The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-12
Overland Route TO CalIf0rnia-The Nor

Overland Route TO California-The Nor
mons.
correspondent, writing to western paper from
st. Josephs, Mo, Jan. 20, makes out very good
case in favor of the overland route to the gold
mines of California MANY Of my acquaintance
who went to California two years ago have returned
within the past two weeks, and during the last
month They, or majority of them, have done so
wondrous well, | have my regrets for not going
when the fever was on me, IN 90 although have
with many about the two routes-by sea and by
land. They ell give preference to the land route,
for SO many reasons that have hardly patience to
enumerate them Cheapness, health and safety are
company of three men can outfit complete with
one wagon and four yoke of oxen, any where on the
Missouri or Iowa frontier, for 500. They start
LIST Of May, not later than 25th, (unless on pack
mules, then by LIST June,) and arrive in California
or Oregon by the LIST to the 18th August. When
they arrive, they are at once in the mining and
farming districts, with their teams and wagons, as
themselves Injured by the journey to hardship and
ready to 60 to work. whereas they had gone by sea-
the amount expended for passage would be lost ca
pial, and their bodies cnieebled by passing through
SO many climates. Landing at . seaport town two
hundred miles from the mining district, they would
have to make outfit, at least at California prices
and travel back into the country ere they could COM
operations In leaving Missouri, by referring
to the map, you will observe that we travel on q
direct line to California, in nearly the same latitude
all the time. 1t has always been healthy trip.
OF course | remember the cholera that scourged
mankind in all climates. | remember its havoc on
the plains; but have lived here eight years, and
seen my friends 60 to California and return by land,
robust and vigorous, and have seen some return by
sea, puny and enfeebled, invariably, who said they
were healthy ere they went on board ship. These
persons, who have just returned, complain bitterly
at the manner they have been swindled by the
Panama steamers, and extras added to price Of pas
sage. They say it has cost them from $500 to
$1,000. But presume you have heard how the
mail steamers run the independent line of steamers
Off by reducing passage at time, then raising to
the present enormous rate. The reason more people
to leave for home in the winter or rainy season;
then they cannot come by land II they wait till
spring. Inducements are great to try their luck in
pleasant weather. So they put off coming till
winter, then are compelled to 60 by sea. The Nor
mons in Utah have large settlement now, directly
on the route from ST. Josephs, about one thousand
miles, dinner time of day from this to Sacramento
City.
Kanesville, Iowa, next spring, and establish the
Frontier Guardian paper at Salt Lake City. Think
of t-a newspaper published in the Rocky Noun
tains IN 1852 Shades of Clark and Lewis-why
years longer to see how the democracy was going
to work!
Most of the Mormons in this country are now at
Kanesvle. They will, ne ary all, 60 to Salt Lake
next spring | am informed by an intellig emit gen.
tlemap just returned from California that he con-
versed with many, and he belives that threefourths
Of the passengers who return to the old States this
winter, GENE with the view Of arranging their
affairs to settle permanently in California and Ore
gon They intend to take rs many cattle and other
necessaries they can. All say it ia delightful
climate, and no rheumatic complaints are known.
If have any friends who expect to emig rate, tell
them that am responsible for saying they had
better 60 by land for pocket sake and health sake
Boats will commence running to this place from
St Louis, by 10Th March to lst April. BE- careful
to tell them TO have light two horse wagons, wide
tread ard well seasoned. Oxen are best. They
are plenty here at S45 to 500 per yoke; mules do
$40 to $50 do. 1t would be well enough to get
good wagons in Ohio, but useless to buy much else
I'll on arrival place Of departure St Josephs and
Council Bluffs are the two most prominent starting
points, but there are other towns quite as good.