The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-11-13

Proprietor of Dubuque Tribune.
as we advance down the Humbolt, the watef
grows very bad, in many places almost impossi
Bile to drink. Every day report is brought into
camp of some new deptedations committed BY
the Indians, and occasionally we hear Of some
of their number being killed. -
Provisions begin to grow very srarce, and
fear that there will be great deal Of suffering
on the plains. have secn several to-day en-.
tirely out OF provisions, and no prospect Of pur.
chasing at any price; many persons living
entirely upon dried meut, and many more arc
compelled to beg what little they get, from en-
igrants. Hard bread is selling for 50 per h.,
corn meal rs cts per h., bacon 81 SO, beef 90
and other provisionsin in proportion-many have
offered double these prices, but could not get
them.
8M After leaving the river this morning to
our left, our road led over long range of hills,
in many places rough and difficult. Travelled
20 miles, and encamped on the banks Of Hum.
bolt; water very bad, and growing worse as wo
near the sink; found grass plenty at the foot Of
bluffs aths of mile west Of where the road
leaves the river. From Willow Creek across
this range Of hills, to where the road reaches the
river, has been represented a stretch oftwen.
ty miles without watcr but / find it to be mis-
take there are 3 good springs Of water on tho
road, and wild sage sufficient to cook with;-2
Of these springs at the left Of road, 8 and ~
miles from the creek, and one directly on the
road. Found large quantities Of the yellow and
black currant on the banks Of the river, much
larger than the tame currant, and also species
Of wild plumb growing upon low thick bushes.
from to S feet high; but few Of them were ripe
when we passed; but they said to be very
fine fruit when properly ripe, which is usually
in July and August. We gathered large guam
titles of the wild currant this evening, which our
cooks served up in very fine style for our sup.
per and breakfast.
9Th. After leaving camp quite early this morn.
ing, continued our course over the rough and
stony hills which border the west bank Of river,
were compelled several times to leave the road
at the foot of the hills and climb the high points
without a road, in order to avoid the swampy
ground which covered the old road Weather
still continues hot and sultry, with no prospect
of rain again the present season. Travelled to-
day % miles, and encanped upon slough, ono
mile to the right of the river; water very bad;
found small quantity Of grass, ] mile to the
, right, which we were compelled to cut and car.
ry through the slough on our backs; no fuel but
wi Id sage.
10TH Continued our course this morning down
the valley of Humbolt, two miles to the right Of
the river; low, sandy ground in many places
the surface Of which is covered with alkali,
which rendered the grass very poisonous, equal
!, ly as much so as the water. Travelled to-day
% miles, Is without water; found grass more
plenty than usual but water still continues very
bad Encamped last night in sight of I60 wag.
ons; the whole country around, for one mile or
more, presented the appearance of an encamped
army; horses and cattle covering the whole sur
face of the country like many locusts.
1lh. Continued our course to-day down the
dusty :oad, which borders along the bank Of
Hombolt in many places, leaving the river for
several miles; heavy sandy road in many places,
; which renders the travelling very hard; lndians
have not proved troublesome for several days;
yet, a strict guard is placed out every night to
guard against surprise, which is daily expected
when no Indians seen in the vicinity. Travel
led to- Gay % mles-l0 without water; the alkali
springs cutting off from the river large por-
ton of to-day. Encamped tonight upon tho
banks Of the river; grass to be found, except
on the opposite bank, which had to be cut, and
brot over by swimming.
: 12M. Left camp this morning, at o'clock,
and pushed on in search of grass, which we now
find is almost impossible to be had; after travel
ling miles, VIC turned our horses loose at tho
foot of the hills, to pick up what little grass could
be found, after which we prepared late break
fast on the bank of river. One Of our company
having absented himself yesterday, we reman-
ed iu camp to-day in order to send out in search
of him; spent the day in watching our horses,
until our party should return from their search.
f 14M. Remained in camp yesterday also, (the
l3th) not having heard of our lost messmate un-
til late last night, at which time news was bro't
4 to camp that he had been found, and would over
take us sometime during the day. Continuing
y our down the river, we passed large num-
bers Of dead horses, cattle, and mules also, wag-
a ons and stoves, piled up promiscuously, which
; could not be carried any longer, owing to the
large number of teams that were lost on this
deadly stream. The road being very sandy, we
were not able to travel to-day over 20 miles
water still very bad and but little grass to be had,
unless we cut it upon the opposite banks, and
swim the stream with it. Provisions daily con-
! tinue 10 grow more scarce, and many who left
: fortunes in the States live entirely upon charity
J. have seen large number within a few days
q past, who can not procure over meal per day,
and that of the poorest quality and unless relief
is sent out from the mines, (Which hear is on
i the way,) very soon, the suffering must be very
great. Emigrants are very kind, and will di.
: vide with any man who is suffering; but it i
Il endangering their own lives to do that, for they
x do not know the moment when they may be
j. placed in the same situation. One man came to
our camp to-day, and stated that he had eaten
e nothing since yesterday morning, and begged
J. f,r aomafhinn to eat. [ divided nau rafion f,f