Litchfield enquirer., 1853-02-17

W. ~SS~~sO% VUs Journey WestWur& On
the morning of the Esd Of April. along
the Plain Of the Platte, at n distance gen.
orally Of two or three miles from the
river. The trail is nearly straight and
entirely lsssrfor hundreds Of miles, ex>
cept occasionally a dry channel which
cuts across the trail, made by descent Of
water, from the upland prairie 10 the
rainy season. In the distance Of $50
miles which we travelled on the south.
side OF the Platte, I think we did not
psss more than one o. two streams Of
water running into the Platte. This vast
plain is, generally dry aud possesses but
q moderate degree Of natural fertility.
Soon after leaving Fort Ksarney, I dis
covered white substance on the ground
10 moist places. resembling 6ae salt.--
This proved to be saleratus. the naussous
taste Of which we found in the water for
more that 1000 milss thereafter. This
alkali l suppose marks the ground where
was thrown the ashes Of that terrible.
volcanic eruption which threw up from.
the bed of the ancient ocean those vast
deserts and mountains Of the west which
rear their venerable heads high among,
clouds and perpetual snow and at the
same time disgorged immense quantities.
Of gold, part of which is now being;
found strown. FAR and wide thousands
miles this side of the Pacific. o. these,
vast plains ! 6rst saw the remarkable ops.
teal illusion Of the appearance Of large
body II water in the distance. The re-.
semblsnce is perfect, except the bluff
shore seems to project little over the.
water. After I had discovered the lila ..
sion, pointed out the lake Gas it seemed
to be.hto some Of my companions: who.
supposed it to be absolutely certain that
we should shortly come to large body
Of water. Notwithstanding often saw
these singular appearances. yet I was.
again really disappointed in the dissipa-.
ton Of another imaginary lake on the de-.
.sert some two months subsequently. AZ
ter q journey Of seven days. or about $50.
miles. and some 80 miles above the Forks.
Of the Platte, we came to the 70 I'd of the.
South Fork, where tho river was three
fourths Of mile in width, made up. a..
heretofore. described. Of sand bars and.
shal!ews intcrspersed. This peculiarly
seems TO pertain only to the South Fork
while the North Fork is deep aud might
be nav,gable for small craft.
Around the Forks Of the Platte seems
10 be the centre Of the buffalo eouaary;.
I have turned on my heel and seen herd
Of them at every point Of The compass.
The grass is gnawed close TO the groundL
and buffalo chips" are scattered alb
around. After passing over high pra.
irie country about fifteen miles, We de-
scsnded the hills, which were very long
and steep. into valley called "Aslr
Hollow" where were enesmped large
number Of Indians called Soos and Shi-
ans. Upon ourapproach to their village
some Of them came out to meet us with
the extended hand. saying. How do.yau
do? Would the good people Of Fanny Or
our New England villages show greater
hospitality to the newly arrived strangsd
But Aold-they are the vsrriest bsggsra-
in the world, and their pretended hos
pita!ty is shown that they may, BE- The
more successful 10 their beggary. They
kill as many buffalos IS they please. and
their flesh is almost their only food, ex>
cept what they beg from the emigrants.
Their women doabodt all their d,adgey.
From Ash Hollow 10 Fort Leavsa.
worth, distance Of 100 miles, thsss-is
no wood, not even bushes along the river
banks. All Cur 6res for cooking and
warming our tent. had to be made OF
buffalo chips. which. when dry. make .
pretty good ere. Two days after isay-
ing ash Hollow Ne enjoyed The rare
sight Of some svergrssa shrubs on the
distant hills-obiec.s whish lad mot Hass
our eyes beforesincs leaving the States :
From Camp. in the evening Of thSSth
Of May. We discovered an obisct stAnd--
ing ia the road. that looked like . poaa..
EThe next day We resumed. our jOurney.
With the post in the path straight ahead
Of u; and about TIVE hours eeloEe anna'