The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-05

q
letter from q recent traveller across the Plains,
which contains good deal of interesting informa-
ton. The writer left Salt Lake City the 18th Of
May, at which time business was very dull, and the
ther and the destruction of almost everything by
the grasshoppers Many of the fields Of wheat were
entirely eaten of, and the ground looked as bare AZ
when II was frst ploughed. Even with the most
fourth Of an average, the grasshoppers were in
creasing and the weather dry.
Mr.. Holman, District Attorney of the United
States for Utah. was left at South Platte. He is
his way to Washington, and is bearer Of dispatches
from Colonel Steptoe to the War Department.
The roads were in fine condition, but the grass
was very poor until the party got to Fort Brdger,
beyond the grasshopper region.
No Indians or whites were met on the road until
the party reached Sweetwater. There they found
some thirty or forty persons exploring for gold,
where It is supposed it will be found in pretty large
quantities.
Gold signs were seen and particles of gold had
been found, but not In qualities satisfactory to seek
r.. They were MT work however, very theoretically,
ontdent Of full success Mr.. G. l.. Craig, Of St.
oseph, was at the head of the principal party all of
' hom were Mormons from the Valley, and were in
,ustriously engaged ut damming and turning the
ed of the. Sweetwater, which is the most speedy
way of coming at the object of their hopes: This
nterprise had been undertaken little below where
trawberry creek empties into the Sweetwater. This
portion of the Indian country where would
fear many Indian troubles as any other. In fact
few miles below, at Devils Gate and Independence
Rock, the traders were very much alarmed, having
had several threats from the Indians about the time
we passed. Every animal about Independence Rock
had been stolen by the Sioux.
saw letter to c. l.. Craig, from one Of the gold
seekers, who was about one hundred miles from the
body of the party, and the DEVILS Gate which
stated that he had found large quantities of silver
and that man in that vicinity had taken $40 worth
of gold in day.
gold will he found in the Sweetwater country. Num-
bers of the emgrants last year found it in passing
up that beautiful stream. l saw and brought home
some of it with me.
Gold has also been discovered on the Medicine
Bow stream southwest of Fort Laramie.
A band of two hundred Arrapaho Indians were
encamped short distance from Medicine Bow river.
Indian trader that they were waiting the arrival of
the troops from the States, and If war took place
between the Sioux Indians and the troops, they in
tended to join the strongest party.
Emigrarts were first met at Platte Bridge, about
the 9th of June. They were in good health, and
getting along well. The Sioux had stolen twelve
horses from them at Ash Hollow.
Indians were first seen ut Deer Creek, where the
mountaineers, half breeds and friendly Sioux In
dams, returning to Platte Bridge to build fort for
the protection Of his bridge.
At Leabonte Creek, about fifty miles above Lara.
mie, near the trading post Oh that stream we met
small war party of Sioux, who let us pass without
interruption. They informed us that they were i'm
patiently waiting for the United States troops to ar
rive and had stated that if they did not arrive within
ten days they would not come at ALL or did not in
tend to come and that they intended to kill every
white man they found on the road from Laramie to
Devils Gate. mentioned this threat to several Of
the old traders as / came down, who seemed to
place but little confidence OF their carrying 1t into
execution.
We proceeded towards Laramie on the upper road
and while we were encamped about twenty miles
his side of Leabonte party of Sioux came up to
20 ofr horse
very closely, and proposed several trades with us,
which we refused. We made them small present
of flour. They then told us that on that day they
had seen portion of the savage band in the vicinity
who murdered the soldiers Of Laramie, and that
they had lodged out Of their way. They warned us
to be on our guard as they satisfied Of the bad
intentions Of that party. We took the hint. Fear
ing more from those who were warning us than
from those whom We were warned against having
doubt that it was the intention OF the Indians to
come upon that night and steal our horses-we
left and encamped until after dark, and after short
rest started and travelled all night lodging their
evil intention. Arrived at Fort Laramie on the
18th, found few lodges of friendly Sioux encamp-
cd near Ward X Garin's We were informed that
sixty lodges OF Sioux were encamped at Ash Hollow,
waiting until the troops came up, but did not see
hem; we saw only one at that point, who seemed
TO be watching the road
We had in company with us man by the name
Thompson. from San Francisco, who said his
home was in Philadelphia, from which city he had
been absent for five years, and where lie had fami
ly. This man was travelling alone when we over
took him, very bare of clothing without money nor
had he anything to cat. ! first saw him at Salt
Lake, he had then just arrived from California; he
lett the Valley some time before us, and up to the
time we overlook him he had travelled alone. He
had eaten but'a few times, going as much as three
days at time without anything This man we
took in as one of our party; he encamped with us
at Ash Hollow, and as usual, when we were about
brca king up camp, he started in advance of us.
After we had started and travelled a short dis
lance, seeing the single Indian on the watch, it
caused inquiry for Thompson. We looked for his
track and missed it; we went back and found that
he had taken IA road which led to crossing lower
down on the South Platte. We, however, supposed
that it led around the HILL and that it fell into the
road short distance ahead; after this time we did
not see or hear anything Of him, though we made
every inquiry possible.
We met emigrating parties Mt the crossing of the
South Platte, who were from Illinois and Southwest
ern Missouri, getting on well. Met Major Eddy at
O'Fallons Bluff, getting on well. The grass was
good from the head of Platte to that point. The
immense numbers of buffalo from there to within
Met Woodward h Marshalls corn train near Cotton.
wood Springs; Majors and Russell first train, thir.
tyfive miles above Fort Kearney, getting on well;
and also Mr.. Patterson. in charge of train for
Passed Messrs. Ward & Guernier and Major
Gratiot's trains laden with fnrs coming down same
day; they were bound for Fort Leavenworth. Met
Majors Il Russell's second train at Fort Kearney,
where il had been lying for ten days, q number OF
their cattle stampedcd with the buffalo.
Left Fort Kearney on 25th; met the Dutch train
of California and wagon emigrants at point ten
miles below, in good health. Between Kearney and
the Blues, met several trains of Mormon emigrants.
No sickness on the road except amongst the Nor
mons. One of the Texas trains had lost thirty by
cholera. Met Gilbert and Garish the Little Blue.
and 7. $. Williams u Co.'s train at Big Blue; all
well.
The number Of emigrants on the road this year,
and cattle for California and Oregon very small
and the whole of the cattle will not number four
thousand head.
We had comparatively very fortunate trip, until
we were within one days drive of this city, when
our highly esteemed friend and fellow-citizen, Mr..
James +. Loan, who went out and returned with us,
was taken suddenly and violently i'll OF cholera. He
died in few hours.
In the death of Mr.. Loan. Platte county has lost
one OF its most moral, upright and honorable young
men, and his wife devoted husband.
SCHUYLER CoUSrY.-The population Of this new
-. aax