The Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1865-1870, 1868-05-28
LETTER FROM REV. A. F. WHITE.
OREANA, May %, 1868.


promises to keep my friends properl
informed in regard to the movement
, and welfare Of our party. The natur
! of the work in which | am engaged i
such that my time and energies hav
been heavily taxed. | have bad but few
opportunities for correspondence. an
glad to be able to-day to give you a,
outline history of our wanderings.
We had very pleasant ride through
through Washoe Valley ard the low
hills by way of Steamboat Springs &c
the Truckee Meadows. 1t was my first
visit to that part of Nevada, and pre-.
sensed many scenes of interest. The
Meadows, l was informed, comprise a
! fertile tract of land abou. six miles in
length by three IN width. This is most
ly given up to the production Of native
grasses hardy vegetables are cultivated
to some extent. Tie soil is damp and
fertile. except in places where the alkali
prevails. We rested on the Sabbath at
the little hamlet of Glen Dale, FIVE miles
east from Reno, which at the time was
the center of interest in that region.
The entire valley is about ten miles in
length by eight in width, and is TRAN
gular in shape. Tie Truckee, then
swollen by the melting SHOWS upon the
Sierras, was a fine, bold stream, where
we crossed it. The cars in passing back
and forth were in fall view, and the
whistle was plainly heard. On Monday
morning we proceeded down the True
hee into the mountain, a, far as Clark :
Station. We were all now actively en-
gagged. Here Mr.. Cu.tar began his to-
geographical observations. Mr.. Watson |
hal already been fcraging upon the
country, and had his portfolio filed with
The results of his labors. Having been |
placed in charge of the barometer, q wet
md dry thermometer, and the weather
generally, it became necessary for me
o accompany Mr.. Gustav in his sscents
md descents in the mountains. We
proceeded north Of Clark's rising from
hilltop to hilltop, until we reached the
liglest summit (G,o71 feet in that
leigh borhood, and there made our first
tarion. Our course from thence lay
lown deep canons, over piles Of loose
,asaltic rocks, some six or seven miles
= eastward to another summit, which we
ound bad an altitude Of c, 437 feet.
Iere we made observations, and had a
plendiI view of Truckee Meadows and
be distant Sierras. We reached camp
bout o'clock at night, and found
everal friends from CarIon- Indian
gent Parker, Mr.. King and others who
ere engaged at that particular time
the Truckee River, prepara-
Dry to sounding and Thoroughly explor-
~ Pyramid Lake. Their boat bad not
rived next morning whenwe left camp
ut passed safely down by noon. Mr..
ustar and again assembled the noun
lin towards the northeast. About
clock we saw on the side of ridge,
bout a hundred yards from US, a splen-
id mountain sheep he seemed to be
one, was plump and fat, and presented
our view magnificent pair of horns.
be surprise was mutual, but as We had
} guns he was comparatively safe, and 4
e left him making his breakfast quietly
BON the tender bunch grass amid which e
e found him. Our third bill station J
mmauded fine view of the Big Bend Il
the Truckee River, the adjoining IT
sert. the East Truckee mountains, and l.
rther to the southeast the low hills 81
onc the Carson, aud the desert between e.
lgtown and the Sink of the Humboldt.
lis station was 1913 feet above the .
can level. While taking our obser- VI
lions a thunder storm came upon us.
le lightning was very vivid, and the IL
IN der rolled through the mountains :"
tn frequent heavy crashes. The "A
in was very cold and occasionally y