The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-05-12
Oar Nevada Correspondence.

OHF NeVaNa correspondence.
AUSTIN, N. T., April 10th, 1864
Editors Telegraph:
Thinking a few observations from this
section Of the country might, perhaps, be
interesting to some of your readers, l ad-
dress few lines to you, to be used at your
discretion. By referring to the map, (if not
sufficiently posted without the reader will
see that Nevada Ter. is situated in the west
ern part of the Great Am erican Desert, or
Basin, though it should be known by the
former name. The word Nevada" sIgni-
des mountain, and after person has cross
ed the Territory once, and re.crossed the
most Of it again, he will, i think, agree with
me in saying it well deserves the name for
l doubt whether twenty miles could be pas
sed over in the entire breadth of the coun-
try without crossing ridge of mountains,
some of them being of no inconsiderable
magnitude or height. In these hills are to
be found the riches of this country; name
y, the mines. Between these ranges of
mountains, are valleys, which may be divi-
ded into two classes-productive and non
productive, according to whether they are
watered or not, which again depends upon
the height of the mountains by which they
are encIosed for from these mountains are
obtained their supply Of water, produced by
the melting SHOWS. If these mountains are
low, they have very little snow, and this is
melted off and disappears with the first few
days of returning spring, while on the 9th
er hand if they be high, large amount of
snow falls on them, which is, from their ell
ovation gradually melted, and for ms small
streams, which naturally find the lowest
place or the centre of the valley and there
uniting form quite stream.
The peculiar climate of this country rem
ders it necessary to irrigate land, in order tc
raise a crop Of anything from it, Sage bush
excepted, which seems peculiarly adapted
to dry SOIL and hence, unless valley has a
stream Of water running through it wit h
which to irrigate it must be, and truly is,
dreary place. The climate of this Basin is
perhaps different from that of any other por.
ton Of the UNION for while in the valleys
in no season Of the year do we have wealth er
colder than the mildest of November or Feb
ruary in Wisconsin, and while the heat of
the summer dag is such that it would seem
as though tropical fruits nigh thrive Yet
this can never be ranked among the agri
cultural sections of the country, on account
of its severe nightly frosts, during the en-
tire summer season. This can account for
in no other way than the near proximity to
rounded, which after the sun has departed
with his rays Of heat produces reaction
with such rapidity, that ere his returning
rays are seen, the mercury indicates point
below freezing. With this drawback tc
farming, (other than raising hay,) thore is
another occupation which deserves mention,
and one which pays; it is Grazing. Even
the State of California, am told by those
who have followed the business of stock
raising in that State, since its early discov.
cry, does not afford such unsurpassed ran ges
for stock as are to be found in this valley
Since the whites have been acquainted with
this country, which, by the wayis only two
years, there has been no time that cattle OF
horses could not only live, but would fatten
without other food than that obtained by
running at large. That it has been So from
experience, know, since last September.
AS the mines are the chief source of wealth
in this Territory, however, must not pass
them by, without at least taking casual
notice of them. The first of these was dis
covered only about twenty months ago,
hence their real wealth has not as yet been
ascertained, but enough is known of them
to know that they are not to be excelled in
richness, by any silver mines yet discover
ed-not even by those of such renowned
fame in Mexico or Peru. The greatest depth
attained by any company here does not ex-
coed seven hundred feet, while very few are
yet half that depth on their ledge Even at
this shallow depth the rock pays forts work.
ing, and gives a surplus Of from fifty to five
hundred dollars to the ton, which at Vir-
ginia City is considered good returns at the
depth of two thousand feet. Even the IA
nous Gould & Curry mine of that place,
which has been considered the richest in the
Territory, according to the last annual re-
port of the Superintendent, yields only an
average of three hundred dollars, vet that
mine sells at the enormous price of $500
per foot. What some Of these in this section
will bring, when thoroughly prospected, yet
remains to be seen; it will certainly be i'm
mense. There has been quite an excitement
here this spring for the mines in Idaho Ter
ritory, which are surface diggings, and, as
old California miners say, ''are the poor
mans mines" But it has again subsidized,
and the tide of emigration has turned to this
valley.
People are coming in from all quarters !;
some for the purpose of grazing, others to
mine, and still others to raising hay. All
appear to be well pleased with the country.
We have the representatives of all trades
and professions; among others, several NJ
DIS have found their way here, but few, how
ever, pretend to practice, for that wont pay.
With a population which last November was
estimated at twenty-five thousand, though
now at only from six to eight thousand,
many having gone to California to spend
the winter, (on account of high living.) and
not yet returned, the city cemetery Of Aus
tin can boast of only Of fifty~four graves,
and many of those are the effects of liquor
and revolvers. l had intended speaking of
the all absorbing question of Politics in this,
but on account of its now protracted length,
must defer that until some future time.
Respectfully, Your Ob't Servt,
j. f. 0.
Inc Fond du Lac Reporter says winter
wheat in that section of the State never