The herald., 1893-07-09
REGION FULL Of LATENT WEALTH.
The Country Between Salt
Lake and Los Angeles.
Rich Farming Lands and Valuable
Gold Mines.
Description OF Some Ranches Which
Show the Fertility OF the Soil.
Tho Timber and the
Mines.

below will be found the second lette
from Colonel Brooks of Pomona on th'
rich territory between Salt Lake City
and Los Angeles
My travelling companion Captain j
W. Wright and self lett my New ads
headquarters, Younts Ranch post Office
Manse Nye county, Nevada, on the 6sl
OF June, and by the way of the old emf
grant road of 1919 proceeded to cross the
Yellow Pine mountain. camping at the
old Old Potosi lead mines, near group
of fine springs surrounded by miles OF
fine pifion and juniper timber.
1t is commanding spot, romantic and
historical too. From the top OF Potosi
mountain a vast extent of country
stretching over Utah, Arizona, Nevada
and California is commanded by the
eyes, and looking down at the foot OF the
mountain beautiful view is mad OF the
long and broad valleys, Pahrump to the
south and southwest, and Las Vegas to
the east and northeast, while Corn and
Indian Creek valleys are to the north.
In m7 examination of this now aban-
doned camp, find relics of stone build
ing that have long since yielded to the
effects of near 40 years exposure, and
are tumbled into desolated shapes but
are not so obliterated as to destroy the
fact that they were built by the Latter
Day Saints men OF the present age.
Whilst the age of these rnins is not
to be compared with those OF Palestine,
old Rome and the rocks of the Rio Jor-
dan, they carry with them memories OF
the desperate struggles of western pio-
neer life and an important event, in
which the combRtants of General Sid
ney Johnson and his army figured in
1866.
1t will be remembered that on this
occasion there was a proclamation
on the part of the government OF the
United States as against President
Brigham Young and the principles OF
the Mormon church, and at an expense
of $50, ,OO0,0 to the federal government
johnson and his army was ordered to
coerce the Mormon fraternity to the
views and Interpretation OF the laws OF
the government.
The Mormons, having O fixed faith
and fidelity to the principles to which
they were as conscientiously converted
as is Methodist or Baptist to their faith
in Divinity and the laws of salvation,
with life and property resisted General
johnson and made one of the most ex-
haustive and expensive preparations,
and under greater difficulties for dead
ly war than is possibly elsewhere re-
corded in history.
Old Potosi mountain is we'll known
with its promentory peaks and it's min
ersl deposits, but it is not generally
known to be the locality where the
Latter Day Saints, the Mormons. pro-
cured the lead with which to fight Gen
eral johnson and his army on their ap-
proach to Salt Lake City.
1t is situated at distance of 900 miles
from Salt Lake City by the way they
travelled, and the Mormons having pro-
ceeded to Potosi with wagons they pre-
cured the crude lead ore, and over
barren country void of the necessities OF
life for either man or animal. save
natures provision, the lead ore running
favorably high in oliver WAS dragged or
hauled to Salt Lake City and there re.
fined and cast into bullets.
The fact OF this travelling 1900 miles
to get wagon load OF metal in 1855,
forcibly impresses one with the supend-
GUS difficulties under which the miners,
mill and smelter, farmer and lumber
man labors today in the absence OF g
railroad.
The country, as it is, is little world
in extent, rich in its varied resources,
yet dormant to the wants of the world.
1t is true that railroads are nearer
than in those days, but with that inter
vening expanse yet to be Epanned with
the rail, here where 100 pounds of
barley is worth $5 and -four IS to $40
what nerve, what energy and persis
ency of nature must the people be por
sessed OF to have fought for the pa
years, such distressing odds againsi
them. The wonder is removed aud the
secret ia told in the true merits of the
country and the appreciation OF the
same by the few toiling here.
On the 9TH an early march is taken
from the old Mormon camp to reach the
Las Vegas ranch, situated in Las Vegas
valley, Lincoln county, New. In descend
ing the mountain to the valley and near
the border Of the lower land, briei
hault was made at Mr.. Charles Stewart
beautiful little ranch, upon which are
growing field products, thrifty vegetables
and fruit trees with shady cottonwoods
about the spring. This farm is supplied
with constant flow OF 16 inches OF water
from but one spring.
AT distance OF eight miles to the west
and Immediately under an abrupt par
of the mountain, where petritied see
fossils, fish of immenee size are as nat
ural as life itaelf, is situated Mr.. Viii
sons ranch, supplied with constant
flow of 25 inches of water.
Having had breakfast, travel of Is
miles toward the center OF the valley. anc
the anxiously looked for Las Vegal
ranch is reached.
Here is found g most inviting home.
like place, immense shade trees, fruits
and flowers, vegetables and field pro
ducts, and in fact it is farm and STOCK
ranch, and full of luxurious growth
ripened to the taste and wants o
man and beasts, and when Che weary
traveller has reached this fertile home
having crossed the expansive plain!
under eeorching cum and tempera
cure of 100 degrees Of heat, bis soul snc
Aeart rejoice as ii the first sight o.
Heaven had peon reached.
The valley, susceptible of cultivation
snd OF growing alfalfa, variously extends
from Is to 30 milea around the ranch
house, with here and there bubbline
springs dotting the surface.
The ranch proper consists 1900 acref
OF land and water supply of about 20(
inches, all flowing from one spring. The
perpendicular elevation Of the big spring
above the home premises in distance
of three miles is 165 feet, which consti-
tutes remarkably valuable water
T1nupr that roou ba t7filizad for yarioue