Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-03-21

reached this object in about two hours by fast
walking, we found the base to be about mile
in circumference, and the object about 300
feet high. We undertook to ascend to its
summit We ascended about $50 feet without
any difficulty, from here we had SO feet 10
ascend in perpendicular direction, we took
out our pocket knives and commenced cut
ting holes for our hands and feet, and by so
doing finally reached the top or summit, hav.
ing had fair view OF the surrounding coun-
try and after inscribing our names, we fired
our arms and then FASTENED to descend, in
which we experienced rather more difficulty
than ascending, we however all reached the
base again, examined the composition of the
rock, which we found nothing but consolida-
ted sand, and every hail storm and heavy
winds and rain are gradually crumbling down
this wonderful object. We now left this great
Court House formed by nature, and went in
pursuit of our train and after walking about
ten miles, being tormented with millions of
Mosquitoes we finally reached our train just
as the Sun was hiding beyond the horizon; all
well.
On the following morning we set out early
and before night we reached Chimney Rock.
| On the l4th of June we reached Fort Larimie,
this is small trading post for trappers and
hunters through great portion of the Terri
tory, here we left the Platte Valley and all |
have to say in respect to the Platte country
ii is beautiful valley, in many places a.
bounding with buffalo. l frequently saw as
many as thirty in drove near the road and
miles off might be seen, often, hundreds at
time; we killed two very fine fellows. Elk, |
saw but one on the whole route, but Antelope
could be seen at all times; this animal looks
very much like deer but not quite so large.
| will now leave the Platte and enter the
blank hills. The country from Fort Larmie
presents an altered appearance westward
from that east. On the End of July we reach
ed the summit of the Rocky Mountains a dis
tance of 81 miles fran Fort Larimie.
almost forgot to mention independence
Rock; this rock is situated about two rods
from Sweet water and covers about two a.
cres Of ground. 1t is composed Of solid gran
ite, is about 95 feet high On and around
its siles may be seen the names Of hundreds
of thousands who went to Oregon and Cali
forna A short distance from this rock Saler.
atus may be obtained to any amount On
the night of the End we camped at the Pacific
Spring, and this is the first water running
westward, we met with for thousand miles
showing conclusvely we were now on the
west side of the Rocky Mountains. About
so miles before reaching the summit, we saw
Fremont's Peaks. They presented mag
nifcent appearance, towering in the clouds
and constantly covered with snow. 1t was
remarkably cold crossing the mountains
From the Pacific spring to big Sandy we
travelled in one day % mil es, then we ceIe-
bratedth 4th of July, on the next day took
Subletts cut off, a distance offs miles, with
out drop of water, until we struck Green
River. Then we recruited our cattle and du-
ring this time one of our men was taken sick
with camp fever. We told the company if
they choose to 60 on not to wait for US, for
our sick man was not able to travel.
About 20 miles before reaching the Sink
we took a cut off reported one hundred and
twenty-five miles to the first dggings. Slim
uated as many were with the idea, all IA
tigue was removed, travelling troubles for
gotten. | was anxious to take the old route
and told our company it was all hoax, one
hundred and twenty-five miles TO the diggins,
as we alterw ards found out, but they would
have their own way. We therefore took the
new route and after few miles travel got on
a desert such as | never wish to see again,
for 60 miles there was in fact no grass worth
counting, the Cattle perished like flies. lpre-
sumo saw more than 1000 head perish
for want of feed. We finally reached Black
Rock, here is a hot Spring ofenormous depth;
his Spring, has been sounded 700 feet without
indng bottom, the water is SO hot that one
cannot leave finger in it moment. Sew
IN miles further are 7 or s more, in one of
hem one fell accidentally, and was seal
led to death in an instant On the 24th
If August we reached Mud Lake, here we
we're informed by government Officer that t
We had at least $50 or 400 miles to Sansoms S
nd that no diggings was known this side. q
uch was the startling news we received here.
)ur cattle were worn down, and two head we
/. Il al lrondu last and hnd ceraral heavy de- :