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Show 28 PERSONAL ADVENTURES South American Fork, then struck across a prairie for several rniles, till I got right into the mountains) from which I made direct for Sutter's milL It 'vas here, you know, that gold was first discovered, and upon search being n1ade, found to be plentiful throughout the country. The mill itself is situated at the south part of the town of Culloma. A tree denotes the spot where the first gold 'vas found. It is thrown across the stream, opposite the original 'diggins.' Some men in the employment of Mr. MarshaJI, of that place, • who were sinking a well, hit upon it, and the news spread like wildfire." " But what of this Sutter's Fort, we've heard so much about?" " Well, it's a smart little to,vn for California, about forty-five miles from Sacramento city, the greater portion of it belonging to this Mr. Marshall. It contains about three hundred regular built houses, about a story and a half high; but they are now erecting a magnificent hotel there, and the place is likely to grow to anything. Most of the houses are of wood, IN CALIFORNIA. 29 but there are a good many tents. They were already beginning to build on the other side of the river when I left. The tovvn is situated in a valley, and right on the South 1\.merican Fork. To the north of it is a wooden bridge, to cross which a toll of twenty-five cents each person is exacted ; and, on the opposite side, is the road to the Middle and North Forks. Whilst there, I n1et son1e old friends, who had just returned from the Dutch Bar. Their success bad been varied, some coming back well laden, others indifferently, but all with something. It seetns, however, that at the~e 'diggins' there was nothing but bickering and quarrelling going on, even fathers and . on. separating and working each for hirnself. But there, as at all these 'diggins,' it isn't the diggers who get the bulk of the gold, but tl e traders and speculators. I even know a person whose wife made a very handson1e surn by washing linen, whilst her husband was a\vay at the rnines. Think of tvvelve dollars a dozen, eh! Her husband remained absent somewhere about four weeks; and, though he came back |