Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-08-27

FROM JAY WHIPfLE.
PACIFIC SPRINGS, July 29th. 1862.

PACIFIC SPRINGS, July 29th. 1862.
DsAR Lutte :-One may read the description
by Washington Irving. Of the Prairie Dog,
the unremitting care in which he guards his
habitation, and with what vigilance this cun-
ming little animal stands as sentinel to give
the alarm of unfriendly strangers that invade
the borders of their secluded village.
0ae may read the writings Of !. Fcun.,nore
Cooper and observe with what power and
vigor. of mind, and what precision of thought
he portrays the character of Lo the poor
Indian, whose untutored mind sees God in
the clouds, and hears him in the wind"
One may read the story OF John Brent, and
become deeply interested in the travels and
meanderings of the hero and heroine over the
Plains. about Fort Bridges. thence pell nell
down Luggernen Alley. All these descriptions
please the fancy. and excite the imagination;
but you can hardly realize that the Prairie
Dog is quite large ground-squirrel, unfit to
eat, that the Indian is an ugly looking crea-
tnre, besmeared with dirt and grease, una.
dorned with gay trappings, and the tinsel OF
war that the story of John Brent is like
many similar books, and only a picture of
the imagination. and that no such personages
as John Brent and Miss HELEN Clitheroe ever
crossed the Plains that Luggernell Alley is
only chasm in the rocks, something SINH ar,
no doubt, to the DEVILS Gate.
Lutte, if any of your friends intend crossing
these barren, sand, and rock hills, that extend
several hundred miles. in quest of pleasure,
there is every thing to convince me that they
will be sadly disappointed; trip by water
must be preferable. l must acknowledge.
been some little change in the scenery, and a
decided improvement in the roads. The
Devils Gate is split III the rocks of about
ten rods wide, where rams a clear, beautiful
stream of water, with perpendicular rocks on
either side, more than foar hundred feet high.
There is foot path through the Gate. where
one can pass through by wading the river
twice. l entered the Gate of the old gentle
mans mansion and passed through without
any difficulty. Within this Gate may be
found lovely spot, of about half an acre.
Which is covered with beautiful flowers and
evergreens and as I gathered roses, honey
suckles, and white and red clover tor boquet
fro,a the green sward, thou ght surely it
must be Para disc Lost
We have seen snow at 4 distance, for several
days. on the SUBMITS of the Rocky Mountains,
aud to-day we camped on Strawberry Greek
by the side Vf high b.uff, wh;re lay a snow
drift, in size, considerably larger than any
house of Prescott. There was a small stream
of pure. cold. ice-water running from the
snow bank to the creck. On the opposite
side of the bank was an extensive meadow of
green grass, where our horses made them-
selves at home There were speckled trout in
the stream, aud enticci six noble specimens
ofthe mountain trout, TO jump at grasshop-
pers, wherein was concealed the bearded hook.
This was one of the most desirable se;ots for
camping that have ever seen since we start
ed.
We camped last night on the summit of the
Rocky Mountains, where noun tain streams.
rising from bubliHg springs. form i'll great
commotion as If there was difference of
opinion among the waters as to whether they
should salt the Pacific, upon the western
slope, or the Atlantic. upon the eastern slope
of the mountains.
From this point we have downward
grade, and take what is known as Landem's
Cut OFF, a distance of about five hundred
miles from here to Salmon River.
The Indians have committed few depreda-
tions. oy robbing some of the emigrants-
Their designs seem to be for plumber and
provisions more than murder; but two or
three men have been killed by tile Indians,
and one of these men shot an Indian first.
There are soldiers stationed every twenty
miles from Fort Laramie to Landens Cut Off,
and from thence there arc scouting parties
through to Salmon River. We are still trav-
cling in company with Minnesotians from
Minneapolis. There is one family from Hud-
son in the company. Mr.. Stanley,
I have an opportunity of sending this com
munication by gentleman who has been
travelling with US from Omaha. He returns to
the States by Denver City. this morning.
J.