Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-09-04
From lie SpriagfeId (IH) Journal.

us WIN cllef from HIS son. w lllldll lIs
whowent out with the emigration to California, in
the spring of 1916, dated on the 17Ih of April,
from which we make the following extracts:
He states that the company to which he be-
longed reached Fort Hall without interruption.
AtFort Hall, and on the road there, MIR. Todd and
others heard so many reports Of the superior ad
vantages of California over Oregon, that some of
the company, including himself, changed their
destination TO that country. Nor had he regret
ted this change, although he was not in love with
California. lie says: ave left Fort Hall on the
9th of August, in company with ten wagons, and
on St. Mary sriverwe were joinedby fifteen more.
We went on smoothly until we reached the Cali
fornia mountains, which were about three hundred
miles from our destination. There we met with
'tribulation' in the extreme. You can form no
idea, nor can | give you any just description of
the evils which beset us. From the time we left
the lake on the north side of the mountains until
we arrived at the lake on the top, it was one con-
iinued jumping from one rocky cliff to another.
We would have to roll over this big rock, then
over that; then there was bridging branch; then
we had to lift our wagons by main force up to the
top of ledge of rocks that twas impossible for
us to reduce, bridge or roll our wagons over, and
in several places we had TO run our wagons broad
side off ledge, take off our cattle, and throw
our wagons round with handspikes and heave
them up to the top where our cattle had been pre-
viously taken. Three days were passed in this
vexatiousway, and atthe end of thathme we found
ourselves six miles from the lake on the north side
of the mountain, and dyouneversaw asctOf fellows
more happy than when we reached the summit.
"When night came, we were very glad to take
blanket or buffalo robe, and lay down on the
1. e l. l. i
turbed from our sweet repose, when we were call
ed in the morning to our labor. Here our flour
gave out, and we could not get any for love or
money. We had to live about ten days on poor
beef until We met the packers, who had gone on
in advance of Capt. Suters, for provisions, where
we got some flour fortwenty centsperpound cash.
"On the top of the mountain we found beau
tiful lake, but quite small, and few miles far
ther we came to a fine prairie, about three miles
long and three-fourhs of a mile broad, full of
springs of excellent water, and at the lower end
fine branch, which forms the head of Juba riv-
er, and the way we danced 'Juba' there, was a
caution to all future emigrants. The difficulty
of getting down the mountain was not as great as
in ascending it, though it was work OF labor,
and looked at the first glance as impossible 10 be
performed by horsemen, much more by teams
and wagons.
"Solomon Subletto, of St. Louis, who passed
us at the lake on the north side of the mountain,
told us aiterward that he had no idea we could
get through with our wagons. In some places
we found it necessary 10 lock all four OF the
wheels coming down hill, and then our wagons
came very near turning over hind part before, on
to the cattle. At last, on the goth OF October
our hardships were ended by our arrival at Fort
Id Il IL,
the mountain, that is, myself and wagon compan'
ions, five in number, and Mr.. and Mrs. Roulette,
"We made our way to the place at which am
now writing. 1t is beautiful valley, about ten
miles long and two wide, situated between noun.
tains, which are about two thousand feet high
from the bed of Cache creek, which runs through
tho valley. In the mountains, there are deer and
bear in abundance, and about fifteen miles from
here there are plenty ofelk. The valley is abou
sixty miles from the bay of ST. Francisco, abou
forty from Fort Suter, and twenty-five from the
Pacific ocean. Bodoga is the nearest port.
GAS yet have seen but very little of the coun,
try, and must confess that in regard to the par
| have seen am not as much pleased as | ex.
pected should be. So far as have seen tht
country generally is very mountainous, with here
and there valleys suitable for cultivation. These
few valleys are generally taken up by the Mex
cans; and should there be some not taken up, i
would be impossible for foreigners to get hold o
them-the recent laws of Mexico lorbiddng any
officers of this Government to grant land to for
eigners. In fact, the laws are framed to preven
foreigners from coming to the country unless
they have passports. have never been asket
for my passports, but if had, should have beel
inclined to do as Dr. Ball did on similar requi
ston, show my rifle.
81 expect in q few weeks to visit the southern
portion of this country, perhaps as far down a
the Lower Puebla, three hundred and fifty miles
wish to visit San Louis, San Joseph, Monterey
Yerba Benna (St. Francisco,) and in the full de
sign to go up the coast on the north side of tn
bay as far as the mountains, for the purpose Q
examining that portion of California.
81 should be more pleased with this country
the seasons were more favorable. From the Is
of May to the 1st of October, it is one continue
drought; and from the 1st of October to the 1:
of May, it rains, off and on, all the time. Th
only way by which crops can with tolerable Gel
tanty be secured, is by irrigation, or the ovel
flow Of the ground by some water-course. Their
are many places where this can never be done
and consequently the land can never be cultiva
ted. The best locations are all taken up.
"If there are any persons in Sangamon VIII
speak of crossing the Rocky Mountains to TIL
country, tell them my advice is, to stay at home
There you are we'll off. You can enjoy all til
comforts of life-lve under a good governmen
and have peace and plenty around you-a cour
try whose soil is not surpassed by any in til
world, having good seasons and yielding timel
crops Here every thing is on the other el
treme-the government is tyrannical, the weatf
er unreasonable, poor crops, and the necessarie
of life not to be had except at the most extortiol
ate prices, and frequently not then. In the vii
ter season it is impossible for horse to 90 abo
the soil being so loose that the first rains max
y no.coot r,ortor of If and vour borso G.oo,,or, Il