The New York herald., 1869-05-07
ACROSS TIE CONTINENT.
VIRGINIA CITY, Nevada, Aprn Is, 1869.
rur RIDE FROM RENO.


two miles, and the ride to me was extremely tedious
M, hut what the scenery was at times very fine and
the country novel in appearance, but who Is there
mat ENJOYS stage coach ride IN these days OF steam
There is excitement about 1t to some who have a
f0ndness for good horses IN the hands OF expert
drivers and when you have jolly party either in
eide or outside OF the c0ach but with myself the
was different; don't like horses except IN stable,
and am always nervous when behind what is termed
a"rattling team;' consequently was not sorry when
the Journey was ended and would have been re-
ioiced 10 think that more OF the same sort were
before me.
The least said Of the country We passed over the
better. Nothing but sage bush and alkai on all
sdes Not tree TO relieve the monotonous landscape
and indeed, when we left the station lt appeared AS
we were leaving the last OF civilization and were
T9shng wildly into a wilderness without apparent
object other than wishing 10 perish I'D the hidst Vi
desoation. II must be said OF Weils' Fargo q Co.,
that their stage routes well equipped with good
coaches fine horses and some OF the finest specimens
OF manhood in the shape OF drivers nave ever seen
men who handle their siX-inhand as II they were
paythings, and who appear equally at home with
them when going up or down a mountain dying
over q level road.
We changed horses every seven miles, and, with
the exception OF the stables where the relays OF
horses are kept there were no buildings to denote
thar any one resided thereabouts. There was but
one object OF interest 70 me that is worth speak.
ing Of In detail, and that is the boiling springs,
which you notice on slight elevation about
half Q mile or the road 10 the westward.
For distance OF severa. hundred yards, or 1t may be
more, you will observe jets OF steam issuing from
the ground, which at that particular point Is OF
grayish color. These come from cracks in the crust
that has formed above this remarkable now OF wa
ter, which, am Informed. is boiling hot and 1t re-
mans at that temperature all the time. noticed at
least hundred OF these jets at once. They were pop
ping up In every direction and they reminded me of
aschool OF sperm whales blowing in close proximity.
regret that there is public conveyance TO this re-
markabe place. for would like very much TO make
closer examination OF so great natural curiosity.
Fifteen miles from Reno we commenced the ascent
of the grade that carries the mountain 10 Vr
gina. 1t very steep, and winds around the hill with
short curves and with narrow road that scarcely
admits OF two teams passing each other. There
are some nne views from different points, but the
close proximity 10 a precipice prevented Inc from
enjoying them as otherwise would have done.
Thoughts We never would reach the top; the five miles
OF up hill appear longer than the ride from Sacra-
mento by rail- and il began to grow very cold as we
increased our altitude and night came on. We We're
In the snow again before reaching the summit,
and the WIND which had commenced began To
freshen and cut like knife. l was rejoiced when
we began TO 90 down hill. had become calous and
through and cross and being seated on the narrow
middle seat OF the stage-a seat most horribly short
OF curled hair-it only served TO make me anything
but an agreeable travelling companion. IL was
great relief 10 Inc when the lights OF the city came
In sight, and We whrled around the last curve that
carried us into the nam street. Arrived at last !
And cold and weary gladly alighted and sought
the shelter OF the hotel, where roaring fire, which
mad kept up 10 a proper standard, even II wood Is
fifteen dollars a cord, soon served TO tnaw me out
and restore my usual spirits winch for time had
been frozen within me.
n built on the slope OF Mount Davidson, AT angle
oil about fortyhye degrees. IL Is composed prlnci-
pally Of the buildings appertaining 10 mining pur
poses hotels and establishments claiming TO he
such, saloons as they are termed in this country,
but with us at home they are grogshops;
brokers' Offices some dwelling houses. Wells, Fargo
Co., and last but not least the Bank OF California.
Yes, there are some churches, that OF the Roman
Catholics being very fine one; and there Is an
opera house and other places OF amusement rht
sOur-footed animals that noticed on the streets
were a few horses, many mules, quite a number Vi
oonkeys and large quantity OF bulldogs the latte
appearing 10 be specially In Virginia, so much 81
tnat inquired II there was public pit where theI
hghting powers were exhibited.
The population Of Virginia is interested directl
Or indirectly III the mines by which they SUI
rounded on all sides and underneath and as natu
raj consequence the conversation Is principally upo
mining topics. shafts, levels, drifts leads, iedees
groupings, tailngs quartz, rock &C., &c., ar
the words one heafs lnost frequently; and
me they ARE ns al ,orarv GreeS before cdU snoa
20 this section OF the country, and pocket edition
would have been OF great advantage IN my outdoor
through all the processes OF refining, but
knowledge OF the value OF rock DO not possess. The
principal streets or virginia run north and SOUTH and
to the east and west the shafts Of some Of the
most extensive mines. ike the GOuld Curry. Hale
4 Norcross; savage OPhir; and Others Ol course,
compoely by the various levels drifts, galleries. &c..
OF the different mines, anu some oi the buildings
give evidence In cracked walls how much the grOund
has settled over these excavations; indeed, one hne
afternoon. large brick house MED wItA gOod- aud
from which the occupants had only few minutes
er
the street, into OF the holes vi which there
many beneath US MOL Vestlge VI II has since been
seen.
From the substantial manner in which many of
the houses in Virginia are constructed Il IL evident
that their owners were impressed with the idea
that the city would increase steadily. ana always
retain the same importance as when the mines were
30 very rich. Their dream was dispelled howev er,
for the ores fell rapidly in value and, consequently,
real estate also. At one time II appeared if the
bottom had fallen out, and that the bubble was
about 10 burst, but slight reaction took p!ace-tht
picture did not tlrn out as black a paintcdand 10.
day the mines are looking better than they have foi
some time for reasons which VIII state in "A follow
ing paragraph. | ann confident that a new lease of
life has been granted, and that mines considered
almost worthless will he made TO pay a pront on
IL Is needless to give a sub.head TO Gold hin
which Is merely continuation OF Virginia. and hk,
u In all respects. The same interests made botl
and Will keep both alive. They have the sur
rounaings, the same climate, IN fact the same every
thing, and although separate cities. you cannot tel
when you leave one and enter the other for the
ere as close together "a the direren, mining claims
! cannot call agreeable from the experience hav
had. arrived on Thursday evening. and Oh frida
morning II Commenced showing and CONTINUES
nearly all day with only an occasional CLEAN Of sur
shine between the squalls. saturday morning tn
ground was covered with snow which had falle
during the night, ana snow fell at intervals all da,
To-day, for change II mas been showing, with
little rain; the streets are muddy, and II has bee
blowing heavy gale, with an occasional gust ins
almost took one or his feet. rne tops OF th
mountains are covered with snow, which s whire
into pyr amids by .he eddies OF wind that circl
nf,ouf he M 4
Of Mount Davidson, several hundred feet above n,
upon which some enthusiastic and patriotic ind
vIduas have placed q nag staff I have drawn m
table close 90 the window IN one side, and th
stove on the other, where can watch the nakes u
snow as they fall, observe the antics Of the win
far up the mountain side, and write IN comfort.
nave no desire to go out or doors n can help a.
think the HERALD readers will fare better " allowe
occupy my cosey quarters without Oelng disturbe
10 20 out on u tour OF observation.
Many strangers coming here at this season ar
anecfed with bleeding az she nose ana oppresse,