Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-02-14
From the st. Louis Union.

IL iOAh CliC ~. l4DulS OHlOlt.
News f:0us the Sa!t E4aEEc.
For the following very interesting
news, we are indebted to Mr.. Monroe,
connected with the firm Of J. & D.
Reese Of Great Salt Lake Ci:y:
Mr.. Monroe left the Salt Lake on the
LIST December, with two men. On the
highest mountain, seventeen miles east
of Salt Lake, he found ten feet of snow,
and three feet in the valleys to Bear
River. From thence to the South Pass
there was very little, and he found no
difficulty in passing. On leaving there,
however, heavy snow was falling, and
deepening very rapidly. Sioux and
Grow Indians were met on the route,
and Cheyennes on the North Fork, beg.
glng, but with whom no difficulty occur
rcd. The Pawnees were hunting on the
north side Of the river. At Bndger, Mr..
Monroe overlook the Salt Lake mail,
when he sent the two men back, and
went on with the mail to Fort X carney.
The mail had left independence OH the
LIST OF September. arrived at Salt Lake
on the 22d of November, and had left
again for the States in two days after.
wards. AT Fort Kearney, Mr.. Monroe
finding the mail too slow for him. the
animals being broken down, purchased
horse, and notwithstanding the extreme
cold and danger, went alone to Table
Creek, making the distance on one horse,
in four days and four hours. We men
ton this to show what may be done by
energy. ... -.. ....
The mail contractors have had very
bad success, in loosing large number
of horses and mules. The expenses
incurred by the contractors are said to
have exceeded greatly the proceeds, thus
far, during the winter season. Exer-
tons are being made to have new con.
tracts entered into, so as to insure bet
ter feeling of security anG dependence
upon the mail arrangements. ...
AT the Salt Lake, every thing was pro-
crossing most prosperously. The gen
eral health was very good and the wealth
er mild and pleasant. Gen. Rich and
his company had returned there from
the gold mines, bringing some gold dust,
but not so much as was expected. Their
accounts from the diggings were unfavor-
able. Grain is very abundant at the
Lake; 100000 bushels of wheat having
been raised there last year. This, with
the vegetables raised, will' afford an
abundant supply of breadstuffs to those
emigrating to, or returning from Califor-
MIA this year. .....- ~
The Messrs. Reese intend sending
oat breadsuffs and every thing necessary
foi the supply of the spring and sum,
mer emigration, to the South Pass and
Green river. " .-sa
The news of the organization of the
territor.y, and appointment of officers,
produced but little excitement among the
people. Abundance Of coal and iron
has been discovered al Little Salt Lake,
about $50 miles south of the city, and a
large company has been sent out to form
settlement there. The scarcity oil
money is severely felt, in consequence
OF the merchants taking it away. Mr..
Monroe cites the instances of individual
and general industry there as remarkable.
Five o: six saw mills and as many gris1
mills are already in active operation, and
wooden factory and brewery are now
in course of erection. Mr.. M. brings
with him beautiful specimen of sever
headed wheat, yielding SO bushels to hall
bushel sowing; the grain is remarkably
plump and. white, and weighs 66 lbs Il
the bushel. a