The Placer herald., 1858-10-30
Editorial Correspondence.
NOME LACKEE INDIAN RESERVATION.
October 18th 1873 {

to country newspaper life, we found ourselt,
after three days journeying from the capital
of old Placer, comfortably eusccnced at the
headquarters of this Reserve of "Unce Sam"
the guest of friend Geiger, the popular and
hospitable agent of the domain.
The trip has been pleasant in its incidents
with the exception of deep dust and high
winds between Marysvile and Chico, which
completely disguised ourself and travelling
companion (Capt. Lovely and bid fair to
compel us to swallow that peck of dirt in a
few hours that popular credence admits of
being taken in lifetime. But that "h ard
road to travel" has been passed, and having
relieved our begrimed faces, by copious ablu
ton, Of the heavy deposits Of the Feather
river bottom alluvial, we can afford to look
upon that portion of the journey as no great
hardship after all.
The first days travel hitherward, over the
undulating prairie country of Placer and
Sutter counties, brought us to to the hand
some city of MarysvIe and after booking at
that fine establishment, the Haun House, had
few hours of leisure to note the growth
and improvements that have taken place
since our former visit, which, be it remem-
bered, dates back to November, 1852, when
after day of discomfort on an overcrowded
little "wheel barrow steamboat" we stepped
upon the muddy plaza of the aspiring lit
tie city. Marysvle has changed somewhat
since that time; the temporary frame shells
and shake-down houses have given place to
long blocks and streets of handsome brick
ediices, that are creditabe to the taste and
industry of the people, and convincing evil
dence of their prosperity. Dwellings, taste
full and costly in their character, surrounded
with shrubbery and fruit trees, the abodes of
independence and wealth, are now the sur
roundings of the city, which then was but
bleak and shrubless plain. Al first glance,
the place seems to have been unfortunate in
loosing steamboat landing in front of the
city, by the accumulated mining deposits in
the bed of the Iuba, but the extension of
the place toward Feather river, makes a
landing on that stream necessary, and not
greatly inconvenient. And to provide against
the impedments that mining is also making
to steamboat navigation on that river, the
first division OF the Marysville and Vallejo
| y all roo1 froo, Nbha (fitv tr l. pifrlt'o |
ing, on the Sacramento river "a distance of
twenty miles, is now in course of construc-
ton and when completed will place the city
within an hours communication of tie lat
ter stream, and at point where navigation
will not be obstructel.
Yuba City, the former rival Of Marysville,
and present county seat of Sutter, does not
impress one strongly with the idea Of ro-
gress, but rather seems to be waiting for the
good time coming" A substantial two
story brick Court House. with some preten-
sion in its architectural design, is the mark
ed Improvement of the village, and perhaps
an evidence of the heallhful finances of the
county.
ING land within its boundaries, and it was an
agreeable surprise in travelling up the west
side of Feather river to find the lands most
ly improved, under good fence, and substan-
tial dwellings and barns to be seen on every
hand. AS far as Hamilton Ga town of one
house, in Butte county, the same improve
ment is observable being an indication both
Of the industry of the inhabitants and the val
ue of the land for agricultural purposes. So
far as our information goes these fine lands
are said to be mostly covered by Mexican
grants a fact which holds good in respect
to nearly all the good lands upon the run
ming streams of the Sacramento valley,
which seemingly goes to prove that their
richness and value was understood and ap-
preciated considerably in advance of the ac-
QUESTION OF the country by the United States
Leaving Feather river at Hamilton and
passing for few miles over high gravel
land, suitable only for pasturage, we came
to Neil's ranch on Butte creek, a fine body
of land, we'll timbered. Above and adjoining
Neil's is Chico, Major Bdwel's farm, tract
unsurpassed perhaps in the State The soil
is rich, we'll timbered, and irrigated by the
clear, pure water of Chico creek that runs
though it. The Majors tract comprises three
leagues, portion of which he has sold to
farmers who have settled in the neighbor-
| horhOod He cultivates a larVe farm and