108 
CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATED. 
mountains about four miles distant, to which the attention of 
all was directed, and many threw up temporary huts and made 
preparation for the approaching winter. The place immediately 
assumed the appearance of a town. Stores were erected and 
filled, and monte-banks established to amuse the citizens. This 
newly discovered dry diggings is twelve miles from Coloma, 
the point at which gold was first discovered; the intervening 
distance being a succession of mountain gorges, all containing 
gold, many of the vales being in the possession of herds of wild 
cattle, that have never, until recently, been visited by man. 
Coloma is situated on the south fork of the American River, 
fifty-five miles from Sacramento City/ The valley, though small, 
is one of the most beautiful in the State, being about three- 
fourths of a mile in width, and walled up on either side by lofty 
mountains. The saw-mill in the race of which gold was first 
discovered, is still standing and in operation. (See Plate.) The 
location of the town is extremely pleasant, being near a bend of 
the river, and commanding an extended view of the surround¬ 
ing country. It was once infested by gamblers, but the miners 
took the matter in hand and drove them out at the point of the 
bayonet. A gigantic enterprise has been undertaken just below 
the town, by Mr. Little, of Maine. There is an abrupt bend in 
the river, the sweep around being three miles, and but a half- 
mile across ; this half-mile is being tunneled to draw the water 
from the natural channel, which- is supposed to be very rich in 
gold. A large frame was erected here for a flouring-mill, at 
the time the saw-mill was erected ; but Mr. Sutter changing his . 
plans, had it removed to the fort, and after the breaking out of 
the gold excitement it was taken to Sacramento City and erected, 
making the first hotel, in point of size and accommodations, in 
town, called the City Hotel. On the right of the accompanying 
plate will be seen a remnant of that persecuted and doomed race, 
the native California Indians. 
Hangtown, now Placerville, is situated three miles from the 
south fork of the American River, twelve miles from Coloma and 
fifty-five from Sacramento City. It is a dry diggings, or mountain 
gorge, and one of the most productive in the State. The sur¬ 
rounding country is extremely mountainous, with innumerable 
gorges, from which gold has been obtained in great abundance. 
