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

the river very well. The quicksand gave way
and one Of the horses, having been recently
III, was weak and laid dow n in the water. lie
got up and went short distance, and then
laid down again, and would not get up, al.
though J. jumped into the water and unhitch-
ed the traces; finally Mr.. W. jumped from bis
horse, and held the horses head out Of the va.
ter, while j. unhitched Ahem, after the wagon
tongue was broken; another span was attach.
ed to the wagon and drew 1t out Forded the
Big Sandy near station. Roads sandy-winc
blowing very hard. Saw curiously shaped
hills or sand rocks, worn by the elements.-
Observed great many chains and irons be.
longing to wagons, left in the road; and oh!
so many dead cattle with the hides dried fast
to the bones, are lying on either side Of u.s.
The air is so pure and clear that dead animals
do not decOmpose very rapidly; sc can see
farther than we could i'm the States, and are
often deceived in regard to distances. About
ii A. n. came to hill where We met man
who seemed to be runner for the Lower Fer.
ry-therc are three Ferries across Green Rv.
er, narrow, but deep and rapid stream. DIR.
B. and Mr.. G. rode down to the river TO ascer-
tain which was the best. After waiting a
long time for them to return, we drove down
to the Lower Ferry, so that the horses might
have drink, as they have had no water for
- miles. Al the other ferries, they would not
carry us across until the next day, because
the wind was blowing so hard. We went
across at the Lower Ferry for fifty cents a
wagon, and "bit" head for loose stock
years ago they asked % wagon. We have
a delightful camping ground but poor feed for
the noble animals. Our wagons were driven
There being an abundance of bruSh.heaps and
logs, We built great fires, over which we swung
the complexities, containing water for those
who are going to "wash." Seven more wag.
org are camped near US. A person on the op.
pOsite bluff looking down upon the swift roll.
ing river, the trees. rOscbushes, wagons, tents,
people darting hither and thither-somc bak
ing, others washing, some lying down, and the
rest forming circles around the large and nu.
m.rous camp fires; while laughter and song
pcacd forth on the evening air, and busy hands
were agitating bushes and handkerchieis to
keep vexatious intruders away;-and every
thing cleaning in the bright bIaze,-would in.
deed think it was q charming and romantic
journey; nor would they think of the cares,
hardShips and privations of such trip.
Sunday, 26th. Left with regret our last
nights retreat, in search of grass As all
"tlcsh is grass" SO grass is flesh to our tired
animals. Met five hundred Snake Indians in
single file, on their way to the station to make
treaty with another tribe-the Crows | be-
; ieve,-and also with the "Capitan at Washto,
(the President at WashingtOn.) Some talked
with US, and seemed to understand our Ian.
gu0ge better than any we have vet met One
old chief said" Snakes and Americans" pla.
cling his arms cxprcsSively about his body.
asked him il they were good friends, to which
he replied, "Yes, heap good friends" They
had tine ponies, and to some were fastened
their lodge poles which dragged on the ground
. We heard that Horace Grcely was expected
in the stage to-day. After going u miles We
camped on Green River again. Horses had
to swim across. Some were not inclined to gC
over, even after Mr.. Ford, the great fordrr
rode over on his horse, aud showed them the
way, making fun for the lockers on.
Monday, 27th. Passed q most beautiful
mountain or rock, Of layers of blue clay and
yellow sand. 1t was magnificent, and looked
.. like some Egyptian ruin, with its statuary anG
/ base rclicfs; or like Turkish mosque will
its pinnacles and minarets Came 10 beau
tiful camping ground on Black Fork, among
rosebushes in bloom, wild rye, good grass, and
mosquitoes. just before supper, o strong
wind arose, blowing dust and confusion around
Frcnchnien with Squaw wives, living in lodge.
opposite of rs.
Tuesday, 2sth. roricd Black Fork, ant
l. Black llam's Fork. Passed q station wher,
whisky was plenty. Buckskin trowser.lOOn
are worn great deal; the price Is $6 per pair
and said to be cool in summer and warm IL
winter. Reached Fort Bridgcr, fine place
and contains some oft most beautiful streams
J flowing over rocky beds, that | ever saw
Every thing looked neat and tidy. Four hun
dred soldiers here at present. MIR. G.. exelsan
). gcd some tea for butter, which was quite
treat. Emigrants are not allowed to camT
within several miles Of the fort. Our team
went on, and Mr.. and Mrs. G. and myself re
mained u zee the soldiers on drill. Saw oIIi
Ger Garland's wife, children and negro servants
The place is only Il years old, yet Is imprOv
ing. Camped six miles from the fort. at
spring Of cold water. Mr.. NJ. and family an6
MIR. q. dissolved Companionship, so that Mr.
C.'s company consists Of five persons.
Wednesday, 20th. Road over very steer
and rocky hills, which We walked down.
SnOwdrops, Towering currant, columbine
l.. larkspur and other flowers, growing in profu
sion. am delighted with the scenery, which
: is more varied than that on the eastern side o
the summit. We have entered Echo Canon
. which is narrow passage between two higl
ranges Of mountains, and is the only entranc,
into Salt Lake City from this side, notwith
standing it is over hills, steep rocks through
winding stream with rocky bed and steel
banks, and along the side Of the mountains
SO that Oflimes one thinks the wagon will up
set into the ravine below. Came to the Sod
Springs-water unpleasant to the taste. Pass
!. ed high perpendicular rocky walls. Mosqui
r toes are almost unendurablc How pity In
horses that have no provision for fly time
4 when ours have long switch abOuts, and We
2 are unable to keep off the stinging insects 81
appoint myself chief mosquito Killer and fly
destroyer, and as wand or Eceptre, carry
long ox.gad, to the end of which is tied som
small bushes, whereby can dscOncert, annoy
and, peradventure. destroy many Of said in
! sects rs they alight on the sides, neckS AMI
heads ofthe horses. Had some nice slapiack
for supper, with butter and maple sugar Of
them, but the mosquitoes troubled us so the
we could not enjoy them as much as we ex
pccted to,
Thursday, 3Oth. Net great many Mormon
going to the States, as they are now permit
ted by Government to leave the Valley. Larg
rocks or bOulders of small stones cemente,
together by the road side. Perceived an arcI
Of rocks on the mountain side.
Friday. July 1st Met Government soldier
!, from Camp Floyd, forty miles from Salt LAX
City. going to the States. There were tw
squads Of mounted soldiers, 20 in g company
48 wagons, each drawn by six animUles, an
in some were officers, and the children Of tn
Mountain Meadow notoriety. believe tn
i soldiers mV;et have -khOaanhf that wAa a0othe