The Shasta courier., 1870-02-05
The Pit River Country.

Pit river country. and have been assisted
in that purpose, in some degree, by several
persons residing in that comparatively un-
settled region.
The stream called Pit river is really the
main branch of the upper Sacramento
Once 1t was the custom of the Indians to
dig deep pits along its banks, lay several
slender polesa cross each excavation, place
willows over the poles, sprinkle earth over
the willows, cover the earth with grass, and
then drive herds of deer and antelope in
the direction of the concealed caverns.-
Whenever deer or antelope stepped upon
the treacherous covering of one of these
pits, the slender poles instantly gave way,
and the game was securely corralled-
Hence the first whites who discovered this
novel mode of securing game, named the
stream Pit river. At the time of Kibbe's
expedition against the warlike tribe Of
Indians which then inhabited the territory
extending from Pitts burg to Goose Lake,
several of his men and number of pack
mules fell into these concealed pits, while
passing up the river, but were not severely
injured
Pit river, which is over 200 miles in
length, is the outlet of Goose Lake, flows
mostly in a southerly direction TO its juno
ton with the branch usually designated as
the main Sacramento, at point Is miles
above Shasta. In the general designation of
"the Pit river country" is included several
extensive and important valleys, each hav-
ing special name and boundary If we
commence at the head of the river and
travel with its current, the first important
valley we encounter is called Long valley.
This valley is within the limits of Siskiyou
county, lays directly south of Goose Lake,
and is about fifty miles in length and from
one to seven miles in width There is no
settlement in this valley, yet parties who
have traversed it, report the soil fertile and
well adapted to the production of rye, oats,
barley and hay. Timber is also plentiful,
and the cost of fencing land would be
trifing. To the south of Lon valley, and
separated from it by range of low hills, is
BIG VALLEY.
This valley is about forty-five miles in
length and from seven to fifteen in width
Pit river runs with slow current through
its center, and portion of the valley is
subject to overflow during the rainy season,
but when the water recedes in the spring,
the land which it covered in the winter, IS
quickly clothed with rank growth of veg
citation. In some portions of the valley
grows a species of grass, called rye grass,
which attains height of from six to eight
feet, and its stalks are so strong that a horse
can scarcely pass through it. Nutritious
"bunch grass" extends from the valley
back on the bald hills for distance of from
fifty to sixty miles, and grows in great pro-
fusion As stock range this valley and
it's surroundings cannot be excelled on the
coast
The eastern side of the valley possesses
a remarkably rich and fertile soil, which
produces heavy crops of oats and barley
Here, too, is found the principal settlement
started in the valley, which settlement
consists of number of parties who have
located pre-emption claims along Ash and
Willow creeks In summer the first men
toned creek affords about 5000 inches of
water, and the latter about half that guam
tity
To procure timber for fencing and build
ing purposes, it is necessary to 60 back
into the hills distance of FIVE or six miles,
where an abundance of fir, pine, cedar and
juniper can be obtained Oak is scarce,
and generally grows small and scrubby. A
portion of Big Valley lays in Siskiyou;
Lassen also claims slice of it, and Shasta
takes the residue.
The next valley of Importance is called
FALL RIVER VALLEY.
1t is situated west of Big Valley, and is
separated from it by "a low mountain, sevei
miles across. This valley is about eighteen
miles long, from ten to twelve miles wide,
and takes its name from the river which
trayerses its entire length. Fall river, a
stream of considerable size, rises in Council
Lake, near the northern extremity of the
valley, flows south, and empties into Pit
river. Pit river enters this valley at its
southeast corner, and flows in western
direction until its junction with Fall river.
when it gradually turns to the south. The
currents of both these rivers are SLUGGISH
and the waters of Pit river are somewhat
dark and muddy, which is owing to its be-
ing the outlet of Goose Lake, the waters
of which are of similar hue. Althouob
the current of these rivers are slow vot
each of them has number of falls which
afford splendid onnortunitiaS fo- I'LL -