The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-09-25
DUB UQUE:
Y::::::SEPTENIBER 25, 1850.
From the Overland Elnigrants.

The following letter has been kindly furnish
cd us by Mr.. S. Clark, of this county, who is
father of the writer.
We rejoice to hear that the Dubuque county
Emigrants have generally got through alive
Many of them, it appears, have had hard Jour
ney, and seen and suffered many things, calcu-
lated to dshearten those who may be contem-
plating the same perious journey the coming
spring.
HAScrows, California; July "a, 1850.
Dear Parents:-l suppose you have been i'm
patient for the news. Well, here it is We
are all in California; all digging Gold, and all
we'll. Banion Jordan's Co., Sutherland's Co.,
Bennct & Nolin's Co., Lorimiers Co., Fanch-
er's Co., Uncle Turner'S Co., are all through
Some came through one way, and some anoth-
er: as for us, starred through. My small
sheet of paper, and the few moments have to
write, will not admit of particular description
of anything. So, to be Brief | would say that
we had very pretty time of it till we reached
the northern rim of the Great Basin. Mr.. Suth-
erland's and our Co. disjoined partnership at the
South Pass. Here it commenced to rain; and
as got higher on the mountains, it commen-
ced to snow; so, we took it in the snow, mud,
and rain all the time we were on the Subct Cut
off. At the termination of this Cut off, | saw
the noted Steamboat and Soda Springs. Here
took the Myers Cutoff, which is also very
mountainous; Il after climbing mountains capped
with eternal snow, & looking down on the clouds,
then clambering down, and swimming creeks,
vation was staring us in the face, and the water
SO high, that were obliged to take the noun
tains, which made it about 100 further At this
place we obtained little provision, and by liv-
ing about third rations, and by driving 35
miles per day, we thought could 60 through;
but alas! our hourses got alkali water, which, in
a few days, reduced them to mere rack ofbones;
we had to leave old Tap, the alkali having
weakened his joints so, that he could not keep
up;-the alkal also used up our best pack horse
We pushed on, however, through gnats, mus
quItoes, heat and dust, wadng for grass three
times day, from knee deep to swimming, in
mud and water;-we went it, hungry and wet
ouI uTOulu our llOTScS, 10 SHE lC
them from the musqutoes. After privations and
hardships almost unparalleled, we crossed the
desert to Carson river, Salmon Trout; the
water was so high that we could not catch any
fish, and had to wade for grass Here we came
to 20 mile desert about noon; and, after batting
our horses and taking some refreshments w,
started; and about ten o'clock we got through
we were SO tired, that we manacled our hors
es, and turned them out to get the best suppe
they could; and we laid down without any
The next morning found that Mike was sto
len; our best horse was gone. We travelled
on to the Sierra Nevada Here the perpetua
snow was to be seen towering high above th
lofty pines, which at once raised our dropping
splrts;-we pressed on, and came to a Mormon
trading post Here flour 5000 per pound
and other things in proportion; we laid out al
Our money for few pounds of provisions, ant
pushed on over this mighty barrier to our long
sought Ell Dorado. With weakened limbs an,
craving appettes, we came to a trading post
issd exchanged one Of our horses for provisions
The next day we sold the others for small a
mount, and came on to Hangtown here we have
recruited up, and have went to work; and whil
Dean Hawey was writing, three of us took ou
about an ounce in three hours
And | now hope that these few lines may fine
you and all my acquaintances enjoy good health
Give my best respects to all my school mates
tell those who have calculated upon coming t.
California to endeavor to content themselve a
home. The death of Washington Jordan ha
given me more trouble than everything beside
Tell sister to suffer Gods will cheerfully, unde
His darkest dispensations | would add, that
am trying to make my way to Heaven, wher
disappointment, trouble, and death never come
Your atfcctionate son,
A. V. CLARK.