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Journal of Western Travel
by John McTurk Gibson
edited by Weldon Hoppe
August 26th, 1859 -- Ragtown used to be quite a canvass-town in early days, but now it is quite small and only boasts of some two or three houses. It is situated on the Carson River at the point where the Desert Road touches the river, a pretty, pure and refreshing mountain stream, which also flows out a few miles from this and disappears in the desert. It is bordered with a genial but straggling growth of young cottonwood, that really looks refreshing after having ones vision "cramped, cabined, and confined" for weeks to the everlasting greasewood and equally detested sagebrush. I endeavored to find Ragtown last night after dark but failed in the attempt. I wanted to buy some provisions and had to go in the morning. Flour 30c, sugar 50c, dried apples 50c, and butter $1.00 per lb. We only travelled 7 miles today in order to give our cattle a good chance to feed, rest, and exercise after their late fatigue.Powell
Travelled 8 miles and camped for the day. The bottom is narrow along this river and grass rather scarce. It is 180 miles from Ragtown to Placerville.