The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-04-25

M Letters fron the Emigrasts. E
We have been kiudly furnished with the
folowing interesting letters froma California
emigrant- Mr.. Benjamin. Lodge young
man formerly Of this county, son Of Mr.
Jonathan Lodge OF White Hall. The 6rss
gives an interesting account of travels in the
wilderness, and is daisd:-
FoRr LARAMIE, July 2ist 1s4s.
"We are now encamped near the Black
Hills, and so far, i like the expedition well.
l weigh 10 pounds heavier than when I star
ted. We did well in getting Spanish mules
for our journey; for they have improved in
flesh and spirit. Wehave passed 200 teams
since we started; and, think have been
very fortunate in commencing our journey
late in the season, for the cholera followed
those who travelled along here ea:,y. l
have not seen case Of it since l left the
Missouri River. That stres. an was very high
when we crossel it, and we were carried
down some two miles in crossing. We jour.
|. r.ey TO average nearly 25 miles per day, and
have on some days gone 40 miles. | would
advise emigrants to either pack, or take a
very light wagon, for heavy wagons appear
to be plenty here, and good ones worth from
eighty to a hundred dollars have been sold
! for So Some emigrants have burnt their
wagons and We find the iron scattered about.
The Laramie river is swift and beautiful
stream, some three feet deep and 200 feet
wide, found some small particles of gold
10 miles west of Fort Kearney. They were
as thin as gold leaf and not larger than a
pin head. II appears that the gold was
washed from near the Rocky mountains.
Some comes from the south fork Of the
Platte River. have seen nearly 1000 lndi.
ans since started. They all appear friend
ly. but want presents. Red blankets and
chewing tobacco trade best with them
They have many fine horses and mules.
One of our men traded one blanket for an
Indian pony. shot one buffalo the other
day, which would have weighed 1000. 1t
was fat and as good eating as any beef.
We have passed 100 graves on the plains,
Of those who died of cholera. Some bo-
dies have been dug up from these graves by
the wolves, and the bones scattered about in
every direction"
The second letter is from the gold region
rs follows:
DEER CREEK, December 18th is4s.
Dear Brother -
am stoping in the geld mines
this winter, 100 miles East of the city, on
Deer Creek. have not yet had time to get
to the city. We found pasture rather scarce
after we left Fort Laramie. left my wag-
on the desert and pack ed through. 1t will
not pay TO bring wagon over the Sierra Ne.
vada mountains. In some places it is as
much as an animal can do 10 climb down
the cliffs, and we were compelled to unload
our wagons and let them down with ropes.
The only way 10 travel is 10 take couple Of
mules 10 man, and pack through with moth
ing but clothing, blankets, psovision and gun.
am mining on the banks of the Deer creek
and my proceeds average an ounce and a
half of gold per day. The highest sum
earned by my work an one day here was $42.
Since the Sd of October have earned about
$500 by mining and working at my trade.
Deer, (from which thiE stream takes its
name are fat and excellent eating. xii.
led two which sold for one dollar pound,
realizing 200. Flour is worth $3.50 per
cwt--potatoes SO per pound-fish 81 per
pound-butter So per pound-sugar 81 mo.
lasses SO per quart-cofee 50cts-pork
s1,25. Teaming from the city 10 this place
costs 81 per lb. There is no snow yet in the
valley, but plenty on the mountains. With
two comrades live in little log cabin.
One of my comrades says he has taken oul
$1,000 IN one day-of ten as much as 5000
have found two or three pieces Of metal a.
mong my gold, which think are plaiina,
though have not yet tested them. -Four
miles up the creek are the dry digings where
out Of one rich ravine alone 100000 have
been taken in gold. One man, washed out
80 ounces in one day.
Many of the emigrants who were first this
fall to get into the mountains have already
accumulated fortunes and returned to the
states. Many others have brought their fam
lilies here with the intention of setl ling down.
The country here does not seem adapted to
farming. The hills are Of red color, and in
wet weather il is almost impossible for a
horse or mule to travel over them. have
hired out mules as high as ss per day, each.
Indians are quite as plenty here as gold.
They often live for long time on the emf
grants horses and cattle which they steal, but
acorns also form large share Of their food
These are more abundant here than in any
othe; place ever saw. A number of the
Missouri emigrants have brought negroes
with them, but the Indians, having no affec.
ton for the colored gentlemen as neighbors,
have lately killed several of them. From
present indications should think these Indi-
ans viii yet become troublesome to the white
emigrants. BENJAMIN LODGE.
HENRY CLAY is now in his 74th year. Dam