Year: 1860

mad made Jaekasses of ourselves by getting
into the snow, we might as well be decent
Jaekasses and pack our wagon and provisions
out on our backs.


This being carried, the minority, which
consisted of a single Dutchman, thought it
wouldn't do to kick against.


So, taking the packs from the horses, We
at last by great difficulty, got them once
more on their feet, My poor horse had all
four legs in the snow up to his body, as
though he were feeling for something. Be-
fore we could get him out, the snow had to
be dug away for some distance. Starting
the horses ahead under the care of some of
the company, the remainder took a sack
apiece and slowly brought up the rear; leav-
ing part of the goods for another trip. We
continued on in this most trying manner till
we reached a spot where the snow had melt
ed away. Here we took off our packs and
started back after the goods we had left. 1t
would make one laugh to have seen us sweat.
ing right in the face of all that snow. This
place named Back Slider's Excuse for 7
really believe that the most devout preacher
couldn't help swearing, unless he had quart
bottle filled with good brandy, which am
sorry to say we didn't have. We had to
pack our provisions to the summit. about n
half a mile beyond the clear spot which was,
am happy to say, the summit of our labor.


After reachig the top of the mountain we
found the trail much better. About a mile
and half or two from the summit we stop
ped, partook Of some refreshments and
most comfortable rest. At 3 o'clock we
again started for Jamison, the place we hoped
to have reached the day before. The trail
was very muddy and rough About three
or four miles this side of Jami8on the trail
goes over large rocks for more than a mile
making it very dangerous to ride Here we
saw deserted jackass among the locks
standing on board, on which his owner had
kindly placed him. l have no doubt that
the poor animal thought it was hard stand
ing on that board, as there wasn't any grass
within his reach.


Opposite or near these rocks is the site
of old Jamison, three or four miles higher
up than its present location. didn't know
the reason for going further down unless the
good citizens thought they had better go
back and take new start, for cear they were
getting up too high in the world-don't give
yourself any uueasiness about Maryville
An hour after sunset we eneamped a half
mile about the town.


The most provoking thing that occurred
on this severe days journey, was the way in
which the travellers we met would reckon
distance Meeting man on a spirited mule
near the summit, l asked him the distance to
Jamison "Only three miles; you'll make
it very easily" was his reply We travelled
on two miles and met another man, but on Il
much poorer animal Ills horse looked as
though he had been in the service of the
mountains since 40. "Can you tell me the
distance to Jamison," said l. "Six miles,
and not an inch less" was his answer In
this manner were our interrogatories an
swered This set me to reasoning. | soon
came to the conclusion that the only way to
tell the distance was judge the horse and
rider.


The oe-Ac morning, at an early hour, we
entered the long wished for place. Jamison
is a town snugly situated on a creek of the
same name between two mountains. Its
natural advantages. in my opinion, are not
so good as those of San Francisco; but this
will not be believed by its expansive inhab-
itants although quite evident to those who
have no interest in its welfare. 1t bears
some resemblance to San Francisco, being
situated on the side of a hill An excellent
fire department can be very easily made for
the protection of this good place, with little
or no expense, by merely getting a good
squirt gun, or more properly first class
syringe, and put it up on the bench that
overlooks the town and l am certain that
the city would have little to fear from fire.
Should these friendly lines reach the protee
tors of that rising city, | hope they will take
them under consideration l would here
also state to the political aspirants of Jami-
son, that it would be good for them to secure
at an early date the influence of the fire de-
parment. There are in this place to my
certain knowledge, eighteen houses, one
butcher shop and one stable; besides little
building four by six, with a quarter moon
cut in the door, did't examine it, because
the owner or owners had marked private on
the door. 1t must have been some banking
house or some other place of deposit, more
likely the former, as the doors were closed


The inhabitants are similar to those on
this side of the mountains, except that they
have a more mserly look caused, perhaps,
by their thinking that this summer will be
their only chance to fleece Washoe travellers.
saw two women and half, or two women
and girl of ten years of age. They were
certainly posted in city life, and, altogether
likely, had been on this side of the noun
tains in their life, for they wore as large
hoops as any lady in MOrysville. There
were no boys, for I saw plenty of cigar
stubs lying around, which would not be the
case were any boys in the vicinity


Mr. James Farish formerly of this city,
am happy to say is here and snugly looa-
ted and is selling goods at reasonable prices
hope Jim will soften down the asperities of
his townsmen and relieve them, by honest
trade, of respectable part of their money.


After putting our wagon together and
-. off