San Andreas independent., 1856-12-27
For the San Andreas Independent
a "Trip to the Big Tree i,s Winter.

Nr. Editor:-On Thursday, the 14th
December young man with buoyant heart
left Murphy, $, on visit to the :" Worlds $
Wonder the Mammoth Tree Grove"
Situated fifteen miles from Murphy's in
an easterly direction.) The first four miles
of his journey W S through deep noun
tain gorge, slightly ascending all the way,
nothing daunted he pursued his course
through the dense forest,-th beauty of
the scenery cheered him on his way. One
mile farther, brought the traveller to saw
mil, curiosity led him to examine its
operation-he learned that the mill was
one Of the most extensive in the State, be-
ing propelled by steam and sometimes
turning out $4,000 feet of lumber in
day. The logs for miles around, are
brought to the mill by cars rs;-think of
that, Rdilrodd in the mountains
Resuming his journey he encountered
snow, which was a new impediment; yet,
he waded through it; the farther he went
the deeper it became, and when he reached
the Grove, he found from three and half
to five feet of snow 1t was storming-
night had cast her sable mantle on all
around no sound was heard save the
winds shrill blast twas cold, bitter cold;
wet and weary he reached the door of
building, which by mistake was taken for
the Hotel. Tremblingly he tried the
door, but it was locked-hc knocked and
no answer was given him suffering with
cold he tried the window one ray of light
twas open, he entered softly, and CROPPED
about in the darkness for half an hour:
what a dreary prospect. Nothing to
strike light with, and no matches to
kindle FIRE; all his hands could touch
were rum bottles and rum kegs, to
which he had a particular repugnance,
being temperance man-passlonate and
trembling with cold he threw himself on a
lounge (Which still remained in the bar
room) to pass the night, in the best man
ner possible, under the circumstances
Such lodging was hard fare indeed, espe-
cially for Poet. Ere sleep had closed his
eyes the bark Of dog was heard. Thank
Heaven, there is some one near here, ex-
claims he, and rising from hisrude COUCH
he went out facing the storm, vending his
way in the direction of the bark, in few
minutes he found himself by warm fire
relating his adventures. In an hour after
he was locked in the pleasant embrace of
Morpheus on much easier cot than his
previous one. During the night sixteen
inches of snow fell, making from FIVE to
six feet of the article by morning This
was too deep a snow for small man to
walk through (not being able to go in to
the Groves 50 the proprietor of the House
kindly hitched up his horses and gave
the lost wanderer sleigh-ride for several
miles (sleigh-riding is something every
man can't enjoy in California; after ten
dering his compliments, for the ride, he
took " Wade & Walkers line" for Muir
phys, where he arrivedat nightfall, pleased
that his tramp was ended, yet disgusted at
his trip;-who would mt be-to walk thirty
miles in winters snow, to see an object
and then be disappointed Reader this
yictimis poet and temperperance man.
"I'he New York Temperance Lecturer, :
BYRON, JR.
The largest standing tree, in the Grove, is
the Hercules it is $50 feet high and l07 feet in
cireumference-it would make 725,000 feet Of.
lumber. The largest perfectt tree has been cut
down, 1t took five men twenty-five days to fell
It which was done by boringl-on its stump is
onllt Ball Alley-the length of the tree was
$40 feet; circumference e5 feet. and it il judged
to be 5000 years old