The Nevada journal., 1855-02-16

Here there is spring in which persol
cannot sink.
1t is twenty-five miles over to the Colorad
river.
Road somewhat uneven, but not bad.
Distance to-day twenty-five miles withou
water.
Wednesday, Dec. 13th.-Left Vegas river a
half-past l a. m, camped at 7 a. M, goo
bunch grass, no water so far to-day. and W
have travelled twenty-three miles. Starte,
again at halfpast 10 p. m and camped on th
Muddy river at half-p past D. m.
Distance to-day 81 miles, without water
road uneven, grass good.
| Thursday, Dec, I4th.--This morning fiy
Indians came into camp, and wished to trade
blankets, &c; we gave them some tobacco
ihere Is some good land here. The Indians
raise corn, wheat, pumpkins, &c.
Lett camp at ga. M, camped on the Ric
Virgin at p. m
The road to-day has been bad, there being
some very steep hills. An empty Wagon
would be load enough for four mules.
Distance to day 25 miles without water.
Friday, Dec, l5th.--Started this morning al
o'clock. We have followed the Rio Virgin
up to its source. Camped at 6 D. m.; road fair
Distance to day 33 miles, The Muddy river
empties into the Rio Virgin, and the latter in
to the Colorado.
Saturday, Dec. l6th.-The road for the first
htteen miles has been gradual ascent, and the
last ten uneven and bad. No water to day.
Campedon the Santa Clara River. Twelve
miles below the Mormons are building house.
The Indians have three corn fields on the.
river, abont ~ acres in all, one Of which wi
are encamped in.
There are few cottonwood trees on this
river, which is the first timber we have seen.
Sunday, Dec. l7th.-Camped at the Noun
tam Springs, which is also called the Rim of
the Basin. The road to day has been bad, be-
ing. quite rough. Distance to day, IS miles
without water. The land in this vicinity
would produce well if there was water to irri-
gate with.
Monday, December l8th.--Camped at Iron
Springs. Distance, to day, 43 miles, No wa
ter to day, but plenty ice,
Tuesday, Dec. l9th.-Arrived at Cedar
City, on Coal creek, this morning, the first of
the Mormon settlement.
Here iron ore is found. and the Mormons
expect to manufacture iron in the course of q
month. Coal is also found here.
This place is surrounded by an adobe wall
ten feet high and from two to three feet thick
There are about one hundred families here.
whose farms are three or four miles off, which
are said to produce corn, wheat, oats barley.
&C., the land being irrigated All the timber
here is a few small cedar trees.
From the San Bernadino to Cedar CITY.
there is probably not 1000 acres of good land /,
all in one body alllthere i. is situate | on the
Vegas, Muddy, ard Santa Clara rivers; and
there is no timber except few cottonwood
trees on the Santa Clara. There are no streams
that require bridging. The road from the Rim
of the Basin to this place is splended
the Vegas to the Rim of the Basin it is quite
rough, that is, it is up and down.
We came through with nine mules. Mr..
Leach IS OF opinion that wagon and six mules
would have come through easier.
You will see by what | have ulreadv writ
ten, that there are stretches of 80 to SO miles
without water, Four or five artesian wells
would probably be all that would be required
We crossed small mountains almost every dav
through canons.
If this route should become much travelled
it would be difficult TO find grass for animals
for the whole country is nearly oil desert,
producing nothing but little sage bush or
greese wood
BY next Express / will finish copying nv
diary, but in the meantime would remark, that
the road from Cedar Creek to this place is
very good one, about three streams recurring
bridges Yours, truly,
FELIX TRACY, Jr.