Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-11-05
Nellie's Journal.


We went to the Post Office, fine new brick
building, two stories high thence to book
store, and then We went up the hill OH which
the new Capitol, in all It's queenly beauty is
enthroncd. The interior in not tnished-the
building has already cost 800, 900, and they
have applied for 900 more to complete it,
We had fine view Ofthe surrounding country,
which We thought was "quite rural in the
outskirts, with considerable land around."-
Council Bluffs was opposite Of us, and the
Missouri was rolling its turbid waters rapidly
along, while numerous gothic cottages called
! foi tn our admiration; and | returned to the
tent, very much in love with tho young but
lovely city OF Omaha.
Sunday, May l>t. Cloudy wind high. We
pnrpOScd going to church so hurried to get
through with my agre shake before the bell
rang, but alas! the Inin soon began to fall and
| had a harder shake than uSunl, and was
somewhat trliious with the fever. The rain
siltcd through the tent, and in order to save
the water, three tin plates and a pnir of M
~hiICr0JLs were placed over the bcd.clotheS
on my bed.
Monday, End. The Pnwnee Indians came to
the tents, begging Such hidcOus looking
creatures Oh they would have frightened
you, you dear, nervous, timid, little creatures,
you with their halfclothed bodies and paint
cd faces. Some had their hair cut close, cx.
ccpt a ridge like a mules name, extending
, from their forehead to their neck, ending in II
long lock, to the end Of which was attached
tin aud brass ornaments, and heads of prairie
hens. Their ears, i0ieheads and checks were
covered with red paint, while every lincamcnt
Of their features was indicative Of cruelty,
deceit and malice.
Saturday, 9TH. Sick all the week Received
letters from Cleveland. My cousin wrote me
il did not get over the ague before we got to
o., to return to Cleveland. ! replied that
did not wish to give up my pet project Of 90.
ing to California that had putt hand to
the plOw," and did not wish "to turn back. "
| nm the architect Of my own fortune, and
"Forte~ .tortuA" jur0t" Also that "Kcmudt
de l'0sturngc aze bizerros gOrfO& ("Change
Of pasture makes fat calv's.") Mrs. X. sent
for me to come to her house, and remain with
her until We left o. went lown-found the
! Gov. very agreeable and intelligent gentle
man-his wife an exemplary woman, and his
daughter Corncla an amiable and lOvable
! young lady. They treated me very kindly
God bless them! | went up stairs and rested
my weary body on n comfortable bed, as in
nights gone by.
Sunday, eth. Had some ice cream, blanc
mango, and three kinds of jclics sent from the
llcrnd0n, n large four story brick hotel, Of
which Lyman Richardson and DR. Willard are
pr"prictOrS. The Wednesday evening prcvi-
Gus We had attended concert there. After
the concert there was ball. | was too weak
To dance. but was much entertained by seeing
the others enjoy themselves, and by the agree
| able conversation of Gov. Black, present Gov
"rnor Of the Territory; Gen. Easterbrook,
Secretary Of State and the ladies' to whom
had been introduced. | am charmed and de-
! lighted with the residents Of o. They are in-
trl,grnt, wealthy and refined eastern people
the society is excellent. feel much stronger;
.iyue CUrc. Cornrlia lnvorS me with such
! iiHe music, shO being u skIlliul player Oh the
piano.
Sunday, 18th. had an opportunity orteach.
ing in select school here, but did not wish
to remain. During the past week, ".SOmcbo,iy"
took me out riding several times
Monday, 10th. As it raincd very hard on the
Sabbath, the mud was ytt in consequence,
and the clouds had not passed from before the
face Of the sun, when Mr.. and Mrs. {. in the
passenger wagon, drove up to the door, to
know il | was ready to start for California; ; a.
Madam Rumor with her hunurcd tongues, had
been busy reporting that there was wedding
in prospect. Madam Rulnor, like many rXccl-
lent ladies, was mistaken in her matrimonial
speculalionS, and notW outstanding some look
I'd disappointed and vcxed because ! did not
marry &lU0,00O with an cx Mayor thrown in;
Nellie pursued "thc even tenor Of her way, in
maiden editatiOn, fancy free" Mrs. II. gem
erouSly gave me books and papers to IT al ;
and after taking an atirctiOnAtc leave Of the
family to whom had become very much at
tachcd, entered carriage, driven by friend
who was going to drive out II few miles. At
last, bidding him adiru, returned to my old
seat in our g0.lclc. The sun now Shone out,
brightly, and with sense Of relief, looked
upon it aS pr0phetic-that my days would be
brighter than if had remained in Nebraska.
We only went fourteen miles, stopped early.
! Weput away our Sunday go.to ISceting clothes
and Saba day coolers, so that they might not
see day light until We approached our journeys
end donncd our boomers, and were ready
for supper.
Tuesday, 18th. \ pleasant morning. Met
some Pixies PcakcrS returning; wncn they
were opposite Of Us, tEey very sweety sang
"Ilome, sweet home" Passed through the
village Of EIkhorn, containing seven houses
The Elkhorn river is n pretty stream, and
Government has built fine bridge over it,
! On the banks Of the sane stream we ute ouI
luncheon Of cold baked BEANS which were moi
bad to take at all, at all. Eight Indians on
horseback, painted and toery. .tSrOWoiO ions, came
riding at full speed, yelling and angry, be-
cause we did not buy moccasins. At last We
came in sight Of the Platte river, n beautiful
broad. shallow and muddy stream full Of sand
bars and islands. Had q tine camping ground
The full moon rising behind the trees, tht
camp fires around, aud the prairie on fire ir
the distance made pleasant evening scene
while We listened to the grand orntions o.
ker Chug, executed by thousand perform
ers Of the Frog family.
Wednesday, 18th. Saw two little boys whose
father during the past winter, was lost on the
praTics, frozen to death, and eaten by the
wolves. Saw grave dug by some diappoint
cd Peakerss who said they weEc going to bury
Sam Curtis in 1t, when he came along; for hi.
instrumentaity in inducing no many to star
for Pixies Peak. At North Bend observed q
large crowd around man who had ouc half o.
his head and face shaved, and had been blind
folded and severely whipped. There were
nineteen in his company, and ha was very anx
iOus to keep watch, so when Ac was on guard
he stole two yoke Of oXens put the yokes OF
another wagon, got the man 10 drive his cattle
along, and then he was going to join him in q
day or two, but he was found out and punish
cd. Met seventy-6ve wagons coming back
with men huNbuggOd. Beautiful flowers
with their tiny starry faces are gazing at US
from the roadside.
Thursday, 10th. Some men got to wrestling
finally had n fivhk in THAR Camn hraakinn