The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-04-24
ALFRED SANDERS, EDITOR.

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which is very sandy, and is not in fact much
more ofa desert than most ofthe route down the
Humboldt. About 20 miles before you arrive al
the sink, and the descen. which follows, you
come to what is called the Big meadow, where
you will find very fine grass, here you must
make your hay to carry you across the desert;
but when making hay, Keep your stock tied to
your wages, and make hay for hem, for the grass
in its green state being strongly impregna,ed
with alkali will injure the animals, and the more
they ea, Of it green, the weaker they will be-
come.
would recommend all who come this route
(if any are 50 green as to come at ally to lay up
in the mountains where they will find good grass,
just before they arrive upon the Humboldt river
and remain until they get their stock we'll recruit.
ed, then carry with them all the grass or hay they
can, and when they strike the Humboldt river,
travel with oil the speed possible until they get
beyond its destroying effects. Feeding no grass
out Of its valley without first making hay OF it,
giving plenty OF salt, and be prepared with acids
to use themselves with the water. Pursue such
a course and they will not have cause to remem.
Der the Humboldt with so much dread as thou
sands have this season.
After crossing the desert which Immediately
follows the Humboldt, you arrive upon the Sam-
on Trout or Carson river-where mile below or
few miles above where the road strikes the river
plenty Of good grass may be found. This stream
you travel up about one hundred miles. In six
miles after striking it, you will leave the river and
cross desert of l2 miles, you then will travel
along the river miles and again leave it, and
cross desert OF 25 miles. Travel upon the
banks Of the river again for few miles and cross
another desert, which is very rocky Of 10 miles,
which brings you again to the river and into Car
son Valley. This Valley i, certainly one OF the
most lovely spots upon earth, the scenery is grand
and picturesque. ! felt after arriving here and
passing over 50 much barren country, that if
had my family along would like to settle for
life in this enchanting valley. The valley a.
bounds with the finest clover, as well as almost
all other kind Of grasses, and is fine place 10
lay by and rsePuit ones stock. Travelling up
this valley 80 miles brings you to the mouth Of
will doubtless think when you arrive here that
you cannot have much more rocky road to trav-
el than some portion OF the route over which you
have come. But by the time you get to the head
OF this Kenyon and over the second summit of the
mountains you will be convinced that all the road
over which you had previously passed was per-
fecily smooth when compared to this portion Of
the route! You will find some grass all through
the mountains. The distance from the mouth Of
this Kenyon to Weaver or Hangtowns one hun
dred and twenty miles, and sixty from either Of
those places to Sacramento.
Now few words with regard to an outfit and
am done. would recommend mules first, age
from 5 TO 10. Of these animals to two persons
and light wagon-say heavy one horse wagon
harrow track. Let each person thus coming
start f,Dm the Bluffs early as possible, carry
ing feed to last him 10 Fort Laramie-say 5 BUSH
el or corn to the animal. Never drive out of a
walk-or travel with more than six or seven
team, in company Your outfit of provisions
should be 100 pounds Of hard bread, 30 pounds
Of flour, IS pounds Of clear side meat, 90 pounds
dried apples, l60 pounds of sugar, 10 pounds Of
coffee and pounds OF tea to the man. With such
other little things as you may fancy. Next to
mules would recommend cattle, and also little
more provisions. Horses are not safe team to
come with. With mules you may get through in
60 days and with cattle you may come in 80 or
90 days, but with either you may be on the route
months. Let your wagons be coupled very
short. These, sir, are Just such recommendations
as would give TO brother If he was determined
TO come, but should feel it to be my duty to do
all in my power to convince him that it were bet
ter he should stay. Resp'y., A. H.O.