Year: 1859

tcleSl apn route, IaStlnS from In the
morning to 124 P. NJ, was marked by
the usual incidents of plenty of dust,
breakfast at the Zinc House and the ar
rival of a dirty squad of patrons of the
California Stage Company, at Sacra-
mento. Riding with the driver I escaped
the confinement and drowsiness of an
inside passage at the expense of cold
during the hours of darkness and the
broiling heat in the day time of "the
SUMMER solstice, ITO use the classic phrase
ola recent turnover politician. A trip
from Nevada to Sacramento over the
route / came discovers to the eye no
very extensive evidences of thrift or pro-
grcss. On Bear River we see fields of
ripened grain, some of it in the sheaf,
some in stacks, but still larger quanti
ty impatient fo1 the sickle, or to use the
language of the times, McCormick's
reaper. The preparations for building
new bridge over Bear River in place
of one carried away by the flood of 1852,
Is the only other item of interest could
pick up on the route. A dearth of any
thing noticeble is the main observation
ofthe traveller over the telegraph route.
Since the railroad to Folsom las been
completed much of the travel tn at form
crly went this way has been turned in
another direction, and instead of crowd
ed stages daily we now have a very
quiet, modest little affair of half empty
coach three times n week, which seems
to pass along the road for the purpose of
accommodating few individuals to a
ride, and to throw out famished mail
bag at place or two.


1 find Sacramento rapidly improving.
and making advances in the way of be-
coming larga and well built city. New
buildings are going up in various parts
of the town, the streets are gradually
improving, and a spirit of emulation per
vadcs the men of means which augurs
finely for the future.


Having but limited amount of time
at disposal l contented myselfin Sacra-
rnento as well as could with short tour
Of observation under the particular gui
dance of that amiable and talented
gentleman of the press, VIM. Bausman,
Esquire, which if it did not bring to my
notice great events in the passing world
certainly disposed me to look with less
acerbity upon the errors of our race,
through the philosophizing influence of
his genial heart Bausm an does the local
for the Sta.sdard and in captivating
but independent style, as l think his
readers are ready to say.


l also accepted a polite invitation of
Rev. O. C. Wheeler to visit the State
Agricultural building, now in course of
erection on the corner of NJ. and 9th
streets, and was shown over an immense
structure which when completed will be
one of the chief ornaments and attraction
of the city. 1t is to be in readiness for
the State Fair to be held here on the
18th of September.


The building has base of10S feet by
14O deep. The walls are about 46 feet
in height to the roof. The front pre-
sents an elevation of three stories, while
the side shows but two. The grand
ground room is 120 by 100 feet and 16
feet in height, and is to be devoted to the
exhibition of heavy articles. Immediate
ly above this room is another of the
same length and breadth, but with an al
titude of 80 feet and will be one of the
grandest halls in the state and the prin-
cipal feature of attraction in the build
ing. A front stairway As feet in width
ascends to the second story and to the
principal room in the building. The
stairway is fanked on each side with
projections to the main building each of
which are three rooms 16 by 81 feet, one
over the other. The grand hall is built
in accordance with the principles of ac>
coustics, and is furnished with a speak
er's stand and orchestra.


A prominent object of curiosity is the
roof thrown over this vast hall. 1t is
not supported by single pillar but
spans the whole distance of 100 feet
and is self supporting. Six beams con
structed of joist bolted together are
thrown across from wall to wall and upol
these are constructed the entire roof