Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-09-12
OUR CALIFORNIA LETTER

YUBA CITY, Aug. %, 1879.
DEAR FRIENDS OF THE" BLACK SWAMP"
Since last wrote you many things
have transpired, some of which may be
interesting to you. The first few weeks
were spent ON sick bed of fever within
and solar weight OF from 100 20 1902 de
grees OF heat without, so you will be
ready to hear of my fleeing to the noun
tains as soon as was able to get out.
Well, / did take a trip TO the North, into
Plumas Co., to Il pieasaat lille valley, o
miles beyond The summit, called "iIHm-
bug Valley" noted Tor lis delightful eli
mate in summer as well as for its soda
springs and It's many brook trout, and for
the beautiful mountain scenery and the
deer aud other wild game on the slopes
and in the deep canyons, making it one el
the earths rare spots for man worn with
business or shattered by disease. Here
while dsinking this health-inspiring soda
water and sleeping on my blankets out OF
doors by night; by hunting and eating
deer and other game, cooked by myself on
fire Of Goals along with bread OF my own
baking, with such choice butter and milk
as only mountain valley can produce,
gained about lib Of iiesh day and am
nov again at my home in Sutter Co., in
good health, and ready TO begin my
school.
The country from here TO this beautiful
valley is gradual change from a desert
plain to Il mountaiH cDuntry, for the FIRST
80 miles, then it proudly rises from one
high ridge to another until an elevation
of 1000 feet IL attained, when the road
i a.. 8, l.
above named. The mountains, though
Steep are mostly covered with S IL and are
planted in beautiful towering pines, rear
ing their heads above each other. making
it beautiful country TO travel through.
The roads are dug into the sides of the
hills, winding mp by the easiest grala
lions, and at Intervals nice fountains Of
cold water gush out Of the steep banks
across the road. The road is made and
kept mp by chartered company, who
collect toll at iniereuls of 20 or so miles
for their pay. The roads arc quite good
for the rugged mountaiE sides upon which
they are built, and you will see the stage
full Of passengers driven along at II raj
tling rate down on this narrow road, dug
into the side Of hills, where the bank be-
low the road is almost perpendicular, and
the chasm below, ms far IA the traveller
can see, bottomless. Through this vast
country you will see but little improve.
ment, except In places where mining towns
are built up or where fumes are built to
convey the vast wealth of lumber down TO
the lower valleys. Ia the lower valleys
aud on the sides of the mountains are
planted beautiful vineyards and orchards
but above the elevation OF 5000 or 1000
feet the climate is too frosty for fruit, and
no other Use is made of the soil except for
hay aud summer paslnFage ior stock.
Humbng Valley LAS am aera Of about 1900
acres of grass land. Here are kept n6out
500 milk cows during the summer, aud
their butter is sold to the miners and lum-
bermen at from % to 40 cents per pound
The proprietor, keeps u hotel, grocery
store and post Office, and Is very kind to
any one who may wish TO camp Bpon his
premises for fishing or hunting. About
the middle of October he generally moves
his stock and fahiy down to Oroylle
The snow in the region OF the summit
falls TO the depth OF from 8 to II leet.
Well, AN" as you are waiting for a
grizzly story now | will tell you what
came Of ii. One day while rambling ovei