Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-02-14

uOuI We sldI leu q S5AAu anu AANAAS oSSSS
seven miles over a terrible road, pass
sng what is called Seven Lakes on the
top Of very high mountain.
Friday, the oath, pursued our rug
ged course this morning, winding and
twisting about through the mountains
and over great cliffs of rock all day.
Night came on and caught us on top
of a great precipice. We were obliged
to tie our mules to the wagon wheels
until morning. Only made FIVE miles
and busy all day.
Saturday, the 25th, We managed to
get our mules down one at time, at-
ter which we attached ropes to the
wagons and by using trees as snubbing
post, we got all down in safety. We
than travelled on, jumping from rock
to rock and from crag to crag, passing
up some tremendous high and rocky
places, requiring all hands to the wag-
ons in order TO get them up. Made
some eight miles today.
Sunday. the Goth, wearied and worn
out as we are, we still persevered on
our toilsome journey this morning,
travelling about three miles, when we
came to another tremendous high and
rocky mountain. We gained the top
Of it after repeated trials, and found
Just room enough for our wagons to
stand on it. To look down 1t seems
almost bottomless We are all out of
heart and slmost ready to give up.
But after holding consultation, we
again picked up courage and made
another effort to pass on. BY taking
out the mules and using the ropes as
before, going from one tree to another
until we reached the bottom, which
was fully half mile, the whole day
was spent in getting down. Forum
ately about night the wagons were all
safely in the valley below, without
accident of any sort. This is a beau
tiful little valley, about two miles in
length and one half mile in width,
covered with fine grass and pure
stream of water running through the
center Of it. 1t is called Bear Valley
We encamped near the center of it fol
the night.
Monday, the 9th. Today we lay
by to rest from our hard labors Of the
past three days. l have been ramb.
ling through the mountains today and
found the raspberries and gooseberrief
growing here in abundance. They are
now fully ripe and they taste very
nice to tired and hungry man. The
oak trees have also made their appear
ance, with their majestic tops almost
piercing the clouds. They bring tc
ones mind the memories Of home
sweet home, and the endearments o.
civilization. We have shot several
fine deer the past week. They are
plentiful, as are also bears and elks.
Tuesday, the 28th. We started
before daylight this morning, in order
to get ahead Of the wagons, that have
been much in the way. The road has
been little better today. We have
made thirteen miles and camped fol
the night without a particle Of grass
feeding on oak bushes.
Wednesday, the 29th. Resumed
our marching again this morning, but
had not proceeded far when we came
to the brink Of the worst mountain
that we have yet encountered, quite
a half mile down and almost perpen'
dicular. We were obliged to cut
down large trees and attach them tc
the wagons. By this means we got
down without accident. We passed
the first gold dlggers today. Some o.
the teams had failed and the men
went to mining and were meeting
with good success. We marched al
day without feed, making fourteen
miles and feeding on bushes again to-
night.
Thursday, the 3Oth. Started again
this morning, having a very steeF
mountain to ascend, which We got VI
with much difficulty, moving by inch
es until the summit was reached. We
here held a consultation as to whai
we should DO in regard to our progress
Our provisions are all gone and oul
teams completely played out. Aftel
great deal Of wrangling it was de-
cided to discard one half Of the wag
ons and take the mules and the Other
half and proceed. We made about
FIVE miles and halted.
Friday, the 8lst. Proceeded OF
this morning, leaving several mule
through the day that could not trave
farther.
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