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WJLSSOTB COHEE3PONDENCE.The following interesting letter from Trnc-kee Meadows was brought to us by Lang-ton’s Utah Express, two days after date :Trnckee City, Utah, April 1, 1860.Editor of Hydraulic Frets :—We hare arrived at this point safely, after a somewhat tedious trip from Eureka, via the HennessPass ani Dog Valley. A feeble effort is being made to break the trail down the Truc-kee, but it is too small an effort. It should be doubled. There is no doubt this will prove the fancy route for staging and teaming as soon as the turnpike is completed.— The route is a short and very direct one, and the difficulties on the way so easily overcome with a moderate expe iture, that it wouldseem the most natural passage for the iron horse over the Nevadas. We left our horses a few miles this side of Eureka, on account of the noncorapletion of the trail, and made the balance of the trip to this point on loot, stopping to prospect some on the way. We found a 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 a claim each, of 200 feet, and will return and prospect it after resting a day or two at this place. Other ledges of mineral are said to exist near this locality, but a determined secrecy 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 us, supposing wc had the knowledge and were on our way to it. After a good laugh at each other we descended the hills. We fouud log houses going'up at All the eligible points on the route down the Truckee: at the junction, two miles east of Maples*; at Sardine Valley ; at Tule Valley (Nevada Junction Road); and Dog Valley. At the upper crossing of the Truckee (O'Neals), we found a substantial log house. The proprietor has good accommodations for a few, and is enlarging ; has a wife aud grown daughter. Here we left the river to the right, and took a trail up the old emigrant hill. This trail was viewed and marked out by Messrs. Mastin k Reach, as we learned at O'Neal’s, and will probably he adopted by the turnpike company, saving twice bridging the river at that point where fording has been twice necessary. At what is termed the lower crossing on this Truckee route, Messrs. Stout k Mastin have put up a small house and built a bridge of sufficient strength for the heaviest teams. One side, six feet wide, is now covered, and a good railing up to give good sure passage for mules. They will have their long planks sawed and on the bridge by the 1st May, enabling wagons to cross. The snow has all left as far up as O'Neals, 15 miles above this place, and grass is growing finely. The side-hiils in Dog valley are mostly bare and grass starting. Everything begins to look green and pleasant in the Truckee Meadows, and as I see the hundreds, or perhaps thousands of cattle coming into the Meadows from Pyramid Lake, where they have been wintering, it i6 to my appetite what a good whetstone is to a dull knife.The Brothers Fuller have established acrossing on the Truckee River, where tLey are building a 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 traveled via Stone k Gates crossing—Harrison’s crossing is about half way between the two —each one striving to prove theirs the best route. There is no doubt that Harrison hag the best fording place, and fording will have to be done at both of the places until 1st ol June, probably. Stout k Mastin, on the Trnckee-Henness route, have led off in bridge building, and will reap their reward as soor as the travel is fairly opened on the lattei named route, which in time is bound to blt;the favored route for all parties betweerDownieville and Marysville. When the railroad is completed from Folsom to Marysville a large amount of the San Francisco trave will also pass over it. Two or three town: are contemplated in the Truckee Meadows but from all appearance Truckee City'ha; the clear inside track. Its location has man; advantages above the others, in the opinior of those who are well acquainted in this por tion of the Territory. The site is certainl; very imposing to a new comer. And al though it is but just starting, (one house uj and the lumber being hauled for the second, it is probable that it must become the count; Beat of this section.A town once well located and fairly startelt; in this valley will build up very rapidly.— This may be our point to operate in, or i part of our company, while the balance tra verse the hills. Lots up to this time havlt; not been offered for sale, but will be in thlt; course of the coming week, at prices rang ing from $75 to #150. The company an donating lots to actual settlers who will gc on and build immediately. This reallj strikes me a9 being a good field of operation and if the boys want to anchor a little mon ey safely let them take a lot or two in tbii town Another view of the matter shouh be taken as well as money making. Ever; possible effort is made by parties interests in routes south of as to draw the immigra tion over their line of travel. Every iromi grant, after this, who comes in on the Car son route, will do it simply because he car find supplies this side of the Sierras. Thii should be looked to. The Truckee Route k conceded to be much the best route as fai as grass, water, and distance is concerned and the Henness Pags will far excel any pasj south of it.Let the people—yes, let all the people o the north unite as one man in furthering thlt; objects of the Trnckee City Co., as we learr it is composed mostly of merchants of tin northern section who wish to establish i rendezvous, or emporium, on the northerr route, contiguous to the mines and direcfclj on their line of travel.As soon as I have taken a look at tb( great mineral richness of this section, I wil write jo* again. Fall k Smith’s saddh train arrived here in good style on Thursdaj% — nnr. and returned this morning. Thii.wfsent tri-weekly, but soon wil*ia:ly Mr. \\ . H. IT. Fall is here arrang-have a stable put up immediately ir t’irv. where the company will make »• ..... \ 5 5vr on this side ot the mountains. They will soon have a hundred mulei on.Sim Join.
Newspaper Details
North San Juan Hydraulic Press
North San Juan, California, US
Sat, Apr 07, 1860
Page 4
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USA 11 Mar 2023
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