The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-07-21
VISIT 70 KANAKA PEAK

VlSIT III KANAKA PEAA.
The town OF Oriville was in gala attire,
for the spring had come to make an early
call as usual. March winds don't whis-
tie through the valleys, nor snow flakes
come and linger, as they have habit of
doing east. So tho roses arc not afraid
OF Jack Frosts cool touch, and were
profuse in their blushing beauty. The
orange trees were white with sweet
scented buds and purple and white vio-
let's were pertaining the air.
We, that is, Belle Corca, Mabel Black
and /. were visitingan old school friend,
lately married, and living in a lovely
home in the "Gcm OF the Foothills" rs
Oriville it called. We were merry
party, for Clara Agnew, our hostess, was
OF our own age, and her hubby, "a
prince OF good fellows" just devoted to
her.
For our pleasure they planned daily
excursions, on horseback or by carriage,
to various places of interest. We had
already visited Fall river falls, the nina
turc Yosemite OF Northern California;
we had been on the north fork OF tho
Feather river, whore camping out over
night was not the least OF our pleasure.
When the moon came over the tall,
dark pines, it sent brilliant shafts OF
light across the snowy mountain peaks
above us, and the warm night air was
fragrant with mingled pine and almond
blossoms from the valley far below.
We had Just returned from carriage
ride, and Clara was planning u trip to
Kanaka Peak. She had heard the digger
Indians were late this year in having
their "burn," and were now mastering
to the Peak from their various camps in
American Valley, Dog Town and San
Juan. We had heard OF their strange
custom Of burning clothing, baskets, and
all their valuables, in fact thinking
that the smoke would arise and form
into those same articles for the use OF
their friends in the Gland OF spirits"
"They don't like white people to
come" Clara said.
But rs we were anxious to see burn,
and had all promised not to speak in
meeting" she thought we might 60
that is, il she could got sufficient male
escort, say about three besides her own
husband; and then We each would have
protector.
So, early one bright morning, We start
ed, with a span OF horses, Il Chinaman
cook, and pack mule called lack"
On this beast OF burden was put our tents
and the necessary provisions. Some
times tho cook toWed the jack; some
times he mounted it. Our horses were
fresh and the blackboard light; so we
soon left the valley behind, and ascend
ed the ioothill and climbed the sierras
by well graded road, that seemed to us
rather dangerously near the steep can
yons and deep ravines.
We passed ''String Town" formerly a
mining claim, and rode on up the steep
hills till we came to a valley surround.
cd by tall sentinel like pines. Then, us
it was s o'clock, we stopped near Eagle
GulCh for breakfast.
And oh, the food did taste so delicious
for our ride in the fresh air had given
US all good appetites for hot steak aud
coffee.
After breakfast we went on our way.
meeting and passing several bands OF
diccers en- route for the "burn." The
squaws usually had large baskets, invert-
cd cone shape, fastened across Their lore,
heads by straps; in these, with round
heads sticking out, were little brown
pappooses. Other squaws were hiding
rough little jacks that bore patiently the
combined load OF household goods and
children OF various sizes. These native
children OF the golden West were bare
footed, and those that walked left loot
prints on the dusty road; and shapely
feet, if they were fiat, with never trace
OF a corn or disGguring bunion, which
mar the feet OF many belle in the East
and West.
After crossing the middle fork OF
Feather river, we made tho ascent on the
other side, and Us the sun was setting,
we Jaw the Moon Town ridge sharply
defined against the clear blue sky. An
other hali-hour ride, and then we halt
cd, and the men pegged our tents and
made fire, for the air was chilly.
The cook was soon preparing our sup
ner. Tho men, finishing their work,
walked down to the river to fish. In
the interval we walked up the trail to
the Peak, to see il we could catch
glimpse OF the "Campoodie," about hall
q mile away. After walking a quarter OF
mile, we saw the smoke OF the camp.
fires; and rs our supper horn resounded
through the hills, we returned.
After supper the men thought, as We
.. were to remain up all night without
. sleep, nap before the moon arose would
be advisable. So We wrapped ourselves
up like the Arabs and stole away silently,
one by one, to the land OF nod, the men
returning to the river to WOO the ''speck-
\ led beauties" from their river bed.
So silence fell on our tents, broken oc-
, casionally by quail's whistle or an owl
hooting mourninlly. We dozed of, for
we were tired after our long ride, and
!, were 10th to awaken when Mr.. Agnew
. and the rest returned TO arouse us to get
y ready for our walk in the Indian camps.
/ A light breeze was swaying the tall
trees, and few light clouds were OBJ
scuring the rays OF the rising moon.
Still it was light enough to see the trail.
. We girls were walking ahead with
Clara, and the men walking behind, the
J scent OF their cigars mingling with piny
d odors. We were taking a short cut
!; oyer the ridge, and our way was oh
h structed by brush, but we hraveily
: pushed on. We had been discussing, in
I low tones, one Of the men Of our party
] Bart Birmingham, a lively young fellow
Clara said teasingly:
: "Belle, ho would be good match FOL
| you; he has lots Of money"
She had hardly spoken the words
| when we were startled by the young
man remarking in clear voice:
az don't want to hear that again:
Clara, fortunately, was too dumb
j founded to reply, and We plodded on in
silence till over the park, and before VI
= burned brightly the camp fires.
There WINS large fire in the center
; and around it were poles hung witt
calico clothing, baskets and eatahIes
. Smaller fires were around the circle
= TIT alo,,j. nhaCural tho moOn and the