole summer except one month." Capt. Alden made the trouble. "He thought prices were too high, especially forage, and recommended the reduction of 33 per ct. on all accounts over $800. And besides he recommended the troops should be paid the highest price allowed to U.S. troops in California. This the Secty. of War did not know how to interpret. The U.S. troops were only allowed about $15 per mo. in Cal. while the volunteers who fought Indians were paid $6 per day for themselves and horse by the State of Cal. [illegible] to the ambiguities of the language used by Capt. Alden, the Secty. was scarcely able to decide anything and had it not been for Gen. Lane's constant energy in seeing Eatkins and writing statements, all the large accounts would have been charged 33 per ct." The Secty. and auditors were disposed to act according to Capt. Alden & disregard Gen'l. Lane who is a volunteer officer. "There is a jealousy existing between officers of the regular army and volunteers and if Gen'l. Lane had not been a man of high standing, both in Congress and with officers in the department, we would have been badly shared at least. Even the passage of the act itself met with difficulties that no other man in Oregon could have surmounted. If any man but Gen. Lane had asked Congress to pay such prices as we were compelled to ask, he would not have been listened to for a moment, but would have been hissed from the "stand . . . The whole matter has been referred to a committee before whom I have spent several tedious days answering questions." . . . signed

    In [the] same paper, [the] Mountain Herald, Feb. 10th, 1855, is a detailed account of an anti-Chinese meeting held Feb. 4th at the Morning Star House, Yreka, Lower Flats, Major J. W. Dunn, Chairman and Dr. Anderson Secty. There were eight resolutions passed, in the 2nd expressing indignation at the hordes of Chinese preempting mines, supplanting our most industrious men, accumulating the wealth of our soil etc. a people from whom no benefit can accrue to us, and who can not blend socially with our race without exciting our disgust. In the 3rd they speak of the fact that the wealthy Chinese merchants and Mandarins are sending hordes of their pauperized countrymen who are held and farmed by them on American soil in the relations of peons, dependents, serfs or slaves, also in China companies with no other view than sordid mercenary calculations regularly ship to this country their peons to work our mines and aggrandize themselves through their enslaved countrymen with gold from American soil. Again--American miners invariably give information without reserve to all miners of any mines discovered by them; whereas on the contrary all such discoveries by the Chinese, from their secretive character and habits, are studiously retained and secluded until accident develops it. Their idolatry makes their oaths and declarations value less. In the 4th resolution--that if a claim be jumped from a Chinaman, justice should be shown him, and the decisions of arbitration acted upon, "for, unhappily too frequently white men make tools of Chinamen to hold mining claims by fictitious bills of sale." Res. 5th the capitation tax on all Japanese and Chinese recommended, as passed in the Cal. Legislature of May 13th, 1854. Res. 6th [illegible] of Cal. being disproportionately the greatest sufferer from the Chinese, and the miner alone afflicted by the Chinese crowding and monopolizing regions where otherwise he might be successful. Res. 7th that "the miner is afflicted by having his chances staked against a horde of Chinese who are backed by extensive capital and governed by a system of police, organized among themselves in their state, which conflicts with the freedom and birthright of the American."

    In Mountain Herald, March 10th, 1855 is an advertisement of Articles of Association of the Marysville and Yreka Telegraph Co., organized by N. B. S. Coleman of Sacramento, F. G. Hearn of Yreka and A. C. Hunter of Sacramento, the capital stock $75,000 at the outset.

