Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-03-14
From California.

extracts from psivnie letter, written by young
gentleman WHO viii be remembered by our readers
in this vciniiy,-he son of Seton w. Norris, Esq.
Tie records of his experience may be profitable to
those who desire TO see the Califnrnis elephant.
SACRAMENTO Cry, Nov. Is, l549
MY DEAR PAREETs:-l arrived here on The 10Th Of
September, having beeu long months ON the pluus
When arrived within 400 miles # this city, Charles
l.. Hansicker and DIR. Wilson. nf Covngton, and my
self were sent forward with pack animals by the
train from Covingon, Ind, 10 get provisions they
were nearly out, John and myself having previously
joined them. Our mules having weared themselves out,
aud being able keep up with company on ne
count Of their being too young for So long trip We
advised TO join some OK train by our Indianapolis
friends all Of whom bought older mules, with the exceP
ton Of this mess who though having two more mules
than had, nevertheless left behind the of the
indianapolis company. We more familiar and
more together than any other two messes We bough;
our mules together aud divided them fairly When
team got fast in the mud doubled teams, and helped
each other out Our mules failed fast, and frequently
Ohrs and lett by ourselves for the night
in hostile country, and many a time has the dismal
bowling of the wolves disturbed our nights rePose
When morning came, we had hard work to catch up
with the train, and by the time we would the mules
would be nearly given out again they were much TOO
young for the Trip being only years old the rest OF
The company had older unes, aud many Spanish which
seldom gave out Our captain WINS an old illiterate
mOuntaineer; he had team Of splendid old Spanish
mules. lie moved rapid rate, keeping the train
travelling late and early hardly allowing man or beast
time 10 eat rest. Some Of the messes were behind
hand in cooking their meals, and would not be ready
when the captain called out To into line John and
| would get the guide TO wake Us at 3 O'clOck,-we
would huiriedy water and picket mules to grass
put the harness in the dark while they eating,
then strike tents roll up the bed cothes then wood
being and hard get, very frequently commenced
the days travel without eating breakfast We gen.
orally started daylight; we frequently had TO picket
mules good distance from camp, The grass being ea
up by the forward trains about camping grounds.
When stopped at night every one hurried with the
greatest activity get their mules TO The best and near
grass first those that Embarrassed last had TO take
their mules perhaps half mile three quarters before
they could get any grass out Of reach OF the ong ropes
of the other mules, so il continual warfare be-
tween In this manner travelled about 500 miles
Our third comrade, Rngand, being unwei from the day
started until he left he rode all the time and drove
John and walked and watered the mules at every
stream. Well, it very fatiguing for us TO keep up
with the wagon in the dust and great heat, lock the
wheels. hold hack, and push the wagon up hill.
Many times from each team had TO remain, especial
ly if il bad hill place, TO help the whole train
up. how tired and sick were when night came /;
we did not stop until night each rapidly unhr-
messed their mules and had TO drag them some distance
to grass and We not allowed 10 tie them
the camp until very dark The grass kept
for them during the night. We frequently slept
with arms loaded under our heads. We Kept a
strong guard while the train together, but disagree
ments when and how the train ought to corra and
how long ought 10 stop al noon, and preudlces enter
ained by members of for another, separ-
ated train into small divisions OF two three wagons
each, which first contained nineteen wagons. Well,
we travelled rapidly 35 40 miles day in short, our
Young American mules failed FAST many times grass
or water, began to fall back far behind the train.
HarrsOn's and other from abou, Indianapolis
seeing mules well OLrs about fail, they
ahead of the train. We threw away trunks, and
sacked the goods they contained; we threw away our
stove which weighed only Is pounds and 200 pounds OF
provisions but all this would suffice, the mules gave
out DR.. Ackley's mess advised our and Ohrs 10
double teams and leave wagon sold ours for az
dollars Even after doubling teams we could not keep
up with the of the train. We took the advice OF
Dr. Ackley and joined an OK train from Covngton, Ind
We were invited to Join them by the whole company
the members of which personally acquainted with
We had performed 200 miles of our journey before we
Joined the OK train. We paid them for boarding and
taking baggage through. We got along much easier
as every thing had to be done up more leisurely We
reserved mule apiece to ride We all Jared alike and
all ale at the same table two cooked Tor the whole all
the way We lived better the first part oil the jour
ney, but harder the latter The first part of the jour
ney had plenty of old bacon. hard bread, Coffee and
dried fruit, but for the last two months and ha we
had nothing but hard bread, and coffee, without sugar
which gave me tho darrh@, which never lett me TOT
three monihs,-I came dying with it lost forty
pounds OF my usual weight. On my arrival here had
to be taken the hospital, instead OF returning with
comrades with provisions for the suffering train The
hospital is very dissgeeabe place to me there are
great many sick persons in the one am in several dies
since have been here, old died-they groaneC
plfnlly that could not rest But death at last end
ed their sufferings. They buried in their dirty
clothes mo washing they received, shroud enveoP
ed them, christian friend consolsd them While wei
in this country they lived like sayages, and died like The
heathen persons but those that bore their rude con
followed them to their graves Never would advise
friend OF mine, especially an old man, whose days vii
be shortened soon enough, TO come to this country
Many who here for gold, have not found gold bu
instead grave and burial An unchristian is ts
journey from the beginning the end am still in ht
hospital very weak, but able walk about. have beer
down street once twice. This is a very unhealthy
place. will describe the town in few words Sacra
mento city has population, Though not steady one,
IF fnha IA afad he nqnt,
river hundred and sixty miles above San Francisco
its situation is not high enough to be healthy durinI
heavy rans to keep it from being overlooked; perhaps
twere ditched like other cities are, the streets wou
not be under water they Of tins date. Kan ha
fallen steadily during the last five days Old settlers
we shall have sun-shiny weather again. There are
great many small buildings up, and many going up
They bring their timber by water from Oregon, and sci
it $500 per 1000 feet, that the smallest building
costs good pile of money. great many merely bu,
lsmber enough build the frsme, and cover the sides
ends, and the top with cotton sacks. Som
live in Our hospital is frame, covered with
vass on ell sides. have been down street since tn
ran and observed many houses and tents under wafer
also, there great deal of property of all kinds il
the water, much that rrevocably ruined, such a
produce of all kinds dry goods, hardware of every de
scrpiion all rusng and running for the want OF som
house to put them in. There are so or 90
eating houses, and foil as many gambling houses will
give little description OF one Of them II Is substan
iial frame building, unlike many Others that merel
canvass whose sides and roof Of entire
blown off and rent in many pieces during the late storH
of rain, and therefore rendered USELESS IL is quite
large building, some 90 ee long and 70 wide The gam
bling hall must have been 65 20 feet long, by %
width. The house is sy lied the plains, in consequence
Of some large oil paintings executed by artists
this city who came across the plains. The paintings =.
present the wonderful places the route such as th
Devils Gate Crossing the Platte, the view OF the Chin
ney Rock aud wagons crossing the dividing ridge, az
They pretty correct aud o!sraby well executed fc
scene painting The hall contained some half dozs
gambling iables-a halt dozen different kinds Of card
used You large piles of gold and silver on tes
fabes There n guilery n the further end from tn