The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-01-02
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.

We make the following extract from
.le,,er addressed Mr.. j. q. Davidson Of
p. Wit. by his brother writing from the
Grant Sal, Lake,
1--WE reached the ferry on Grsen River on tue
ao,h, about 10 O'Clock; the stream was very
high and rapid, and abou, 200 yards wide, y i
one of the principal heads Of the Colorado. We
drove our wagons into position in order to cross
ia due course. Started the boys of IN different
directions in search Of grass. From the numbers
w.i,iny to cross and in before us, concluded We
should not get over tina, day. started down
s,rcau after dinner to see what discoveries
could make, and here happened on me n'os'
lucky chance; about 2 miles below the Terry,
found q camp OF French nlountaineers living ~
skin lodges. When FIRST discovered The camp,
supposed they were Indians, as supposed no
civilized men were 10 be found IN this region.
was somewhat fearful Of advancing as was
alone and unarmed. On reaching the camp,
swarthy fellow advanced 10 meet me, VINO Po-
Itsly addressed me in good English, aud INFORM
ed me that he was located there for the purpose
Of keeping ferry. lie invited me TO LOOK al ms
two boats and bring my teams down, the boats
were better than those al the upper ferry; large
enough TO take one wagon on safely. HE Offer
ed me the use OF the boats. do the work ourselves
for =. 100 wagon, at the other ferry the price
was $500. I took up the Old fellows oiier.--
We did not ge. our wagons down IN time 70
cross tha, night. 8 wagons came down Win
me. We formed our camp; swan our horses
over, left them on good grass under guard
had some difficulty in getting our horses 20 take
the water: most Of them turned back the hrst at
temo,; drove old Bur. in first the next attempt,
he took the lead bravely, the rest following close
Bur, is great horse, he stands the journey well.
Sunday morning Both, we 90. our wagons over
safely, when paid the old man, who found
was named Paul Vassean. He offered us the
use Of both boats for $50 per day. saw It was
a great chance 10 make money, and immediate
ly took him ". proposed 10 Keys TO JON ne.
sent my wagon down 10 where our horses were
under charge OF Kirkup and Roln; Kept Boon
and Maurice with me and went 10 work. We
kept KEYS wagon at The ferry as or boarding
house. with one Of bis men TO cook gave Boon
charge of one boat. KEYS the other; sent on.
man out TO the fork, Of the road, with notice
OF the new ferry-soon had great many wag-
ons on the bank. Iremained on The bank o re-
gster the names Of the teams az they arrived IN
order 10 put them over in their turns without con-
fusion, ana 10 take care Of the main chance; The
first day We made over zoo dollars. We were
so well pleased with this, that we took the ferry
on the came terms for 6 days more. We thought
we uld make something here. a. We had good
grass to recruit our horses. We ferried here
DAYS, until the next Saturday night, and cleared
SI2is all expenses W. concluded this
was pretty fair diggings and tried 10 hire OF buy
the boats. bur the old fellow go, his eyes open,
and concluded he could manage the ferry hif,-
self, and would not LET Us have j, longer. W.
mnde 10 gross abouis l650.''