From Siskiyou Chronicle, Dec. 24th, 1857 (Yreka):
    (The editor says of the author of the following letter that he is a young [illegible] a personal acquaintance, a former resident of Salem, and the truth of this statements he can vouch for. He started in the spring with several others from this section of country and Rogue River.)
Editors, Chronicle . . .
    After leaving Pitt River we struck what is called Noble's route, and I think it is the best one through the Sierras, we crossed in one day, a distance of 35 miles. From Honey Lake Valley to the Humboldt the road is quite rocky but not many bad mountains to go over. The grass was generally good, but there was little of it, and the spots where it would grow at all were small. This route can never sustain a large emigration, as the distance between good grass and water are so great. We drove 40 miles without grass and about 60 miles without water in one day.
    We met the first emigrants July 12th, near the head of Goose Creek, and the last near Devil's Gate about August 20th. Most of the emigrants were from Missouri and Arkansas, and were composed almost entirely of families, who were going to California to reside permanently. Such an emigration cannot be other than beneficial to your young state, and a good many old Californians, who were returning with their families, intending to spend the residue of their days among the mountains and valleys of the Golden State are the "right smart chance" of young ladies. . . . There was very little sickness on the plains this year. I saw but two or three new graves. What sickness there was seemed to yield readily to treatment, and it was fortunate there was but little, for there were only three physicians en route that I heard of. While on the subject it is but justice to mention the valuable service tendered to the emigrants by a Dr. [illegible] of Missouri, who went from train to train to administer medicine to the sick and needy, and then refused remuneration for his services. He was many times fifty miles from his family, acting the part of the Good Samaritan. His name will [illegible] green in the memory of the emigrants of 1857.
    The number of emigrants destined for California, as near as I could ascertain, amounted to about 12,500. They had considerable stock. About 80 wagons would have gone the Oregon route but were afraid of the Indians. The [illegible] the emigration went by way of Soda Springs in order to avoid Mormonton. There did not seem to be much [illegible] between the Mormons and [illegible].
    On the [illegible] of emigrants I did not include the [illegible] emigration, which I think did not exceed [illegible].  We heard that about 500 Mormons had left Salt Lake and [illegible] the back track for the state, perfectly disgusted with the loathsome practices of the Saints. They stated there were many more would gladly leave if they could, and all complain of hard treatment. . . .
    You have probably heard of a [illegible] which the Lord revealed unto the Latter Day Saints through their prophet Brigham last year, whereby a Saint can become a perfect [illegible] on the plains, an institution vulgarly called a hand-cart. Yes, your correspondent saw it operate. It was certainly the most novel and interesting sight I have seen for many a day. We met ten trains, one of 30 and the other of 50 carts, averaging about six to the cart. Each cart was generally drawn by one man and three women, through some carts were drawn by women alone. There were about three women to one man, and two thirds were unmarried. It was the motliest crew I ever beheld. Most of them were Danes with a sprinkling of Welsh, Swedes and English and were generally from among the ignorant and low classes of these countries, and scarcely one could speak the English language intelligibly, and could not of course understand what we said to them. The road was lined for a mile or two behind the trains with lame, halt, sick and weary. Many were quite old and would be going along slowly, supported by a son or daughter; some were on crutches, now and then a mother with an infant in her arms and two or three larger ones hanging hold of the skirt of her dress with a forlorn appearance would pass slowly along; some women in a condition that ought to entitle them to a first-class seat in a carriage were wearily wending their way through the sand, and seemed in good spirits journeying to the promised land, but the majority thought Jordan a hard road to travel. The old Mormons said that it was a very easy way to travel, and as it was new to me, for a little while I seriously entertained the idea of trading old "Cayuse" for a cart, but the thought struck me that while the machine would work well enough going downhill, the uphill part would not work so well. I did not, therefore, part with old "Cayuse." The hand-cart travel was gotten up last year, and will be the principal means of conveyance for all who are too poor and ignorant to get there in any other way. The experiment was pronounced successful by the Mormon leaders last year and quite a jubilee was held by them on the arrival of the first train in Salt Lake City. You probably remember that other trains were caught in the snows of the Rocky Mtns. and about 100 of their number perished from hunger and cold. Their graves are fitting monuments to the folly and wickedness of these deluded people who were enticed from their homes in sunny climes to perish in the snows of the Rocky Mtns.
    Brigham Young holds as absolute sway as ever over his followers, and is not mealy-mouthed in his denunciations of the government and people of the U.S. The usual 24th of July celebration was held in secret, and attended only by their leaders. They were probably discussing the row they are now kicking up with the government.
    At the South Pass Aug. 16th we found the advance party of surveyors of the Pacific Wagon Road. They had found a new route which lay about 25 miles north of the old road which was considerably nearer from the Pass to Soda Springs, but the engineers did not know whether it would be the one established. I believe the old road from the Missouri River to the South Pass will not be changed. The main body were at Fort Laramie Aug. 25th and it was expected that they would winter at Fort Hall.
    From Fort Laramie to Fort Kearny, we passed almost every day large bodies of troops. The infantry and artillery were at Scott's Bluffs Aug. 30th. Sept. 1st Capt. Reno's battery was at Chimney Rock, 40 miles above Fort Kearny we passed a part of the 10th Reg. and Col. Sumner's provision train under Lt. Radick. We also passed, Aug. 20th, at the Devil's Gate, the advance provision train of the Utah Expedition. I think it is the intention of Gen'l. Harney to winter on Green River or at Fort Bridger.
    What will be the result of the Utah Expedition it is impossible to predict. The Mormons seem stirred up and were running expresses to and from different points in the Territory. The mail contract has been taken from them, and they have abandoned most of their mail stations and intend to abandon all. Judging from appearances, there seems to be a general gathering in of the "Saints."
    We found settlements for miles up the Platte River, and where seven years ago it was a wilderness there are now fine houses and large fields of corn. Opposite old Council Bluffs, there is a large town called Omaha City.

