The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-19
The Western Overland Route.

| ST. JOSEPH, Mo-, April z lS49.
The immense emigration to California by this
| route, has given an impetus to business in the
| towns of Independence, Westport, Weston and
ST. Joseph, unprecedented by that Of any past sea-
son. The taverns and boarding houses are crowd
ed to their utmost capacity, and it is with the
greatest difficulty that the new conner is enabled to
| obtain quarters-many, for the want Of other lodg-
ings, being obliged to accommodate themselves in
near as can be ascertained, $500 persons are al
| ready at these pons-by far the greater number
being at Independence and ST. Joseph-while every
boat that arrives from below, adds largely to this
number. In addition to those who have arrived via
| st. Louis, severa! companies from Northern Illi-
nols, Ohio and Missouri, and from Michigan and
Iowa. have made their journey to these points over
| land
Several of these companies among whom is one
| of 271 gentlemen from Pittsburgh come complete
ly fitted out for the expedition, while others con-
template making their outfits at their places of rem
devious. Which of these points afford the greatest
advantagesfor this purpose, is bone of much con-
| tention between the good people and business men
Of these several places, and especially between
those of Independence and st. Joseph 1t is not
my intention, in corresponding with you from this
portion OF our State, to express any partlaiy in
regard to this matter, but simply to give true and
accurate report, from time to time, of sales of the
most important articles necessary for outfit, and
also the facilities for procuring thcnl-leaving the
| emigrant himself to Judge, before departing from
| your city, whether they can be procured ON more
reasonable terms than in st. Louis, or to select
| place.
The principal and most important item of consi-
deraon is that of stock in regard to the prices of
which have sought every information in my route
| to this place, the amount ofwhich Twill inform you
| in this communication AT st. Joseph, common to
good American mules are selling at from $55 $40,
and choice from $75 to 900 per head, according to
| size and age. The supfly, also the demand, is
limited, most Of the emigrants providing themselves
| with stock before reaching this point. Oxen are
selling at from s45 to $50 per yoke, according to
or offered for sale. The facilities for manufacture
| ing wagons are very limited, the market beng
bare of any that are completed or ready for sale.
In other articles there is slight advance upon st.
| Louis prices, the quantities and qualities from
which TO make selection, of course, being far be-
| low that afforded in your city.
Al independence, the supply of stock is large, and
at this time exceeds the demand, yet holders
mules sold at prices ranging from $55 to $65 as in
quality Four or five years old, of large size, will
range above the highest figure, while good Span.
ish mules, which are scarce, will readily command
from $50 to $ll0-very seldom to be obtained at
the lowest figure. 1t is generally believed that a
large number of mules are on their way to this mar
ket but, even with an additional supply, it is
thought the demand will increase in greater pro-
portion, and the present quotations be considerably
advanced The supply of oxen is not large, neither
is the demand great-the large number of emigrants
preferrlng, or at least purchasing, mules. Satur-
day last, ten yoke sold at prices ranging from $55
to $65, according to condition and quality. With
regard to the facilities for obtaining wagons,
harness, &c, at Independence, shall inform you
In my next letter from that place.
The prices of stock at Independence, as also the
remarks, will hold good and apply to Wcstport and
kanzas, the contiguity of these Places being but
few hours ride from each other. rendering the ouo-
tations about the same.
AT Weston, Sunday last, heard of sales of good
American mules at $40 per head, and common at
500. Choice cattle, at the same time, were sold at
$5S the yoke. and common at $5I SO. Very little
stock at this point, and the demand limited
AT points along the river-other than the places
aforementioned-stock ranges much higher than
have quoted. AT Parkesvle, a village short dis
lance below Weston, sixteen American mules were
offered for sale, but held Gmly at prices ranging
from SIS to 800, and at point few miles below
st. Joseph, lot of the same quality of mules
held at from 900 to $l25 each. These two lots were
regarded by their owners of superior quality,
being larger in size than are ordinarily found.
In this section of our State number of per-
sons, the greater portion of whose lives have been
spent in mountain service and upon the plains.
From them shall inform myself of such matters as
will prove OF service to the emgrant IN making his
the benefit of their experience. They remark, with
out any conflicting opinion, that two and three year
old American mules are unable to stand the service
OF an expedition to California, and most especially
When put INTO harness. A number of emlgrants
are supplying themselves with such animals, under
an Impression that they will be more servicable
his Is mistake; they have not the bone, nor are
they sufficiently developed in their limbs to enable
them to stand the trip Mules from four to eight
years old are greatly preferable.
Another remark IL. that young men. arriving nj
these points ci rcndcZyoue instead of Immediately
iplmlng camp, and enpring themselves to the