Nebraska advertiser., 1858-12-23
C0MmUNICATI0NS.
Letter from the Plains,
SoUTH FoRK or BEAR RIyER, 4
October l6, 1858.

r. w. FUREAs:
Weare now most gloriously showed IN
der. We arrived here on the 18Th Of
October. Il has for several days been
blowing a perfect gale from The South
west, and showing necessarily. Those
who have not witnessed one of these
storms have not :'seen the elephant il
the Mountains. Wewere extremely for
tunate in getting 70 Our present quarters,
as we have superior grass, water, and
shelter for our cattle, having an abun-
dance of willows and other timber. 1t
is rather drawback upon US after our
remarkable time and success thus far, and
so near our destination. This morning
the snow is falling faster than ever, but
as yeti the valley, has only reached the
depth of fifteen inches.
Trains behind us, of which there is
quite number, must necessarily expert
ence much suffering both among men and
animals, as they are deprived of the shell
ter we enjoy. Train 's27," travelling
in company with US, is also delayed near
here. oa SO
We hope to yet reach the Valley, dis
tance of eighty miles, in few days.
Should the storm continue for one week,
we viii be compelled to remain here all
winter. Our Cattle can winter very well
here, but our men will suffer for provis-
ions.
Should this storm reach North Platte
the destruction of stock will be immense
as well as great suffering amol.g the men
One hundred. and thirty trains have lefr
Leavenworth this season. Many of them
are yet behind US.
This storm reminds of having visited
a few years after, the scene of suffering
of the Donon party near the Sierra Neva
da. There is nothing in the annals o.
the history Of the world, even in the his
tory Of the Dark Ages, thatmill compar,
with the privations and sufferings of thi,
party, numbering eighty-three souls whel
first showed in, but only about forty o
whom were recovered. All traces tha
l could discover were the houses in a di
lapidated condition, the hair, and bones 0
those who had been devoured by thei
companions. In building their house
they cut the trees from two to FIVE fee
from the surface. When the snow ceas
ed falling, it had reached the depth 0
forty feet, and became encrusted on tn
! top. when the party had to ascend an
cut the trees, where I saw the stumps
over forty feet in height.
A person who has not experienced tn
pangs of starvation, has no idea of tn
, transformation of the mind, which is, I
: some extent, under the influence Of dc
: lirium, while thus suffering. On relic
) reaching this party, in one cabin the
found one man preparing feast from th
body of Mons. Donon, who was very lot
2 to give up his human flesh and again rt
sort TO other food. This is descendin
to a grade below the brute creation, ;
> horse or an OK will die of starvation
with all its attending horrors, by the sic
: Of one Of its own species before it vi
IN touch the food of the carcass.
ps We do not anticipate any suffering
We consequence of scarcity of provisions,
our employers are too well aware Of Il
n frequency of those storms in the mou
tains at this season of the year, to let
4. go short of provisions. The road static
B. are well supplied. 1t is certainly a gre
ng oversight in the War Department, +
n. tainlng the freight until the season "
so far advanced that trains ran the risk
being frozen up.
On Sandy and Green river, we pass
the remains of three trains burned by t
Mormons, about twelve months ago.
!. The situation of each wagon is distinct
marked, by the quantity of iron lying
&C. the ground.
4. . MOSDAr. Oct. 18th.
. Sky clear, with a strong south caste
in Thermometer twenty degrees below zel
rs Antelope, sheep, and other game are d
i,b scendinS to the Valley; among viii
our spOFtsmen are having rare fun. Tn
7 occasionally cross the track ola Grille!
ut but Of this formidable mountaineer,
are rather charry, and prefer his rOc
g to bis company.
The first sheep killed created quite
sy sensation. This animal. though rot L
6. ger than a common size marinO, freqel
ly support pair Of horns weighing
ted pounds. In descending from a precipi,
ns. they light upon their horns: turn ov
Ute Ute and start again with the greatest agili
Us q, receiving no perceptible injury from /
fall.