I asked the old man what he thought of California, anyhow.
“Wall,” he replied, “‘tis a big kintry, and I tell yer ’twon’t be long afore ther’ll be a powerful heap er folks a-livin’ all over, thicker’n rats in Sacrymenty City” (“Yaas, or fleas in San Frixo,” interjected Nancy), “but when yer cum to talk about yer climate, there aint none t’compare with climate in ole Missoury. W’y, jest think on’t, stranger, ten an’ ’leven months o’ sunshine in Californy an’ no show fer a pore man to get a minit’s res’, an’ every mornin’ ’long ’bout daylight, yer jes’ hear the ole gal a-chirpin’, ‘Cum, cum, Hi, git up thar! the sun’s a-risin’ clare, and yer got a heap er work ter do, yer know.’ No, stranger, I couldn’t stan’ it; so we’ll go back to ole Missoury, live on poke-greens’n bacon, ’n hev a show wen it rains t’ talk politics with ther boys outen ther corn crib, or take a nap with ole Boz in ther chimney corner fer a spell. It’s so drefful cheerin’ like in ole age.”
CHAPTER XIV.
The Discovery of Silver in Nevada—The Stage Road—Hank Monk—Road Agents—The Parson—The Stool Pigeon—Spirits—The Boys Who Captured the Thief—a Young Dick Turpin—The Irishman and the Road Agent.
ABOUT the year 1858 occurred another very important event in the history of mining upon the Pacific coast, this being the discovery of silver mines in the State of Nevada. The mines of California contain gold principally, but small quantities of silver being found, and in a few locations only mines of copper, although, except in a few cases, not in paying quantities. In the State adjoining, however, upon the eastern slope of the Nevada range, the rule was reversed, the principal character of the ore being of silver, but small quantities of gold having been so far discovered.
The excitement throughout the mining regions was intense, and thousands could be seen upon the various roads on their way to the new Eldorado. Hundreds deserted their ranches, miners forsaking their claims, and business men and mechanics also joining in the almost universal stampede. At the commencement of the silver mining industry it could not, for the want of proper machinery and facilities for working the ores, be reduced or worked on the Pacific Coast, and it therefore became necessary to export it to other portions of the country for the purpose. The ore was packed in sacks, placed upon the backs of mules, and in this manner transported across the mountains to San Francisco, from whence it was shipped to the various reduction works in New Jersey, or to Swansea, Wales. In a short time, long trains of mules heavily laden with the valuable silver ore could almost daily be seen wending their way slowly but surely among the rocks and over steep declivities of the mountains, destined for the sea coast.
The roads through the mining regions were rough, and across the mountains steep and precipitous, it being almost impossible to convey freight or supplies into the silver mines, except upon the backs of mules. This state of affairs was soon changed, however, for roads were immediately commenced, starting from a point a few miles above Placerville, a system of toll roads being constructed across the mountains nearly one hundred miles in extent. The completion of these roads changed, in a short time, the character of the silver mining industry; for by means of them, all the necessary machinery for working the rich ores could easily be transported across the mountains from the foundries and work shops of San Francisco.
Soon were seen long trains of heavily laden wagons, drawn by mules, containing an endless assortment of iron wheels, pulleys, boilers, smoke-stacks and enormous fly-wheels, as well as all of the various tools and parts of machinery necessary for the working of the mines. Heavily loaded “schooners” also, drawn in some instances by twelve large mules, could often be seen in large numbers stringing along the road for miles, laden with household goods, hardware, groceries and provisions for the use of the vast numbers who had congregated there and were engaged in mining, prospecting, and also in laying foundations of the principal town, Virginia City.
These toll roads were grand affairs; broad, smooth and as hard as a floor, for they were kept well watered by regular water carts, which being filled from the numerous springs by the roadside, traveled back and forth, sprinkling them thoroughly. This road, during the dry season and when not encumbered by heavy snows upon the summit of the mountains, for several years presented the appearance of a busy street in some cities. Men on foot, and vehicles of all descriptions, were continually passing in one direction or the other. For the convenience of this immense traffic, houses, barrooms and way stations for the accommodation of teamsters and travelers, were necessary and numerous, being situated but a short distance apart along the entire length of the road. Some of them were fine and costly buildings, while others, again, were of the cheapest character.
This also was the regular stage road, from Sacramento City through Placerville. During the summers of ’58-’59 the travel over this stage route was very heavy, and for a greater portion of the time two and three stages loaded with passengers left Placerville daily for the silver mines. To drive a stage upon this route the most expert drivers were required; sober and steady men who had great presence of mind, for upon these qualities the lives of a load of passengers, numbering in some instances as many as eighteen or twenty persons, depended, and among them would always be found a few ladies and children. The horses used were usually of a Spanish mustang breed, the wheelers generally being old and steady American horses. Six horses was the usual number required, and the leaders being, as was often the case, only half broken, untamed mustangs, it required drivers who thoroughly understood their business.