The Cedar County advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Iowa) 1853-1856, 1854-06-03
Letter from California.
pAcrRy,l,r. ELpoaApo Co.
) C.LrroRNrA, April %, '54

|
,errupted by my absence. strollIng over
the country, | wish to give you descf'p-
ton OF launt among the hills, that vas
made by a friend and myself short time
since.
During the pas, two weeks | have been
riding over the country and viewing some
of the mos, magnificent mountain scene
ry in the world. BY the way, would IN
form your readers that this State furnish
es many picturesque scenes, unsurpassed
in grandeur or effect by any on the con-
,inent. On Tuesday, 18Th April, with
an early start, we, i. e. my ''eompagnon
de pouage," Wash. Stout, and self, noun
ted our nags to visit the new discovered
"digglns" of Iowa HILL i'll Placer co, on
the bank of the North Fork OF the Rio
! de los Americanos The morning was
cool and pleasant, with slight appear
ance Of rain, the sun occasionally shone
forth from behind the mass OF clouds
which embodied it, the evergreens were
clothed in their brightest vernal green,
whilst we galloped cheerily on, every
thing indicating an agreeable time Ion
our Journey. We soon descended the
mountain to the South Fork of the Amer
lean, crossed Oh fine substantial bridge,
aud commenced the to!some ascent OF
kelsey's hill--dismount,pg, we led our
horses up the steep hill side. After rest.
ing several times, we at length, blowing
like porpoises and reeking with perspl-
ration. reach the top, and don our coats
for another ride. May Jacobs ladder
nee be half SO hard for you to climb, is
the wish of many Cedar boys in the gold
p!acers. think there is now solourning
in sunny Upton, transient gold-seekers
whose legs and lungs would bear testi-
mony to the fatigue oi crossing over
Jordon," a, Chiian Bar. How is it,,
Dan; did it no, make one Charley "cave
IN" and tue other pull aud sweara We
passed through Kelsey's Camp via. Peru
to Georgetown. The hills acre dotted
with ranches, with the young grain IN
fine condition, enhancing in beauty the
prospect oil the country. We arrived al
Georgetown IN time 10 parahe Of an ex-
celLen, dinner While our horses were
eating. we tool, walk around the vii
Iage. This - the most pleasantly Local
ted town III the mining region. The old
town was destroyed by fire. The cl,-
zens bail, on top O! hIll, laying oat the
streets wide and regularly, the houses be-
! ing large and councillors.
Leaving town, We take road On the moan
tair ridge. leailHg 10 the crossings Of the MI
die Fork Of he American at Spanish Bar and
Canton Creek. We lake CaIon trail our road
rapidly conveyed until Il terminated in mule
patti, which descended the side If the mountain.
We again Tad 10 ahght. and lead our horses
down the narrow trail ], III many places false
step would have precipitaed IL thousand feet
on the rocks in the river below, neither be-
ing good place to 'drap on Crossed IN
bridge sixty feet above the water; it " As OH
SOLID rock abutments, ana is the tenth one the
enterprlsang owners has built Ia four years, the
others beng carried OF By high water In fine.
the bridge al Spanish Bar was swept away du
rng the tune We were visiting that section Of
tie country. We assembled thu hill III one hour
and aalf, hating every few moments to breathe
ourselves Fer the knowing ones, vii saw.
thai the hills Here three times as long and steep
as the Kelsey hill While they we're fifty times
more dangerous. Wash DECLARED It was sum,
hill 70 ctimb-vhlls our appearance no doubt
Indicated complete Immersion, thoroughly
had orr pores beea opened. Mounting our 70
MES We rode slowly forward TO the sort. Star
Ranch, KEEP by a Ma4aoketa man, and rcceir-
ed cordial welcome, our vans were supplied;
We retired early, TO refresh in "rired Natures
sweet restorer, Balny Sleep"
Wednesday, lglh-It vas raining gently !
when " turned out, and the leaaen hue oF the
skies showed there vas more in store for US
We included to Wait until 100 !. before pro-
cesdlng to Iowa I'LL, stu twe've miles distant,
Our host beng All old friend Of nv companion.
left hun N charge Of the bar, dlFin. inc fore
noon. foh can suppose Inc qIaultty Of "H4ba-
mas smoked, with e IA srJus IDfrtny nmants
VI Tie PiedGe Waist or ql,altia I.aI ord
"as - office, 70 sfo. ms dex. efiy, IA lst break
bottle OF fine old Canag.
Having cleared Up, ~, after dinner, proceed