Lewisburg chronicle, and West Branch farmer. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1850, 1850-01-23

We passed great many men on foo
with their riding animals packed. trudgin
along in the sand up to their knees, an
he scorching rays of the sun almos, cor
stunning them, and journey Of one thou
sand miles before them. Even two o
three men walking with one horse packed
aud tina! upon its last legs. |, was almos
hear!-rendiDg 10 see the lacera!ed back
and bleeding hoofs Of the poor mules use'
for this expedition. Their powers for en-
during lab,r, fatigue. pain and starvation
are beyond a parallel in the brute creation
We we're frequently days in succession
withou, a particle of grass for them. they
had TO depend entirely upon browsing io'
subsistence.
was very much pleased with that por.
lion Of California lying on our route from
Aqua Caliente 10 Pueb'a De Los Angeles
(cl'y Of the AngeIs.) I. is one of the grea-
lest grazing countries IN the world. The
bills and vallies are literally covered with
vas! herds of the finest Spanish cattle, hor-
ses and sheep. Mr.. Williams. formerly
of Wyoming valley, owns one hundred 50.
miles Of the fines, land. 80. 600 head of
cattle, and horses and sheep in abundance.
All grains but wheat require to be irriga.
ted. Wliea, IS sown in January, aud ri-
pens before the drought. The vine is GU.
tiva,ed here and fruits of all kinds flourish
in this climate.
Leaving Los Angeles We continued up
the coast one day. and then crossed the
noun aims into the San Joaquin (San 70
Aeen.l valley. We were advised to do SO,
as being a much better and shorter route.
and The lower mines, discovered since we
lelt bome) we're reported 10 be the most
productive at present, and fewer men en-
gagged digging in them. We started with
Is days provisions. expecting to reach the
mines in about i2 days. Instead Of this,
We were 26 days in reaching them. When
We reached Tulars (Bulirush) Lake, we
kept on the west side of il, or between the
lake and coast mouniains-a rou,e seldom
or never Travelled. Col. Fremont lays
the lake down as one about 20 miles long
Instead OF this it consists of three connect.
I'd lakes. I40 miles long. We Lad no
guide. we're led astray BY wild orses'trails,
aud suffered for wood, water and grass
The fact is that this region between the
San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers. and
he coas, mountains, is perfect desert,
rom Oregon TO the southern end Of the
San Joaquin valley. We saw thousands
If wild horses, elk and antelope. but coulI
lol stop 10 hun: them. Our provisions be-
.au to fail. We Aa,tered ourselves that
We were nearer the mines than we actually
we're. We reduced ourselves to quarter
atoms, and had nothing bu: flour and cof-
Re. Killed an elk that weighed 400 los.
ut we're unable 10 pack enough to last long
al last we were entirely out Of provis.
,ns, and had been for a day. Oar mules
cry much jaded. We knew that we
oulG not be far from the mines. ConcIu.
ed 10 stop and send out two men in
earch Of something 10 eat. They were
one 2 days. and returned with 3 days ra-
ons. We had eaten nothing for 3 days
nd nights. One day We shot a few
irds, boiled them, and drank the tea.
his was the most trying time we have
ad since we started. We were too weak
} shoulder our guns and walk 10 search
game-were determined not 10 kill q
mule as long as we could avoid i,-u,
ad resolved to do so 10 less Than six hours
the provisions did not arrive. There is
mess working here encamped beside Us.
rho were compelled to kill their mules,
nd drink their blood to aIay thirst.
Ny respects to all friends. W. H. C.
Oct. 5. ls49, MARAPosA MINES.
Since leaving "Csmp Starvati"n," !
ave been unwel' more than have been
'r the last FIVE years Of my life. Being
o long on short allowance, and wiihou,
BOD. when We did get plenty. although !
vas careful, | completely overtaxed nv
iges'ise organs and have not yet entirely
Nearly all the company suf.
cred more or less. from the same cause
nd N. and H. are also unwell.
These mines are said 10 be as productive
$ any others in California. at present. !
ave worked bu; one day since We arrived
ere. NJ, S. and myself, mess and work
ose'her. What little time we have been
ieging. We have taken out $40. Il is
cry bard work. The /" holesn are sunk
q the dry bed Of the stream, generally
'nid they reach wafer. or from 4 to 10 fee,