The weekly Butte record. [volume], October 23, 1858, Image 1

About The weekly Butte record. [volume] (Oroville [Calif.]) 1858-1864

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VOL. 5.
The Lock of Hair.
BY OFOROE tl. PRENTICE.
How often has this lovely carl
Been bound with flowers and decreed with pearl—
How oft round snowy fingers twined—
How oft wooed by the timorous wind—
And. oh I how oft at midnight hone,
When slumber reigned in hall and bower.
This curl, soft-nost!ed like a dove,
Has heard the whispered dreams of love!
This lovely tress —this raven tress—
That oft to heart and lip I press;
I know not it it used to deck
The Parian whiteness of her neck,
o’er her blue-veined temple strayed,
Or on her I e ming brow was laid.
Or fell i pon the stainless snow
TK her young cheek—l only know
It is the loveliest of curls.
And from the loveliest of girls!
Ay. 'tis a thing to love and bless,
This little dark and shining tress;
t)ark as the midnight forest's g'Cori,
Hark as tlie tenlpest spirit’s plume.
bark as the stern Death- Angel's seal,
Bnt shining as the battle steel,
And shfe, by whom tills gem was given.
Seems to my heart a thing of HeavCn—
An angel dieam —agentie dove
Sent forth from God's own ark of love—
A aision come from paradise
Awhile togladde . tal eyes—
A star, of "area s own star the pride.
Glassed in the dark world’s stormy tide.
Attf.mp to Black-Mail.—' The following
incident occurred in this city a day or two
since, and it will serve to show one of the ef
fects of a licentious press. A gentleman of
this slate, who has been so fortunate as to
become tbe object of attack from certain licen
tious papers, lately received a number of com
htdnicationa from tin anonymous source, sta
ting that the Writer had collated all the mali
cious Changes that had been uttered against 1
him, and unless the gentleman paid Itor the ex-1
emption, he might expect to see them again
published, with additions of his own manufjc-;
lure. For some time the recipient of these ;
picasant missives, paid no other attention to
them, until they at last became really annoy- j
ing from their frequency and importunity,
when he stated the facts to the detectives, '
Johnson and Lees. These officers advised him :
to write an answer, proposing an interview and
assenting to the terms of the writer. The ruse ,
succeeded. A day. hour and place were named,!
and the officers snugly ensconced themselves in
the selected apartment prior to tbe arrival of
the parlies. True to their appointment both
came, when the gentleman found himself con
fronted by an old State Brisco bird, whom he
bad befriended in early times, before becoming
a resident at San Quentin. The intended vic
tim reproached the rascal with his ingratitude,
and was cooly answered, that this was a mat
ter of business. and had nothing to do with ii -
gratitude. Here is your money, said the gen
tleman, now give me your documents. The I
fellow handed out a lot of newspaper articles,:
and took the money ; but just as he turned to i
depart in triumph, he was suddenly stupified.
as if smitten with a mildew, at finding himself
face to face with the detectives, who quickly
relieved him of his villainous gains; and on
- ;searching bis portion, discovered a large quails
tity of other scurrilous articles and documents,
which he evidently intended to preserve for a
future occasion of like character. The scoun
drel beat a hasty retreat, very much accelera
ted by the propulsive power of the officer's
boot.— 6’. F. Hcrahl. lath:
Xkw York Rowdyism.— The most outra
geous actions are almost daily perpetrated in
the vicinity of New York, upon picnic par
ties, by rowdies who obtrude themselves upon
the excursionists. The most offensive language
is used toward the ladies by these viliians. and
the air is oppressed with their profanity. They
destroy the expected pleasures of the excur
sion; and before the parly returns to the city
they set into the most brutal lights and attack,
without provocat on, the peaceful and defence
less gentleman of the company. On a recent
occasion of this kind, a gentleman who was en
feebled by ill-health was set upon by a number
of these ruffians, and, in the presence of his
wile and children, beaten and mutilated to such
a degree that his nearest friends could not re
cognize him. Kven women and children do
not escape the violence of these viliians, but
are often attacked by them and subjected to
the most shameful brutalities, it has, in fact,
become a too dangerous piece ol business for
a company of well disposed people to seek re
laxation from exhausting cares or labors in an
excursion of picnic near this city, unless scru
pulous cure be exercised in evading the espion
age and attendance of the viliians who are con
stantly lying in wait for the opportunists
which such pleasure parties afford for the per
petrator of their ruffianly crimes.
Tiik New Orleans Bee, giving an account
of the arrival in ihat city ol Billy Bowlegs,
thus notices a visit made by him to the Mu
seum :
“We learn from Billy Bowlegs' own lips,
whiie he was at the Museum, that he killed
100 men in one day with his own baud' Ihe
waxen representation of Generals Scott and
Taylor in the Museum attracted his special ad
miration. ‘They were great men,' he said,
“fought him mighty hard.’ As for General
Harney, ot whom a visitor reminded him. lie
said, he made him run, ha. ha! He look quite
a fancy to the waxen figure of Mrs. Cunning
ham's 'blessed baby," * twas ids lit'le son M il
ley.' he said, and be evinced his begging pro
pensity by asking for it—a request which \ an
nuchy had to deny He was particularly car
most in his inquiries about Washington and
walked »p close to the figure of the Father
of his country to examine it minutely. As he
came out of the Museum he was introduced to
his Honor, Mayor Waterman, and other pro
minent citizens."
“Bowlegs is about sixty. He is represent
ed to be a great imbiber of spirits, and a most
inveterate beggar.
A Member of tuk British Parliament
tl-rned Actor. —The following odd anm unce
ment appears in the London Morning Adver
tiser.
“We understand that Mr. John Townsend.
