The weekly Butte record., 1858-10-23

!
Passing the Ford, the road became rough auf
rocky. The mountains always have the SAINT
black volcanic look. Passed three trains O
cattle with several emigrants. At our eve
ming camp. old Nim-i-tu-soh, grand chief O
the Shoshones, came in naked. He is large
bodied. wlde-mouthed, ugly looking fellow and
only wished for a shirt.
AT l6 miles above Gravelly Ford, we pass
ed another mail from Salt Lake, conducted by
John Mayfeld. At sunset, we started out tc
travel by the light OF the young moon through
seven mile canon. 1t was not very rough
road, though it required careful driving. The
moon went down at nine, but it continued
warm and pleasant till quite late. We camp
ed at ten z. NJ. 35 miles, to-day
l4th-At daylight, started off over good
but dusty road till s A. NJ, when we stopped
and made coffee. By the wayside, we passed
the hot springs, boiling and steaming Sage
hens are abundant also rabbits. All this val
ley is covered with any quantity of grass. We
picked up broken down mule, left by the mail
yesterday, but after driving it e few miles, were
obliged to leave the poor thing TO cat grass OF
be eaten by Indians 1t is rather dull times
some ofus are getting rather tired of the long
drives nights and days. Tonight. we are
camped mile from the river, e5 miles above
Gravelly Ford. There are no prettier camp
ing grounds in the world than are to be found
on this river. The only timber is small viii.
lows, but there is plenty of wood for camp
hres. fine sweet water and good grass. AT
sunset, were off again, and had not proceeded
far, ere the front guard cried out Close up
close upl Indians Indians," and then there
was yell and rush for arms but we were
greatly reli we'd to see that w were only ap-
preaching camp of emigranis, who thought
to frighten US little by yelling like devils.
They were very unwfse in this, for some of our
party were about firing into them. They were
AZ men a1d 10 women, and told us to expect a
fight soon, as less than an hour since they saw
fifty Indians cross the road TO the right on
horseback. at the very spot where the mail
was robbed last time. After examining our
firearms. we closed up and went on to small
island in the river, which is here becoming a
small stream, and which formed triangular
field. two SIDES of which were protected by the
river. A double guard was placed and an
anxious night was passed, but no further alarm
occurred.
15th-At daylight we were off and made l6
miles to the foot of Rocky canon, where we
ate breakfast by the side of Rocky canon
creek in beautiful valley with plenty of hare,
sage hens, coyotes, &c. There was small
patch Of old snow on the mountains to the
right. We have now reached the head waters
of the Humboldt, along whose banks we have
travelled some 335 miles. 1t is a remarkable
river, and more sinuous than snake. Its val
ley is not wide, but 1t runs all over it, drab-
ling back upon it in every form. Were its
IL. Al i 1
ceed 100 miles. When the rains fall it over
flows it banks and becomes roaring torrent.
Its waters. from the sink up, hundred miles
or more, are brackish from the immense guam
titles of alkali that abounds in the soil, but as
you ascend it, the waters become pure and
iimpid, and very refreshing to thirsty travellers.
We are waiting here under the shade of the
willows, while Jerome Davis ami Ira mend the
wagon. Half the company are asleep. The
sun is hot the wind is like zephyr. There
must be great elevation to this valley. The
mountains do not seem to be very high, but
they have bleak, desolate appearance, with
only few green spots, as If just laid bare by
recently melted SHOWS. 1t is pleasant coun-
try to look at in the day time, but the nights
are dismally cold, and the whole place perfect
ly inhospiable. What object will this coun-
try ever subserve, except as a highway for
passengers to hurry over? Who knows?
Our supper camp was at a beautiful spring,
the head waters of the west branch of The
Humboldt. To reach it, We came through
Rocky canon, rugged road full of boiling,
bubbing springs. The valley before us is a
fine camping ground.
AT sunset, started out, and, walking up a
three mile HILL descended into Thousand Spring
valley, where we camped at 10 p. NJ. To
night signalized my watch by falling into the
brook.
On the 10th, at Alkali Spring. met the
Sixth Regiment of Infantry. under Col. An
drews and COL Hoffman The command con-
ssts of $50 privates. teamsiers and others,
amounting to 1000 men, and 156 wagons.
drawn by 1000 animals, bound for Oregon by
way of Benicia. They were followed by l25
beef cattle, and band of $50 head of mules.
We met them in camp sixteen miles from
Goose creek. The object of going by this
route is to avoid the deep SHOWS on the Fort
Hall road We have seen no Indians to-day.
Tonight, at sunset. we were in sight of the
dreaded Goose creek mountains, whee we
have been told TO expect an attack. We
camped in a little valley on q fork of Goose
creek.
1Ith-Drove out of the little valley early.
through very rocky canon. breaking both
hounds of the mail carriage. and rendering it
perfectly unmanageable. Dragging it four
miles further, we camped TO eat, and arrange
for the new difficulties that beset US. Having
packed all our traps upon one stage, and di-
vided the company. leaving three of the party
and four mules to take care Of the broken car
riage. we travelled on to the foot of the Goose
creek mountains, and stopped there to devise
ways and means. After extingulshlng the
fire in the grass, which the wind was driving
with great furry. it was decided to send an ex-
press for mules to the next station, or to meet
Mr. Hunt, who was reported to be on the road
Just beyond the mountains, with fresh animals
Our mules were nearly worn out. Some Of
them have come from the Sink, over 400 miles
and all of them over 250. We could not pro-
ceed much further without a relay, and we
were still over 200 miles from Salt Lake. Mr.
Long was to ride the express. and | was to GO
across the mountains with him to bring back
the extra mule he would ride to the summit.
The Goose creek mountains do not seem to
be high hut they are singular in their forma-
ton. Many of the SUBMITS being isolated
with steep PERCEPTIONS sides and fiat tops, like
tables, growing scrub cedars in small quanti
ties. 1t was called seven miles to the summit
There were two or three bad places, but they
were short. Plenty of water bursting out ii