_
Ee

 

AND PACIFIC COAST GUIDE.

 

101

 

the crest V was 8 picked off instantly. oY por-
tion of the band escaped in another direc-
tion, leaving their dead comrades on the
field. The Sioux were so badly whipped
that from that time forward they have had
little use for the Utes.

Norte Puarre Rrver—We gave a
short description of this river from where
we first crossed it, near North Platte City,
to Fort Steele, so we will now trace it from
this station to its source.

them } rises a clear, sparkling spring of
ice-cold water, and we opine that the
time is not far distant when these springs
will be taken up, a narrow gauge rairoad
laid down, hotels built, and one of the
finest “ watering places » in the world
opened to the public.

Fish of many kinds, and beavers, are
abundant in the streams; the beavers
erecting dams often six feet high. The
mountains and forests are full of game, and

From Fort Steele to the head waters of| in them and the open valleys can be found

the Platte is about 150 to 200 miles. It
rises in the mountains of the North Park,
its waters being supplied by many tributa-
ries, which, at present, are mostly nameless.
The course of the river, from its source to
this point, is nearly due north.

About twenty-five miles above the fort,
is the Platte Ferry, on the old overland
stage road.

Good bottom lands are found along the
stream at intervals. About 100 miles fur-

ther up, the tributaries of the river begin
to empty their waters into the main stream,
and the timber land commences.

Douglas Creek and French Creek are
tributaries of the Platte, and run through
Gold mines and

heavy eg ai valleys.

elk, deer, antelope, bears, mountain sheep
and lions, and, occasionally, the bison. or
mountain buffalo.

The forests are dense and large in extent;
from which, during the building of the
road, large quantities of ties were cut and
floated down the river to Fort Steele. The
valleys are fertile and large, and all in all,
it is a grand, wild country, where the tour-
ist could enjoy life to his heart’s content,
in hunting, fishing, and fighting the Indians.

Grennville—is “a small side-track
station 8 4-10 miles west of Fort Steele, and
it is seven miles further to

Rawlins—(usually called Rawling
Springs). This place contains a population
of about 800. The Railroad Company

 

 

 

 

 

a iggings were
iscovered here, but not
prospected to any grea
extent. On the west side
of the river, Monument
and Big creeks empty
their waters into the
Platte, nearly opposite
the creeks first named.
Big Creek rises in a
beautiful lake, about
three miles long by half
a mile wide. A half.
mile above this lies
another lake, but little
smaller. This ground
is disputed territory be-
tween the Sioux and
Utes, rendering it very
unsafe for small parties.
Eight miles from
Douglas Creek coal is
found in abundance,
and farther on, fine-
looking quartz veins
crop out on the hillside.
Near here are sulphur
springs, seven in num-
ber, and very hot;
while, along side of

 

 

rete