The weekly Placer herald., 1854-08-12
From the Times 4 Transcript.
From Sacramento to lndppen.
dence in Eleven Days!

odCI IOT lHuSDcIIuCDCEs h ISSOuI',
on wager offered by himself that he will
accomplish the journey within twelve
days. The proposition to attempt this
remarkable feat is so bold one that few
at first will believe that it is seriously
made. Those who have made the over
land journey can scarcely realise at first
the earnest assurance of the young adven-
turer, who seems so confident of the sue
cessful prosecution of the task, but after
listening to him for while, their surprise
is changed to admiration of the determil-
ed spirit and strong nerve that could con-
ceive and undertake such an Herculean
labor 1t is a fact, however, that bets
have been made by MIR. Baxstun, one of
$4,000, and one $4,000, and the money
placed in responsible hands, on the issue
of this undertaking, and Mr.. BlaXstun
leaves this afternoon for Sacramento to
prepare for the journey.
He requests lis to state that parties who
desire to transmit letters or messages by
him, will please leave the same, of as
little weight and bulk as possible, at the
Blue Wing, before the hour of the boats
departure, and he will take careful charge
of them, forwarding them by mail, to their
respective destinations Immediately on
his arrival at independence. Telegraphic
dispatches can also be transmitted through
him from independence to New York and
all parts of the Union. Should he realise
his expectations. news will be conveyed
across the continent from San Francisco
to New York in less than twelve days.
The distance from Sacramento to lnie
pendence is not less than eighteen hundred
miles. Mr.. Baxstun expects to reach
Salt Lake in five days, and allows six
days more for the completion of the trip
to Independence Between Salt Lake
and independence he states that he has
made the journey fifteen times, and is of
course familiar with every part of the
route. He arrived in California less than
three weeks since, having brought $50
head of cattle from independence. His
line of travel from Sacramento will he by
way of Placerville, and the valley of the
Humboldt, for the first two days after
reaching the river, travelling south and
striking due east after crossing, not follow
ing the road, but bearing to the right until
he strikes it, then pursuing it for about
forty miles until it takes a northerly direc-
tion, when he will bear south towards
Salt Lake. Hence on, he will leave Salt
Lake to the right, and strike north %
miles, then take a straight course to the
road to Fort Bridger. Thence bearing
southwark for 90 miles, again north to the
road, and subsequently taking direct
east course to the final destination On
his trip to California, Mr.. BlaXston made
provisions for relays of horses, eighteen
of which will be ready for his return.
FVho foo of tho lind
plated by Mr.. Blaxstun, was that per-
formed by Mr.. F. X Aubrey, who passed
from Santa Fe to Independence, $50 miles,
in 60 hours. Mr. Aubrey then offered
to bet twenty thousand dollars that ne
would make the trip in So hours.
Mr.. Blaxstun, who must be deemed
something of hero in advance of his cele-
brated exploit, has been resident for
many years of Independence, and was
born in Meiggs county, Tennessee. He
appears about 81 years of age, is of mid
die ST ture, weighs perhaps 80 pounds,
and looks capable of more than ordinary
endurance. Should the proposed feat be
it will attract universal at
tention throughout the Union, and exer-
else very material influence upon the
projects of telegraph and mail stage
route across the continent. -.....
The transportation of letter mails over
land between California and Missouri, is
a question that has as yet scarcely attract
ed the notice it deserves. There are
those capable of giving sound opinion IN
the matter, who assert that mails can
be carried in less time by this route than
is possible by any of the Ocean Ines..-
We learn that project to convey the
mails overland by stage between Sacra-
mento and Independence, has been so far
favored by parties in this State that pro-
posals will be submitted at the next ses-
sion of Congress for doing the service,
at an expenditure less than required for
present facilities, and providing weekly
more frequent intercourse.
A great excitement prevailed at Santa
Barbara in regard to the Kern River
mines. Numbers had left their various
occupations and gone there. The miners
were averaging from $10 to $25 per day.
Rich specimens of quartz and fine gold
have been exhibited. The gold regions
are reported to be very extensive.
number of teams have left Santa Barbara
with provisions for the diggings, it being
the nearest point to the mines, and only
one and half days travel over an excel
lent wagon road.
Coop OMEN. The Nevada Journal
the people Of that place on
The steady decrease of gambling in their