The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1884-04-26
A TRIP FROM pIocHE TO WARD

from Eureka, via Hamilton and Ward.
They present the strongest argument
possible for mail route direct from here
to the railroad at Milford, only 100 miles
distant, through country that has been
open for communication all winter. as
against either OF the other routes from
the railroad to this point, both OF which
are twice as long and over harder coun-
try to travel through:
Parker's Station, April 9. Arrived
here, rs miles from Phoebe, at 1880 P. NJ.
Roads not very bad. except about 10
miles. It took four hours to make last
FIVE miles. 1t is now 1890 P. M, Mrs.
Pouiade takes stage hence to Ward, and
ride horseback. viii finish this at
Willow Creek. i.
Ward, II. Left Parker's 9th, at hour
stated, Mr.. Townshend taking sleigh,
and the driver, Geo. Harris, taking the
stage, with no load to speak Of. rode
horseback, Mrs. P. in the stage, and
John Horne "Snow.shoe Jack, walked.
We made our way very slowly up Cave
Valley to the snow line, left the stage,
transferred its load and horses to the
sleigh, making four-horse team, and
proceeded still more slowly about three
miles. Then commenced the crossing Of
Bullwhack. Mrs. P. held the lines, the
rest of us walked, pushing the sleigh oc-
casionally, and urging the horses forward.
The poor animals could hardly wallow
through the snow. l did not even dare
to ride my own horse. Thus We made
our way to the first summit, " between
which and the second summit" lay the
worst portion of the road. 1t was now
nearly dark, and we made for timber,
about II miles ahead. After an hours
hard work we had traversed quarter of
mile. Here we had to abandon the
sleigh, and put our provisions and
blankets on hand.sled 8 feet long by 2
feet wide, which had been prepared for
carrying the mail. Horne here put on
his snow. shoes and attempted TO draw
the sled, but found it impossible. One
of the horses was then hitched on. Pro.
gress was now very slow; about every
SO yards the load would fall of the
sleigh, the snow being so deep that it
was nearly impossible to keep it level.
Finally the horse caught sight of the bare
ground on the south side Of the noun.
tain, about 400 yards distant, when he
plunged forward through the snow with
all the strength that was left in him,
leaving the whole load at the first jump,
and never stopping till he reached the
solid earth. Previous to this he had
been beaten with shovel to make him
60 forward. During this time Harris
had been in the van, leading a horse;
Horne followed with the horse attached
to the sled, on which Mrs. P. was riding;
Townshend followed, and last came my.
self, nearly wearied out. We then went
short distance up the side Of the noun
tain to q small cedar, where the camp
fire was kindled. 1t was still storming,
and continued so nearly all night. 1t
was then 1890 at night. By the time
we had supper and fed the horses it was
midnight. At l o'clock Jack had SHOW
eled down through the snow about four
feet to make place that would shelter
US little from the storm; and there in
the mud and water we spent the balance
of sleepless night-a night of suffering
/ cannot describe. About 6 o'clock in
the morning. after breakfast, Mr.. Town
shend and his two assistants, taking one
horse, went back to where the the sleigh
had been left, hitched on to the tongue,
and pushed and pulled forward until thu
horse was exhausted. Then Horne came
to camp for another horse, and finally
the third was added, tandem. After {
long, hard struggle. they reached poin'
near the camp, where Mrs P. had pro
vided q cup Of good coffee, which wa
very much relished. It was noon whel
we started forward to the next camp
about II miles distant. Mr.. T. aheat
leading one horse, three other horse
hitched one ahead Of the other to tn
sleigh, on which sat Mrs. p, and fol
lowing. After while we passed tn
second summit" and reached poin
within quarter of mile Of the mex
camp. The horses were lying down o.
their sides about every five minutes, tn
skin torn from their feet and legs, an
nearly exhausted. The situation wa
very discouraging. 1t seemed to me in
|. possible for the sleigh to be draw
!. through; but finally the horses agai
caught sight Of bare ground, and keI
plunging ahead, making about two roc
At. each start, until, at P. NJ, the
!. reached the camp, where Mr.. T. hs
! prepared . fra. All were tired out; v
!. remained there, taking lunch aud fee
: ing the horses, until o'clock, when Y
!. made start for Willow Creek, II mil
: distant; we had much better roads theme
= forward; still the snow was from 70
= to two feet deep for the first five mile
and fresh snow kept falling 90 fast tn
n all bare spots were covered a. We we
q along in the sleigh. OF course we cou
n not 20 faster than walk.
h We reached the station at Willie
Z Creek At 1880 in the night. A large 6
cracked and blazed in the 6re.plas
Ut what delight after the suffering Of t
@ previous night and two days. Nj
to Moorman prepared . splendid supper;
i'd was unable to eat; but sleep undisturb
till morning made new people Of us Z
After . wholesome breakfast we p
ID. ceeded to Ward with comparativ,