Daily national Democrat., 1861-04-10

SNOW SHoEING. The editor Of the Noun
tain Messenger has lately been to Onion Val
ley. lie says
Onion Valley, It will doubtless be rcmem-
bered is the highest town on the Pacific
coast, lying near the base Of Pilot Peak. one
of the lottiest mountains of the Sierra Ne
vala range. AS we descended one of the
slopes leading to the town, our attention was
called to a large assemJlage Of persons num-
bering probably one hundred, who were
loudly cheering a number Of snow shoers
descending one of the steep mountains. On
ion Valley was all excitement, and here n
crowd was gathered ar1lnl an individual
from Poormans, who was preparing his shoes
for the champion race and there some in
terestel parties were making suggestions to
an Onion Valley man who was doping lis
shoes; while in the Golden Gate Hotel strong
Inducements were offered to those who wish
ed to get lively bet" Several scrub
races were run, none of which, however, are
worth mentioning. About 5 O'Clock it was
apuouncel that the champion race for the
belt would come OF, and then the excitement
grew stronger and louder than at any time,
previous. six of the contestants, Carpenter,
McDowd, Francis, McGec, Klepser and Pete
Hanson, ascendcd the hill and soon started
for the speed trial. Owing to q bad start
four OF the parties fell at the top Of the hill,
and but two came through the poles, Niece
and Hanson, the latter ahead The second
party, composed of Mcdowell, Mann, Smith
alias " \ ork, Stalkey aDd Cook then ran,
Cook and Mann coming out ahead. York
and Mcdowell fell near the bottom of the
hill The final race then came off between
Niece Hanson, Mann, Cook and Metcalf,
(he latter champion of the formsr week.,
MeGee winning the belt That's as light
as we can draw it, Mac At the conclusion
OF this race three cheers were given for On
ion Valley, young typo named Rosenberg,
generally known rs " Black Swamp" lead
ingoH with yel!s from strong pair of lungs.
Rosenburg supplies the blowing department
for Onion Valley, while York superintends
L similar department for Poolman's. The
Onion Valley Snow Shoe Club, as we learn
ed from Mr. Overton, has lorty-one members
with john b. McGee rs President, and j. B.
Oyerton, as Secretary. BY paying one dol
lar membership is OF tained and the person
thus diabUrsing is entitled to all the rights and
privileges, aud is subject to the rules and 10y
laws by which the Cinb is regulated. After
the champion race, Cool; and Mann run for
twenty dollars side, the Inter winning the
money, Hanson and Mann thou run for for
y
terrific shout went up from the Pcormau's
boys.
CoNDIrIoN or THE SNAKE INpIAys-Con-
cerning the condition of the Snake Indians,
Major Owens writes as follows: The Snake
Indians | wrote for information concerning
aic still! hanging around and committing
depredatons on the stock Of settlers and
Others. They are objects OF charity. | Wis
tied them and found them in novels made OF
boughs of pine trees 10 Indication Of COM
fort to be seen half naked and half starved
children shiveriug in the snow. The reports
OF their condition that daily reached me, |
found too true. Poor, miserable, starving,
naked wretohes Language is inadequate TO
describe their suffering and truly destitute
condition. The citizens have appealed to me
and petitoncd me as the only officer cf the
Government near, to make some provision
for them. | am issuing them flour aud beef
in small quantities. | have procured tents
for them. In fact, | could no longer resist
the appeal after visiting them, and with my
own eyes bchOllng their condition. do
really think, that with kind treatment and
prudent expenditure OF few thousand dol
lars every year, that these Indians could be
drawn from their predatory habits and settle
down quietly in the Solano river country.
and taught and induced to cultivate the soil
These Indians, twelve years ago were the
avowed friends of the white man. | have
employed thejr Young men as hunters, horse
guards and guides | have traversed the
length and breadth of their entire domain ;
passed large bands Of stock through the
heart Of their country unmolested. Their
present hostile attitude, in a great measure,
can be attributed TO the acts of uGprinci-
pied white men passing through their couu
try. Murders have been committed, horSes
stolen, their women violated and in fact out
RACES have been committed hy these demons
incaruato that e heart shudders to record.
These ale inooutroyertable facts. | do not
wish to shield these Indians from the pun
ishment they so justly deserve; still, there
are palliatiug circumstances that sheer jus
tice demands should be made public. The
picture is dark, clothed in the most eStenua-
ting garb | will use my utmost endcavors,
while cut in search OF the four captive chill
drcn, to find out the leaders in the late dar-
Ing and bloody tragedy.