Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-06-24
UTAH.
TcoRREspoSpEScE OF THE GOLD HILL DAILY SEwsJ
SALrLAKE CITY, UTAH, June Is, 1864.

FROM HAMMOCK.
Travelling is very pleasant at certain sea-
sons and under particular circumstances, but
I cannot report favorably of my recent trip
from Bannock to this city, extending over
the moderate period of eighteen days, travel
ling by slow conveyance, and subject to the
frequent visitations of plethoric raln-clouds,
favoriDg US with gratuitous additions at all
hours and in sundry positions, some of which
were not over comfortable. OF course, every
body hears of, talks OF, and thinks of Idaho.
Bannock and Boise are proper names which
are rapidly becoming common enough, for
isn't everybody and his cousin" there or
going there Brother Bill, Uncle Siah, Cousin
Sethel and who not, are bound for the dig
gings, leaving the folks "to hum" to mind
things while they are taking sudden leap
from hard ticks" to the possession of lots
of the dust. Large trains, and plenty of en-,
were reported en- route for Bridger and the
South Pass when left some had arrived,
others were expected daily, and the wagons,
pack-animals, and "get ups" of various kinds,
which 1--WE met by theway, afforded reason
for one of my companions, becoming sud-
denly inspired with spirit Of eloquence, eX-
claiming that " all the world were a-going to
Bannock, and the balance could turn store
keepers on their own hook" Between Eir-
ginia City and Snake River, distance of 225
miles, we counted 1856 wagons.
Prices of articles were not SO enormous
there as might be supposed, considering the
large and sudden influx Of immigrants. On
the day left, May 18th, Flour was looking
up-where yeast was plenty-but the price,
SIS to $40, is not so high for that region.
Bacon was quite lively-hams in PARTICULAR
since the hot weather commenced, the article
fetching 81 so. Sugar and Coffee, G5c., be.
low the price in Great Salt Lake City; the
former is fetching 81 here. To quote the en-
tire prices current at my departure, would
make this communication a price list; it will
be sufficient to say that the foregoing is a fair
sample of the rate at which necesSarieS are
selling.
How about the gold' Is it as plenty as
reported: Are the diggings really so rich ?
These are questions have had asked me an
endless number of times; so much so, in
deed, that l have been almost tempted to
improvise large placard, with prominent
characters on it, announcing, Plenty Of it |;
90 ahead and get it." An inclination of the
head, Jerk of the dexter thumb, and the
tale would be told, the queries answered, and
no time lost replying to anxious inquircrs.
The diggings are undoubtedly rich. An esti-
mate was made of the actual amount of gold
taken from the main gulch, fifteen miles in
length, and the quantity by some was said to
be the enormous bulk of three tons Of solid
metal, weekly % This was doubtless hoax,
but the yield is to some very handsome.
Though aware that vast amount of the
precious metal was secured daily, ventured
slight hem and dry sccptical cough,
which riled my travelling companion and in
fornant not little.
THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD.
On our way here, when within short dis
lance of the city, We were overtakcn BY 4
Young man connected with the survey which
started from this place on the Pacific Rail
road line. He was returning to Salt Lake
City for articles Of various kinds required BY
the surveying expedition, and freely volun-
teered me several items of interest. The
company left the city with Mr.. Reed, the en-
gineer in charge, and proceeded to the
Weber, thirty-fivc miles, over Il rough and
difficult road, yet one that has been Travelled
to some extent. From that point they
chained eighteen miles further towards the
mouth Of Echo Canon, part of the way up a
canon, rough and uneven, but not impracti-
cable. The Weber they found to be stream
something over 4 hundred feet broad, the
narrowest part being at least that width,
where they crossed it, which they had al
ready twice done within the eighteen miles
survey. Small settlements lay along the line
of survey, most probably the pioneers Of
thriving villages and towns in few years
from now. He averred that considerable
satisfaction had been entertained by the en-
| o,,l tb,S for hOyy ha
line will tend from the point now reached he
was unable to say. 1t is big "spec" to
carry a railroad through these western noun
tains; but greater engineering triumphs have
been won, when science and skill were FAR
below the standing the now occupy. Mr..
Reed is spoken Of as being a gentleman Of
considerable attainments, and thus far is well
liked BY the company assisting him.
THE CITY IMPROVING.
A few hours to shake off the fatigue caused
by the journey, to attend to various mat
tiers of personal nature, and make arrange
ments for resuming my way through this mo-
ment of life, and stepped out of my hotel
to enjoy 4 stroll around, see the sights, and
mingle the perfume Of a good cigar with the
sweets arising from neatly trimmed flower
gardens. But what change few months
had made in the street where my peregrina-
tons commenced. When l passed through
here on my way north, but one liquor shop
was to be seen or heard of; now, l could not
only enjoy a "squar' drink at the bar of the
hotel, but sundry little notices caught my
eve when passing down the street; such as
Imported Brandy" Genuine Old Tom
Gin," etc., etc., all intimating that it was
much easier for gentleman, so inclined, to
navigate his way with "brick in his hat,
now, than it was some time ago. What a
believe they style the concerns so, have sud-
denly sprang into existence, beside few
that are highly respectable. A little lumber,
ten dollars in sign painting, and double the
amount in fittings and fxings, seem sufficient
to give the infant speculator and embryotic
merchant prince start in his enterprise Of
keeping store. A lumber restaurant, baker
: les ditto, with glazing announcements Of the
manner in which "parties and travellers
will be accommodated. new music empori-
UNI, with a frontage less imposing than the
prandiose name Of which would lead to the
supposition fresh firms with philaAhropic
feelings that are rarely to be found outside Of
fiourishing cities, who, at immense ex.
pense" issue flaming posters announcing
their heroic determination to sacrifice them
; selves for the public good, by letting it have
ribbons and calicoes, with sundry notions
at less than cost price-weighty discount to
liberal purchasers. These all tell their story
,, of business prosperity and commercial &C,
tivity. If the piles Of rock, which lie in huge
unshapely heaps in the street, and the rap
idly rising places of business, were all hid
, from the passing traveller. I was sorry to
see the scafFolding poles still standing around
the new theatre, with no active signs Of the
: the external decorations being in course Of
! completion. l was informed, on inquiry
that the design is to have the whole finished
during the present season, but the proprietor
is expanding considerable means in import
,, ing new gas apparatus, and other things con.
nected with the establishment which undoubt.
edly has its effect in retarding the finishing
Of the building on the outside.
could see the benefit of those incipient
i, deluges which had caused so much personal
,, discomfort on my journey, while rambling
through the streets. Orchards green with
Fol;,1a and ehntvinu an abundance of fruiI