The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1872-07-11
Letters from the Far West.
NO. III.
ALTA CITY. June 8. 1872


ALTA City, June 8, 1872.
DEAR FRIENDS: Il left Salt
Lake City at 5 O'Clock in the morn
ing, taking the cars on the Utah
Central R. r. After a very pleas
ant journey of sixteen miles, over a
very good road, through level and
fertile country which is all under a
very high state of cultivation, ar
rived at Sandy Station. From the
looks of the dwellings and out-buiId-
ings it would be the natural conclu-
sion that the people now live sat
home"
Sandy Station derives its name
from being the point from which
comes all the sand used in the city
of Salt Lake. This is not much of
a place in itself, but derives the
principal part of its notoriety from
being opposite the mouth of Little
Cottonwood canyon. 1t is the point
at which all the ore and goods are
shipped to and from the canyon.
Here we have to take the old mode
of travelling, that is, the cumbersome
coach of our fOrefathers,
There was only tscenty tuoo of US,
and our luggage, and if there was
not some cr0wding to seat US all in
this dry land boat, 1 would not say
so. After waiting for near one
hour, during which time there
was considerable swearing by the
postman and his satellites, and a
great many hard expressions by the
passengers, there were six very good
horses hitched to the coach; then
after our driver had taken a drink,
the sharp crack of his long whip let
the horses know that all was ready
for start up the canyon.
A pleasant drive of about six
miles over a level and very sandy
road brought US to Granite City.
This is but short distance up the
canyon, and derives its name from
the immense quantity of gray gran
ite found here. This is the point
from which the MormOns get the
stone of which they are building the
Temple in Salt Lake City, and when
the size of the stone, the distance it
must be transported, and the great
size of the Temple, are considered,
the MOrmOns have done wonders in
rearing the Temple to its present
height. However, the completion
Of the R. r. to Sandy Station, and
the running of switch TO the quar-
ries, will give them greater facilities
for the completion of their great
work.
Granite City is mere apology for
a village, but of course we had to
stop here few minutes to deliver
the mails and wind the horses. Be-
sides, here refreshments were to be
had of fluid character, and from
the way the eyes of those looked
that did refresh themselves, 1
should rather believe it made them
think of absent friends, from the
way they dropped the briny tear.
After a few minutes delay we
started up the canyon, and it is said
that from this point to The head of
the canyon the ascent is over one
hundred feet TO the mile. Let that
he as it may, it was enough to try
the Eettle of our horses. The next
tour miles was over a very rough
road, and in some places it was
ds much as the coach could do 10
keep its perpendicular. By chang
ing position from side to side we
managed to run into Tannerville in
fine style. This place is ten miles
from Sandy Station. As the settlers
thought it was not worthy the name
of city, they stopped at UilLs. Here
there is a post Office, a saloon and a
+meIter. The latter, when it is run
ming, makes some business here.
This is also the principal head-quar-
rers of the teams that transport the
ore and goods to and from the mines.
Here we struck the first snow, and
here also We exchanged the coach
for a sleigh of six-hOr power.
We found regular outfit for those
who wish to go on horseback, and
your humble servant made choice of
he latter mode of travel, albeit a
very poor hOrseman, and making a
worse figure yet by the assistance of
a high cautled saddle. 1 managed
10 hold my position until my mus
tang flew the track and stuck fast in
the snow, when l had to dismOunt
aud apply the rod very plentifully.
After a few heavy plunges the brute
fnally regained the beaten path.
Many efforts of this kind, requiring
great amount of patience, occurred
before we arrived at Central City,
about 2 O'Clock P. NJ very tired, and
as hungry as men could well be who
mad only travelled thirty miles by
rail, coach, horseback and on foot.
Central CT y is small place with
one hotel, "A store, and one or two
laIoOns. 1t has lost its former great
.rss, and bas had to yield the palm
its sister city Alta. Upon enter
,ue the hotel at Central City, l
found a man stretched upon his