Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-10-04
BURLINGTON HAWK-EYE.

through this section, dead oxen are so numerous
that the whole atmosphere is impfegnated with the
efIluvia. This alkali water is SO strong that any
quantity Of saleratus may be gathered around it,
The whole country 10 miserably barren, except the
valleys, andpresents the strongest volcanic features.
We reached the SweetWater river and independence
rock the 2sth Of June. Sweet Water is pleasant
stream larger than Skunk river, and has pleasant
valley. Independence rock is an immense pile Of
granite rising high in this valley. Five miles above
this, the river forces its way through perpendicular
rocks 400 feet high. The appearance is sublime
We have forded this Sweet Water or times, AM.
shall follow il to the summit, the South Pass,
which is only two days travel from US, and continue
to and recross it repeatedly. The weather is
fine. Nights and mornings very cool; and the mid.
die ofthe day not oppressive from heat. This morn
ing there was ice about camp. We have been
in sight Of snow all the while for the week past
The mountains are covered half way down them
On yesterday, while passing through valley, the
company found abundance Of ice Is inches under
the surface, with tolerably good growth Of grass
above it. Probably it will not melt during the sum-
mer. We remain in camp to-day on account oftwo
sick men, but hope to move Tomorrow. The whole
way is lined with teams. The oxen keep their
strength much better than one would expect from
the appearance of the grass that sustans them. But
what they get is very nutricious. have lost none
Of my ten cattle yet, and entertain strong hopes
that they will all see the Pacific ocean. We all
keep tolerably wen; but this high altitude is less
favorable to health than the plains. The atmos-
phere is light, ana the, liver seems indisposed to
f};c;ou r,,t, ;sh
journey ON the whole, will be productive Of health,
and especially SO to debiltated constitutions. You
may take the following as a specimen. You have
known the very precarious health of my wife for
years past. She can now walk or miles in day,
ride as far mans saddle, -the balance Of the
way in the wagon and then do up most Of our do
nestle matters. have yet had no help. manage
my whole team with the aassistance of Wilbur. l
expect to graduate at OK driving, and become pro-
fcient. 1t is thought that or thousand teams are
behind US, and nearly many before. But is i'm
possible to speak with certainty.
Every day since we Left Fort Laramie we have
seen the strongest features ofworried cattle or
cited fears. The road is lined with moveables cast
from wagons to tighten loads. Axes, spades, OK
rings and staples, bacon, beans, and four and many
other things are seen in abundance. We have seen
thousand pounds OF -four and 500 lbs Of bacon left
at one camp. Wagons too, are daily seen by the
way. The owners having doubled teams with some
one else, or taken to packing 1t is currently be-
lesed on this section Of road, that man by tbs
name OF Reid, from Brighton Iowa, was murdered
below this, his money, mules, and clothes taken,
and that the murderer is apprehended short dis
lance ahead Of US, and trial for his life. have
heard Of cholera for the last two hundred miles.
In the Black Hills had three days sickness with
what some called the cholera, but il was nearly az
much like the govt, and you will hardly think me
troubled with that. We have seen no Indians for
400 miles. They told US at Laramie that they were
much in fear OF cholera and small pox and would
keep their distance. In two days, with good sue
cess, we shall strike the waters that run into the
Pacific, and then our journey will be only about
half performed. have heard nothing, lately, ofthe
Burlington or Mt. Pleasant people. A Bloomington
company Is near. put this in my hat to wait an
opportunity to send to the States, and hope it HAY
reach you. Our kind and affectionate regards
Your son and obedient
A. J. HUESTIS.