Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-09-23
Letter from Oregon.
PLEASANT VALLEY, 0. t.,
July 18Th, 1859. J

MR. HARPER.-DEAR SIR: take the
liberty of forwarding you an "Extraci
of my Journal over the Plains:"
Friday, July esth, 1s51.-Morning
calm and clear; all well; we proceeded
on our journey, and began TO ascend the
last mountain between the Colorado and
Bear Rivers. The ascent was very diff
ficuIt. At the summit two miles from
camp, was bold fountain of water issu-
ing forth. Here were good grass and
sage, and a pleasant place TO camp
From this point we could see Bear Riv-
er mountain and valley. The descent
was two miles down the mountain, and
very dangerous TO wagons, on account
of rock, and sudden offsets in the road.
At the base of the mountain is the beau
tiful valley of Bear River No. !, of rich
fertile land, and well watered. There
is timber on the mountains; the air here
is exceedingly clear and transparent,
and the country is most charming. The
Snake, or Shoshones Indians own this
country, who are a miserable, cruel
thievish race. At the foot Of this noun
tain is general camping place. Wag-
on irons. log chains, stoves, &C., are
strewn here in profusion. The road
bears down the river bottom and Buttes,
eight miles, over rich, fertile land, and
fine grass, till it crosses three beautiful
creeks, of pure cold water. issuing from
the East, and running into Bear river
four miles TO our left. Here we en-
camped. The evening was very warm,
and there were indications of rain
Near our CdreH, we're two semi-globu-
lar mounds 1000 feet high. Bear river
bottom is here six miles wide. and well
watered. 1t abounds in wild fax, three
feet high, currants, lambs quarter, spare
mint, mustard. timothy, wild rye and
yarrow. Plenty Of trout is found in the
river and IFS numerous creeks. A COM
pany of California gold hunters met us
this evening, en- route for Missouri. At
night there was hard thunder, and we
had fine shower of rain, which cooled
the air. Our stock all did well at this
place. Above Us three miles is an lndi-
an village, and many ponies.
SATURDAY.. July 96th.-Morning clou-
dy and warm, and our stock all safe;
we left and crossed three creeks near
our camp. The road led down the val
ley, on the north side of the river-over
beautiful land and good grass. The
mountains present grand objects Of wild
scenery. They abound IN good build
ing rock. and some pine and red cedar.
Our road led down this fertile plain for
seventeen miles crossing numerous
streams of pure cold water, which have
much fall, and afford good mill seats.-
The roads upon this part Of the trip are
very good. We see much timothy and
herd grass to-day. We also passed a
large sulphur spring on our left in the
evening. The mountains are of red
dish hue, and on some OF them are deep
guIches of snow. These mountains are
from 1900 to 1000 feet high, and lined
with timber, but it would be somewhat
difficult TO obtain. There is good camp
ing any place to-day. We are encamp-
ed this evening on Thomas Fork of
Bear river, and here last night, fine
daughter was born; and the same even
ing, four miles east. Mrs. E. A. Church
i'll, wife of Mr.. W. Churchill OF Sanga-
mon County, H., gave birth to fine
sonl Both are doing well. Here are
traders and Indians who have a number
of lodges and much stock, which they
trade to emigrants for broken down
stock. Here is a bridge across this
stream, and one dollar per wagon is
charged for crossing on i'll We forded
the stream. -Four trains are here, and
they have many lame cattle.
Sunday, July 97th.-MorniDg cloudy,
and very cool; stock all safe with trusty
guarding; we left camp. The road led
down the stream two miles, where it as
cended a mountain for two miles-alti-
tude 1000 feet-and down one and a
half miles to a beautiful valley OF good
grass and water, then up horrid noun
tain-altitude 1900 feet-then down the
mountain into a rocky Kanyon two
miles, and up another mountain alti-
tude 1900 feet above Bear river--three
miles, where we had grand view ofthe
great valley. To the south is seen a
range OF snowy mountains, TO the S. w.
is seen great lake of 1000 acres-and
the serpentine course of Bear river,
winding its way towards the great Salt
Lake. The descent to the Bear river
valley, one and a half miles, was ex-
tremely dangerous and difficult. The
rocks were large and numerous in the
road. We turned TO the left of the road
one mile to the banks of Bear river, and
CareLled; four trains here. The valley
here is ten miles wide. Salt springs
and sulphur springs abound in this re-
gion of country. There is some timber
along the rivers There is an animal
here called The Man Eater" which is
the size of a prairie wolf, and Of red
dish color which burrows into graves
and eats the dead bodies, without disin-
tering them. The grave OF Mr.. Orr,
near our tents, was thus entered, and the
body eaten. The name of this man
wss engraven on independence Rock.
II was bound for the God Regions, Ju-
4 ly l. '49, and here death interposed.-
: Deer, elk, antelope, mountain sheep,
9 grisly beur and prairie dogs are plenty
here. Here the United States should