The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-09-13
Letter from Miss ii. X. Clapp.
The Overland Route.
TWENTY MILES NORTH OF S. L. CRY, !
Monday, July II, 1859. \


| wrote letter to you at Laramie, giving
description up 10 that date. In this will give
notes each dag from Laramie 10 Salt Lake City,
showing the mOnotony Of the journey and its
sameness-giying a portion of the daily occur
rences.
/ had but little faith but that letters that left
at Fort Laramie would stand the same fate OF
those coming into the Fort. If they did, very
/ few would ever reach their destination. They
had all letters for emigrants placed in a large
dry goods box, and all were privileged TO 20 and
examine for themselves. When we went 10 this
motley Post Office, there were about two thou
sand letters, and il was Herculean task 10 find
ones letters. The Post Master, if they have
any, pays 10 more attention to his Office than a
stranger This is the only place on the route
where we have seen such loose management, in
the Post Office Department.
Fort Laramie is a very pleasantly situated
town. Few buildings except those for the army
aud officers and their families. 1t is situated on
the Laramie River. very rapid stream, very
deep, particularly al this season, "a the snow Is
melting off the mountains. After passing over
the Bluffs, probably the first groupings OF the
Rocky Mountains, We came to the valley OF the
North Platte. These Bluff. grand. The
river here is picturesque. Over across the
PIa,t the Black Hills are in plain view. Their
name taken. from the fact that they covered
with kind of evergreen pine, and at this dis
lance they give it very dark appearance. The
valley of the Plat,c--with is fine natural mead
ows and scattered Cottonwood trees-and back
of Us heavy rocky Buffs. Rising these Bluffs,
YOU have a good view OF the Fort, and also Lar
annie Peak covered with lis perpetual snow.
Tn mir ~ il comes from The mountains is fresh
and celebrating | can hardly understand how
it is that there has been much sickness on the
route whole road, If al the graves for the last
few years, that have been made were visible, it
would have the.appearance of one continued bu-
rying ground.
The Indian mode of burying through this
country, and it continues till We get to the Pass,
ia where there are tress they fasten their bodies
up in the trccs-whcre there are no trees, they
erect rack and stretch the body out upon it.
The purity of the atmosphere keeps the body
from decomposition, and the flesh dries on the
bones.
Very many animals we saw by the road side,
the flesh NIL dried to the bones, and in very few
instances, where there is any bad oior from them.
.Hondav, June 9th.
, For thirteen miles We Travelled in the valley OF
= the Platte, crossing several ridges After leav-
ing the Platte, we went over several bluffs. The
scenery is constantly changing. Feed good.
The Rocks are mostly cone shaped, some very
{ curious and fantastic in their appearance. Du
ring the morning We pass ed grave very nicely
cared for-Rocks put on the grave TO keep the
wolves from digging it ~. The inscription had
been erased by the ruthless hatchet of the In
dian: While standing here, gentleman traveller
canc.up, and said he believed that he claimed all
acquaintance. ! dl not remember him. but
! when he introduced himself know him. lie
was nephew of Nathan Pierce Of Calhoun. |
had seen him often many years ago, at his uncleS.
IL was pheasant here on the plains, where We
meet none bit strangers 20 see any one that has
ever known YOU before. Tie has travelled with
Us since, and proved to bc a very companionah!e
: and Intelligent mana thorough going RcIuh!i-
| can.
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