The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-06-02

The Overland Route to CallfOrnia---De-
scription of the Far West---Life on
the Plains.
DIAMOND SPRINGS, ELDoRADo COUNTY, !
California, Jan. 20, 1851.
Mcs8rs. Editors IL avail myself Of this
opportunity of addressing few lines to you,
concerning our journey to this strange land,
and some Of the peculiarities of this pecu-
liar region. First then, in reference to our
tour across the deserts OF America.
We set out from Council Bluffs on the
18th of May, and crossed the Missouri into
the Indian Terntoryof the "Omohaws,' who
are semi-civilized .ace, friendly to the
whites, and practice agriculture to certain
extent. The prairies were beautifully di-
vefsifed with hills and valleys, all of which
during the summer are covered with rich
carpet of grass, embellished by flowers Of
every iform, hue, and odour. The soil is in
Iexhaustably fertile. The lofty hills are en-
circled with horizontal line Of protrudine
rocks which are impressed with the bones ol
sundry marine fishes and the imprint ol
marine shells, all of which indicate this tc
have been the shore of some inland Lake OF
Sea that once overspread this region. The
beautiful valleys are usually watered by some
excellent clear stream, the banks of which
are usually adorned with enchanting groves
of cotton wood trees, enlivened by myriads
Of feathered songs;ers. Such is the condi-
ton of the country between the Missouri
and the Platte river, a distance OF 80 miles,
The Platte river is very turbid stream
| ,,o.,,;,,, C.o,,o Q to IN foot dean and FINN
10 of mile in width. 1t passes through
the midst of grass covered plain, varying
from to 10 milesin width and bordered BY
hills of sand varying from DO to 600 feet
high, and perfectly barren with the excep-
ton of an occasional stunted cedar that be-
decks the brow of some hill, standing soli-
tary and alone, like sentinel keel ping guart
over the desolate scenes around. An OBJ
server beholds from the summit Of thes'
hills, a boundess ocean of war-like hills .ha
represent the wild commotion Of the sea
while hurled into mountain-like pillows BY
the resistless tempest. The lofty hills ar
separated by deep ravines running in all di
rections, and inhabited by numerous buffa
10, bear, deer, elk, panther, wolf and ante
lope, that roam this region undisturbed, ex
cept by the .nutive Indian luntsmen, VIII
make use of them as the principal means G
subsistence. This must long remain th
lone haunt of wild beasts and the wilde
savages, for this desolate region offers moth
ing to invite the avarice, cupidity or enter
prise OF the ever vigilant Yankee. Tn
Plain through which the Platte flows, q
bounds, in fountains Of chloride of soda, lin
and magnesia also sul2hate of soda an
lime, which adulterates the water in such
way as to induce debility Of the digestiv
organs, followed by diarrhea, dysentery, an
even cholera, all Of which have no doub
have destroyed full 5000 Of the emigrant
during the past summer. Is
The destruction of human life on thi
route was, i doubt not, greater than tha
which occurred to our citizens in the Mexi
can war. The misery incident to this ca
lamity, is vastly more than can be estimate
or appreciated by those in the States. Ii
revolving to every feeling Of humanity, say
pity to see ives rendered husbandless Will
surrounded by flock Of little children, an
husbands deprived of wives while an infan
is left to him, deprived of the indispensable
aid mother only can give it. Then again
to see children left parentless, alone, desti
tute and forsaken, without the means Of sub
sistence, are circumstances that inspired th
keenist anguish of mind, and yet were G
daily occurrence. Many long letters coul
never give the details of all the suffering
and horrid incidents that occurred during th
emigration Of last Summer.
AS we wondered westward up the Platt
and its North Fork, we passed through tn
Pawnee Nation Of Indians, who are destitut
of any tinctme of civilization save treacher
and heartless barbarity. Though they pro
fessed friendship to the whites, they didno
hesitate to steal everything they could. an
even murder slilyif they had any eonsidera
BILE advantage. They were clothed in skin
loosely thrown over them, some few, howev
er, were completely naked. They are exceed
lingly cowardly but barbarous in the extrem
III they chance to get any advantage.
| AS we wandered up the North Fork Of tn
Platte, we passed through the nation ofSiouz
who boast Of never shedding the blood of
white man. The truth Of this, however,
much8doubted. Theypre noble in their ar
pearance. generous and brave in their depori
ment. They are usually six feet in heigh
and-duly proporiioned, being by far, the nc
blest appearingof all the Indian tribes ! eve
saw. The female Sioux are, the only India
women that can lay any claipi tobeauty, d
| even hnarnhla faag,,,ae ~ 81 itIlg-i tNth.