M. P. for Greenwich, has been offered and ac
cepted an engagement at one of the Metropo
litan theatres, at a salary of 25 pounds per
week. Mr. Townsend's engagement is (or 50
nights. Though the fact is not generally
known, Mr. Townsend has. on various occa
sions, represented with decided success some
of Shakespeare's principal characters in fur
therance of the cause of charity. In the pre
sent case he is to appear, we are told, on the
histrionic boards for the sole purpose of assist
ing in the liquidation of the claims of bis cred
itors—the only consideration, jye are assured,
which could have induced him to accept the
offer made to him. As a preliminary step, he
will at once resign his seat in the House of
commons.
Fatal Accident. —A man named Charles
Jones was instantly killed, on Monday last,
while adjusting a belt at the Novo River Lum
ber Mills.
THE WEEKLY BUTTE RECORD.
The Overland Route.
The following interesting description of a
trip to Salt Lake, by the Overland Mail Route,
is clipped from the Alta's correspondence;
We crossed the Twenty-Six Mile Desert
the road passing over a plain of deep sand,
! across and through which the horses have to
I walk slowly ; the sun pouring down great heat
upon us. and the mountains oh both sides hav
ing a black, burnt appearance, as if just
emerged from the depth of a volcanic tire.
| Sage bushes grew around ns. We crossed an
■ alkali fiat, three and a half miles, over a road
hard and smooth—not a sign of vegetation
1 upon it, and looking like a lake. Having
j crossed the desert, we struck the river again.
! at dark got supper, and pushed on again, over
I twenty miles more of desert, to Ragtown, once
I famous fur its cotton houses and bad w hiskey—
where speculators assembled to buy the weary
animals and broken Wagons of emigrants.
Tt is said ohe time to have contained thirty
whiskey shops, and was broken up by famine
and disease in 1854. There is h large cluster
Of graves hoar by. which are said 10 have been
dug chiefly by bad whiskey. At present, Hag
town consists of one house and a blacksmith :
shop, a watermelon patch ai d a haystack. '
The good wife who occupies the house is pa- '
tienl and atient ve, and receives the respectful
thanks of all travelers. This was the lust town i
the last spot dignified with the name—and
almost the last root there was to greet imreycs.
But we did not regret leaving it—we only re
gretted that we were obliged to tarry until
daylight. This was the sum of ow first day’s
ride, eighty-eight miles from Vai. ie’s.
On tie morning of the Bth wc started out |
to cross the desert forty miles ttie to sink. The
first fifteen miles are slightly elevated, and the
road is through a continuous lead ol deep,
heavy sand. At noon we were ha’f way across
and stopped to exchange animals, which had ,
been sent on for us from Ragtown the night i
previous. The road then is hard and smooth
lor the greater portion of the way, but the
plain around for thousands of acres together is
leafless and lifeless, white arid plains, without
water, upon which the son glarcr. And here, I
too. over this whole forty miles, are the signs
of wreck and ruin which has fallen upon the
unfortunate emigrants in past years Heaps
of bones lie eveiywhere, and everywhere are
the iron remnants of wagons. It is estimated 1
that ten thousand tons of wagon irons are ly
ing in the sands on that desert ; and ilicre are i
ox chains enough, unbroken, to form a conlin- j
nous line to Salt Lake. This forty miles is i
the terror of the whole route, and no wonder.
These bleaching bones and rusty irons are evi
(fences the sight of which makes one wish to
hurry on, and not feel safe until they no longer I
greet the eye. I never saw a desert before, |
ami I do not wish to see another.
CHANGE OF SCF.NE.
Sept. 10.—The country today begins to
assume a more living appearance. The alkali
has nearly disappeared, and the river bottom
is well covered with grass. The mountains
also present some signs of vegetation. There
were men on horseback to-day, driving six
mules badly worried out.
11th—I-ast night was cold, and to keep
warm I arose and built a huge fire. We were
harnessed and (S at 8 A. M.. and soon after
leaving camp at a bend in the river, came upon
a band of 300 I’ah-nte Indians, nearly all
standing along the roadside, begging for to
bacco or some other trash. They are mostly
naked, and claim to be fiiendly, They are I lift,
largest Indian nation on the continent, and oc
cupy a very large extent of the country, name
ly, trom the Oregon line to the Mohave, and
Irom Carson Valley to 170 miles up the Hum
boldt. They are said to be govern dby one
great chief, and are always at war with the
Shoshones, their neighbors, whom they uni
formly conquer in battle. \Vc are now upon
the dispute i territory between the two nations,
where most of their conflicts take place.
This evening we camped at five, in one of
the most delightful spots in the world. A
meadow' spreads out before us, clothed with
a heavy growth of excellent grass, which is
being cut and stacked for the company s stock,
at sl3 SO per ton, on the ground. After our
long, dusty ride, it was delightful to bathe in
the Humboldt, and rest upon the sweet-scented,
new-mown hay. We had now passed the
point ot division into the enemies' country, and
to-night commences our fir.-t guard. Five
Shoshor.es are in camp—dark, ugly-looking
fellows, at first claiming to be Pab-ules. Th y
are ouly hungry, and eat all that is given
them. The sun set afforded a magnificent dis
play of prismatic colors, through the light
clouds which gathered in the afternoon, We
rode over a good deal of alkali today—forty
miles from Alex. Chevarnue's.
THE MOST DANGEROUS FOIST OS THE ROUTE.
12th—At 2A. M,, started and rode 28
miles to breakfast, over a level plain, and an
excellent road keeping close together, to avoid
an attack. (Jar train now consisted of two
carriages, drawn by four mules each, seven
men on mules, driving five loose animals. Af
ter breakfast we rode on a good road. 25 miles,
to Rocky Point, arriving at sunset. Indians
on foot and horseback came out to meet us on
the road, following us for a long distance.
