Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-01-19
From the Western Platte Argus, Jan. !.
Latest News from Salt Lake.


TEN OF MAJORS AND RussELL's MEN rRozE To DEATH
At ONE TINE.
We had a call from Mr.. John NJ. Guthrie and
learn the following facts Of his trip in. Mr.. G.
left Salt Lake City on the 9th Of November. with
The mail On packed animals, in company with g..
A, Bcardly. Of New York. 1t had been showing
for seven or eight days before Mr.. q. left the val
lev. The snow was from one to six feet deep in
the Big Mountains, and they had 20 tramp the
snow 10 pass with their animals. Second day out
the snow was so deep that tho company got lost,
aud lay nut all night, and tho mon in charge Of
the nail hal their feet and hands frozen, AMI
their boots had to be cut III Of their feet the next
morning.
The third day they made Bridger Mt sunset, and
after travelling about twenty miles got lost again.
and were compelled again to lay down in the snow
till morning. Fourth day they made Big Sandy
station, and left there about two o'clock in the e,-
ening aud travelled about twenty miles, wind
BLOWN. from the east. The storm increased +, as
to prevent them from seeing five feet lefpre them
aud compelled them again to lay up. They cam.
ped in u hollow and during the night snow drifiei
on them +" the d ptb Of three feet. Here the
whole company almost froze. Mr.. q. states that
his feet aud legs were ~ numb as to he almost un-
able to stand up. The mail meu, having no bed.
ding, were compelled to walk around all night to
keep from freezing.
Fifth dnv, left early in the m~orning-travelled
eight miles; ono Of tho mail mems face aud hands
froze. and the other was SO Tar frozen ny To be- al
most ASLEEP. Mr.. g., finding that the men would
freeze, took them of and made them walk. They
then turned and went buck - miles Ia Big Sandy.
The next day the wind ceased, and they started
in company with Mr.. Ashton, the mail agent.
They reached the South Pass at dark. Here the
wind raised agnin-tlc snow being driftcd from
five to ten feet deep. AM they again became lost.
For three or four hours they wandered round in
hopes to find the road. and their only hope was to
E,uu tla ,.,,l IN ,rJ,r a., rau,l Sun.f "A ,,t.r
which they did. They then attempted to travel
down this stream, but tho driited snow was ~
deep ns to he impossible,
They cnmped, aud Mr.. Ashton had one of his
feet frozen while in led. In the morning they
Irr, mules, mails and all, and took it afoot down
Sweet Water on the ice. Mr.. Ashton begged 10
De left in l.l, ns they had to cut the boots "A of
his iret. Mr.. g.. pulled IF his buffalo muccasin~
anl put them on Mr.. Ashton-lcaving his ieet
with only n deer->kin mocassin on. The whole
company concluded their time was growing short.
hut. like heroes. made u desperate cfort-part OF
the time %,arrying Mr.. Ashton, They reached II
station rhout ten miles distant. They then hal
sumc hope, Of making the trip, although the Their
mometer stood - below zero. Mr.. Sanders, tn"
surveyor ON the new road south Of Laramie, had
Mr.. Miller stationed at this place with a barume.
ter and tllermoneter, in order to take notes oi the
weather. The oldest muun,ainccrs, one in partic-
ular, VIII lives close by tho stat on, states that it
Wh' III ''ilest NcutHtE thoy Wh cAI"Ii'H''h vi
thirty years.
They left Mr.. Ashton after laying over three or
four DAY. While here the 81. Joseph mail ar
rYod-Mr. Jarvis. the Indian Agent for the
Snakes, r,ming through with ii. They had nlIe
mules to freeze around their camp fire, som" in
two feet If the fire. The men all had their hands
and feet frozen. and lay four days within eight
miles OF he station, unable to get in. Here Me
inrs aud Russell had ten men frozen to death.
They attempted to follow the train. and became
lost and frozen. While here the Salt Lake mail
ot December 18th overlook Mr.. g., and having n"
men to ~ I'd with the mail, MIR. q. took charge ii
il. and brought it to Laramie, where he met AN
agent having men. Mr.. u. took the coach. in
company with four other passengers, below Lara
mte-th"y had but little srow, and the roads were
good most Of the time. They found men at almost
every station on the road frozen. They met Mr..
llockadiy vt Cotton Wood Springs, on his way
up, with mules to supply the mail stations. From
here the roads became muddy and the creeks
high, and, in some places, had to swim The mules.
Assault on HIRAM PowERs.-A private letter
rprpiy, IN Churlrstou frum an American MT Flo