Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-17

course ohe creek is here southwest and il joins Seve
River about three miles below the mines At the mine
we found twagon-rail leading to Mormon settlements
which our guide nformed US about days journey
distant. We followed this trail to Sewer river, when |
turned 10 e northward II crossed the Saado ID
mouth, ant travelled south up the left bank Of the Seve
river, on which we eneamped at noon
The couise of the in this valley Is from south
north It about twelve yards in breadth and from thre
four feet depth Sewer valley is perfectly level
three mile breadth for many miles above aud below
the uncttn OF the Saado is arid and destitute Of tim
ber we found good grass however in the river bottom
The mountains which enclose the valley east and west
apparently sterile but their recesses are well timber
ed for duting the mornings march crossed two small
streams flowing from the westward near which were vast
lquantities pf drift wood
The weather was exceedingly hot, without breath OF
air. and the dust raised by the animals in travelling
the lose ana dry soil, hung over us in clouds,
In the afternoon continued our march up the val
ley four miles brought to beautiful meadows, which
caused by the overflow Of several small from
the westwad, and which extend for several miles along
Sewer nver Iae gs,ss was Of the most unuriant de-
vvnded the twelve miles and after dark encamped
l its hani.~ 81 miles; 1,259 miles.
July 31.We saddled up before sunrise, and Mt eight
o'clock reached the head Of the valley where Sewer river
from the southwest and Beaver creek from the west bot
issuing from deep caohs, join their waters We here
came to stand it being evident that further progress
could be made in the direction travelling. The
guide insisted that road through Of the
hons, but before proceeding it deemed advisable to
make reconnaissance, when both Gallons found
equally mpraccable elen for foot After losing
two hours in inefectlal search turned mules
heads to the northward and travelling three miles down
Sewer river, crossedt, passed steep hill, and
descended into anothei valley, watered by the same
stream when too late for the discovery to be useful
to u.s. perceived aleel wagon road made by the Nor
MONS leading into it. Sewer is the corruption of SEvE-
Ro, called on Col. Frenpnts map Nteollet.
This valley lies north nd south, and surpasses in beau
ty and fertility any thbg had yet 1t is about
thirty miles in length Ii four in BREADTH surrounded by
mountains, down WHOSE sides trckled numberess clear
and cool brooks fngel with willows and cottonwoods
Sewer river flowed through this valley, which abounded
in its entire breadth inrich pasturage The mountains
clothed from summit to base with oaks and pines
After short We proceeded south up this valley,
and at dark stopped rivulet running from the
westward into Sewer river In riding through the grass
we heard rtttlesnakes, and killed several
they sprang at of the men and animals but none
were btten.-l8 miles ,261 miles
august I've travelled until up the left bank
of Sewer river and hailed its junction with the San
Pasqua tits main fork where the latter issues from
caon at the head of the valley The San Pasqual above
the cahon, flows through valley of great beauty.
At our noon halt struck trail, which supposed
to be the old Abquu trail to California; but this trail has
been long disused as to be almost oblterated.
In the afternoon travelled about four miles up
vine bearing little to the west of south, which took
to the summit of steep mountain. We had left the
wagon trail which had found in the valley it took
long circuit to avoid this ascent The summit of the
mountain broad and fiat, and clothed with grass
SO miles 1903 miles.
august I've were now approaching another stage in
our journey which We were impatient TO reach. The
Mormon settlements near Las Vegas de Santa Clara
a short distance, and made early start in
the hopes of reaching them before dark. We descended
the mountains in westerly direction through abundant
y-watered valleys, every where covered with grass.
also found wild rye growing in great abundance the seed
quite large and full
At dusk ON the previous day had discovered party
Of mounted Indians examining US from neighborine
ridge therefore the lookout all the morning
Soon after sunrise few Pah tabs the first Of that tribe
which had seen, down hillside TO meet US, and
accosting in friendly manner, asked whether
Mormons - Soaps" (Americans.) They informed u
that Mormon village not far off, and Beale and /
riding in advance Of our party in few hours arrived
the town Of Paragoona, in Little Salt Lake Valley near
| LAS VEGAS DE SANTA CLARA
The village Of PARAGooSh situated in the valley of the
Little Salt Lake. lies the foot Of the mountains
which form its eastern boundary and four miles from
the lake 1t contains about thirty houses which although
built of ddobes present neat and comfortable appear
ance The clay Of which the ddobes made Of pink
color and they small and well pressed The houses
are built to form quadrangle the spaces between them
being protected by strong stocknde Of pine pickets
Outside Of the village Of fifty In extent,
enclosed within single fence, and is cultivated IN com
mon by the inhabitants 1t is called THE Field and
stream from the Wahsatch Mountains rrigaes it, and
also supplies the town with water
The Mormons have found iron ore in the mountains,
and have established several smelling furnaces They
stated that il Of excellent quality and that the mines
are inexhaustible.
We lid not remain long Paragoona, for after
our arrival, in obedience TO mandate from Governor
Brigham Young the inhabitants commenced removing to
the town Of Parawan four miles TO the southwark il
being considered unsafe with the smaness Of their
ber for them to remain At Paragoona 1t was indeed
strange sight witness the alacrity with which these
people obeyed order which compelled them to destroy
the fruits of two years labor and time lost il
commencing tbs work OF destruction Their heuses
demolished, the DOORS windows, and all portable wood
work being reserved for future dwellings, and the
were soon the road to Parawan loaded with their fur
niture and other property.
We left Paragoona in the afternoon and rode to Para
wan over an excellent wagon-road made and kept in
pair and bridged in many places by the Mormons. w
passed at q mile our left large grist and mil
worked by water-power.
Parawan is also situated at the base OF the mountains
Ii contains sbout hundred houses which built II
square and face inwards In their rear and outside
the town. vegetable gardens each dwelling having
lot running back about hundred yards by excel
lent system Of irrigation water is brought to the from
and Of every house and through tho and
side boundary Of each garden lot The houses
mented in front with small flower gardens, which
fenced of from the square and shaded with trees "Th
Fed" about four hundred acres and in hgl
stcte Of cultivation, the wheat and corn being fine
any that had in the States and the pie tool
ust pride in showing what they had accomplished il
so short time and against many Obstscles32 miles
| !, ,S35 miles.
Augast 3.-Most Of the day was spent in having tn
animals shod and in getting shoes made replace
those which might be lost in crossing the desert regoI
lying between the Vegas de Santa Clara and Moh-hah
veh river. An American blacksmith assisted by coup
Of Pah-Utah youths did this work and we surprs
ed to see what skilfu vorkmen these Indians made
Most Of the Mormon families have Puh Uta
children whom they had bought from their parents the
were treated with Kindness and with tenderness
they were taught to call their protectors father an'