KXDUcn.] ITINERARY. 7 



to South Pass City, from there to go to Camp Stambaufth, where I expected 

 to rejom the party. A disagreeable ride in a snow-storm brought me to 

 South Pass about five o'clock in the morning. Driving on through ab- 

 solute darkness, it seemed almost like a mii^acle that the horses kept the 

 road and safely crossed a number of very primitive bridges. 



South Pass City is located on Willow Creek, a swiftly-flowing tributary 

 of Sweetwater River. Near Pacific Springs, a favorite camping-place 

 for emigi'ants, the Tertiary beds suddenly cease, and we enter a meta- 

 morphic region. Ten and twelve years ago, ore-bearing lodes were dis- 

 covered in these metamorphics, gold was washed out of the gulches, and 

 the "Sweetwater Mines" were far-famed for their richness and reported 

 production. Misrepresentation, bad management, and unscruijulous 

 siieculation ruined what might have become a tiourishing mining dis- 

 trict. To-day the town presents a dreary appearance. Many, if not the 

 majority, of its houses are deserted, and broken window-panes, swinging 

 doors, and torn roofs tell a pitiful tale of desolation. On the surrounding 

 hills buildings are located which are in connection with the mines. Very 

 few of the latter are being worked, while a large number appear to 

 be abandoned temporarily. Ascending a steep hill, we passed through 

 a very pretty country, and after a short drive reached Atlantic City. 

 This, too, is located in a narrow valley, and was formerly the active centi-e 

 of mining operations. 



By this time we had approached the Wind Eiver Mountains within 

 but a short distance of their southern base. Viewed from farther south, 

 the highest peaks of the range rose in abrupt forms fr'om the surrounding 

 country. Snow-capped, as yet, they towered far above the foot-hills of 

 the range. Now, the latter prominently occupied the foregroimd; the 

 former were no longer visible. The character of the country changes 

 entirely with the change of geological formation. Instead of the ever- 

 repeated flat-topped blutf, we here find massive, rolling hills, separated 

 by steeply-incUning valleys with narrov/ bottoms. Small creeks are found 

 within these, many of which, however, camiot sustain a sufficient amount 

 of water during the dry season to permit them to flow. Quaking asps, 

 some Cottonwood, and scattering pines, atford good shelter and wood for 

 camping piu'poses. A short ride from Atlantic City in a northerly di- 

 rection brings us to Camp Stambaugh. At the time of my first visit, 

 thiu post contained a comj^any of the Second Cavalry. The officers re- 

 ceived me Avith the utmost courtesy, and upon the subsequent arrival of 

 the party afibrded us very material aid. 



Camj) Stambaugh, commanded at that time by Caj)tain Spaulding, is 

 situated in a mde valley, surrounded on every side by hills composed of 

 metamoii>hic schists. Their dark color and very sparse vegetation gives 

 a sombre aspect to the entire scenery. Several small creeks flow vnrhin 

 short distances of the post, and I visited them in company with the 

 ofiicers. At a number of places gulch-mining is carried on there, but 

 the miners complain that the gold is so "fine" that it is a very difficult 

 matter to save it. A very decided character, a thorough type of the 

 adventurous western prospector and pioneer, was employed at the post 

 at that time. He was engaged in burning charcoal. From morning 

 until night this old, grey-bearded man, who had seen the snows of more 

 than seventy-five winters, attended to the smoking pile. His sole am- 

 bition, his incentive to work,^as the prospect of "making a stake" and 

 going to the Bighorn country, there once more to try and gain the 

 gold that rumor lo(;ated v>ithin that famous region. The proceeds of 

 his work he subsequently converted into a donkey, some bacon, flour, 

 a pick, a shovel, and a rifle, and then set out on foot on a journey that 



