early the following morning found us prospecting Dry creek below the town. A sufficient amount of rain had not fallen up to that time to raise the streams, consequently a very small amount of water flowed in the creek.

Like most of the "placers" in all that mining region, we found the ground had been superficially worked the previous winter of '49. We located claims and not having packed our tools with us from our last mining camp purchased rockers and other necessary implements and began operations. In removing a pile of tailings deposited by a "forty-niner" my shovel uncovered a nugget of gold weighing half an ounce, or eight dollars. This was the largest specimen I found during my mining experience. We continued our labors at this place a couple of weeks without sufficient encouragement to remain longer, so again shouldering our blankets and cooking utensils we went about two miles farther south and staked claims on what was known as the "Rancharee." A small spring supplied water for our domestic use and standing water was observed along the otherwise dry bed of the stream. After selecting our camp we returned for our tools, which we carried upon our backs; in fact all our provisions were transported from Drytown, two miles away, in the same manner.

Up to this time we had no other shelter except what nature provided, as the weather had continued warm and dry. We were told that rain could be looked for at any time and that snow fell at that altitude sometimes to considerable depth, so we decided to provide some sort of winter quarters. Accordingly we purchased a heavy walled duck tent, constructed bunks

from pine poles for sleeping arrangements, and built a large stone fireplace in the rear end of our new dwelling. Our bunks were not as soft as feathers, or even as straw, but that objectionable feature was relieved by substituting a few pine boughs. Altogether our quarters were very comfortable.

It was now midwinter and owing to the lack of water and anticipating rain in the near future, the policy was adopted of prospecting with a pan and washing the dirt therefrom at some standing pool or nearby spring to test its value. If sufficient "color" was obtained to justify working, the dirt was carried out from the bed and sides of the creek by hand barrows made of dried rawhide attached to a couple of short poles, one man in front and one in the rear carrying the load. Five or six buckets of earth placed thereon constituted a load. It was deposited in long extended piles on the bank above what was supposed to be high water mark to await the coming of the rain. Mistakes were sometimes made in regard to "high water mark," and the labor of weeks would be swept away by the sudden rise of the rushing waters. In the manner I have described we carried out some three thousand buckets of earth before sufficient water could be had to use our cradles.

Before this work was fully accomplished, either from insufficient diet or overwork, my health became seriously impaired. No vegetable diet could be obtained. Our food consisted mainly of "frijoles" (beans), bacon and pancakes with occasionally a little fresh bear meat. Many cases of scorbutic diseases were prevalent and a large number proved fatal.

After varied experiences during the winter at min

ing and as a year had nearly elapsed since leaving my home in Illinois, I decided to again visit Sacramento City in anticipation of hearing from home and friends and to remain in the valley for a time with the view of improving my health. As no other means of reaching or returning from the mining camps existed except by pack train I was compelled to make the distance (fifty miles) again on foot. After descending to the valley of the Consumnes river which was reached on the first day, I remained over night at the hotel and ranch of "Billy" Wilson on the bank of that stream— a beautiful spot surrounded by large spreading live oaks, with quite an area under cultivation, the products being barley, corn and vegetables, and also a garden of many varieties of flowers. The hotel was a two-story wooden structure, conveniently arranged and comfortably furnished, with office, sitting room, dining and bed rooms. It was the nearest approach to civilization and home life I had met with since leaving the frontier of Iowa. The fortunate and enterprising proprietor had made a fortune at mining near Hangtown in '49, and, purchasing a portion of a Mexican grant, was now enjoying the delights of a home with an intelligent family, consisting of wife, sons and daughters. It was one of the beauty spots of all that section. I greatly appreciated my stay with such pleasant surroundings and left the following day with reluctance.

From the time of leaving the foothills the view to westward of rolling plains and rich valley lands along the river, with an occasional isolated spreading live oak, or a cluster of these beautiful trees, formed a most charming picture. Bands of antelope would be

seen at intervals in the distance, often numbering two or three hundred. Jack and cottontail rabbits were plentiful. At night and sometimes during the day the dismal howl of the coyote would be heard in the adjacent hills, and chickens were thus warned to roost high. These predatory animals were very bold and would often approach within a few steps of the door of a ranch house to obtain food. While in the mines a friend of mine out alone prospecting placed his grub bag under his head for a pillow when camping for the night. Sleeping soundly after a hard day's tramp he gradually became aroused from his slumber by something tugging at his pillow, and before he fully awoke, his head dropped to the ground. Supposing himself to be attacked by nothing less than a grizzly he sat up in his fright and uttered a scream something in the nature of a warwhoop, or as he expressed it, more “like the bellowing of a frightened calf." It was, however, so sudden and pronounced a cry that the bag was dropped, and a moment later a coyote set up a howl not far distant that sounded like a whole pack mixing their discordant notes together. My friend passed the remainder of the night guarding his grub bag.

I became so impressed with the beauty and apparent richness of the section bordering the Consumnes river that the following five years it became my home.

CHAPTER XVII.

BATTLE OVER LAND CLAIMS.

On arriving at Sacramento I was not as fortunate as on my first visit. It being steamer day, five or six hours were required to reach the mail delivery window. The city, in the interim since my former visit, had greatly improved, and many settlers had located upon adjacent lands, although they were claimed under a Mexican grant. Nearly all the arable land in California was held by valid or spurious grants obtained from the Mexican government. The treaty ratified after the close of the war with that country, January 19, 1848, agreed to recognize as valid all claims. that had been confirmed by the Central government of Mexico. That condition of affairs caused a great deal of friction between those claiming title to large grants of land, and others disputing their right and known as settlers or squatters. The policy of the American government was adverse to granting or donating large tracts of land for colonization. One hundred and sixty acres was the limit under the Homestead Act, except in the case of Oregon. For a limited time 640 acres were given to settlers who would brave the dangers and hardships to found homes in that remote region. It was unquestionably the intention of a large