The Arkansas banner., 1849-03-13
The Overland Rontr.

A correspondent of fine St. Louis Republican gives the following account of tbc difficulties to be encountered in tho overland route to California. The picture looks little overcliarged, but it seems to be the result of the writer's experience:
 A long, drcary road, of upwards of ? 900 miles lies before you, without houses, without meat or Hour, and in many places without wood, water or grass. You that start the plains by te time you reach Santa Fe N Ma distance of not less than 200 miles from St. Louis--wiIl find your ambition and courage fail; and yet through Santa To is a paradise 10 what you will see afterward By the time You have been fifty days out, which will be the time you will be in going there, tor kill all your oxen and mules) you will wish yourselves back again at your work in St. Louis mark my words You must cook your own meals, which will be fun and sport for few days where wood, water and grass are plenty, but after you get l0g miles beyond Council Grove, You will hunl in vaIn Tor wood, and often for water and grass,
 Instead of wood, get your blanket and two of you go out, take crco of one mile, and pick up all the buffalo chips (manure) you can find, which will bo scarce make your fires and cook by he blaze. While two are hunting for fuel. some will have to go for water others picket out your nnirs watch your oxen, otiers attend o the cooking, some at- tend 10 fixing your tent De sure and cook enough at night to Go the next day leaving nothing to do in ile morning but 10 bo your coffee, harness up anu be off. Twenty miles Is goo4 days travel Two men will use barrel of -four before getting to '"haR I Ss uAI sNF ttS EhOl D1cOu hooOt 3t IDS, coffee, and, If you drink whisky, Ca very necessary article by the wayl two inon cannot miss using l0 gallons You travel on foot better than be troubled with horse, for you certainly can keep up with an ox-wagon and in few days become used 10 it, which il! harden you Tor the labor when called to use the pick, crowbar. spade or shovel
 Ky the time you reach the gold region in Caljfor- mia, you have expended some two hundred dollars, worn out all your clothes, become weary from the long march, ate mp all you carried with you, had all your tools stolen from you weak sick and unable to work, without friends to administer to your wants; without comfortable house CT home thrown in among thousands of idle dlsspated un- feeling brutes. Intent on gain penniiess poor. and without strength means friends to assist yoE; surrounded by vulgar, rough and uncouih rowdles, all engrossed In searching ufler sodtat;ercd, rag Ged and eross-without law, disc pne or control every one his own master stealing here and lying thcre-inventing schemes to deprive the unsu spect- Ing of thclr prospects and leads-laying hands on everything palatable wearabe or useful: where might and strength determine right, though wrong and 'cowaFd and guilt ts shelter cavcrns fly" until sickness disease and deslh close the sceno. Then you may easily imagine worse than this picture humsn vastnres Preying upon your carcass like cannbals gorinandizng in their hoarsc laugh over fallen victims. It is nevertheless truer than fiction
 the pnre and certain results of rash and premature enterprise.
 Major Emory, who wont out with Gen. Kearny, gives account cf the ronte, which it would be well for those to read who intend to travoi il.