The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-11-01

from men coming ahead of their trains, o
a,predations committed upon those coming
behind US.
When We struck Snake River Valley, VI
enco untered . most horrible AAak dust
blown straight into our faces for 400 miles
II just choked and blinded everything
Cattle commenced dying, and for the last
200 miles, there was a continual stencil from
this cause. Many persons lost their whole
teams, and where too poor 10 hire others,
were obliged to depend upon the generosity
of other emigrants to get through. The
best cattle invariably died first q poor OF
outliving A fat one oil the time.
| Geo. w. Lewis reached Powder River, 1O
miles below here, with 5 out Of II head
He was obliged to leave his cooking st,ve
on the road, and throw away many things
| am told that such WAS not the case with
that portion of the emigration which crossed
Snake River at Fort Hall, and attempted to
reach Salmon River by an unexploreI ragts.
They failed to find anything but pack trail
and are now here, except those who packed
over the mountains. They went As far
North As place, an old deserted Mormon
fort, called Limhi. Here Quincy Wood, VIM
Farlin, and w. N. Rooms. left their wagons
and packed for Salmon River. Abe Stout,
and John Houk are here saw them this
morning. They do not yet know what they
will do. VIM. and David Hogan, and son
Of the Scotch Tailor. Allen, are here.
think they intend trying to winter here.--
Many Of those here from Oregon are old
1owans. A nephew Of B. H. Michaels',
named Vernon, is blacksmithing here. On
Owyhee River we met lot of Oregon sold
iers, among them was nephew Of Zephani-
an Holcomb and Joseph Boues, s,-cisizsns Of
Wapello county.
Our town is 1876 miles from walla Walla;
$40 from the Dallss, on the Columbia River,
and $50 from Portland, Oregon. The popu-
lation is already several hundred, and 10,
cTsasi,g every day. It b ON . mountain
side. on the extreme head waters Of Powder
River. The houses are built Of logs, and
from 25 to IS are put up every wsek. Saw
mills will soon be here, when frame ones
will soon take their places. Lumber is now
worth $12,5O per hundred. A man's life is
Of no consequence. Gamblers and gambling
houses are plenty, and Sunday is no more
than Saturday. The stores are all open on
that day, and the mechanics are all at work.
Fights are as common as chat, and now and
then man is killed. We however, have
preaching every Sunday. Hundreds of emi-
grants are camped in and around town
among tho tall pines, and . night view re-
minds me Of Camp Warren, in August. '6l.
I should be glad to write you longer
letter giving you al the particulars of the
trip, &C., but must close and get dinner in
my stew-pan once more. I have no desire
to ever cross the Plains again. Send your
answer to Walls walla, Washington Ter.
Let any Of my young friends who have any
idea Of coming out here. know where am,
and tell them to write me, and when I re-
ceive . letter from them will be better post.
ed than now, and will be glad to advise them.
Abe Stout tells me he saw John A. johnson
on Snake River, but does not know what
became of him.
Answer soon and give me all the news, As
we have very poor means of communication
with the outside world. The latest news we
have. is that the rebels are again gaining
ground, and it Is reported that San Francis
co is blockaded by England. Send me the
Courier, and the first gold I get my fist on
I will send you. The miners viii have >
poor show here this winter for news. Il costs
half dollar to get letter or paper here
fsom WallA Walla 30 cts. is . quarter, and
40 cts. half dollar here, and saY coin over
half dollar is q whole one . queer style
to me. Treasury notes is the only paper
money that passes. Flour sells at $40 Beans
1t $40 Bacon $s5 Sugar. 40 cts Molas-
ses, s. Coffee. SO Cts, and other things in
proportion. When we get our Cabin up. /
viii write fuller particulars.
E. f. LEWIS.