New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-04
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
vI.-FeoM REpplNG TO YREKA.

YREKA, Cal. July 9.-At Redding the noun
taius begin ana the railroad is for the present eA
changed here for stagecoaoh. IL you mean 10 lrNci
further north Between California and Oregon nes
mass of mountains; the Coast Range and the sierra
meet little north OF there and the Sacramento RIVER
which is here sti considerable stream though not
navieable presently becomes bowling roaring brook
held in its bounds by the steep mountains between
which Il has down its narrow bed The stage ROAD
follows, per force, the course OF the river,
for some eighty ninety miles after you
leave Redding. and takes you through wonderfully
picturesque country, composed almost entirely, until
YOU reach Strawberry Valley, at the base OF Mount
Shasta, OF hugo and mostly preopitOus and almost
Inaccessible mountains separated by deep cahons The
upper OF tie Sacramento in fact run between
banks steep for miles at time the river is iuac
CeSsibie except by dficult.andl often dangerous de-
scents and an old told that when this part of
the river, between where Redding now lies ana It's
source near Mount shasta, first "prospected' Tor
gold, the miners explorers had TO build
boats and descend by water, trying for gold by
the way, because they could not get down
by land In those days, he said If company of miners
could net make $40 day each, the prospect was too
poor 10 detan them and they made but short stay at
most points the Upper Sacramento. The country
then fun Of Indans and 1t was very strange In
decd TO hear this mnera thoroughly kndhearted man
he was, and the father OF family Of ohildren-ell
with the utmost uncOncern and matter Of course.
how they used to shoot down these Indians, who way
laid them at favoring spots the river and tried
10 pick them or with arrows. 1 remember
little boy asking q famous General once. how
many he had killed IN tho course OF his wars, and
being disappointed when he heard that the General so
far as he knew, had never killed anybody. suppose
soldier battle rarely knows that he has actually
shot But of these old Indian fighters sits
down after dinner over pipe, and relates to you with
quite horrfyng GOODNESS every detail of the death which
his rife and his eye dealt 10 an indiana and when
this one, strOng meantime the head of little boy who
standing at his knees, described to me how ne lay
on the grass aud took aim at tail chief
who in the moonlight, trying to
steal boat from party OF goldseekers, and
how. the crack Of his ri1e the Indian fell his whole
length IN the boat and never stirred again. confess
was dumb with amazement. Tie tragedy had not even
the dignity OF event in this mans life. He shot Indi
aus as he ate his dinners plainly matter Of
Nor he a brute, bur kindly, honest, good
fellow, not in the least blOOdthirsty.
INDIANS sPEARING SALMON.
The poor Indians have rapidly melted away, under the
fervent heat OF fOrtYrod whisky rifles, and disease.
This whole northern country must have been pOpulous
quarter OF century ago; Gen. Bidwel and other old
CalifOrnans have told me of the surprisingly
rapid disappearance OF the Indians, after the
white coldseekers in. 1t was, do not doubt,
pleasant land Tor the red men, They lived on salmon,
clover, deer acorns aud few roots which abundant
mountain and plain, and OF oil this food there is the
greatest plenty yet If you travel toward oregon,
by stage, in June July, August, You will at
nient points along the Sacramento parties of Indians
spearing and trapping salmon. They build q few rude
buts OF brush gather sticks for tho fire. which is needed
to cook and dry the salmon meat and then, while the
men, armed with long two-pronged spears, stand
at the end Of logs projecting the salmon
pools, and spear the abundant fish, the
squaws clean the FISH, roast them to dryness among
the hot stones of their rude fireplace, and finally rub
the dried meat TO powder between their hands, by
ArN..r To- uspa
Winter What you thus SEQ on the Sacramento is
gong at the time half dozen other rivers;
and am told that these Indians come from eoDsidera
bic distances this annual fishing, which practlced
by them doubtless long time before the white men
in. They are homey race these Dggers; short
in stature, with fat faces and solid looks; yet not
uDfreQuently in these mountains you will ind casta
way white with a half-breed family about him (;
squaw-men" they called, term Of contempt, by
the more decent class
Tue mountains are fun OF deer With an occasional
bear though but few grizzlies and the rivers full
and salmon that this little visited region is
tempting land for hunters and fishermen AS you drive
by the farmhouse the road you may commonly
venisOn hanging the porch and every farmer has
supply of fshng-rods and lines that you cannot 20
aniss for trout and yenlsOn. Few OF them know how
ever that trout ought to he cooked quickly pos
ble after he Is caught and you do not take care your
afternoon fish VIII appear on the table next day as
trout which shape have liking for 1t. In
all the region between Redding and Strawberry
Valley you scarcely 60 amiss, for game
or fish; and the roadside farm-hOuses generally
plain but clean, and viii entertain sportsman as well
needs cared for Frys Soda Spring. however
undoubtedly the best place for travellers hunters
for here you will ind comfortable bath, which
needs after sta &c ride; and excellent fare also and
Fry who keeps the house, Is sklful hunter and
fisherman who knows the country WE'LL and is not only
expert guide but pleasant companion.
THE ONLY GLACIER IN THE UNITED STATES.
From Fry's You 20 northward until. OF Strawberry
Valley lonely little vale in the higher mountains, you
have passed the Of the Sacramento and find your
self opposite the base Of Mount Shasta Of
the grandest mountain-tops of California snow-oad
crag, which contains, 1 believe, almost the only
glacier the United States, unless indeed Alaska may
have a number The ascent of Mount Shasta is not
difficult and its summit has been scaled by ladies. II
you have mind TO attempt 1t. Strawberry Valley,
which has convenient hotel, is the best point to
hire horses, guides and your needful camp outfit The
mountain has, its top several hot springs 1t was
once volcano and there is reason to believe that
it's fires are not extinct, but only slumberlng.
From Strawberry Valley you pass into extensive
plain Shasta Valley which is somewhat colder than
the Sacramento Valley, but Is stin fne country for
sheep and cattle. which support themselves here all
Winter The Shasta Valley contains good deal Of ex-
ceent farming land but 1t Is used chiefly for cattle
ana sheep many parts Of IL the grazing is very
fine There are a number Of lesser valleys scattered
through the mountains hereabouts. Indeed the two
ranges soem open out while and SCOTS Valley
on the west and the klamath Lake country to the east
and northeast from Yreks favoite grazing regions
Here there is occasional snow In the Winter and some
cold weather. the Spring opens later and the rains last
longer The streams in % all this region bear
gold and miners busy them Yreka iD the Shasta
Valley is the center OF considerable mining district,