The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-12-10

our experience, so you may understand
the sheep herder's nomadic life, as seen
here in California. Last winter was
uncommonfy severe here, so all de-
clared. Some even accused us of bring
ing Wisconsin weather with us. They
said the snow was 20 feet deep upon
the mountain, a subject of much i'm
portance to the stock men Of our VII
cinity, as the mountain is between
their winter and summer pasturage.
The all-absorbing topic of conversation
was the snow on the mountains and
the snow sc the big meadows. March
came in warm and pleasant, but during
the latter part of that month and q
good part of April we had high winds
and cold rains, and they told us if it
rained with the mercury at60o at our
place. it was pretty sure to be showing
on the mountain. May came on very
warm, according to our estimation.
The feed dried up. Still that barrier
Of snow could not be passed but on
snow-shoes. On the 10th of May, Mr..
Sauber, our eldest son, herder and
guide started with the sheep. Brother
went along with the team, taking q
tent, provisions and such utensils as
they would need during @ few weeks
sojourn on the foothills, and when they
were encamped where there was plen-
ty Of feed and water for the stock he
returned home. I think we could
have endured the warm weather, but
the water became insufferabIe. Bust
ness kept brother from home much OF
the time. Upon returning one even
ing he found several of us not very
well, and he remarked the packing
must be done tomorrow, so we can
start next day. The packing was per-
picking, as the stoves and heavy furni-
ture must be left in the house; other
household goods that would not stand
rough usage was taken to O neighbours.
Some things must be boxed to await
the return Of the team; some to be
opened again at our temporary abode,
and others for daily use on our journey.
We think it better to keep hensthan
to pay from to bits a dozen for eggs.
The currency here is counted in dollars
and bits. Some people don't under
stand Us If we mention the price Of an
article in cents. Mice are plentiful.
and cats necessity where provisions
are bought by wholesale, so our hens
and cats must go, too. Out of sixfam-
lilies Of us living near the foothills, but
one remains in the valley during the
summer. On the 10th of June we
moved down the valley to Chico; there
we had to lay In q stock Of provisions,
ETC., and we did not get started again
till late the next morning. Our course
lay to the northeast over lovely
stream, through pleasant wood and
over a very warm open country till we
reached the hills, and we rode up hill
and down along the ridge, sometimes
over 1t, but oftener on one side or the
other. In places this road is made in
the solid rock at the edge of the cliff.
and We can look down the canyon so
far below and count the huge pines
growing on the opposite steep, from 20
to 80 lengths Of trees as they seem to
stand one above another. That was a
pleasant ride, though the young ladies
th0ughtEt would be nicer if Mr., Has.
tings had been there to lay the dust.
The two little boys rode with their
uncle in the loaded wagon, and two
daughters and myself in light buggy.
We had plenty Of time to admire the
scenery, gather various flowers grow
ing in profusion along our way, inspect
Q toad having horns and a tail, and
travelling like q mud turtle, and to
watch the Lizards catching flies By the
roadside. We found it refreshingly
cool by evening, had an excellent sup.
per at q hotel, made our beds down in
a hay barn, and never slept better.
Stock men usually avoid public houses,
and lodge under the forest trees. The
next day we reached the Butte Meadow
House, and after supper entered q
cabin near, borrowed stove and pre-
pared to stay till we could cross the
mountain.
The cabin was supplied with bed
steads, tables and benches. and we
brought other necessaries, so we were
soon quite at home. Next day brother
started back to Chico with the wagon
and four horses, saying he could find a
cheaper place to keep the team. All
the hotels on this road are what they
call bit houses, that is, bits for q
meal, 4 bits for lodging, and 4 bits for
hay for horse one night. This place
is $500 feet above sea level: the cabin
stands on the bank of Butte creek. a
high steep hill rises from the waters
edge on the farther or southern side
OF the stream. It is a Withholding
place. A great log lies in front Of the
house, another at the west; in. fact.
fallen trees are plentiful on land and
water. Here the water falls over q
big log extending across the stream.
and there 1t rushes under another: it
runs through the woods and around
into the channel again, over roots of
trees and in so many different little
falls. Such o cleaning, dancing and
leaping OF waters | never saw before.
and mHrmur and roar like a rushing
mighty wind in q great forest. The
Butte Is formed by the melting snow
from on the mountain: is much higher
at night than in the morning. It is
clear and nearly ice cold, and the first
real good drinking water we had in
California. Most Of the water IN the