Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-08-07
UPPER CALIFORNIA.

TINS CITY Will TIC iViAo"AiS CAooSsS VI " AS''~A
received from Assistant Surgeon Josiah Simp-
son, of the Army, stationed at Fort Humboldt,
on Humboldt Bay, on the Pacific Coast, 23O
miles above San Francisco, which, as they
contain some facts of interest, may not prove
unacceptable to our readers.
FoRr HUMBOLDT, CAL.,)
May 3lst, 1855.
my DEAR BRorHER:-Yours of Febru-
airy End, with enclosures reached me March
Both. We were very glad to hear from you, as
it had been long time since we had heard from
St Paul, except through the newspaper which
reaches us regularly, and gives us little IN
sight into what is going OH there.
Judging from all accounts, times are far bet
ter with YOU than they are IN this part OF TIE
world Business of every kind is completely
Frustrated on this Bay, and indeed | might say
all through California. Lumber is SO low that
the companies have failed, and most of the
mills on the Bay have stopped running. The
men that were employed in them have nearly
all gone to the mines; most Of them with one
and some with two years wages due them.
We have had quite pleasant winter; not
as much rain as usually falls. This spring,
however, the rain has been abundant. Every
thing now looks green and luxuriant. For the
last two weeks we have been feasting on "Sal-
mon berries" and cream. This berry is Pc
culiar TO this part of the country, and is some-
times called the Humboldt raspberry, from its
resemblance to that fruit. 1t is of an orange
color and is much larger than the common
blackberry. The bushes grow some ten or
twelve feet in height and are almost like trees.
We have an abundance ofthem about the Bay
/ am trying to get some of the seeds to send
home. Strawberries are rather scarce, but
blackberries grow in abundance. Whortleber-
ries also grow in great profusion.
In January and February was absent some
three weeks on the klamath river, at the point
where the Territory joins it. l accompanied
Captain Judah, who was sent there to quell
some Indian disturbances. This was the first
time had ever been in a mining district.
tried my hand little at gold washing and
washed out some fifty cents worth. From the
little experience had, am Of the opinion the
miner richly earns his money.
The Indians here are different in ereru re-
spect from those we met with east of the noun
tains. From their features, habits, &c.,
should say they were of Asiatic origin, and l
have very little doubt but their ancestors came
from that part of the world.
Captain Floyd Jones, who has been promo.
ted TO one Of the companies at this Fort, is now
on the klamath with party of thirty men, and
one officer, Lieut.. Rundell, moving the upper
klamath Indians to a reservation that has been
established on the lower part Of the Klamath
river. A Fort will, have no doubt, be loca-
ted On the upper portion of the reserve, and in
all probability be garrisoned by one or both
from here Col. Buchanan las been
promoted, but is still here.
Although still like this climate and find it
cool and healthy, yet we have too much fog du-
ring the summer to make it desirable locali-
~ for persons with sensitive lungs. The lower
part of California. about San Diego, from all
can learn, would, think, suit --'s consti- |
tuition exactly.
With this will send you transcript from
my Meteorological Register, which will give
you an idea of the equableness of our climate. |
BY ii You will perceive that the average height
of the thermometer in November was so 80;
in December, AZ rs; in January, 46 SO; in
February, 81 So; in March, SO Al in April,
50; in May, 81 20. Quantity of rain fall
en- during three months respectively, 0.9S of an
i nch, LIS, $50, AS, $50, $40, $50. (By
a previous letter, dated November lst, 1854,
Doctor S. states the average height of the
thermometer to have heen in June, 59.45; in
July, 57.SS; in August, $500; in September,
5S.4l; in October, 53.S7. Quantity of rain
fallen in June, 0.69, July, August and Sep
TENDER, none October, 1863. According to
this the average height Of the thermometer from
March Is. to August 3lst, 1854, was months,
1919; and from September LIST, 1854, to Feb. |
2Sh. 1855, six months, 81 SO showing an |
average difference of only 5.26 degrees in the
temperature Of the spring and summer months
and the fall and winter months This is GER
family rcry remarkable The same data make
the average temperature of the rholc year from
March 1st, 1851, to February 2Sth, 1855, to
have been 54.16.)
Captain Cram of your corps is now at San
Francisco, and has just been announced as the
Chief Of that branch of the Staff in this depart
mcnt. General Wool is now on tour of in
spection in Oregon, and expects to be absent
one month"
- Have VIC nm Agricultural Society among So"
The Chairman of the Executive Committee of the
Minnesota Agricultural Society, has the pleasure
to inform the Agricultural Editor Of the St. An
thony Republican, that We have ga Minnesota
Agricultural Society among us'' at this time, and
that if We take the speeches made at the last an
nual meeting by the officials and ex-oficials of
said society as evidence, the society is'in most
Aourishing condition. As to the much talked of
Territorial Fair, it is likely to follow in the wake
of the promises made to furnish the means to sus-
tain Incorporate in thin air. The Agricultural
Editor of the St. Anthony Republican, may rest
assured that the Chairman of the Executive Com