The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-09-11
NEW ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA.
For the NIinncs otian.

account oil my trip from CaliIorHla across
the plains during the past season.
1t is of immense importance to those
who intend 10 reach California by the
land route across the plains, that they
pursue the most convenient and expedl-
tious route. The route which took on
my return from California is much the
best route, portion of which had never
been travelled before by any considerable
party and as its advantages are mostly
unknown, directions in reference TO it
will be interesting at least to those who
intend visiting California.
started from Shasta City, Ga town of
about 1000 inhabitants, situated at the
head of the Sacramento valley) on the
Sd day of May last. Before that time l
had made an arrangement with the prin-
cipal men of that town, in which l agreed
with them to indicate route from the
Sacramento Valley across the Sierra Ne
vada mountains 10 point on the Humboldt
river, 10 miles above the sink of that
river, for which l was to receive from
the citizens of that town the sum of
$4,000.
would here state, that this part of the
route, on any of the old routes, is the
most difficult and dangerous of any or all
the other portions of the route from the
Missouri river to California. BY the old
routes, the passages of Sierra Nevada
mountains, has been deemed an almost in
surmountablc difficulty for the emgrant
to overcome. Indeed, the energy dis
played by the citizens OF Shasta City, in
opening new and more convenient route
across these dangerous mountains, and
over the endless plains OF sand which had
TO be traversed on this part of the route.
by the old roads, furnish sufficient evil
dence OF the difficulties to be overcome
on this part of the route to California. A
committee was appointed by the citizens
OF Shasta City TO accompany me OIL the
route which | proposed to point out to
them. and report as to its feasibility;
which committee was composed of the
most respectable citizens Of the town. and
a majority Of whom were well acquainted
with all the travelled routes across the
mountains. After we had reached the
Humbolt river, the committee by unani-
nous resolve, declared that the route over
which had conducted them was bv far
more feasible than had recommended it
to be, and the distance from 100 TO 200
miles shorter than any of the old routes;
it being by my route but about 275 miles
from the Hunbolt River to the Sacra-
mento valley. One great advantage Of
this route is that it avoids what is called
the Big Desert, there being no part of the
above route which is more than a distance
of "a miles between grass and water,
while by any of the old routes the distance
you have to travel with neither grass or
water is not less than 80 or 50 miles, and
where emigrants will be obliged TO double
their teams. or even TO use lock chains TO
their wagons in order to effect an easy
and safe passage Of the mountains
After we had arrived at the point
where we struck the old route, the com
mittee returned to Shasta CITY. and |
with company from Shasta Flats on
the 29th day OF May left for the States.
With this company was one Judge Smith
from Ohio. (not the late Secretary of
Minnesota This man Smith claims TO
be the discoverer of what is now known
by the name Of the ':Old Applcgatc
Route" and since | arrived at home
have seen communication from him in
some of the papers advising emigrants TO
take that route to California.
Now, in regard to this route which
Judge Smith claims to have discovered,
and which he is now advising cmigrants
to travel, l happen to know something,
and as am somewhat familiar with the dam
gers and suffering of a trip to California,
l am unwilling that the public mind, and
particularly the mind OF the emigrant
should be abused in regard to this, or any
other route. Heaven knows that there
has been in times past suffering enough
and death enough on the plains to induce
any person who has been at all acquainted
with its extent. to advise emigrants TO
take that route by which they will be
least exposed TO the suffering which 9TH
ers have experienced. Now, as it re-
CARDS this Old Apologize Route" which
Judge Smith advises emigrants 10 take,
would say that i; is the same route on
which so many suffered and died in lS49,
which suffering was caused by one Peter
Losson, Cor, as he is Familiarity called in
California, Green Horn who made il
his business 10 direct peopl on that route
in 40. It's by far the worst and most
difficult land route to California, and any
other should be travelled in preference
to it.
l travelled in company with Judge
Smith as far as Soda Springs, distance
of about 45S miles, before we met with
many emigrants. Our party being small,
(but 9 in nunber) we were obliged to
keep a good lookout for the Indians on
the Humboldt river. We were attacked
by three once, and came very near losing
our animals. This part of the route is
more dangerous than any other on account
OF the Indians Emiorauts cannot be too