They said they wished to be friendly with the
whites. They nad not attack' dan American
this season, alt hough the mail rider had re
cent I v killed two of their warriors, in cold
bh'Od. while they were quietly fishing. It was
the Bunaks who robbed the mail. They were
thieves, and very strong. The win : and left
us, except one, before we came iato camp.
He came along ar.d wished toremain with us—
said we must be watchful, as there were bad
Indians close by, who would run off our ani
mals. He also w ished to travel up the river
with us, as far as his father's.
Rocky Point is a high, rocky bluff upon the
river bank. The road follows near the river,
where there is good grass. A lew miles be
low is a large village of Shoshones, and their
tbeivish dispositions renders this point one of
the most dangerous on the road for a night
camp. These Indians have uniformly com
mitted depredations upon travelers. Last fall
a woman was seal ed by them. She escaped,
and now lives near Sacramento. Her sclap
was afterwards recovered from the Indians.
We had one wild mule in our train, that
was considered of little account, except that
she could scent an Indian a long way off. and
on such occasions would blow her nose with
great shrillness. While talking with an In
dian visitor, the mule had strayed down upon
the river's bank, some distance. Suddenly he
gave two loud snorts, and came charging into
camp, with head and tail erect. The whole
fifteen of us were instantly on our feet, with
weapons cocked. The mule was still restless,
ar.d was petting up a movement among the
others, when our visitor whose bearing was
more acute than ours, cried out. “they are
coming, look out.” He then called out to the
approaching party, cautioning them that they
would all be killed os we were on guard and all
armed. They stopped, and we improved the
opportunity in hitching up our teams, and
leaving a camp which threatened so much in
convenience. As we left, several signal fires
shot up from the hill tops across the river.
Our visitor, also left us now, saying he most
go home. We traveled on some nine miles,
and cam[icd with a company of 14 emigrants,
remaining until daylight without further alarm.
62 miles, to-day.
On the 13th, we traveled six miles and reach
ed Gravelly Ford, the first crossing of the
Humboldt, considered as nearly the half-way
OEOYILLE, SATURDAY MORNING. OCTOBER 23, 1858.
! point. I make it 466 miles from Placervii'e.
; Passing the Ford, the road became roogh and
rrcky. The mountains always have the same
black volcanic look. Passed three trains of
cattle with several emigrants. At oor eve
ning camp, old Xim-i-tu-soh. grand chief of
the Shoshones, came in naked. He is a large
bodied, wide-mouthed, ugly looking fellow, and
only w ished lor a shirt.
At 16 miles above Gravelly Fi rd> we pass
ed another mail trom Salt Lake, conducted by
John Mayfield. At sunset, we started out to
travel by the light of the young moon, through
a seven mile canon. It was not a Very rough
road, though it required careful driving. The
moon went down at nine, but it continued
warm and pleasant till quite late. We camp
ed at ten P. M. 35 miles, to-day.
14lh—At daylight, started off over a good
but dusty road, till 8 A. M.. when we stopped
and made coffee. By the wayside, we passed
the hot springs, boiling and steaming. Sage
hens are abundant, also rabbits. All this val
ley is covered with any quantity of grass. W’e
picked up a broken down mule, left by the mail
yesterday, but after driving it a few miles, were
obliged to leave the poor tiling to eat glass or
he eaten by Indians. It ig rather dull times—
some of us are getting rat Ker tired of the long
drives nights and days. To-night, we are
camped a mile from the river, 85 miles above
Gravelly Ford. There are no prettier camp
ing grounds in the world than are to be found
on this river. The only limber is small wil
lows, but there is plenty of wood for camp
fires, fine sweet water and good grass. At
sunset, were off again, and had not proceeded
far, ere the front guard cried out “Close up 1
close up ! Indians! Indians I” and then there
was a yell and a rush for arms ; but we were
greatly relived to see that w were only ap
proaching a camp of emigrants, who thought
to frighten us a little by yelling like devils.
They were very unwise in this, for some of our
party Were about firing into them. They were
43 men a.,d 10 women, and told ns tocxpect a
fight soon, as less than an hour they saw
fifty Indians cross the road to the right on
horseback, at the very spot where the mail
was robbed last time. Alter examining our
fire-arms, we closed up and went on to a small
island in the river, which is here becoming a
small stream, ai d which formed a triangular
field, two sides of which were protected by the
river. A double guard was placed and an
anxious night was passed, but no further alarm
occurred.
15th—At daylight we were ofT arid made 16
miles to the foot of Rocky canon, where we
ate breakfast by the side of Rocky canon
creek in a boauli'ul valley, with plenty of hare,
sage hens, coyotes, Ac. There was a small
patch of old snow on the mountains to the
right. We have now reached the head waters
of the Humboldt, along whose banks we have
traveled some 335 miles. It is a remarkable
rivt r. and more sinuous than a snake. Its val
ley is not wide, but it runs all over it. drab
ling back upon it in every form. Were its
course straight. I think its length would ex
ceed 1,100 miles. When the rains fall it over
flows it banks and becomes a roaring torrent.
Its waters, from the sink up, a hundred miles
or more, are brackish from the immense quan
tities of alkali that abounds in the soil, but as
you ascend it, the waters become pure and
limpid, and very refreshing to thirsty travelers.
We arc waiting here under the shade of the
willows, while Jerome Davis anl Ira mend the
wagon. Half the company are asleep. The
sun is hot; the wind is like a zephyr. There
must •*»>• great ele<*ntioh to this valley, 'the
mountains do not seem to be very high, but
they have a bleak, desolate appearance, with
only a few green spots, as if just laid bare by
recently melted snows. It is a pleasant coun
try to look at in the day time, but the nights
are dismally cold, and the whole place perfect
ly inhospitable. What object will this coun
try ever subserve, except as a highway for
passengers to hurry over ? Who knows?
Our supper cam]) was at a beautiful spring,
the head waters of the west branch of the
Humboldt. To roach it, we came through
Rocky canon, a rugged road full of boiling,
bubbling springs. The valley before us is a
fine camping ground.
