The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-06-12
Conespon lence oflhe Snlem Gn.s,ts.

g HSequence OF Inc report at corpus Chrlsu oil
the cholera being the former place. But we
did not escape the much dreaded scourge Tor the
next day after our arrival, two of our company
were taken down with the disease, and both died.
Charles Boyden, from Beverly, and ID. E. Park.
er, from Lynn. They were sick but few
hours This event has cast a deep gloom over
our camp, and much fear and doubt has been ex-
pressed by many members of the company; some
were for turning back. We had very arduous
and tatiguing march, being heavily loaded with
baggage, and the weather very hot We were
obliged often TO go without our regular meals
and sometimes to travel two days without water
making it very hard for man and animals
Sometimes you would see some OF us going ahead
to see il we could find water, and when we
came 10 a little mud hole by the road, where the
water was as thick as molasses, with mud YOU
would see US plunge into it and drink as greedily
as parcel Of hogs would dive into their food. |
never knew before, the value of water;-but let
man travel two days in such hot climate, as
this, and through deep burning sand, heavily
loaded, and obliged every few moments to dis
mount from his horse to put his shoulder to the
wheel, or lend line to the wagons, to pull them
up the sand hills, and all this without water-and
if ne does not learn the worth of it then, he never
will.
Laredo is the most miserable looking place
ever saw-as dirty and filthy as it could well be.
The inhabitants are all Mexicans, with the ex-
cepton OF about dozen Americans The hous-
es are all built OF poles stuck into the ground and
the tops covered with thatch, or else a kind of
plaster made OF mud and gravel There is not
single frame house in the place. 1t contains
about 800 Inhabitants, and more miserable
hole never saw. Our route part of the way,
has been through perfect flower garden We
counted on the prairie one day last week, SO dit
ferent kinds OF flowers. On one Cactus we
counted ESQ flowers. Besides flowers we have
all kinds of snakes and reptiles, wolves, wild
horses, deer, &c. We have not been on the
road single day without killing a dozen rattle
snakes; and about our encampment, it is not an
uncommon thing to wake in the morning and find
a large rattle snake close to our tent; we fire.
quently kill snakes FIVE or six feet long At
first were little afraid OF them, but we have
become so used 10 them that we do not mind
them much, as they always spring their rattes
before they jump, but we are obliged 10 wear
thick boots all the time, for tear OF them
| think that several Of the members would have
had the cholera, il we had not administered the
proper remedies on the first appearance of the
disease. Now that | understand the disease.
with the suitable remedies. have no fear OF it,
have found it easy to manage in its first stage.
April Is. Another of our company has died
with the cholera TO day, (Mr Jones OF Boston, y
He had been sick number of days, say three
weeks, with dysentery, and was fit subject for
the fatal disease. From the commencement of
the attack TO the time of his death was bout nine
hours | have had myself the pr6monitory symp.
toms, and should no doubt have had the DESTROY
er with his fangs upon me, had it not been that
at the hrst appearance of the symptoms took
medicine suited to my case
/ We have been handed very interesting letter
written by Mr.. Thomas Brooks, OF this CITY.
tn,ht oh a~iEro LII ~ n
LAREDO, April II, IS49.
/ This city is the fitting terminus of the part of
Texas through which we have passed, especially
the south part. The earth is as dry as an ash
heap; the grass all dried; snakes and other veno>
nous replies in great abundance; wolves with.
out number; many herds of wild deer and thou
sands of wild horses. There is great scarcity
OF water, and no better than you can dip from the
cutters at home after heavy shower; and a lit
/ tie brackish in addition. Upon the whole think
/ II the rest of Texas is the same as | have seen.
our government had better pay the Mexicans
something TO take it back again, and then they
would get cheated. Every tree, bush and shrub
is full OF thorns, while the crown OF all is the
prckly pear, with thorns three times as sharp as
the finest cambria needle. The Scotch motto.
"touch me and l PIERCE" can well be applied TO
them. went to one TO pick some of the fruit
which is very pleasant, but filled my hands and
legs with thorns. 1t was fortunate | brought
/ pair OF tweeZers with me; find them Very use.
full, for these thorns pierce through clothing in.
to the skin and then break; in the course OF one
day they tester and cause sore. Some of these
prickly pears are ten feet high, and bear beau.
tltul yellow Hover | saw Cactus N our route
that spread three and half feet, having 24O pur-
pie flowers and MANY buds; it was beautiful
sight
| have not seen the first sign Of habitation the
whole distance. The road can be followed in
many places only by close inspection. One Of
our wagons could not keep up with the rest. and
was left about two miles behind; at dark went
back TO help get it along, and had TO get off nv
horse several times TO feel for the track; it was
not very pleasant assure you.
would advise all who are going to California
not to come this route We have been cheated
and swindled at great rate ever since we land.
ed. The most exhorbitant prices are charged
for everything. Texas has been styled s.God
torsaken; If it is not so it has large share of the
curse upon it, for every tree and bush is liberal
y supplied with thorns and briers
THIRD CAMP-Wolf Crek Bottom.
Iowa Nation OF Indians, May Is, IS49
am here alter almost superhuman exertion-
hrst, In breaking to the yoke, thirteen woke Of
! young steers, and then over the worst roads 7
ever saw | am crediby informed, however.
that am over the worst OF it. The cholera il
sweeping over the trains with the most fearful
mortality, leaving the most melancholy reminis.
cences In the rear. Death seems TO have visited
every camp but mine, and not a trim passes with
out cholera cases.
Inc grass Is aboundant; million of stock might
pass over ''his road and scarcely diminish the sup
ply: what mas been said by the press on this
snDJect Is not true, and those who have spoken