Year: 1859

6IBsoNVILLE, Dec. 10th, 1859.


EDIToR DEMOCRAT Prompted by desire
to obtain q knowledge from personal obser-
vnton Of the mineral and agricultural resour-
ces of the Honey Lake Valley, was in.
duced last fall, in company with three 9th
er gentlemen, to make the trip, and now that
that whole section of country is commanding
nm important and increasing interest, ques-
ton not, that hOsty sketch of the Journey
and ofmy crude impression of that part of
the Great Basin will prove more or less in
teresting to portion of the many readers of
your most excellently conducted paper.
shall be as brief as is consistent with an in
telligble description, and will promise to the
reader, that he will meet with no display of
language-no pompous harangue of "by-
words"-my ruling motive being just what
should govern every public writer-practical
utility. We mounted our mules few mo-
mentS after sunrise, and made the beginning
of what proved to be a very tiresome journey
to my very humble self We passed through
the town of Onion Valley, four miles distant,
at about s o'clock A. NJ. This town embraces
but two prominent features-dullness to tur-
bid stagnation, and a sublime view of ''Pilot
Peak" The most grand and imposing pros.
pect that can possibly be obtained of that re.
nowned old landmark, Pilot Peak, is com.
manded from Onion Valley.


In 1850, and before the La Porte Gibson.
vile, and Whiskey Dggings, or in fact any
other diggns in this vicinity had been dis
covered, with the exception of Poormans
Creek, and some few other gulches in that
direction, Onion Valley possessed wide
spread reputation. Indeed, at that time it
was the headquarters of every mining camp
in this section-the only place of note any
where near here-and the stages meandered
around through Little Grass Valley, anfl over
the ridge down into its august limits. But.
that mark of existence has long since ceased
to be extended to it; and npprehend, never
will be again, However. there is Que chance
for Onion Valley to revive again, and don
business, cheerful attitude. There are several
tunnels now penetrating Washington Hill
which lies adjoining the town on the east,
and through which it is coniectured the
"blue lead" runs-and should they find such
diggings, Onion Valley will again be pros
porous town; and next time too, on an imper-
ishable basis We halted in Onion Valley
but few moments, then logged on over
"Hog's Back" and IL A. NJ. found us at Nelson |
Point. The Nelson Point Hill" is the steep
est mountain, and most rough trail that |
ever travelled. From Nelson Point to Quincy |
is is some twelve or fourteen miles, over |
very good trail indeed, which place we reach
ed some time before night. Quincy is beau
tifdl town, and is too generally known, to
require description from me.


American Valley is quite handsome, being
bounded by moderately high mountains, for
that vicinity, but its meandering skirt is as
circuitous as nature could we'll have made
it. The valley is by nature peculiarly adapt
ed to stock raising, grass growing, &C., al
though there is some fine agricultural land
in it, and some farms did see there that
strongly reminded me of similar institutions
in the old Empire State. Some of the valley
is quite marshy. Not having accomplished
half of our journey the first day, we were
obliged to start very early the next morn
ing in order to get through that day. Now
when tell you that it is twelve miles from
American Valley to Indian Valley, six miles
from American Valley up hill to the Summit,
and six miles from the Summit down into
Indian Valley and that we took our depart
ure in the morning "empty," and that we did
not get morsel Of breakfast until we reached
the latter place, perhaps you will not be
much inclined to discredit my "yarn," when
/ assure you that it is my honest impression
that one dollar each did not pay the unfortu-
nate landlord who furnished us with that
erentful breakfast, first cost on the salt and
pepper scattered over the provisions which
we consumed


We finally finished our meal, settled our
bill, made some remarks about paying "lt-
tie" something extra, when the landlord hint.
ed that he did not like to charge more than
his regular price, which made us feel rery
bad mounted our stock with our faces stub
bornly headed for the north, and our caudal
appendages as grandly and persistently float
ing in the opposite direction, as if contesting
our right to leave a place that afforded such
a large share of the good things of this life
Gentle reader, that breakfast, with the phys.
ical force of our animals, carried us safely
through and landed us at o'clock that even
ing in Susanville. Honey Lake Valley but
you must pardon me for retracing my steps
and describing the lovely valley of Indian
renown. Indian Valley is one of the most
enchanting spots that my eyes ever rested
upon. For person who desires to bid adieu
to the festive scenes of gay world, and re-
treat TO some lone romantic spot that will
furnish food for solemn meditation upon the
profound and unfathomable mysteries of Ma
ture's everlasting works, | believe that in
Indian Valley he can come little nearer
reaching the goal of his iueHhaustible theme,
than In any other spot on earth, Hemmed
In, as it is, by Califorpia's mightiest noun
tains, pure crystalline rivulets triokling
down from bench to bench, until they are
spread out over the valley in golden flowing
streams, and finally with q transcendental
scenery, that far outstrips the most glowing
conception of Italias favored grandeurs, She
stands alone the most inspiring spot on earths
romantic face.