At sunset, started out. and, walking up a
three mile hill, descended into Thousand Spring
valley, where wc camped at 10 P. M. To
night signalized my watch by falling into the
brook.
On the 16th, at Alkali Spring, met the
Sixth Regiment of Infantry, under Col. An
drews and Col. Hoffman. The command con
sists of 330 privates, teamsters and others,
amounting to 1000 men, and 156 wagons
drawn by 1000 animals, bound for Oregon by
way of Benicia. They were followed by 125
beef cattle, and a hand of 130 bead of mules.
We mot them in camp sixteen miles from
Goose creek. The object of going by this
route is to avoid the deep snows on the Port
Hall road. Wc have seen no Indians to-day.
To night, at sunset, we were in sight of the
dreaded Goose creek mountains, whe.e we
have been told to expect an attack. We
camped in a little valley on a fork of Goose
creek.
ITtb.—Drove out of the little valley early,
through a very rocky canon, breaking both
hounds of the mail carnage, and rendering it
perfectly unmanageable. Dragging it tour
miles further, we camped to cat. and arrange
for the new difficulties that beset us. Having
packed all our traps upon one stage, and di
vided the company, leaving three of the party
and four mules to take care of the broken car
riage. we traveled on to the foot < f the Goose
creek mountains, and stopped there to devise
ways and means. After extinguishing the
fire in the grass, which the wind was driving
with great furry, it was decided to send an ex
press for mules to the next station, or to meet
Mr. Hunt, who was reported to be on the road
just beyond the mountains, with fresh animals.
Our mules were nearly worn out. Some of
them have come from the Sink,over4oo miles,
and all of them over 250. We could not pro
ceed much further without a relay, and we
were still over 200 miles from Salt laike. Mr.
Long was to ride the express, and 1 was to go
across the mountains with him to bring back
the extra mule be would ride to the summit.
The Goose creek mountains do not seem to
oe high, but they are singular in their forma
tion. Many of the summits being isolated,
with steep precipitous sides and fiat tops, like
tables, growing scrub cedars in small quanti
ties. It was called seven miles to the summit.
There were two or three bad places, but they
were short. Plenty of water bursting out in
cool springs, away up where snow was, and
sending its cooling currents all the way down
to revive tbe weary and thirsty. Right in the
midst of the hills is a beautiful little valley,
with good grass, through which one of these
little streams course. There are marks of
camp fires all along. There is infinite pleasure
in finding the precious element on these dusty
roads.
From the summit we had a fine view of the
country we bad left, and of the valley into
which we were to descend. The road to it
was good and of gentle descent. The face of
tbe eastern slope is handsomely diversified by
patches of green grass, and groves of small fir
trees, presenting a strong contrast to the dry
brown grass which covers all the rest of the
earth.
We descended about a mile to R r ck spring,
a stream of water oozing from under a big
rock by the road side, where Mr. L- exchanged
mules and left me alone. Here I remained
with my two mules alone, three full hours, by
' moonlight, waiting for the train to come np.
I Xo live thing came near me. except a little
red fox. that fled affrighted when he discover
;ed his proximity to me. To us the Indian
dangers thus far. except at Rocky Point, have
1 all been anticipation.
After the wagon came np. we rode on 40
miles further, and camped at Horse creek, at
a quarter past 12, just as the moon went down.
This night we kept no gnard, and we had no
danger.
CAPT. HAWES 1 'COMMAND.
18tb.—Rode fast over a pood road, till we
came to Beautiful valley, which stretches far
above and below, of magnificent proportions,
but without a tree or Arub to obstruct the
vision. At the head ot the valley by a tire
some sandy road, we approach Rocky spring
creek, and camped. Here we found a detach
ment of military, under command of Captain
Hawes, 160 strong, consisting of a squadron
of dragoons and company Fifth Infantry, un
der Lieut. Lewis, going (town the Humboldt as
for a? Rocky Point, to’ look after the Indians.
They will not see any Indians when they get
there, but they could do much worse than to
go there, for there is many a poor fellow pn the
road wishing the soldiers would coroe,
GEN. HI’KT COMES TP.
Soon after wo stopped, came np my old
friend, Gen. Jefferson Hunt, bringing the fresh
mules we were so anxious to find. He was
going out w ith Barney Ward to establish the
post beyond the Goose creek mountains. We
bad a long talk upon politic# and old times.
In the course of the talk. I told him that he
was charged by some of the California papers
w ith having been bribed into the support of
Broderick, by the promise if B. was elected
Senator, he would favor the re-appointment of
Brigham Young as Governor of Utah, ike.
This charge the old General pronounced an
unmitigated lie. He supported Broderick be
cause he liked the man, and disliked Gwin.and
that never a word passed between bint and B.
concerning future favors,during the entire can
vase for Senator. It was a base slander, and 1
he wished it might be denied in his name. I
The General has been belied upon other points;
but all who know him, know that he is a good ,
citizen, a patriot and an honorable man. I
While he resided in California, no one can
charge him with neglecting cither hi# public
or private duties. He is now one of the joint
contractors for carrying the mail from this city
to Placerville, and is exerting himself with
much zeal to put the road in good traveling
condition
Along with Gen. Hunt, goes out Mr. Dodge,
recently appointed by Gov. Gumming sub-In
dian Agent for Carson Valley.
Dr. Forney, also, the Indian Agent for Utah,
was along, going down to visit the Indians on
the Humboldt, whom he has too long delayed
visiting. I have not time now to write of the
charge# that have been made against the doc
tor. He denies them all, and 1 will give him
the credit of the denial another time.
We procured six fresh mules from Gen.