Siskiyou Chronicle, Sept. 24th, 1859, last issue of paper:
    As early as 1851, quartz leads were found and prospected on Humbug and in Scotts Valley, which were pronounced rich . . . yet the price demanded and received for manual labor, the high price paid for the common necessaries of life, the difficulties of transporting heavy machinery so far into the mountains, over dangerous and almost impassable trails, rendered the profitable working of those leads, to say the least, impracticable. Notwithstanding . . . several companies were formed as early as 1852 . . . but forced to suspend operations in a short time . . . found themselves poor men.
    Results so disastrous as these for several years threw a damper upon quartz mining and until within the past six months the idea seemed to prevail that there was no quartz leads in Siskiyou Co. which would pay for working. Meantime facilities for transportation were increasing, roads were being made and improved, the price for manual labor was decreasing, the population of the co. was rapidly increasing, the placer mines with few exceptions no longer yielded a profit of $6, $8, $10 or $16 per day to the miner. Men could be employed for little more than half the wages their labor commanded five years before, and the demand for employment reduced men of capital to turn their attention to quartz mining. The first lead which was worked with profit to the owners was that of Messrs. Shores & Co. in Quartz Valley. These gentlemen have found quartz mining a very lucrative business. On Indian Creek a rich lead several miles in length has been discovered, on which two [illegible], belonging to the N.Y. and Siskiyou Cos. are now in full operation, yielding a fair profit to the owners. The Golden Eagle lead in the same vicinity has proven of almost fabulous richness. $30,000 have been taken from it within a short time.
    Several leads which prospect well have been discovered in the vicinity of Deadwood, one or two on the Klamath River, another very rich vein has just been found near the residence of D. H. Lowry in Scott Valley. All of these leads will pay well for working; some of them have already proven immensely rich.

From the Northern Journal, Yreka, Feb. 9th, 1860.
    The rich quartz lead lately discovered near Jacksonville, in Rogue River Valley, gives, according to the Sentinel, daily fresh and more gratifying evidence of their exceeding richness. On Thurs. night information was brought by experienced persons of most unlooked-for discoveries of gold. At the Ish vein, there had up to Thurs. noon about 1400 lbs. of gold quartz rock taken, all of which it is estimated will yield fully $12 by the pound! On Thurs. afternoon the co. struck upon a section of the vein not before worked, and from the ledge itself and from the surface ground close adjacent, 600 lbs. of rock were gathered, all of which is still more auriferous than any before found. The rock is literally wedged, permeated, and washed with gold. Two fragmentary boulders, one weighing about 60 lbs. and the other nearly 40 lbs., are in this last described lot, and it is positively thought by those who have seen them that both will yield one pound of gold to every five pounds of rock. We are aware these estimates seem even to those who have had experience in quartz mining, and who have seen some of the richest quartz ledges in Cal. But here we cannot reject the belief in their correctness, and quite ample, positive proof has been afforded since the discovery at Gold Hill was made. There have been some twenty different lots of the rock from there, both fragmentary and veinous, brought here in town and crushed with mortar and pestle in our stores. In no instance has the average yield of each lot been less than $10 to the pound of rock, and in some few instances it has reached $18 to the pound. The mass amounting to over 180 lbs. has averaged fully $15 to the pound avoirdupois of quartz, and of this the most indisputable evidence can be had.

