Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1849-04-18
Mlisfeltanp.
\ Wedding In the Gate Of tho
Rocky Mountains.

- 80
The incidents Of the following striking
story were told to the writer by one of the
persons present and are, therefore, true,
They give ,ived picture Of the dangers
10 which the hardy pioneers Of the Pacific
were exposed on their painful journey to
their new home. We copy from the
Democratic Review for February:
On the evening Of The 18th Of July, lS4l,
two families Of einigrants might be seen
tented for the night at the Pacific Spring,
on the main trail from Missouri 10 Ore
gon and Upper California; They had left
Independence, the common point OF de-
parture, and then one thousand miles be-
hind them, in company with much more
numerous band. But dissentions had &C.
cured, as must always happen in the alb
sence OF government, or executive piysi-
cal force, and the voluntary organization
split into fragments, which latter, howev-
er, continued 10 roll upwards, like the bro
ken pieces Of flying ball, under the impe-
tns of their original projection. These
two families, disguised with the obs:ina-
cy and riotous spirit Of their comrades,
had determined to advance alone; and be-
ing provided with excellent teams, and
many loose mules and oxen, so as TO rest
their animals by frequent changes in the
wearing service OF their journey they had
been enabled to reach the first fountain
which mingles its waters with the west
ern ocean and hence called the Pacific
Spring, some ten days sooner than the re-
malnder OF the band. Thus they were in
no danger Of beng surprised in the Sierra
Neyadaby The premature fall an autumn
nj snow. most dreadful contingency,
which pioneers are most anxious TO avoid.
But the forward movement Of so dimin-
uilve party was hazardous in the ex-
IRENE. In all, they numbered orly do
zen persons, four Of these were small
children. and the rest adults OF opposite
sexes, in equal proportions. Their enor-
ey, prudence and perseverance, in spite
OF the hostile and thievisil savarcs that
lowered around their way. had carried
them thus far, half the distance of their
route of two thousand miles, and would
probably have borne them to the settle
lnents Of the Sacramento, had no, casual
~ intervened,as unexpected as it was i'm
possible TO foresee or resist.
In the mean time, the little band not
conscious oithe impending danger, appear
ed TO be IN the happiest mood, cooked
their frugal supper over fire Of s.b,,ii;s,-
10 chips amidst jokes, laughter, and
scraps Of forest songs, and INDUCED the
while in the brig htest an,icipat;ons as TO
The promised land before them.
About sunsct,a youth and maiden stroll
led from their camp and ascended one of
those tall elevations. which overlook and
command the celebrated South Pass. -
The view opened into INDISPENSABLE gran
denr and solemn desolation Immense
plains and measureess mountains extend
ed as wide rs the circumference Of sight.
and The whole gIittered IN the red rays Of
evening as if sprinkled with baptism of
burning gold. But the finest point in the
glorious perspective was the noble pass
itseli-that great gate in the mountain
wail-so easy Of ascent, that a railway
might be run without excavation, to the
very key of its gentle arch, and so exceed
ihgly broad that all the armies on the globe
might deploy within its area, and neither
wing Of their mighty line ould touch the
edge of its enormous gap.
The levers, for such they were. J look
ed jill they were lost in emotions OF subj
nifty. and in blended ecstacy and devout
awe pressed involuntary closer TO each
other. Then their two hearts ,hrobbcd
together as one: and the musical beats Of
their warm lilc-pulses became chime and
choral anthem, for they saw the name of
natures God scriptured on the mute mar
bic of Ten thousand rocks. What natter
ed it, that both were indigenous products
Of the far frontier, and clothed in smoke
tinted leather, and coarse threaded home
spun? That did not bar them from love
and wor ship, any more than from dew and
sunshine. He was brave above fear, and
she was beautiful beyond words. Hence
their love was youths necessitv-as ma
turai as the emission of odor from flow
ers, OF as the coming Of flowers at the call
of May.
What grand couch for our weddinp!'
whispered Henry. as they gazcd down on
their white canvas tents, beside. The
Pacific Spring whence arose the tinking
melody OF mule bell. and the ringing mer-
riment OF children's voices. .
Emma's soul was in her eyes, but she an
swered only in smile and a blush.
You remember your PROMISE con;in-
ued Henry, made one month ago, at the
Grand Island on the Platte, to be my bride
at the first fountain flowing towards Cal
ilornia, and there tits. That sweet spring
sends its icy rilltuthe Green River, which
lower down, is called the Colorado OF The
West, and empties its waters into the
pearl producing gulf,'
At the instant, the lovers started, for
both, at the same time, discovered several
dark looking objects in the south towards
that extraordinary, butte. which has since
received the name OF Jacobs Tower
Their first thought was of Indians, But
nearer approach Of the moving forms
dissipated all apprehension They APP
peared to be a heard Of elk leisurely graz
ing in the short wild sage of the sterile
Moi, The o,p;or,.,f = w orc iynor.nt If fbo