Hunt, and pursued our way with such eager
ness that, at the end of 25 miles, near Deep
creek valley, we broke down—could not wag a
step further, and were obliged to unharness,
and give mules a chance to recover. In two ;
hours we harnessed up, and reached Hensley's
spring at 9 I’. M., 36 miles from Rocky creek.
We were now 115 miles from our destina
tion, and we resolved to go in as soon as possi
ble. Starting at 12, and rode ail night. Saw
the two comets—one going east, the other
west—and watched the brilliant corruscalions
and jets of the Aurora IXWt’tni?; • ' »
TUK MALADE AND BEAR RIVERS.
On the morning of the 19th, about sunrise,
we rode down into the valley ol the Malade,
or Bad river, a brackish, miry little stream,
not over 25 feet across, which prcsen'ed the
worst obstacles we had yet encountered. We
had a wise grey mule, that knew the bottom
of (ho mud, and whom we sent back and forth
to bridge passengcrs.and show the way to other
animals, all of which was accomplished in an
hour, without accident. The water is about
four feet deep. This Vfalnde river runs paral
lel with Bear river lor a longdistance, in the
same valley, about four miles distant, and emp
ties into llic Bear river before the latter reach
es Salt Lake. Both these rivers rise in the
Bocky Mountains, and their separate canons
are very distinct in the north. There is no
timber upon the banks of either, and the view
up and down is unobstructed. Bear river is a
fine bold stream, which at this season is ford
(d with case. In winter, both the streams are
impassable, and to avoid them, the company's
agent here, Mr. Dan Taft, is making ar: ige
ments to establish a lerry below the junction
of the Malade, by which he will save 25 miles
of travel over a bad road. IBs route will in
tersect the old road at a point some 12 miles
below Hensley's springs. Another exploration
of Mr. Taft—that which shortens the route
some 200 miles, by avoiding the Goose creek
mountains—you have already published. These
explorations will be continually made, until
the road to California becomes as near as may
be a straight line.
At Dear river we were 80 miles distant, but
it was over a good road, and through the set
tlements, where we could get many comforts.
The first town is Box Elder, on a creek of the
same name. Just before we reached this place,
we met Hobert Clift and eight men, going out
to establish another post on the dreaded Goose
creek.
Box Elder was to have been a walled city,
and embrace an area of one mile square. The
walls were to have been of stone, laid in ce
ment. six feet high and three feet thick at the
base. I .urge piles of rocks are scattered all
along the line. It was not more than half
finished before it was abandoned, as an enter
prise too great for the poor and sparse popula
tion. The houses are of small adobes, and
there is room for about two hundred inhabi
tants. There is a council house of adobes,
two stories high. The bishop> is Calvin Xich
ols. The town has an unthrifty look, as if it
had recently been deserted.
Willow City is next, and has a beautiful lo
cation, close under the brow of a grand old
mountain. As we drove through the town,
we had a glimpse of some very pretty girls or
wives—a subject upon which we very soon got
into a discussion. Ibis town has adobe walls,
but are incomplete. It is 65 miles from the
city. Snow remains all winter.
Ogden Hole, a small town under the moun
tain. we pursue to the left. Ogden City, the
most impoaant of the northern settlemen's, is
next. It is partially walled with adobes, and
has manv respectable buildings, but it has a
decavcd appearance, like all the other towns,
arising from their desertion last summer, at
the call of the Prophet. It is a very pretty
place, with abundance of water from the canon
behind, and might have contained 3000 inhab
itants. They are returning every day from
their exile, with cart loads o( goods, and re
opening their walled-up doors and windows. I
asked one man if their exile had not been a
great damage to them. He replied, with em
phasis. -No. it was our salvation. We went
at the call of duty, aud God will give us glory
therefor. We count all our losses on account
of our faith as gains.” There are three Bishops
of whom Chaunccy W. West is chief. Me
stopped to dine at his house, and had an op
portunity of seeing his family. His house is
long, low, and one story, fronting the street,
with fine front doors, opening into as many
rooms, in each of which is a bed. Everything
about the house is scrupulously clean. His
family consists of five women, two of whom
are sisters, and each of whom, with one excep
tion. has borne him children. Mr. West is not
more than 35, but he is a very serious man.
and walks about bis little kingdom with the
air of a man deeply engaged in rery solid
thought. The ladies all waited upon the lat
ter by turns, and there seemed to be a great
deal of quiet harmouy among them. It was
Sunday, and the children, all fat and healthy,
were playing about, would approach the Bish
op, who caressed them a moment, and then re
sumed his solid thinking. We remained in
Ogden long enough to eat. and then, with a
team of furious bores, rushed out on our way.
At two miles crossed the Weber river. a large
stream which empties into Salt Lake. At
twelve miles passed Neysvilla, another small
halt walled town, and abandoned.
L armington, 2i miles from Ogden, was our
last station; we reached it at ten at night. The
world was asleep, and it required thundering
raps to wake up the keeper, whose eyes were
still heavy when he opened the window and in
quired cautiously what was wanted. The mules
that he had kept up for two days, had that
evening been turned out to graze, and he was
afraid that they cot.ld not be caught until mor
ning. He sent four of his boys and went him
self, and in two hours brought them up. They
were snorting wild mules, and leaped clear out
of their harness several times, before they could
be secured.
Farmington is a town of 200 families and has
a bishop, John Hess, who owns four women.
Like the other towns, it has been partially
walled and abandoned. The moon was shining
brightly, as we rushed through the southern
gateway of the town, on our last stage cf 1*
miles. We passed through the walled and
hub walled towns, Cenlreville and Sessions,
without really seeing them, and in one hour
and forty minutes drove within the walls of the
City ol Great Salt I,ake. We drove through
the streets all silent and still, and the moon
was just setting as we knocked at the Post
Office, and delivered the mail, at 2 o'clock and
27 minutes A. M., iu sixteen days and 27 min
utes from Placerville.
