Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 May 1895 — Placer’s Dog Miner. [ARTICLE]

Placer’s Dog Miner.

bred Howell, Sr., who has charge of the sluice boxes of the Hidden Treasure mine at Sunny South, is the owner of one of the most intelligent dogs in Placer county. Unlike other dogs, he never goes out on a hunt, but is nothing more or less than a practical miner. For many years, in fair or stormy weather, each day has found him at his post by the side of his master. At the mine a clean up is made each evening. The sluice boxes are elevated from twelve to twenty feet from the bed of the canon and a fourteeninch plank gangway extends their entire length. When a piece of wood blocks the water in the boxes, as is often the case, the faithful dog, Watch, is quick to the rescue and removes the obstruction. If a bowlder becomes so fastened as to cause the water and gravel to run over, and it is beyond his power to remove it, he will keep up a continual .barking until his master's attention is enlisted and the troublesome bowlder is removed . After the evening meal he is often seen, unattended, going to the store where the miners congregate to spin yarns. There he will sit on his haunches among the boys, usually remaining about half an hour. He then goes home, and the entire programme is repeated on the following day.—Colfax (Cal.) Sentinel.