The Nevada Democrat., 1857-07-08

THE VALLEYS OF WESTERN UTAH-Through
the politeness of a gentleman for a long time
well acquainted with affairs in Carson Valley
and its dependencies, the Calaveras Chronicle is
enabled to lay before its readers a correct
statement Of the population, number of families
and an approximate estimate of the agricultural
resources Of that section of Utah territory
which has Of late, become of so much interest
to California merchants, as a link connecting
our coast with the trade and commerce of Salt
Lake.
On the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada
mountains, to the westward of the Humbolt
desert, and Immediately on the line of emigrant
travel, besides Carson, there are three other
inhabited valleys:-Wassau, Jacks and Eagle.
Wassau is separated from Carson by low
range Of sandhills which extend in a southeast
erly direction from the Sierra Nevada noun
tains; in northerly direction, it is nearly a
half days travel from Genoa, and is traversed
by the Honey Lake road. This valley is fifteen
miles long by three miles wide; the soil is a
rich alluvium, washed from the surrounding
mountains; and carpeted with the most luxurant
wild grasses. Ia the center is the beautiful
Lake NASSAU, four miles in length by q mile in
width. 1t is watered by small streams, that
flow in every direction from the neighboring
mountains, and is settled by twenty-five families
numbering one hundred and fifty souls. Each
of these families possess good farm, with Q
considerable portion in cultivation. There is
saw-mill in Wassau which furnishes to the
settlements excellent building material, at more
reasonable rates than the same quality could
be bought any where in California. The inhab-
itauts are all Mormons. Allowing to each fam
lily l60 acres of land, this valley is capable of
furnishing 164 families with homes; or more
than six times its present population.
Jacks Valley is small nook embracing a
couple thousand acres, situated northwest and
within one hours travel of Carson Valley. 1t
is inhabited by nine Mormon families, number
ing population of so. they are all engaged
in agriculture and grazing, drawing their sup
plies of lumber &c. from Genoa
Eagle Valley contains ten Mormon and four
Gentle families, with population of 80
Carson Valley. proper, contains IL Gentle
and 20 Mormon families, numbering populo-
tion of 225. In Carson there are two sawmills
and one grst-mll. Besides these settlements,
| there are sevrael families located in Gold Canon,
with some so or 60 single men engaged in min
ing. So that the aggregate population Of the
country. exclusive of Indians and Chinese, ap.
proaches closely to six hundred. The present
population of Carson Valley is not the one
tenth Of what it is capable of sustaining. There
! arc dJ ledSJ OUU IulleS VI IIbI Tdtc val
ley land in this valley, situated in long, mar
row strip, with timber on tue contiguous hills
and water for irrigation, on every farm.
Mr.. Farrell, one of the proprietors of a flour
ing-ml in course Of erection, reports that in
all these valleys there are now growing 1900
acres of wheat: which, at the low average of Is
bushels to the acre, will yield 27,000 bushels;
or, s, 400 barrels of -four. He predicates his
estimate upon actual observation. and does not
overrate the number of acres. There is also,
cur informant says, a large crop of barley sown
and Indian corn planted, which are in prom
ising condition. The number Of acres he is not
able to report.
But small portion of the good grazing land
of these vallys is yet fenced or claimed. Enough
remains open to afford pasturage for many
thousand cattle; and it is here that the cmi-
grant, the California and Salt Lake traders and
stock drivers find the ready means Of recruiting
their wornout animals or exchanging them al
fair discount, for such as are fresh and fat
During the summer there is generally several
thousand head of emigrant cattle grazed here;
and. it often happens that those who reach the
eastern slope of the mountains too late to ven
ture over with OK teams, leave their wagons
and cattle in the valley for the winter; as it
seldom occurs that the severity of the weather
destroys the means of subsistence for sock
| From the above it appears that these valleys
are, at no distant day destined to become popu-
lous and wealthy; for every element of wealth
and independence is within the grasp ofindustry
at the cheapest rates. They will extend them
selves north and east, along the public thor
oughfares, wherever an eligible situation for
settlement is presented. At the head of the
Humbolt $50 miles farther east; and on Goose
Creek, still 60 miles beyond the Humbolt, ma
ture has spread out her garniture to bid for the
labor of the enterprising and industrious. We
predict that Carson Valley will soon become
the depot of trade for the merchants Of Utal
and of California; and that settlements of 6
kindred character will dot the entire route
thence to Salt Lake.