Transcript

Editorial Correspondence.

DEER CREEK STATION, July 24, 1857.BRO. APPLEBY—Dear Sir: I addressed you a long letter a few days ago which I sent to Laramie P. O., but as there is no certainty of the mail, I embrace an opportunity of sending this by a packer, whom I consider more reliable than the mail on this route, particularly at the present. We are informed here that there is a change of mail, and that it is taken from Mr. Hirum Kimball, under what pretext it is difficult for me to determine, for the last mail but one was carried in twenty-three days, and the last in eighteen; in much less time than it has ever been done in before. In fact the express company from whom he has obtained assistance are in better position to carry mail, or anything else, than any arrangement that Uncle Sam has ever had, or is ever likely to have for some time to come. They have laid out an immense amount of means and have stations all along the route between Horse Shoe Creek and the valley amply furnished with men, provisions, and animals. There is from eight to ten tons of flour at this station, fifty tons more are expected soon, besides oats and other necessaries for the route. There are seventy-six men engaged in building, hewing, hauling timber, &c: seventy-six horses and mules belonging to the company, and 123 cattle are employed in building purposes. They have been here about three weeks, they have fenced, broken and planted 15 acres, made a drain and taken out the water for irrigation, completed a carroll [collal] 150 feet square made of logs 12½ feet long, with their ends in the ground and dovetailed together near the top, and a stack-yard adjoining of the same dimensions nearly completed. They have also commenced a fort which will also be enclosed with a stockade enclosing 42 houses, the timber for one third of the houses already out and nearly one third on the ground. The size of the fort is 320 feet square. A portion of the hands are engaged in putting up hay for the winter. The whole plan is admirably laid out, and some of the best of workmen engaged in its execution.

The first station that we came to was Horseshoe. There is one commenced at La Bonte; there is also one at the Devil’s gate, and one at the head of Sweetwater, as well as at Fort Bridger, all having a corresponding amount of animals, &c, with this station; with two or three more stations on the other side of Laramie, of which Genoa will probably be one.

When the above are completed, and even now, we need ask no odds of Uncle Sam about our mail affairs; we can carry all our mails by express, and have them arrive at their destination in from ten to fifteen days less time than the mails can do it under their arrangements. We have been bamboozled long enough with a lot of nincompoops; there has been an eternal cry, but very little wool; it is high time that we attended to our own affairs, and this express will most effectually do it in mail matter, small parcels, and light merchandize. Nathaniel V. Jones is captain of this station. I would here remark that these stations have been got up under the direction of Hyrum Kimball, as mail contractor, under special act of Congress, for which he was to have certain mail facilities.

Bro. Snow, myself, and two other brethren, left Laramie on horseback in advance of our teams to the Horseshoe Station, where we were kindly received. We were then generously forwarded in a coach and four to this station, where we have been for two days.

A rumor has reached here that Indians occupying forty lodges of the Cheyennes have been killed by Col. Sumner’s command; I feel, however, inclined to doubt it. The health of the brethren is good, and we pursue our journey in the morning. The Indians through this district of country are summoned to Rawhide Indian Agency to receive their annuities, and have a talk.

A large body of Indians of the Arraphoe tribe were encamped here on our arrival, who seem to be very friendly; they are a fine body of men; a great many of them are upwards of six feet high, and straight as an arrow. I had a short interview and talk with Black Bear, one of their chiefs. Little Owl, their principal chief, is not here at present. Our company obtained here four fresh animals. Adieu.

As ever, yours, &c,
JOHN TAYLOR

P.S.—I gave you full particulars of our moving camps in my last. I need not say how advantageous these posts will be to them, as well as to other emigrating parties. With these posts our handcarts from henceforth can move form place to place without any difficulty—stop awhile, or over the season—obtain supplies, and move as circumstances and convenience may dictate.