Year: 1860

WAsHUE CORRESPONDENCE


The following interesting letter from True
kee Meadows was brought to us by Lang
toms Utah Express, two days after date:


Truekee City, Utah, April |, 1860.


Editor Of Hydraulic Press We have ar
rived at this point safely, after somewhat
tedious trip from Eureka, cia the Henness
Pass AMI Dog Valley. feeble effort is be-.
ing made to break the trail down the True
kee, but it is too small an effort 1t should
be doubled. There is no doubt this will
prove the fancy route for staging and team
ing as soon as the turnpike is Completed
The route is short and very direct one, and
the difficulties on the way so easily overcome
with moderate expe iture, that it would
seem the most natural passage for the iron
horse over the Nevadas. We left our horses
few miles this side of Eureka, on account
OF the noncompletion of the trail, and made
the 6alance of the trip to this point on loot,
stopping to prospect some on the way. We
found lead of apparent value had been
struck on the north side of the Truckee,
about three miles in the hills nearly abreast
of Stout's Crossing, where we all took up
claim each, of 200 feet, and will return and
prospect it after resting day or two at this
place. Other ledges of mineral are said to
exist near this locality, but determined Sc
crecy prevents US from learning which side
of the river. We think the opposite side to
the one we visited. We are here for the
minerals, and shall give new discoveries our
attention. Two of US were induced by some
remarks we overheard, to lay out one night
and watch, expecting to see parties go onto
the secret claim. After midnight We thought
we had them, but found there was another
company watching as, supposing we had the
knowledge and were on our way to it. AZ
ter good laugh at each other we descended
the hills. We found log houses going'up at
all the eligible points on the route down the
Trackee: at the junction, two miles east of
Naples; at Sardine Valley; at Tule Valley
Nevada Junction Road; and Dog Valley.
At the upper crossing of the Truckee
(ONeals), we found substantial log house.
The proprietor has good accommodations
for few, and is charging has wife and
grown daughter. Here we left the river to
the right, and took a trail up the old emf
grant hill. This trail was viewed and marked
out by Messrs. Mastin & Beach, as we learned
at O'Neals, and will probably be adopted
by the turnpike company, saving twice
bridging the river at that point where ford
ing has been twice necessary. AT what is
termed the lower crossing on this Truckee
route, Messrs. Stout & Mastin have put up
small house and built bridge of sufficient
strength for the heaviest teams. One side.
six feet wide, is now covered, and good
railing up to give good sure passage for
mules. They will have their long planks
sawed and on the bridge by the lst May, en-
abling wagons to cross. The snow has all
left as far up as O'Neals, IS miles above this
place, and grass is growing finely. The side
hills in Dog valley are mostly bare and grass
starting. Everything begins to look green
and pleasant in the Truckee Meadows, and
as see the hundreds, or perhaps thousands
of cattle coming into the Meadows from Pyr-
amid Lake, where they have been wintering,
it is to my appetite what good milestone
is to dull knife


The Brothers Fuller have established
crossing on the Truckec River, where they
are building good substantial bridge This
is on the line of travel which comes by way
of Beckwourth's and Long Valley, and is a
saving of about six miles as formerly trav-
eled qua Stone Gates crossing-Harrison'
crossing is about half way between the two
each one striving to prove theirs the best
route. There is no doubt that Harrison has
the best fording place, and fording will have
to be done at both of the places until lst of
June, probably. Stout & Mastin, on the
Truckee-Henness route, have led off in bridge
building, and will reap their reward as soon
as the travel is fairly opened on the latter
named route, which in time is bound to be
the favored route for all parties between
Downievlle and Marysville. When the rail-
road is completed from Folsom to Marysville,
large amount of the San Francisco travel
will also pass over it. Two or three towns
are contemplated in the Truckee Meadows,
but from all appearance Truckee City has
the clear inside track. Its location has many
advantages above the others, in the opinion
of those who are well acquainted in this por-
ton of the Territory. The site is certainly
very imposing to new conner. And al
though it is but just starting, Zone house up
and the lumber being hauled for the second, J
it is probable that it must become the county
seat of this section.


A town once we'll located and fairly started
in this valley will build up very rapidly
This may be our point to operate in, or a
part of our company, while the balance ira
verse the hills. Lots up to this time have
not been offered for sale, but will be in the
course of the coming week, at prices rang
ing from SIS to $3.50. The company are
donating lots to actual settlers who will 90
on and build Immediately. This really
strikes me as being good field of operation,
and if the boys want to anchor a little mon
ey safely let them take lot or two in this
town Another view of the matter should
be taken as well as money making. Every
possible effort is made by parties interested
IN routes south of us to draw the immigra
tion over their line of travel Every immi-
grant, after this, who comes in on the Car
son route, will do it simply because he can
find supplies this side of the Sierras. This
should be looked to. The Truckee Route is
conceded to be much the best route as far
as grass, water, and distance is concerned,
and the Henness Pass will far excel any pass
south of it.


Let the people-yes, let all the people of