New-York tribune., 1869-06-21
THE sWEETWATER COUNTRY.
WHERE IT IS AND WHAT 1T lS-SOUTH PASS CITY
THE WIND RIVER REGION.
TFRoM An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT

TFRoN An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
SOUTH Pass CITY, WYOMING TERRITORY,
June l-Swcetwater the name OF stream, has been
more or less peculiar TO tho people OF both the Eastern
and Western Stateeyer since the first tide OF emigration
flowed across the plains and mountains to tho Pacific
Coast in ls49 The Sweetwater Mines fast becom-
ing an equally familiar phrase throughout the West aud
TO some extent no doubt the East In order to reach
these from the States journey bY rail is neces-
sary from Omaha, miles westward 10 station on the
Union Pacne Railroad called Point Of Rocks, s57 miles
to Bryan City. There is line Of stages running from
each OF these points TO South Pass City and Atlantic
CITY, the two leading towns, and with Hamilton City the
only towns Of this vicinity. Tho distance is less from
the rsnamed station, but the propetors OF the line
from the other claim tne best road. eft tho road H
PoHt Of Rocks aud found the stage 9econmVeA'on
the employees courteous and obligug.
The mines situated near the summit or the ROCKY
Mountains 10 miles from Point OF Rocks largo pOr-
ton the country from the railroad across 10 this point
Is an alkal country with but little vegetation except the
sage, brush and grease WOOD, 80 familiar 10 the noun
taiueer. few miles before reaching this point, how
ever, q small stream tributary of Sweetvater Of
pure cold spring snow water furnishes the traveller
welcome draught, which, after the ahall-embttcred
water has been obliged TO Is positively delicious
The country IN TINS region consists on sA Fsey eie
waited plateaus table lands aud hills OF oil degrees OF
aJTuptness from tho gentle swell OF Tie prairie TO tho
perpsndicular wall OF solid rock. There considerable
land with soil suitable for agricultural purposes but no
sary N ANY body undertook farming. There are several
streams from 20 10 90 miles distant running through
fully carried on. Hostile Indians have almost compelled
the deseruon OF these valleys, but few hardy pioneers
south Pass City is situated upon willow Creek tribu.
ary Of sweet wster near the pass IRON winch II taxes
vicinity, and II Is the seat OF government for the County
Gresent i about go and rapidly Increasing Atlantic
CITY, four miles In direction ltls north OF cast from
South Pass CITY Is the business and commercial center
OF a neghborAOOd comprsing several rich quartz and
placer MINES ~ Is ssASG S Upon Ts & 'reek, ana & hhs
upon Beaver Creek, Is Hamilton CITY, small aggrega
iOn OF setters the mann point OF attraction being
rich quartz lode and gulch OF placer mining which prom
ise employment FOR the population there. numbering
reaches a small stream with fertile valley adapted TO
agricultural purposes called Little Popeargie. This Is
the rst aud smallest of three valleys, In which agrcu
has been successfully engaged n The next Is Big
Popeargle, IS miles from the FIRST aud IAtue Wind
ceediugy fertile soil aud when permitted by the Indians
settlers viii make agriculture profitable. Cgrrants
cherries plnmg ap9 apples are plenty, ~ me streams
other varieties Of fish almost good, abundant
These valleys and the surrounding mountains furnish
variety OF choice game There are deer, Elk, antelope
mountain sheep moose, buffalo, and several species OF
bear-the cinnamon, brown, grizzly, aud black bears.
These streams are tributaries OF Wind River which,
and running direction somewhat east Of north cmpes
into the Yellow Stone All Of these streams timDorcd
the foot OF the mount forests Of dr white
pine and yellow pine. In the valley Of Wind River is
spring furnishing oil, which will burn In lamp similar
10 coal oil, which 1t no doub, H. There IS oss another
spring from which wells up substance which, 90 all APP
pearance is pure tar IL dries upon tho earth around,
and Is used as fuel Native Asphaltum can be obtained
In any quantities The valley COBtaius ledge o. marble
which cannot be surpassed IN quality anywhere, besides
Eato suitable for roofing. Sandfock. fine aud course,
adapted ~ tho manufacture ~ grndstOne whdstOncs,
etc, and fair quality Of coal These with Other great
natural resources OF this region, have been shut sH from
development ana almost from the knowledge Of tie wLto
people by the determined hostility u the mainly
Sioux. was badly wounded and crippled In tho valley
OF the Little Wind River loss than year ago. IL
counter with half dozen OF them.
But these great they are cannot cmparo
I'm importance with the rich quartz lOdes different
tributaries OF the Swectwater. This region also contains
many rich placer or gulch mines, some Of Whh are
worked a profit OF from s. 10 S25 per day 10 tho man.
but being noar to the summit there are many Iich
gulchss which cannot be worked for want Of water IL
the quartz Qdes upon which the prosperity OF the country
depends They are permanent; they arc rich they are
productive and apparently ineIharstble Now on,s arc
being discovered every month And yet large portion
Of the country which known to contain quartz and placer
mines cannot be prOspected account or the rcd