Washington telegraph., 1852-02-04
THE MAN WITH THE vyHEEEBARRoy

TO California IN the spring ot lOoOs va
newspapers gave account Of the progres
of a man who set out on the long jour
ney across the plains, trundlng a wheel
barrow. Time and again we heard o
him still going ahead and in fine spirits
but at last all record of him ceased.
few days ago, however, we again heard
of him. II appears that he reached his
destination, and at last accounts was
delving for gold in The mites OF 'Califor,
MIA. with fair prospect Of becoming
rich. The history of his adventures IS
given in the following letter to the
New York Journal Of Commerce, dated
San Francisco, October Is. 1851:
"In previous communication. re-
marked upon the character and spirit de.
veloped by the miners Of this country
thar such q class of men were very rarely
TO be found.
AS an evidence of lne truth Of my as
sumption, l will give the outline OF the
case of one individual, the details OF
which were related 10 me by a gentleman
OF at least apparent truth, also interestedi IN
the region where the subject Of This article
dweIls. and with whom he was familiar.
deliver in the rninas os Georgia, on hear
ing the thrilling news of the gold placers
of California, had his spirit quickened
within him; and although he had arrived
at an age (being about 60 j. when the fires
of youth usually cease TO burn with vigor.
fixed his eye upon the far distant and but
little known country, aud resolved that
he would weud his way thither, "a alone.
and without that Indispensable friend.
money. of which he was destitute. UnZ
der such circumstances 1t would not avail
TO attempt passage round the Horn OF
by the more uncertain ard at that time
unprotected route across the Isthmus; bu:
as California was on this Continent, he
knew that there was way there, though
it might lead through trackless deserts
and barren wastes, Thess were not
enough 10 dannt his determined spirit
He bent his way 10 the Father Of Wa.
ters, aud worked his way as he coulds
:ll he found himself ut Independence.
in health and with no loss cf strength.
and with one hundred dollars IN his purse.
lie had no family 10 provide Cor, or even
companion to cater foi OH the Route upon
which he was about TO enter; yet some
things were necessary for himself; and 10
relieve his body from the pressure of a
load he provided himself with 7Citeet<
barron, upon which 10 place his traps.
1t is not to he supposed, that our Hero
was ignorant of the large numbers o.
emgrants that were moving ever the
plains; and it is quite probable, that his
sagacity was precoc:ous enougli 10 look
ahead, and the result Of attempting 10
carry forward such ponderous loads. and
such variety Of at least dispensable thingss
wouId astonish the rsader.
Our hern-Was-uot in a hurry. lie rea-
soned thus: "the world was not ot-n1fisde made ~
a day, the race is not to the swift" He
trunJled along his barrow, enjoying the
comforts of his pipe; the object of Won
der, and subject OF much sportive remark
by those who were hurried along with
their fresh aud spirited teams, TON their
first days Many weeks had not passed
before our independent traveller had tam
gible evidence that trouble had fallen tc
the lot of some who mad preceded him
A stray OK was feeding on his track, the
mate of which be afterwards learned
was killed. aud this one turned adrift as
useless. He coaxed him TO be the COM
paniou of his travels, taking care to stop
where he could provide himself VITA the
needlnl sustenauce. He had not far to
travel, before he found mate for his OK,
and ere long, wagon, which had given
way in some of its parts, had been aban.
doned by lis owner. and left in the road.
Our travelling genius was aroused to turn
the mishaps 10 his own advantage; and
he went lesurely TO work to patch and
bolster up the wagon. bound his faithful
oxen to it, and changed his employnleuf
of trundling the wheelharrow TO driving
a team; onward moved the new establish.
mei.t, gathering as he went from the SUI
perabuudauce OF those who had gone be-
fore, such as -four, provisions of every
kind, books, implements, even rich car
pets. etc, which had been cast off as
burieusome by other travellers. He
would occasionally find poor worn out
animal that had been left behind; and
as it was not Important to him TO speed
his course, lie gathered them. stopping
where there was abundance of grass time
enough for his cattle 10 gaiu little
strength and spirit Time rolled on, and
and his wagon relied with him, 'till he
reached the end OF his Journey. whom it
was discovered that be hal an unccrs-
mon fine team and a good wagon which
Produced him on sale ttcenty fce injured
dOtLars. Being now relieved of the care
OF his team, and i'll the midst of the gold
region, he closed his prospecting by To-
cation; and while all around him were
their strength 10 consul
mate the work of years in few months,
he deliberately commenced building. fin
ishing, and as fast as he could, furnish.
tRg, a comfortable cabin. His wood
was gathered sawed, and regularly piled
in straight lire, and perpendicular by