Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-04-03


! see by your paper that you have had
letter from Mr.. Stidham giving some ac-
count ofthe country &c. We were about
four months on our journey from lndepen'
dence to the "gold diggins." On the 1st
day of Sept. We arrived at Steep Hollow
on Bear River, where we saw the first gold
washed out Of the California sand. The
Company from Wayne County continued
to travel together only about or 10 miles
from this Steep Hollow. The Centreville
Company now left for the Yuba River,
where we remained until the latter part of
October. We were all sick on the luba.
and also great many others.
/ do not suppose it necessary for me TO
say much about our trip across the plains.
as suppose you have seen enough Of
such descriptions. While travelling from
/ Independence to the Plat and up that
river we suffered from cold winds and
rains, thunder storms &c. | have never
seen any such storms Of rain, thunder.
lightning and wind altogether. in the States
as we here meet with every day or two.
These excessive rains rendered the roads
in many places very heavy Where the
road run along the bank Of Platt river 1t
was generally good, being very sandy
But there were quick-sands and places
nearly impossible for our wagons and
teams. After we passed Fort Laramie we
had no rain, but dry, hot weather all the
time during the day. The nights were
cold enough to produce frost and some
times ice-but the day was hot enough TO
roast you; and we worked very hard all
day in getting our wagons with their
loads across the river. We had intended
celebrating the .lth at the South Pass, but
came there too soon, Il could not think of
stopping to wait for it, but travelled on.
The trip across the plains 10 the South
Pass, except the occasional muddy roads,
and "a few streams where the banks are
very steep. is no. an extremely difficult
task to accomplish. No great distance
after we passed the South Pass, we come
to what is called Sublitt's cut off. where
we travelled over fifty miles without
water. Part Of this is beautiful road,
but some Of it again is very rough and
hily. This brings us to Green river. or
the Colorado Of the Gulf. From this we
have to pass over some high mountains,
10 Bear river. Here we have beautiful
valley producing luxuriant grass-enough
to supply all the animals that will pass
this way, and 10 spare. If the valley was
5000 or 1000 feet lower, it would be fine
for corn, melons, sweet-potatoes. &c.-
But it is high up in frosty region. In
this valley and along near the river, we
find the Soda Springs and the Beer
springs, often described by other adven-
turers. Here is also the .'Steamboat
spring" which consider much the great
est curiosity of them all The water
boils up through an aperture in the rock,
several feet above the surface. for few
minutes and then quietly subsidies within
the rock for about the same length Of
time. and then returns again, and so
keeps on ad tnHntum. In this vicinity
we saw several old craters few miles
below this we have Bear river and turn TO
the right on the Fort Hall road. For sew
eral miles along here we travelled among
volcanic remains. of great variety Of
appearances. The road is pretty good
now to Fort Hall. except in the immediate
vicinity of the Fort, where it is rather
marshy. The Fort is situated on the
bank of Snake river. in an extensive level
plain, or it is rather natural meade
covered with fine growth Of grass. This
place is under the charge and command
of an old English gentleman. Capt. Grant.
He is very hospitable old fellow, but as
rough as grizzly bear He treated us
with much more kindness and attention
than they did at either Of the other Forts
we passed. He has an Indian wife. A
number Of Snake Indians were encamp-
ed here We travelled down Snake river
some fifty miles. Here we leave the river
and turn to the left over the high ridge of
mountains between Snake and Humbolt
views. When our encampments for the
the night were near to the river bank We
were nearly devoured by mosquitoes. of
the most savage and blood-thrsty char
acter. Probably their natures may par
take somewhat Of the character of their
food. which is derived almost solely from
the blood of the wild beast. and the saw.
age red men Of the forest.
The road between these two views is
rough and mountainous in many places
do not recollect the distance across to