The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-05-15
COrrespOndenHc.
SILVER CRY, Nevada Territory.


arrival at this place, an opportunity is pre-
sentcd to briefly sketch you, perhaps few
not disintercstng incidents that have occur.
red since the mailing of my last letter at the
Bay, one month ago to-day. On the 9th
ult., by the Chrysopolis, I left the western
metropolis, destined for my temporary home
(situated in rather an unsafe locality to all
but those who are in the happy possession
of a celestial passport) as have previously
observed, being near the Devils Gate.
The day of my exit was remarkably bril-
liant. The azure sky was cloudless the
water placid, and the atmosphere unusually
clear, atfording a pleasing opportunity Of
looking through the golden gatc' and wit.
Messing the gentle grace Of the Pacific sur
g"s. Amid these pleasing scenes this
"hoaabre' maintained his equanimity.
We left the wharf at p. M, and easily
outran the opposition boat. Finding it i'm.
possible to reach the capitol before 2 o'clock
the following morning, yielded to the at.
fractions Of No. and subsidized At an
carly hour, gentleman Of fast color inform
cd me that the train for Folsom was abdu,
start, and it behooved this "gemman" to
start also In couple Of hours | was al
the eastern terminus of the % miles Of rail
way, from whence came to Placerville, a
distance of25 miles, by coach, through some
of the most picturesque scenery have ever
witness .d.
From the capitol to Folsom, the appear.
ance Of the country much resembles your
western prairieS, and is well adapted to
farming purposes. Grain was from B to
inches Ugh, and the portion through which
| passed BIDS fair for an abundant harvest
The country is not tlickly settled in con.
sequence Of the early settlers holding their
title under Spanish grants, which extend
from the coast to the western base Of the
Rocky Mountains, which clearly answers
why most of the ranches consist of 800 to
1000 acres each. The proprictors seem
determined to keep this unbroken, and thus
retard the general development Of this fine
region.
From the last named city to the more "a,
milar town OF Placcrville, the country as.
Sumes an undulating and mountainous ap.
pearance. A few miles east Of this las,
fitting out town, we are in every sense pass
ing over the ''pine clad mountains" 1t is
truly romantic to look from one Of the sum.
mits upon northerly and southerly ranges
as far as the eyo can reach, the innumerablt
peaks and wales of which are covered with
magnificent pines Q to 900 feet high and {
to l5 feet in diameter 1t is bad, however
to contc.s: this delightful scenery with the
repnl>ive realities Of paying an exorbitan,
stage fare, With the privilege of patronisine
"Walker's line," good part OF the way
each passenger having pine pole to prevent
the coach he cant ride in from tipping over
At Strawberry Valley $50 miles from
Placerville,l We took the old fashioned con-
veyancc by sleigh, which to me was the
height of pleasure. is it viv,dly reverted my
mind to the happy days Of sleigh bells jing
ling on your Iowa prairics-but will moi
disclose to you, Col, under what tiatterine
auspices. However, the 80 miles Of snow
covered ground was soon left behind, ant
again we were pressing our way toward the
rising sun, this tina on wheels DESCEND
ing a smooth, steep grade, we came to &c.
nua, after which 35 miles OF level and dusty
road brought US the Washoe Silver Mines,
a country apparently unfit for the residence
ofany but uncivlized aborigines. Yet, af
ter a few da Of dclibera;ion, th,. '.first ar.
rival is divested Of his first impressions and
these barren mountains present a more in.
vting appearance. #"@s
The intrinsic value of the mines, judging
from the unremitting efforts Of capitalists
and others, will not be lost sight of, as de-
liberation and constant dclving into the
the side Of the mountain is taking the
place Of wild delusion and speculative cx.
citement. Some 90 quartz mills are now in
successful operation, besides which 6 more
are now b.ing erected on Carson River 81
miles from this town. Last fall ther charg
ID $50 per ton for crushing; now but s25
In six months more | predict the colnpeti-
ton will be such that the price will bc fixed
at s l5, and thus, as | have previously stat.
ed, many lodes which did not pay more
than $50 will now prove almost invaluable
am satisfied the Humboldt mines are all
right, but thvir remotene>s will necessarily
retard a rapid development. California EN-.
igrants are daily arriving and business is
improving. The weather here will compare
quite we'll with that ON the other side Of the
Sierras now, only much more squally.
You have doubtless learned, Col, that in
consequence Of our anti proclivities to Nor.
mon virtues, we have been set off by our.
selves in a territory called Nevada.
.avs just learned that they have had
several feet of snow in the mountains; a,
any rate two mails are now due and this
letter is liable to wait several days for q
start. Very Respectfully,
.a..sfg a.. es 4 r. B. T.