The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1849-12-05

contained in his letter is EIGHTEEN DAYS La,
TER, than anything we have seen.
SACRAMENTO CITY, Sept. Is, 1S49.
81 have since the LIST day of May, crossed the
Plains, the Rocky Mountains, the Desert and
the Sierra Nevada Mountains, over some of the
~orst roads ever man saw, Except those who
have travelled over the ones mentioned;) howev-
er, we got along very WE'LL till we came to Hum
boldt, on St. Marys river, which is one among
the meancst places l ever saw; it is not much
else but desert from the head of it, to the sink
"a distance of three hundred miles There is
very little grass on this stream, and the water is
so impregnatcd with allali, that it is unfit for
the use of man or beast in fact, great quantities
of stock have been seriously injured, and some
killed, by using it. Part of the road is very san
dy, the balance of it tremendous dusty-the dust
was so bad, often, as to threaten death to all
The river, after running three hundred miles,
sinks into the ground. At this place the water
cannot be used at all: about fifteen miles this
side of the sink, we come to small branch the
water of which was tolerably good, but some
what impregnated with salt From this place,
we travelled on to what is called the Sulphur
Springs. There were two springs of water;
could hardly use it at all, but our stock used it
freely, and it appeared to be very good for them
We left this place at o'clock, P. NJ, having
to cross desert Of forty-fve miles, without wa
ter grass. We travelled all night, and until
about o'clock the next evening before we got
through Our team, and one more, were all
that took the wagons through that day; the rest
of the company had to leave their wagons on the
desert, some six and some ten miles before thew
got through, and get their animals to water, as
best they could. Our company got all their
stock through safe, except one horse, which
gave out, and was left behind. We had one of
the best teams that came through to California
After getting through the DESERT we came to
Carson's river Here we found very good grass
travelled up this river for two hundred miles
grass good most of the way. We then came
to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Here the roads
(as the fellow said) ''bcat all natur''; and if
they were accurately described, persons in the
States would not believe that wagons loaded as
ours were, could ever have passed over them
Such mountains, rocks, and deep sno,cu On look
ing back at the difficulties and obstacles we had
to surmount to get here, we can hardly realize
that they are passed: but so it is; we pushed on,
and landed safely at this place on the Cd day of
August We haze seen the ssELEpHANr," and
no mistake; but we had an easy time to what
most of the emigrants have had they are land
ing here every day; but there are thousands yet
behind, among whom are great many families,
that can never get through without help; but
steps have been taken here to relieve them two
have already started to their aid, with
two hundred pack mules, with some oxen, with
Provisions, and feed for the animals They are
going as far back as the Sink of Humboldt.
hope by this means most of them the emigrants)
will Desenabled to get through. There was con-
siderable sickness on the road, mostly 'smoun-
lain fever" which went very hard with many,
Is they had to be hauled several hundred miles.
WAS blessed with good health from the time |
left home until about the Goth of August, when
was attacked with diarrhna severely; it came
near taking me off; but by care, and the skill Of
Dr.. Zabriskie, / was soon restored; since which
lime, have enjoyed sound health. There has
been considerable sickness here since 1 came to
his place. So many persons landing here from
III parts of the world and generally going to hard
work-the weather being very warm, together
with the change of diet-diving on fresh beef
most of the time-all combine to make it I'M
healthy to new corners. But doubt not, that
litter the emigrants become acclmated, this will
become healthy place.
This is certainly the greatest place for making
money l have ever seen or heard tell Of The
'eports we heard of this place, its gold, &C., is
40 humbug; there is gold here in abundance. l
nave not yet been in the mines myself; but l
have great many acquaintanoes working there,
md they bring in lots of gold. Some of the
mines, though, are much richer than others. Mr..
-, of Jacksonville was nv companion en- |