The Trinity journal., 1856-02-16

From the Alleghananies to the Sierra Ne
vadas---Crossing the Plains---Adventure
with the Indians---B Effects of Imagination.
BY EVELYN.
The discovery of gold in California gave
rise to vast number of schemes Of spccu-
lation, which only resulted in the ruin of
the souls, bodies and fortunes of those by
whom they were undertaken. The desire of
cmigratng, intruded itself upon the quiet
farms, busy workshops, and secluded Gresdes
of every portion of the Union, and every
other interest or pursuit was either forgot
ten or neglected by multitudcs, whose only
anxiety was to reach those precious mines
where a fortune, it was supposed, could be
amaSseG almost in single day. The hap
pincsS of numbereSs families was thus either
sadly interrupted or forever destroyed, and
the fate of thousands who pcrished, or of
tens of thousands who failed to secure the
object of their wishes was too often over
looked by succeeding bands of adventures,
whose bright hopes and brilliant prospects
were built upon the unboundcd success of
few individuals. Such, partially at least,
was the case with the party of which l. un-
fortunately was member.
Leaving our mountain homes in the bo-
som Of the Allcghanics, in the Springof IS,
we commenced our overland journey to the
El Dorado of the Pacific With two or
three exceptions, we were unaccustomcd to
that description of travel, which calls into
exercise every energy of which our nature
is capable, and as we were whirled with
lightning speed on the railroad car in the
direction of the frontier, we little antcpa-
ted the weary months of veXation, which
must be endured before our jouncys-cnd
could be reached
The inccssant stream Of travel which is
constantly pouring over these mighty thor
oughGares of the West, together with the
changing scenery, exhibited like panora-
ma to our yicw,-its beauty heightened by
the charms of spring, afforded an infinite
subject of observation and remark Arr-
wing at Toledo as the western train was
leaving, and finding twelve passenger cars
crowded to sulocaton, one Of our number
fastened an empty car to the rear of the
train, and taking his stand on the platform
with one of Colts pcrSHddcrS in hand, in
duced the conductor to open the doors,
which was no sooner done than the car was
filled to repletion, with as motcly group
as ever wendcd their way to the western
country Merchants were there with their
market prices, hoosierS with their rifles, EN-
igrants with their children, ladies', lads and
lasses of every description, all apparently
intent upon the same object that of reach
ing, as soon as possible, that repository of
so much that is good and evil, beautiful and
sad, bright and dreary, the great West
On reaching st. Louis, however prepare
tons were to be made in earnest for our trip
Guns knives, blankets and ammunition, to-
gether with other articles of outfit necessa-
ry were procured.
Our party, when united on the frontier,
Eas twelve in number two of whom, Hart
and Ross, owned the train we accompanied,
conducting the cattle, wagons, &c. to Cali
fornia by way of speculattOn. 1t has Of
ten been remarked that journey across the
Plains, more than anything else, reveals the
inmoSt rccesScs of human nature, and it GER
tainly proved most true in our own expert
cnce. The perlS and Inconvenience to which
the traveller is exposed, afford him an excel
lent opportunity Of testing his powers of en-
durancc. The restraints to which men are
subject, in greater or less degree, in all
civilized communities are unfclt and disre-
garded, while passion instead Of reason is
too often assumed as the rule of action
We were not long in discovering that a set
OF men could scarcely by ordinary means
have been shuOled together, more diverse or
adverse in character, taste, and disposition,
than our own company 1t is not probable
that we should have travelled one hundred
miles together, had it not been for the in
flexible perseverance and determination of
Hart, who was our leader, together with the
confidence that al felt in his ability to con
duet us through in safety. Having perform
ed the journey number Of times previous
ly, and being naturally fitted for such po-
siton, our confidence was not misplaced, nor
our expectations in regard to him, disap-
pointed Our little party was gracco, or ra-
ther dis-graced by the presence of passed
ttltf.