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Letter about Mining in California 1857

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Title: Autograph Letter signed from Atkinson to his friend Bill, regarding mining activities in California
Author: Atkinson, D.O.
Description: 3 pages, on 4-page lettersheet. 9¾x7¾.Interesting letter describing in good detail some of the activities of mining in the latter stages of the California Gold Rush: "...we think we have got the dead wood on it this winter if Spencer's Sluice (that is hour old one) works right that will only have 5½ in grade the same as our 3 ft. Sluice but it will be a 3 ft. Sluice and with all the clear water running through it I guess it will go, we are making a bend in the big sluice just above Corry's and throwing it round up the bank till it cuts of Allises Tail Sluice right at the mouth of their Tunnel and they are moving a new Tunnel further up..." After further discussing of sluices and tunnels, Atkinson writes of mutual acquaintances, "Old Piety alias John Strutt is at Comptonville part of the time but most of his time at Robert Creek, Paul & Greg are fiting up the Clear Creek Ditch, & getting along well with it Mr. Grey is getting some better but it is doubtful whether he ever regains the full strangth of his eye he now however is attending to business again..."
Heading: (Gold Rush)Place Published: Young's Hill, CA
Publisher:
Date Published: Oct. 16, 1857