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“I Live Like a King” By Wylie W. Hoyt Belleview Elementary School
It’s a warm sunny Saturday on March 17, 1859. Today is exactly ten years after gold was discovered here in Sonora. Oh, sorry, let me introduce myself, Wylie W. Hoyt, gold miner, Union Democrat reporter, blacksmith, and volunteer fire fighter. On a Saturday like today, I’m only a gold miner, but some days, my life gets hectic. So, let’s head on down to the Bonanza Mine and get working. While we’re walking, why don’t I explain some of the history of the Mine.
The land on which the Bonanza Mine lays is believed to hold the potential for a huge gold strike. Right now, three partners own the Mine and they could use twenty more miners, just like me. I’ve pulled out several thousand dollars worth of gold all by myself and I’ve sent most of it out, right to the San Francisco mint.
Well, I’ve put in a hard day’s work, and it’s time to go home and get some rest. Betsy, my horse (I know, I know, it sounds like a cow’s name) and I are going to head on down to the well to get some water. After that, we’ll stop on by the stable closest to camp and tuck Betsy in for the night. On the way, I plan on visiting the flour mill to purchase some flour for tonight’s dinner. I also plan on dropping off today’s gold at the bank and getting some cash for the coming week.
All in all, it’s been a very successful day here in Sonora. I definitely see why Sonora is called the “Queen of the Southern Mines.”
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