Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-12-03

ny flowers, and from my satchcl at my feet,
peeped many fragrant blossom. Happy as q
Queen on her throne, sat | on the wagon seat,
and as dignified and gracefully as possible
welded my sceptre, or fly .brusher. We do
not see any dead cattle now, and have been
told that Government lost 1000 head on their
way to Fort Bridger, having been Overtaken
by snow storm. At the station we saw 400
wagons standing around, and used for fences,
fuel, &c.. unless they sell them at go per
wsgOn-thc original cost being $l25.
Saturday, I'd. Fortitications OH the top Of
mountain, and in the valley, made by the
MormOns to cut off the U. S. troops in their
passage through the canon. Under ground
tents or houses Beautiful cool springs, groves,
and plants. Very warm and sultry. Com
menced the ascent Of mountain four miles
high, the roads part Of the way in the bed of
Weber river, which We cross nineteen times.
Every one walkcd-I went as far as could,
and then sat down in the shade Of the trees to
rest. 1t was very warm, and was so tired
! that could not keep up with the horses, and
sat down by the way side, fearing that l
should be left behind, when DR.. came up
aud told me TO drive his fourhorse team, and
ride In his wagon, which gladly did, being
very tired jumping from stone to stone, through
gullics and deep sand, up hill on suitry day.
Supposed that when we got to the top Of the
hill We would have good place to lunch, but
alas! we had to commence the descent iHme-
diately down n very steep side, three miles
long, to Browns Greek. Ate our luncheon,
and then went on to the base Of the second
steep hill, to feed our horses. | was so tired
that could not walk, so Mr. G. permitted me
to ride horseback up, and then walk down the
hill At its base We rested, and then started
on again. rode the horse into camp, at the
spring. seven miles from the City.
Sunday, July 81. Went over very rough,
siding rOad-came to the top Of q hill, and
Great Salt Lake Valley is before US. 1t was
about 10 o'clock a. NJ, when we entered the
city. The place was very quiet; the gurgling
ofthe streams as they rippled over their rocky
beds and the merry voices Of children, were
all the sounds that greeted our ears, except
the rumbng Of our wagon wheels, as we
passed through the straight, clean streets, on
this lovely Sabbath morn. 1t was fine sight
mountains with snOw-covered peaks, encir-
cled the valley that nestled at their base,
while the Lake afar off cleaned in the clear
sunlight The streams formed net work
through every street and garden, which last
were filled with fruit trees, vegetables &C., and
we poor, honelcss gardenless mortals looked
with delight on signs Of civilization again.
Some OF the houses are very SMALL others
large two stories, and all made out of adObes
or unburnt brick dried in the sun, Of bright
drab color. The Court House with its glitter
ing dome, the long line Of stores, &C., the Tab
ernacle within wall 18 feet high, enclosing
ten acres, where they purpose building lar
ger tabernacle; President Brigham's dwell
ings enclosed in q stone wall with 0rchcd
gateways; Gov. Cummings large house, and
the arsenal on the hill side, look finely
Brighams own residence is d large, fine
shaped, white succeed house with green
blinds cupola surmounted by beehive,
(Which seems to be favOrite emblcm) and a
flag staff; couchgnt lion over the balcony,
and an eagle with spread wings over the gate
way. We drove to the Post Office, but it was
not opcn Then We stopped in Union Square,
pitched the tents on the sidewalk and bought
grass for the horses. do not feel well after
my tiresOmc walk yesterday. We were too
late to hear Brigham preach, The women
wear no hoops. or late fashioned bonnets, but
clothes that they probably brought from the
States or 10 years ago. The women seem
to be cOarser, and more ignorant than the
men. Calico IL 30 cta per yard; sugar, SO
cts per 10; bacon, 30 cts. tee %; flour, 90
per cwt 4 long crram-cOlOrcd gothic house
Was the residence OF his wiveS-his first wife
lived In large house formerly known as the
desert SVogv, cnclwVd in the same wall that
savvOuMAsd his. We we're told that he had
ssveMsy wives.
No.:.lay, July 4th. Awakened at daylight
bv the ArimR a the cannon. Ate bread and
milk eue bgeahGaaa, 90 we have no wood.
Wrote lsGtrV hesas, bWt received none, a. We
expected. S0ms n0iss By q brass band and
martial snasic. fwo end three peTSOna riding
on one mule. Rather duh Fourth. to ua-
Left 10 the afternoon. Game 70 the Hot
Springs, where man was building bathing
house; but like the DutChMan who said,
" "ShOn! ShOn! dri(c on hell bees shust evEo
miles from here, we drove on and camped
in mans yard, in front Of his house, aE We
had the horses pastured at bit per head
High wind, slight sprinkle.
Tuesday, 9th. Went through some bad
places, owing to the river rising. Stopped al
noon Mt farm where we had the horses pas.
tured for 8 cts. a head. Spent the afternoon
in looking over our things and packing them
in carpet sacks, &C., as Mrs. Q. says we must
throw away our trunks and every article moi
{ needed SO US to tighten the loads. Gave to o
poor woman who had lived ten years in that
lonely place, without having any fruit of any
kind my trunk, band.box, plaid merino morn
ing wrappcr-which was sorry to part with
quilted skirt, sandals. and some dried peaches
It seems very hard to have to throw away any
thing, after q person has left almost every
thing they have when they first start
. Wednesday, 9th. Horses mired three times
Forded Weaver river--watcr ran into the
wagon boxes. Camped near the Prairie House
. Three wives Of one man, in wagon with peas
beets, milk and butter, came down to oul
camp, tn exchange them for sugar, tea, ol
coffee. Mr.. q. sold the big tent, MOlasses aDt
other things.
Friday, 9th. Rained quite hard, beat in th,
} wagon and wet u.s. AS @S1 for wagon, 81
for saddle horse and % cts. for loose stocl
was charged at the ferry, the men concluded
to ferry themselves across Bear river. WheI
We reached the river We found large com
pany preparing to cross. They had stakes
t driven in each bank, wagon.bOx caulked
ropes fastened at each end, and men on eithel
bank to draw the loaded box across and bacI
again. We were going to cross by moonlight
Tit had not Taincd.
Saturday, 9th. Very cold and rainy. AL
the wood We have are three logs brought from
deserted house three miles off. Mr.. G
thought he could send his wagon OveRwithou
3 taking them off the wheels as did the others
E notwithstanding he was told it would Apsei
D and upset II did, with ell our clothing and m,
, bed in 1t. Our big tent gone, piles Of we
clothes, q hard rain pouring down, the clothe
. we have on wet, makes things seem littl
. blue. At last they draw the womanites over
who aik in the hottOFl Ofthe h0x 1rv;nO IN rineI