The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-08-27
Letter from California.
TE-nA CHI PA, CAL. July goth, 1877

Dear old Agis: In search of health for
myself and family, and to avoid the radi-
cal changes of climate in Nebraska, we
left our late home in Pawnee City on the
18th inst, bound for the Pacific coast
| Arrived by Atchison and Nebraska r. r.
at Lincoln, on the evening of the day of
our starting. Repaired to the "Metropoli-
tan Hotel, and remained there until ne&a
day at P. M. Lincoln is the capital of
Nebraska, and is very pretty city. Its
| large business houses, hotels, churches,
University buildings, capital buildings,
and r. r. depots, make it place of CON
siderable note. Would advise any one
making trip through Nebraska to visit
Lincoln, and not forget to register at the
metropolitan" u well kept hotel, commo-
dious and pleasant in all respects; airy
chambers, elegant furniture, with bills of
table fare fit for princes, and charges very
reasonable. This popular house is at pres
ent kept by the Spencer Bros, late of Hi
nois.
Left Lincoln at p. NJ, by B. g. M. r.
r., for Omaha reached there at 4 P. NJ. :;
remained until next day, 18th, at 4.45 p.
NJ; then left for California, on the cars of
the great N. p. r. r. From Pawnee city,
via Lincoln, via Omaha to Wyoming Ter
ritory, we saw nothing strange, save seven
buffalo. Beautiful prairie, pretty little
towns with large school buildings, corn,
wheat, barley and oats, by the million.
Arrived at Grand Island on 18th, Thurs
day, at 6 A. M. Near here we passed a
wagon train-immigrants "going west"-
They were "corralled," so as to be ready
for any event of danger. The wagons were
placed in perfect circle, close together,
the horses within and the men, women and
children eating breakfast with apparent
relish. In case of an attack the immigrants
hurriedly get inside the circle and are thus
prepared to defend themselves.
1t would be almost impossible to tell of
every thing we saw, after we entered Wyo-
ming Territory, the beautiful young city
of Cheyenne, buffalo, wild Indians, on the
war path, the Black Hills in the distance,
the dreary, dreary deserts, the great
Rocky Mountains, with their innumerable
snow capped heights. SHERMAN" the
highest r. r. station in the world, more
than 5000 feet above sea level, our slow
ascent to, and our rapid descent from this
place; snow sheds, tunnels, ETC., etc, pref
ty towns and military posts in among the
rocky desert places, and many other items
of interest.
The Devils Gate in Utah Territory is
grand, yet beautiful looking place. We
were anticipating strange scene, but one
can not conceive of its magnitude without
seeing it. 1t is in the midst of mountains
that seem to almost scale the sky above
Devils Gate" is east of Ogden few miles.
1t is simply q narrow rocky river, running
between two tremendous craggy noun
taiDs. We at first enjoyed the sublime
scenes below, but soon we found that we
were surrounded by dangerous looking
features. Looking down, down, far away,
we see from our dizzy heights the tops of
the tallest trees. Now we make curve
that brings our train almost into perfect
circle; then again we seem to ride over
the very brink of the awful raging water
falls below. Our train simply crept, bare
ly moved. Scarce word was spoken
Mothers pressed their little ones closer to
their hearts, and all felt it fitting to be
quiet; but soon our speed increases. A
beautiful valley is in view. Mirth, limo
cent and healthful, assumed its sway; all
were happy. We had passed by the DEVILS
Gate.
Ogden is quite II pretty town, situated
in beautiful valley, surrounded by a
range of mountains on the east, north and
south cast, with the notable Salt Lake
west. This lake is beautiful, placid
sheet of water. The "Giants," afford food
for thought. Away up on the side Of a
grand old mountain in Utah stands an an
cient-looking group. What art has done
for this statuary we know not; but at the
distance from which we saw them the
group looks singularly striking. One wo.
man and four men, in full dress costume Of
the oriental style-solid rock. We reach.
ed Sacramento in due time and pronounc
ed it substantial city.
The Sacramento Valley contains thous
ands of elegant farms, and fourishine
vineyards. Arrived at this place the Sec
ond day after We left Sacramento. Dis
lance near four hundred miles south.
Thankful to an over ruling Power for
safe and delightful journey, we meet a cor
dial reception from our dear friends at thi
place, and as soon as we recruit rest, ant
gain more knowledge of the country, W,
will communicate again for your columns
MORE ANON.