    Yreka Weekly Union of Feb. 11th, 1860 in speaking of Butte Creek Valley says it is being rapidly settled up by stock raisers and agriculturists, already more than [illegible] located, 18 miles distant from Little Shasta settlement--climate a little colder, and so the planting and harvesting a little later. Mr. L. Stone is one of the settlers. More than 1000 head of cattle have been driven into the valley during last autumn and this winter. There are ten small lakes, Cran's Lake and Morning Star Lake--timber easily procured here. Pine, cedar, fir and mountain holly grow in abundance.

    The Yreka Weekly Journal, Feb. 9th, 1861 contains an article on woolen factories on the Pacific Coast, and speaks of initiatory steps being taken for the erection of one at Roseburg. There are, we believe, but two on the coast, one at S.F. and the other at Salem.

Yreka Weekly Journal, Dec. 4, 1861:

Yreka Journal Dec. 4--1861, Wednesday:
    "The Vancouver Chronicle gives the prices of necessary articles together with a little sensible advice: Everything sells high: shovels $12.00, picks $8, axes $8, leather goods $16, gum boots $20, coffee, sugar and bacon 70 cts. per lb., and everything else in proportion."

    The same paper contains also an account of a great flood on Yreka. "For nearly two weeks we have had considerable rain . . . but on Sat. last it came down in torrents, creating a flood on low land and on the banks of creeks and gulches. . . . Never since the settlement of Siskiyou has such a storm been known."

Yreka Journal, Dec. 11th:
    "On Friday night another flood visited us. . . . On Saturday morning the water had reached a par with the flood of last Saturday. . . . Communication to any part of the county was completely cut off, and the smallest gulch was dangerous to cross from the swiftness of the current. This is, from all appearances, the heaviest storm ever known within the last century, in this section, and beyond the memory of the oldest native of the country. Yreka Creek is usually from 10 to 20 ft. wide, with banks from 4 or 8 ft. high, and has never since '52 flooded its banks; now the stream is from 100 to 300 ft. wide with bluff banks like a large river." . . .

