The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-01-24

ty-what little there is consists of 1amarack,
Pine and Balsam Fir; no hard wood of any kind
While we were coming up the Platte saw many
herds Of bufIaloes and antelopes The sage hens
are also quite plenty, and their flesh is very deli
cious. They resemble theprairie hen very much,
but are one third larger, and about three shades
darker color.
In company with some young men OF our party,
ascended the dizzy heights Of Independence
Rock, and from thence looked off upon the wild
and rugged country, as far as the eye could scan
the bonndess scope the scenery was magnificent.
In looking TO the westward we see the beautiful
Sweetwater as it winds its serpentine course down
the valley, skirted on either bank by willows and
rusbes, and quietly glides overthe pebbly bottom,
like rich bed Of crystal. But look little far
ther up TO what called the the DEVILS Gate, a
gorge in the mountain $50 feet deep and not one
rod vide, and see how the water glides along
with the velocity of light, and then mark how it
leaps into the gulf below, till it frightens the
mountain echoes with its laundering voice
Now turning TO the eastward you will see small
hillocks rising up in view tuited with deep green
tamarack and cedar shrubs, intermingled with
The damask rose in all its richness and primitive
beauty. On the South rises high and rugged
mountain Laramie Peak) even above the clouds
themselves, as we could distinctly see them curl
along its gddy heights.
Now for short notice of the Salt Lake city.
II is laid off in ten lots with streets eight rods
wide running between each, and then divided into
fourteen wards; each ward under the superinten-
dence ofa Marshal, who is elected by the people
OF their respective wards, and all are governed
by President BRIGHAM YOU'VE, who is fine look
ing man, Of very good intellect, prepossessing in
appearance, and highly respected by his people.
Their rules and regulations are much liked BY
the emgrasts. person stealing pair ofboots
here is punished as severely as horsethiet is in
the States, and no partiality is shown between
their people and the emisrants. The Mormons
have coined vast amount of money; some say
more than million Of the pure yellow boys
their coins are ofthe value Oslo and $50 each.
The metals unalIoyed, and is ofa brighter color
than the United States coin-Th have seen number
ofthem. Money is plenty here, and provisions
high. Flour per barrel SIS, Wheat "a TO SIS per
bashel, bacon i2a cents per pound, potatoes 10
cents apiece, horses and mules range from 500
to $50 each, and great sales at that. There
have just arrived a company Of Biologists under
command Of Captain Reynolds for the purpose Of
making discoveries, and Isuppose 10 hunt out the
gold in this vicinity, which is yet secret known
only to some of the Mormons.
The valley is healthy, the soil rich, and but
little snow or rain. They irrigate the land by
mountain streams, which flow full ofpure sweet
water from banks Of perpetual snow, which are
now in full view Of where / am writing. We
shall leave here the latter part Of October and take
the southern route-or Spanish trail We have
hired pilot TO conduct us through to the settle
ments on the Pacific. am in fine health and
spirits and in company wifa party from Knox
county III. You shall hear from me again as
soon as arrive at San Francisco. Until then
farewell.