The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-05-28
From the Ledcen,eoy7n Daily Ledger.
Latest from the Gold Nina


Latest from the Gold Mines.
Jones & Russell's Express and Passen-
ger Coaches arrived here last evening,
from Denver City, bringing three passen-
gers and three thousand five hundred dol
lars in dust and shot gold-one thousand
dollars of which is consigned to Smoot,
Russell & Co., and the residue to various
other parties, in sums varying from FIVE to
fifty dollars.
The first coaches from this city arrived
at Denver on the 9th, and left on the 10th,
making tie trip through to this city, inclad-
ing all stoppages, IN ten days.
| We call particular attention to the an
nexed letter, from j. NJ. Fox, Esq, Jones
q Russeirs ticket agent at Denver City,
for full particulars
Office Of Leauenworth City and P. p. Ell.
Co.
DENVER CRY, K. T., May 9Th, 1859.
IJoHN S. JOKES, ESQ Dear Sir:-Our
tedious march is at last ended, and we
are now snugly located in Denver City
the much talked of golden city of the
Mountains. Our progress from Junction
TO this place was necessarily slow, mas
much as We had to open a new road
through country about which none knew
but little-to contend with the severity of
the weather, the fatigue and complete ex-
haustion of many of the mules, and the
many obstacles incident to an enterprise
lof this MAGNITUDE. I can truly say, sir,
that believe our road is the best, in all
respects, that can possibly be made from
Leavenworth City to the mines-wood
and water in abundance over the entire
route, excepting about ore hundred and
fifty miles upon the Republican, where
there is some scarcity of timber in fact,
a great scarcity for cmigrants-but our
station can be readily supplied from the
pineries lying some thirty miles distant
from Cherry Creek.
, Nearly all the station-keepers, men and
employees upon the road, express them
selves satisfied with this location. Some
one or two swear they will not stay-Mur-
ply Cat 19) among them.
We have had two assertions only. Our
nearest station to this place is forty-three
miles. An intermediate station must, of
necessity, be made, until Mr.. Williams
returns and shortens the road, which he
lexpects to do-saving distance of fifty
miles or over.
Much of the country over which we
passed is eminently adapted for agricul-
tural pursuits, and great deal of it al
most or wholly worthless.
Permit me to say, that think Colonel
Preston missed the chute, both in going
back and coming out-being too far north
on. his outward trip, and great deal too
far south when he returned.
] would be more explicit in regard to
the exact line we travelled, but Mr.. Will
liams will return in a short time, and can
better point it out on the map.
] 1t is utterly impossible to imagine or
conceive the amount of misery, privation,
suffering, starvation and death that has
occurred upon the Smoky Hill Route. At
station twenty-five, the Indians brought
us man, by the name of Blue, from
Whiteside county, Illinois, who started
/ from Leavenworth early in February
probably about the middle of the month
lin company with two brothers and sew
ieral Others, taking the Smoky Hill route.
llTheir provisions soon gave out-the COM
pany separated-one CT the brothers died;
the two survivors lived upon his body for
some time. The other brother finally
died, and the remaining one was COM
PEELED to eat him also, until the Indians
found him, and kindly took him to their
lodges, and: gave him food. When he
tcame to us, he was but shadow. We
lIfound the remains of the last one he had
eaten, and buried him. The bones were
gnawed perfectly clean, and the brains
were taken from the skull. We left him
at twenty five, with directions to come
On in the first stage-all we could do fol
him.
l have seen man, named Thomson
who came the same route, and who lived
twelve days upon prickly pears and wild
onions. He, too, is a mere walking skel-
Teton. There are Others here, too, who
for three weeks, had nothing to sustain
them but one hawk and the remnants o.
a dead OK, whose bones the wolves had
almost entirely cleaned.
! A lady and gentleman from Leaven
worth City informed US that on the road
the same rcad-in one camp there were
lying dead, wrapped in their blankets
live human beings. This is indeed hor.
rible; but not in the slightest degree ex
fggerated.
| There are many other instances equal
ly as heart rending. Those who took tn,
Platte have been more "Reminiscences
ally getting in looking well, exceptin!
the wear and tear of the trip, which was
in most cases, very long.
1t is proper TO remark that, during on
trip, the utmost harmony and good feel
| ing existed throughout the entire train
We met several bands of Indians-in al
cases perfectly friendly. We treated then
uniformly with kindness. / do not an
ticipate much trouble from them alon,
the road.
i We reached Denver City yesterday
Saturday May 7th. Gen. Larimer re
ceived US, and has treated US with ex
treme courtesy and hospitality. The Git.
is situated at the mouth of Cherry Creek
and contains population SO floating tina
| can scarcely estimate the number of in
habitants. think I am safe in settinI
the number at three hundred. About on
hundred and fifty houses have been erect
ed-built chiefly of pine and COTTONWOOD,
logs, with matched roofs. We have Sc
cured one of them temporarily for our Of
fee. The people were much gratiied a
our arrival. s-t 81 rs.r
q Auraria, opposite to this. is about tn
same in size, population, &c. The tow
site Of Denver is rather desirable, thinl
The citizens had begun to grow very des
pendent, in consequence Of so much o
the immigration returning almost rs 500
as arriving. Our entry, however, has re
animated them.
1t is true that there has been larg
immigration here within the last month
| and also true that nearly all have gon
back to the States. THEIR REPORTS CAN
, NOT BE RELIED OF, FROM THIS. FACT,
! no other-a large majority Of the immi
grants were men who lacked energy an
industry, with no means-aimost start
. ing-fnding no provisions in the country