The Pioche Weekly Record

Osceola Water Ditch.—From R. M. Peters, just returned from Osceola, says the White Pine Reflex of the 21st, we learn that the water ditch and flume is now 12 miles long, two miles of which is flume. They are now pushing the ditch ahead to Williams Creek. Without this latter creek they will be able to turn her loose with 1,500 inches of water. By the time this begins to let up Williams Creek will be reached, which will make up for the falling off. The ditch is wide enough for two horsemen to ride in it abreast. Up to two weeks ago 150 men were at work on the ditch, but the force has been cut down to 100. When completed it will not give employment to exceed twenty men. After many years of backing and filling this important enterprise approaches completion, and now many will watch with interest to see how this isolated placer pans out. In no placer mines on the coast have so many large nuggets been found as in Osceola. Not many years ago the prospectors who crossed the Hawthorne desert would have laughed at the idea of inhabitants. Who would have thought that sometime there would be a lively town here and that the inhabitants, not satisfied with the county seat and the mines in the neighborhood, would begin sinking wells for the purpose of making the desert bloom with onion tops and potato blossoms? The first well will be sunk very soon now. Enough money has been subscribed to sink more than 100 feet, and there is scarcely a doubt that a good supply of water will be obtained. One well will only be a sample, and after the first water is found it will not be long before the old question as to the number of wells required to make a river will be satisfactorily answered. At present there are strong indications of this becoming a farming country.

Well! well!—[Hawthorne Bulletin.