Our long and weary journey was ended. We
had uow to seek a hotel and rest. But this
was not so easy. Ira drove us around to the
El Dorado. Tin wash-basins standing upon
a bench in front of the house did not indicate
a high order of entertainment, and we drove
round to the Salt Lake House, where we were
assured that if we liked, we could sleep upon
the Hoor in our own blankets, for they had
neither rooms nor beds. It was the best we
could do and we did it. These were the only
places in town at which we could apply for
public accommodation, and such as it was, we
obtained it.
We slept a few hours, and awoke to look
upon the busy new world that surrounded us.
and strange it seemed, too, to wake up and
find ourselves here. The same old Sol shone
brightly and intensely upon ns, and there were
many old familiar faces—but the mountains,
the dusty plains, the history, was all different.
The first man I encountered was Dan Taft,
an old Los Angeles friend of long standing.
He is the agent of the Overland Stage Com
pany here, and a more competent man, or one
better acquainted with his business, could not
be obtained. All his energies are now devo
ted to the success, and the satisfactory success,
of bis route. It is well for the contractors,
and also for travelers, that he is here, because
there is confidence in his ability. The mail
will never fail through any of Ins rembsness ;
and he must have changed sadly if he allows
his passengers any reasonable cause of com
plaiut upon the road, because he-ftlls them just
the fare they are to expect upon the road, and
what they must do to render themselves com
fortable. Long may Dan Taft's good humor
ed face be sheltered by that white hat, and
long may he remain among “this people” to
show them the way to California by the Over
land Mail Stage.
The next man I encountered was Richard
Hopkins, looking better ihan ever. It was
good to meet him, for he was one of our most
companionable fellows in other days, and the
discipline of the church has not yet affected his
good nature. ! accompanied him to the store
of Livingston, Kinkead & Co., who offered me
the hospitalities of their house until 1 could
better myself—an offer I wits very happy to
avail myself of.
Soon after this. I was rejoiced to meet our
friend E. D. Knight, the “murdered man,” live
ly and hearty as usual, but looking pale, as if
from recent sickness. He will himself tell you
of his travels and experience.
Of the men who “murdered” him, I know
Mr. Hanks well. There is no belter man in
any community than he, nor is there a more
kind-hearted gentleman. lam very glad that
uo accident bcfcl our ftiend. Had it been
otherwise, so strong is the prejudice against
Mormons, that no proofs or assertions of inno
cence on the part of Mr. 11. would ever have
satisfied the world. He would have lived un
der the suspicion of murder. And this single
circumstance leads me to inquire whether it is
not possible that many of the specific charges
against Mormons may not be as unfounded as
this one, and for the same reason ? * * *
Well, my journey to Salt Lake is ended.
It was wearisome, and there was much dis
comfort in the road. But all those things are
forgotten in the pleasure one feels at getting
safely over them There was much said of
Indian troubles. It would have varied the
events of the road somewhat, could we have
had a little brush ; but it was ordered other
wise. We came safely along without using
the arsenal provided for us.
We had good drivers all the time. Ira
Pierce, who brought us through, is one of the
most faithful of the Company's agents ; so is
James Stevens, who came with us to Goose
creek. The services of those men are invalua
ble to ihe Company, and will always make this
road a popular one.
The road itself is not yet sufficiently equip
ped. to allow the contractors to carry all the
passengers. When the stations are arranged,
and proper carriages put upon it. it will be
one of the most admirable routes in the coun
try. The enterprise of the contractors must
keep up with the public demands. Then their
road will continue to be, what nature has made
it. the shortest and best route across the coun
try, and the only one upon which there is abun
dance of wood, water and grass.
Wali.acb.
The Follt of Duei.liso.—Punch says a
wise thing now and then. Speaking of I>uel
'Wilhout reference to the brntal folly and
wickedness of the duel, we have put an end to
it =imply as rational beings who do a sum in
substruction. We have, after a good many
vears. we confess, of Montague House, and
’Wormwood Scrubbs. arrived at the conclusion
that dueling is unfair, because men are une
qual in value. . .
We now agree that an educated, intellectual
working citizen, the mainsty of a loved family,
the adviser of trusting (rieuds, a useful, recog
nized man, with life assurances that would be
vitiated if be fell in willlul fray, is no match
for an empty-headed younger son, with just
brains enough for drill, pale ale. and Skye ter
riers. who has been put into the army to be got
rid of, and who may chance to find room in bis
narrow sknll for an' idea that he has been in
sulted. Arithmetic has settled the question,
and Cocker forbids pistol cocking-
A drunkard's nose is said to be a light
bouse* warning us of the little water that pas*
scs underneath.
Ascent of two Children in a Balloon
Oi eof the most thrilling occnrrences we
ever read, is the following, which we extract
from an Atlantic paper :
On the ITth September, an aeronaut named
Wilson, (probably the same man who was sev
eral years ago in California, and went from
here to the City of Mexico,) ascended in a
balloon from Centralia. Mo., and successfully
[ descended about lb miles from his starting
point, alighting near Rome, where his balloon
: became entangled in a tree. Benjamin Hur
vey living near, and others, disentangled the
balloon, and towed it to Mr. H.'s house, where
they proceeded to have sport, by getting in
the car and being carried up the length of a
rope held by parties below. Mr. Harvey first
got in, but his weight being too great tor the
balloon to rise, he stepped out and put in his
three children, a lad of three years, a girl of
eight, and a still older girl. At this point Mr.
Wilson (the aeronaut) called out to those hold
ing the ropes to be snre and hold fast. Bat
the three children were too heavy, and the
eldest was taken out. At this instant, through
; the unwalchfulness of the persons at the cords,
i the balloon very swiftly went up!
| The anchor struck in a rail fence, but tore it
away, while a cry of horror burst from the
agonized group. The children screamed with
horror, and the piteous appeal “Pull medown,
father!” as it instantly grew fainter and faint
er, rendered the parents, and indeed all present,
for the time perfectly frantic. It was now
past seven o’clock, was becoming dark, and
the balloon was soon lost sight of! A jicriod
of more intense wretchedness to the parental
heart, can scarcely be imagined.
