The hydraulic press., 1859-10-29
CARSON CITY.

ofthe recently discovered silver mines, whose
surprising richness is now astonishing the
world, it seems destined to be the trade CEN
ter of large population, even if it never
attains to the dignity of Territorial or
State Capital. It's situation and present
condition are worthy passing description.
1t is built nearly in the middle of Eagle
Valley, which lies east of Nevada county on
a line with the other valleys of Western
Utah, and connecting with them by passes
leading through low foothills. Eagle Valley,
like all its lovely sisters, is perfectly fiat, and
walled in by bald, brown, sterile looking
hills, which yet at morn and eve are charm
ing in their lllusory tints of blue and purple.
1t is ten miles long by four wide, approxi-
mately lies nearly due north and south
consists of grassy land, mostly good for til
lage, and which is watered by Springs and
by brook running from the mountains on
the west. The valley affords indications of
having once bSen the bed of a. lake, and
traces of the old shore line are visible on
the eastern side in the coarse grey sandstone
which is the principal rock of all Western
| Utah. On the same side there is warm
sulphur spring Of considerable extent. which
is much resorted to as an agreeable bath and
for its sanitary properties. Carson river is
separated from the valley on the east by
low range of hills, from three to five miles
off, higher and more rugged ones rising be-
yond and shutting out the view of the great
/ basin in which sink the Truckee, Carson
and Humboldt The southern boundary of
the valley is Clear Creek, flowing from the
Sierras eastward, across which one steps in
to Carson Valley. Carson City, when we
were there fortnight since, was place of
about thirty completed tenements of all
sorts--mostly Frame but few well-buit
adobes. The foundations were laid for 9TH
er buildings which only awaited the materi-
al for their construction. This will be affor-
ded partly by Forsyth & Colburns saw-mll,
now running at the base of the mountains
on the west where brook supplies the mo-
tive power, and groves of sugar pine the
timber. Other lumber is brought from
Washoe, the adjoining valley. A kiln of
100000 bricks, the first ever made there, had
just been burned, and there was some talk
of using sandstone as building material
We were shown small specimen of clear,
soft white marble, said to have been found
in the mountains to the east, which assertion
we hope is true. The town is built in the
Spanish style, with large plaza, or square,
in the center. 1t is watered by a meandering
brook. Surrounding it were the camps of
numerous emigrants, some with tents ard
some living under wagon tops, and all, we
were told, intending to locate in the valley
or at the diggings. The land is all claimed,
but we noticed only one enclosure-a large
one belonging to a Doctor King. The Nor
mons were once tenants here, until called in
by Brigham Young, when there was pros
pect of conflict with Uncle Sam. Major
Ormsby was the principal holder after them,
and sold the lots on which the town is being
built, disposng of them at low rates, say
S25 or $50, and even giving away lots to
such as would agree to put houses thereon.
A part of the town site was sold in lots of
ten acres each. The most favorable building
sites are now held at figures ranging from
$500 to 5000. The town is bustling place
for its size, rather forty-ninish in its charac-
teristics, abounding in liquor saloons and
those who frequent them. Two of the prin-
cipal stores, John c. Fall L Co.'S and Flei-
cash sales having reached as high figure in
single day as $1,000 and $4,000 respect
lively. Both of these establishments are
crowding in goods for the winter. On our
return we passed several pack trains and
heavily laden wagons, bound for Carson City
from Marysville over the Henness Pass route.
The telegraph Office does better business
than most of the interior offices in Califor-
MIA, and when the wires have been stretched
on to Virginia City the amount of custom
will largely increase. Langtons Express,
connecting all the settlements on the eastern
slope with our own State, arrives here every
Thursday from Downieyille. Another ex-
press is to be established over the Placer
Vile route by next spring. The citizens of
Eagle Valley are wide-awake people
They have nearly all had considerable pio-
neer experience, either in the Western States
or in California, and act now as if they fore
saw great destiny for Western Utah, and
meant to realize the resulting advantages
for themselves. The condition of society is
rather better than in most new settlements,
despite the anomalous aspect of political af-
fairs. The emigration this year brought into
the valley number of families, and the
weekly dances at Persons Hotel are as we'll
attended by the fair sex as similar reunions
in the interior of California. If separation
from the hated Mormon rule can be effected,
as it ought to be, and the people speedily
agree, as they will, to abide by their own
laws, nothing can prevent Carson City, in