The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-09-11

noldS ana myself parted Win tue cOmpa-
ny and remained 10 days, during which
time we began to meet large numbers of
emigrants, about one half of whom were
bound for Oregon, and the remainder for
California.
On the 29lh of June we started from
Soda Springs and Travelled 95 miles on
the Fort Hall route, to its junction with
the Kearney route, at which point we
took the Kearney route, for 35 miles,
which brought us to Green river, at the
point on the river where the old Salt Lake
road crosses the river. From Green
river, we followed the old Salt Lake
route to the point where it joins the Fort
Hall route, which is 80 miles. BY taxi
ing the Kearney route where it bears off
from the old Fort Hall route, and again
coming back on the route last named, we
avoided a desert of some As or so miles
in width, across which the old Fort Hall
route runs. Along here the cmigrant
will meet with Il set of men, (not all
Mormons) who are interested in different
Ferries on the different routes, and they
will be sure TO direct people on the route
which will carry the traveller across
their own ferry. But no attention should
be paid to them, for the advice which
they give is such as their own interest
dictates, without the slightest regard for
the interests of the traveller. There is
man of this character by the name of
Holiday who has several men in his en-
ploy, who are by far more regardless of
the interests of emigrants than are the
Mormons themselves. So far as the en-
igran's arc concerned. the Mormons are
not the worst people TO be met with on
the route. They generally treat the emf
grants with kindness, whatsoever may be
said Of them in other respects.
From this last named point to the Pa
cific Springs, or the South Pass, is Is or
20 miles. We were now a distance from
Shasta City, via the new route, of about
900 miles, and this composes all the most
difficult part of the route TO California.
The remainder of the way to the Missouri
river by any of the travelled routes is
very good; generally there is plenty of
grass and water, unless it is too early in
the spring. This is Il distance Of 100
miles.
On this end of the route, cannot say
that there is much difference in the differ
ent rontes travelled. but | should think
probably the south side of the Platte
river is the best The roads and distance
on either side of the Platte is about the
same. would here say that emigrants
should he more careful when they first
enter on the plains, especially in this al
kali country.
People Gig holes in the Platte bottoms
and drink the water, because it is cool
ard clear. They had much better drink
the water out of the river, even if it is
riley and warm, for it is at the same time
perfectly healthy, while the water which
is in these holes has invariably proven to
be very unhealthy. The cholera or diar-
rhGa was raging to considerable extent
from the South Pass TO the Missouri river.
A free use of vinegar or some kind of
acid is found by the cmigran,s to be a
preventative to this disease.
The Humbolt river was first discov-
cred by Frenchman in lS43 or ~, who
gave it the name of St. Mary's river.
What have called the Lasson route was
first travelled as far as Loose Lake by one
Applcgatc in 1916 or al and in l849,
LaSson travelled the same route with
large number Of emigrants, who, had it
not been for the timely aid they received
from Myers and Hedspeth, would all
have persisted in the snow.
C,l1.,s. ~
with wagons as early as 1884 by Mr..
Bonneville, from the South Pass to
Green river, ard in 1888 by the same
party as far as Fort Hall; and from Fort
Hall to City Rock as early as 1912, by
Greenwood and Hitchcock, and after
wards by Sublet, who claims the honor
Of having first travelled the route. Fort
Hall was built by one Capt. Wait as early
as 1888 and it has been under the charge
of Capt. Grant, chief trader of the Hud-
son Bay Co.. in Snake Indian country
most of the time since.
From the Missouri to the South Pass
is about 100 miles from South Pass 10
Green river, left hand route, 81; from
thence 10 Haws' Forks, by Kearney' $ Gut
Off, IS miles from Haws' Forks to Soda
Springs, IS miles; from Soda Springs via
Hcdspeth's Cutoff to City Rock, l0S
miles; from City Rock to the head Of the
Humboldt river, So miles; from the head
of the Humboldt river to the junction Of
tie Mobiles route, 225 miles from thence
to Shasta City it is about PTS miles.
Shasta City is in the northern mines
at the head Of the Sacramento Valley. and
is good starting point for the different
northern mines, and last spring they were
considered about the best mines in Cali
fornia.
What have here written of the route
to California, have written from men,
DRY, not having kept journal, but if you
think it worth an insertion in your paper,
it my be found Of interest to at least some
who may travel this long and tedious