As there was little wind, the balloon had
gone almost directly upward, till its disappear
ance in a southeasterly course. Messengers
were dispatched through the region in every
direction, and the alarm spread rapidly, crea
ting everywhere the intensest excitement. In
all quarters the men and boys rallied in par
ties to scour the country and search the woods,
in the expectation that the victims would
somewhere descend and be subjected to the
perils ot drowning, or else of starving undis
covered. At Centralia, the intelligence caused
an indescribable sensation. The idea became
current that they must encount ra frigid at
mosphere which they could not survive.
It was about 2 o'clock on Saturday morn
ing that Mr. Iguatiu Atchison, living on
Moore’s Prairie, eight miles from Mount Ver
non, got up, as he says, and went out upon his
porch “to see the blazing star”—the comet.
An immense spectre rising from a tree, about
twenty yards distant rather appalled him. and
he re-entered the house and waked his family.
On his coming out again, a week and piteous
voice called to him from the spectre, “Come
here and let us down ; we are almost froze !”
Mr. Atchison speedily perceived the astonish
ing nature of the case, mustered help, cutaway
several limbs of the tree and drew the car in
safely to the ground. The little boy was first
lifted out, and when placed upon bis feet in
stantly ran for several yards, then turned, and
for a moment contemplated the balloon with
apparently intense curiosity. The little g’.rl
told their sorrow* and adventures with an al
most broken heart, to these people, who.
strange to say, had not heard of the disaster.
A messenger arrived at Mr. Harvey’s, 18
miles distant, at 2 p. m.. with the transporting
tidings that the children were safe. We will
leave it to our reader’s heart to suggest the
joy which the intelligence caused. It was late
in the afternoon when the little ones arrived,
and were clasped once more in the embrace of
their parents.
The Wheat Crop Of 1858.
It appears by the Assessor’s reports from 17
counties, already published, that more acres of
wheal have been harvested in those counties
this year tnan iu 1857, though considerably
less than in 1856.
In Alameda county, the crop is estimated
by the Assessor to yield 20 bushels to the acre
which is a trifle above last year's estimate
when the crop was seriously damaged, but un
der the reported yield for 1856.
In Amador county the crop was injured by
smut, and estimated by the Assessor to yield
but 15 bushels per acre. Heretofore the offi
cially reported yield has been from 20 to 35
bushels to the acre.
In Calaveras the Assessor estimates the yield
at ten bushels per acre, while last year ami in
1856 no official report was made. The forego
ing estimates for 1856-57 are from the State
Register, the figures having been supplied by
the Calavarcs Legislative Delegation. They
are doubtless too high.
In C'olusi, the Assessor's estimate is 15 bush
els. Last year it was 20, and in '56 23 bush
els per acre.
El Dorado is estimated at a fraction over 10
bushels per acre, the lowest ever made for that
county.
In i'resno the estimate this year, is 20 bush
els per acre, against 40 last year. T his does
not include 300 acres ou the Indian reserva
tion, which the Agent reports as a good crop,
probably exceeding 30,000 bushels. Last year
the wheat crop ou the reservation failed en-
Urely.
In Merced the Assessor estimates at 20
bushels, which is considerably higher than he
placed it last year, although in '56 the esti
mate was placed at 25 bushels per acre.
In Napa there has beeu a fine and exten
sive wheat crop, estimated by the Assessor
at a fraction over 30 bushels per acre, which
is about the usual estimate for that county.
In Plumas, 15 bushels per acre.
In Placer, the number of acres is not given.
In Sacramento the Assessor's estimate is 18
bushels per acre.
Shasta is estimated at twenty bushels per
acre. . ,
In Trinity the Assessor gives the number of
acres, but no estimate of the yield. " e
place it at 20 bushels, the same as Shasta.
Last vear the Assessor reported the wheat
crop of Trinity at 16,000 but his successor
states that the four grist mills of that county
ground 26,750 bushels, it is probable we
have never yet bad a full estimate of the amount
of Wheat raised in the extreme northern
counties.
In Tulare, the Assessor's estimate is 20
bushels per acre. There are three grist mills
in this county, which ground 46,000 bushels of
grain last year; although no wheat crop was
officially reported.
In Yolo, it is stated that there has been
about as productive a crop as that of 1856,
and in the absence of any estimated yield [ier
acre by the Assessor, we place it at 20 bushels,
that being the estimated yield in 1806. I>asl
year the wheat crop of Y o!o was a (ailure.
The report of the Assessor of Nevada coun
tv has been partailly published by the local
paper, but no mention is made of the wheat
crop. We have good authority for staling
that more than 100,000 bushels have been
grown in that county this season. L nofficial
reports have also been received from Contra
Costra, Solano and Mendocino, San Mateo,
Santa Cruz, Klamath, and Y'uba, iu nearly all
of which counties there has been a larger har
vest than ever before. Altogether, the indica
tions are that the wheat crop this year has
been less extravagantly estimated than former
ly, and that it will fully equal, if it does not
exceed, that of 1856.—San Francisco Prices
yCiurrtnt.
]STO. 50.
The Vineyards of Los Angeles.
The Southern correspondent of the S. F.
Bulletin furnishes the following interesting
particulars :
The town of Los Angeles having been so of
ten pictured, I shall not attempt a description
of its abode houses and heterogeneous popula
tion. It is a very thriving place apparently.
When 1 passed through it there seemed to be
a great many people stirring round ; and for a
country town, it is one of the liveliest 1 have
seen in"the State. Wishing to sec the famed
vineyards of the place, two days were devoted
to a cursory examination of them. The first
that 1 visited was that cf Messrs. Sanscvain.
