Smyrna times., 1859-07-07
INTERESTING LETTER S.
PIXIES PEAK GOLD MINES.
LATE AND AUTHENTIC ACCOUNTS

LATE AND AUTHENTIC ACCOUNTS.
TIE South PLatte-A Lucrative Ferry-SOiI
-EuJryo Towns-The HiHs-Immigra
Might among the PeakS-MuSic Of The
ForeSt-Trip to the Gold Dig gingS--Rdpid
Progress of Settlements Miners Women
in tke DiggingS-Speculation IN Claims
First Mass Meeting, DC, dc.
The following account of a. d. Richardson,
Of the Boston Journal, who went out TO the
"Diggins in company with Horace Greeley
Of the Tribune. for the purpose of obtaining
authentic information for readers in the East,
writes home to the journal the following racy
description of his adventures, which may be
iulIy relied on
GREGoRy's DGGGINGs, Rocky Mountains,
Thursday, June lS, 1859. )
Ga Tuesday morning, in company with MIR.
Greeley and several other gentlemen, left
Denver City for this region, forty miles distant
northwest. Our conveyance was one OF the
Concord coaches Of the Express company
The South Platte, which we crossed on start
ing, is a clear, swift stream, some 200 feet
wide 1t is ordinarily fordable, but the melt
ing mountain SHOWS render it impossible In
individual has stretched a rope across il, at
tached 10 which a little ferry boat, that will
hold but one wagon, plies to and fro, pro-
PEELED by the current. A caravan OF emil
grant wagons, a quarter of mile IN length,
were waiIIng their turns to cross. at 81 5O
each. The boat and fixtures may have cost
800; two men run it, and It's daily receipts
aiO from $3.50 TO $400. The proprietor enjoys
monopoly; aud certainly has the richest
"lead in the whole gold region.
VALLEY OF THE PLATTE.
Crossing a narrow strip Of cottonwood tim
Der and sandy soil, we came upon the smooth,
pairie valley of the Platte, and followed il
several miles. The soil, though somewhat
Hady, produces fine grass, and has some agri-
cultural capacity. Many forming =" claims y
are staked ont, mainly by spectators, and Q
few gardens commenced. In two or three
places some blowing has been done. Wheat
cats and potatoes may be produced; but corr
will hardly thrive where there are irosts every
month 10 the year-unless the new species
raised in Oregon, which encloses each kerne
an a separate husk, shall prove equal TO tn
hard task. Many ranches are established
where the cattle and horses of the miners (ther'
being no good grass in the mountalns) are Eep
at from 81 to 81 so per month. Watched b.
tie herders, they Craze by day, and are car
ruled at night. Some of the ranches contal
several hundred cattle, and are quite profitable
TIE rancheros, or keepers, live 10 tents. Cnl
tree or four houses are commenced on IN
route, though two embryotic cities are siarte
--oa paper. New countries generate tow
speculalions as naturally as dog days srIn
musquitos.
ASCENDING THE MoUNTAINs.
Almost from the start, the mountains ha
seemed within o stones throw; and the sho
range, sixty miles away, appeared within
hours walk. After IL miles travel, we wei
among The spurs Table Mountain, pleateo
surmounied by high stone walls, SO regular
tOappear artificial, rose six hundred feet on o.
right, while the main range lowered to thru
that hight on the left. Clear Creek 10 mile
could not be crossed by the coach 50 we il
it. and packing few indispensables upon o
miles, mounted them and went on. The cle'
cold mountain stream, some 40 yards wide, b
avery swift current, which our mules cou
barely stem. While they were staggeri
through il, dipping Us in The cold water to
knees, hundred or more OF the emigran
from either bank, gave three rousing cheers
Horace Greeley.
Ia AMONG TIE PEAKS.
After ioiling an hour and a half we reach
ihe summit For below US. on The top OF Tai