Yreka Journal, Jan. 1st, 1862:
    The distance by land will not differ much from the steamboat route.
    From the Deschutes is a portage for the steamboat travel, which is made by stage or on foot, a distance of 15 miles.
    From the Deschutes to Wallula or old Fort Walla Walla is steamboating a distance of 110 miles. Thence to Lewiston 160 miles. Lewiston is the head of steamboat navigation in the direction of either the Oro Fino or Salmon mines. The boats will doubtless ascend higher up Snake River, should operations become extensive in the vicinity of Powder River. There is also an excellent wagon road from The Dalles to Lewiston via new Fort Walla Walla, or what is now the principal business town of Walla Walla. The new town is situated 30 miles distant from the old fort, where the steamboat touches, and stages run over this distance regularly on the arrival of the steamers.
    The route by land from The Dalles is through an open country abounding in good grass and water and is now traversed by stages to Walla Walla with regularity. The distance is 173 miles, and convenient stations are now found on most of the route, where food and shelter can be had for the traveler. Houses can be purchased at The Dalles, and other means of outfit on favorable terms. If persons travel by steamboat to Wallula and thence to Walla Walla by stage, they will find horses and goods for sale there at fair prices.
    From the town of Walla Walla to Lewiston, the distance along the wagon road is about 87 miles. By the Indian trail, which is more hilly, it is about 10 miles less. The whole route is through an open country, abounding in water and grass, and wood sufficient for camping purposes. There are numerous settlers having ranches along on the streams and in the valleys. From these, many necessaries and comforts for travelers can be obtained.
    Lewiston is at the junction of Snake and Clearwater rivers, and is a good site for a trading town. It is on the Indian Reserve, and consequently permanent building is forbidden there, except upon a license obtained of the Indian agent or superintendent. How long this interdiction will continue is dependent upon the action of the government at Washington. However, men build and locate tents there and sell goods by present sufferance, and doubtless this state of things will continue till the government has purchased the land, and then titles will be obtained and building become proportionate to the condition and wants of trade.
    From Lewiston to Oro Fino mines the distance is 83 miles, the greater portion of which is through an open grass country. About 10 miles of the route nearest Oro Fino is through a thick wood. A good wagon road is open over this whole route; the chief barrier to its feasibility is at the crossing of the South Fork of Clearwater. There is also a trail for horsemen and pack animals on the north side of Clearwater from Lewiston, which can be traveled in winter with more ease, and is somewhat shorter in distance.
    From Lewiston to Elk City the route is along the Oro Fino wagon road to Burns' ranch, a distance of 31 miles. Then over the table land and the north side of the Pa-ha-la-whan prairie to the mouth of American River about 50 miles, thence over the mountains to Elk City about 60 miles. The route over these mountains is a good practicable pack trail, and the entire distance from Lewiston to Elk City is about 142 miles.
    The present route to the Salmon mines is about 120 miles in length, and extends over high table land and across the south side of Pa-ha-la-whan prairie to Salmon River near the mouth of White Bird Creek, a distance of 8 miles. Thence up Salmon River to the mouth of Slate Creek 15 miles. Thence over the mountain to the mines 27 miles. The route to the brink of the prairie about seven miles. This side of Salmon River is a good wagon road. Here we descend through a cañon to the river. The trail up the river is different and at a high stage of water impassable for loaded animals. The trail over the mtn. is good, though the eastern slope of the mtn. is covered with fallen timber and the trail is narrow.
    Another route is through Burns' on the Oro Fino wagon road, and thence on the Salmon River across the same Pa-ha-la-whan prairie. This is a little longer. Another still leaves Burns' and proceeds along the Elk City road to near the mouth of the American River. Thence almost in a direct line through a gap in the chain of mtns. to the mines. The last trail, when opened for animals, will be some 10 miles shorter and does not touch the Salmon River nor pass over any high mtn. how[ever] it is obstructed by logs and fallen timber for some ten miles beyond the mouth of American River.
    The route to Powder River leaves the wagon road between The Dalles and Walla Walla at the upper crossing of the Umatilla, and passes along the old emigrant wagon road over the Blue Mtns. and through Grand Ronde to the crossing of Powder River, a distance of 85 miles. Thence in a S.W. direction a distance of some 30 miles to the headwaters of some of the small tributaries of Powder River to the newly discovered mines in that region. Parties have attempted to go through from the grand Ronde Valley to the Salmon mines direct, but were obliged to turn back soon after crossing Snake River, a short distance below the mouth of Powder River. Several persons still entertain hopes of being able to find a pass through in that direction, but so far their efforts have been fruitless, in consequence of the mtns. and cañons. So far as [is] yet known no practicable route can be made direct from Grand Ronde to the Salmon mines where now are found the rich deposits of gold.
    The above are some of the general outlines of the routes to the mines, and more close observation may detect some errors, yet we trust that in all important particulars they will be found to be correct. We here annex tables of distances of the different routes and mention stations which may serve more fully as a guide to those who purpose to visit the mines the ensuing season.
The Indian trail from Walla Walla is a few miles less in distance. If parties travel by steamboat to Wallula, and then prefer to go by land, they will find the distance from Wallula to Walla Walla 30 miles stage travel, and fare $5. Here they intersect the wagon road from The Dalles.
Bancroft Library MSS P-A 62