At present they are very busy making wine,
but upon asking permission. I was allowed to
walk all over their place, examine and cat of
the fruit, drink of the rich juice running out
from the presses, and take notes generally. As
they were very busy, 1 could not obtain the
information I desired respecting the number of
vines they have bearing, or the amount of wine
they expect to make this season. Everything
looks thrifty about their place. They can sit
down under their own vine and fig tree, while
the orange and the lemon breathe around them
their soli perfume. Mr. . Woifskill has also a
spleodid vineyard and orchard. He has about
sixty thousand bearing vines, and peach, ap
ple, pear, orange, fig and English walnut trees ,
in numbers that I could not asceitain, as he
hardly knew himself. This year he is not
making any wine himself. Messrs. Kohler A-
Eroding, of San Francisco, are making wine
from bis grapes, giving him forty cents per gal
lon, It is estimated the vines will average
twelve pounds of grapes each. As twelve
pounds of grapes make a gallon of wine, you
can soon estimate the income derived from a
vineyard like his, when his wine is made by
other parlies. Were ho to make 'he wine him
self, he would realize full one third more.
Captain Potter of San Francisco was at this
place packing away the best of Wolfskill's
grapes in boxes, to send to New Vork by way
of experiment. The boxes were made in Sail
Francisco, with three compartments or shelves,
so that each layer of grapes shall not press
upon the one beneath. The grapes are then
laid down in sawdust, boxed up tight and arc
ready for shipment. I have no idea that grapes
can oe sent to New York from this State at
the present rates of transportation with any
profit to the shipper, though the captain is
sanguine of success, 1 hope he may succeed in
getting them to New \ork safely, as it may
enure to the advantage of this portion of the
mate by inducing capitalists to invest money
in vineyards and w ine presses. It is the direst
investment of labor or capital one can make.
I hero is scarcely any fail to it. The atten
tion of the people in this section of the State is
now turned in the right channel. Almost
every one that has good vineyard land capa
ble of irrigation is setting out vines. There is
no danger of overstocking the wine market,
for from the time of Noah—l don't mean
Mordecal M.—down to the present day, good
wine has always found consumers ; and the
supply in California can never be greater than
the consumption here, and elsewhere within
our means of exportation.
Three Hundred Mormon Women Re
nouncing the Faith.
By the arrival of a young man named Her
bert Drandon, we have been furnished with
the following information from Salt Hake :
1 (says our informant) left Camp Scott on
the 13th June. The Mormon excitement had
been entirely abated. Several Mormon trains
uad passed Camp Scott on their way to the
S' ates.
They stated, while camped at the above
place, that they would not have been permit
ted to leave, or they would have abandoned
Salt Hake long ago.
On being questioned as to their determina
tion to resist the entrance of the United Slates
troops, they replied that the major part of the
Mormons only awaited the entrance of Iho
troops in order to effect their escape from
Brigham Young and Mormonism.
On their arrival at Camp Scott, they were
minus the common necessaries of life. On be
ing asked the cause of their destitute condi
tion, they stated that before Brigham Young
had relented from bis determination to resist
the troops, he had ordered them to deposit
what provisions they had in the storehouse:
but as soon as he made known his intention of
going south, those of the Mormons who refused
to go, were deprived of all, aid could get
nothing for their outfit. They also stated that
but for the interference of Gov. Cummings,
the destroying angels would have forced Ihim
away, and that they did succed, in some instan
ces, in driving away several women. I came
down with two Mormon trains from Camp
Scott, numbering about 300 persons, princi
pally women, who were chiefly English, ami
some Scotch: and the principal topic of their
conversation throughout was the absurdity of
Mormonism and its principles. They were all
unanimous in their denunciations of Brigham
Young and his apostles, and talked of his as
sassination by the Mormons who remained at
Camp Scott, as a sure event. They have ail
(without exception) become disgusted with
Mormonism and renounced it, and expressed
their determination from henceforth to use all
their cfloits for the total annihilation ol Mor
monisnt. They express their desire to return
to their native countries, and would, if they
had the means to do so, in order that they
might be instrumental in saving others from
the baneful influence of Mormonism. On their
arrival at Plattsmouth, on the Missouri river,
they had calculated to crossover to Council
Bluffs ; but the bad condition of the roads ia
lowa changed their resolve, and they arc now
dispersing themselves in Kansas and Nebraska
Territories. .
Mr. Brandon gave us many otlur interesting
particulars, from which we conclude that a
speedy dissolution awaits the community of
litter l>av Saints. Many of the women al
though they went to Utah innocent and pure,
we judge, are very unlikely to load a very ex
emplary life in the future. They have been
debased until they are likely to abandon them
selves to the loathsome life of prostitution.
F. F. Herald.
Indian Witches.—The Fresno Indians,
savs the San Joaquin Republican, arc killing
their doctors or medicine men. I hey declare
them to be witches—that they cannot cure the
sick and that there will be no more ram or
grass seen until they are exterminated. Seven
or eight of their doctors have in consequence
already suffered ma-tyrdom. One of the sur
vivors came ranting into the camp of Mr
Bidgway, on the Fresno, and asked protection.
He was pursued by some sixteen Indians, who
demanded him of Mr. Uidgway, and gave the
above reason why they ought to have him.
Their modest request wan refused, but a lew
days afterwards the doctor ventured out and
they got him. In San Diego county, the In
dian- attempted to bang three of their trite
for the same reason, they were rescued by
the whites. The male was about thirty-year?
old, and a helpless cripple, having lost the use
of his legs below the knees. One of the fc
males, not over twenty-five years of age, wai
remarkably neat and tidy for an Indian, spoki
Spanish well, and had fetters of recommenda
tion from families whom she bad served. Ih<
other was a decripit old woman, and was thi
mother of the two first mentioned.