The Placer herald., 1871-06-17
EMIGRANT GAP CORRESPONDENCE.
EMGRANT GAP, June 18th, 1871.

EMGRANT GAP, June 18th, 1871.
Editor Herald:-In looking over your
widely circulated journal weekly, and seeing
correspondence from almost every portion OF
the county, can see nothing from Emil
grant Gap. No historic record of this much
neglected place has yet appeared in print,
while insignificant and decayng towns are
loudly praised for wealth, prosperity and
trade, the furnishing town of Emigrant Gap
we hear in our praise, and ''none so poor as
10 do us homage"
The history of our town dates as far back
as the memorable days of 40. In that year
some daring and energetic gold seekers sep
arated from their companions near the Sink
of the Humboldt, and determined to strike a
cut off and the mines, far in advance of THEN
more cautious neighbors. Soon after the
separation, Il trail was found which had been
travelled three years before by the unfortun-
ate Bonner party, whose tragic history has
been read by every Californian Following
this ndistinct guide our travellers met with
obstacles inumerablc. Immense boulders
fallen trees, perpendicular bluffs steep gorg
es and inaccessible canyons seemed to bar
the farther progress of the little band Still
undismayed, they pushed on slow but sure,
until they reached an indentation in the
mountain which divides the head-waters Of
the American and the South luba rivers,
which they named Emigrant Gap.
From this back k-bone" there seemed to
be no escape. Towards the South an al
most perpendicular mountain obliged them
to seek elsewhere for solace for their present
woes. Looking northward they saw at a
short distance, at the foot Of the mountain,
l beautiful green valley, enviting as it was
ovey-couid they reach this garden OF
Eden, their happiness would be complete.
They soon hit upon an expedent; teams were
soon unhitched from the wagons, ropes were
put in requisition at once, and by this means
after long and tedious labor the wagons were
slowly lowered to the bottom in safety This
little valley is since known as Bear Valley,
so named from the number of grizzlies seen
in the vicinity 1t is at the source or head
waters of Bear river, and is now occupied by
IA thriving, industrious, and prosperous pop
ulation.
The present town still retaius the name of
Emigrant Gap. Its architecture is peculiar
iy its own. Ignoring both the Grecian and
Corinthan modes, it is built upon an entire
ly new plan, adding comfort to convenience.
There is one principal thoroughfare, upon
which the buildings are so constructed that
you may stand in any door or look through
any window on the street and look in vain
for your neghbor's house. This is certainly
a decided advantage to town where women
may pass uncharitable remarks on the morn
ing habaments of their unsuspecting neigh
bors, and the sidewalks are so narrow that
there is no room for two to pass without
seriously discomnoding each other Had
such narrow walks been in existence during
the palmy days of prodgious hoops, loco
motion would have been impossible.
The population of Emigrant Gap is in
creasing very slow. Our married folks thus
far have failed to fulfill that Injunction of
Holy writ where they are commanded to
"replensh the earth" No children prattle
in the corner and no anxious parent in town
can boast of any progeny to inherit his good
name or wealth after this mortal coil is shuf-
fed off.
Some years ago Emigrant Gap was quite
a place for the manufacture of lumber, shakes
and stave bolts. The latter branch was lu-
crative for short time. hut when Crockcr