The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-12-01
NJ IN NESOTA PION EEL
ST, PAUL, MINNESOTA.
Thursday, December l, 1858.
Minnesota Re ute to California.

Minnesota Re ute to California.
During the life of the original proprietor Of the
Pioneer, (Cc', J. NJ. Goodhue,) the praccabty
and advantages of a through Minnesota to Cal.
Norma and Oregon, were frequently urged bot lit
tie was then known Of Territory, that the public
did not give the subject that consideration which its
Importance demanded, We are happy to see that
persons who contemplate an overland trip to Cafor-
MIA making serious enquiries as the advantages
which the route through Minnesota presents and il is
also gratifying 10 observe the deep interest manifested
This subject by the presses of the Territory. Much
is also due to Hon. w. II. Mobiles, for his exerions
to bring this subject Immediately before the pub
lc Ia letter from Mr.. Mobiles, published in late
number of the Minnesota Democrat, be savsi-.' do
ring the spring and fore part of summer, steamboats,
can from ST. Paul to withia the same distance of
Fort Laramie, as from St. Josephs on the Missouri
River, ard emrants embark early, if not ear
iier, than on that route, and much more healthy
| country TO travel through"
The route proposed by Mr. Mobiles, is to travel from
81. Paul " westward to the Missouri River not Ear
from the northern line OF Iowa, with its iunct ioa with
I
Fort kearney, OF leaving Fort Kearney little to the
South, direct line from the Missouri River 70
Fort Laramie; thence through the South Pass in the
Rocky Mountains, ,ia. the old crossing on Green
River. down the north side Of Bear RIVER crossing
Smiths Fork, Fomaw' Fork to Soda Spring; thence
to City Rocks, leaving Fort Hall fifty miles to the
North thence to Mays or Humboldt River, down
that river TO the great bend or elbow of the same
thence ria. Honey Lake, to the summit Of the Sierra
Nevada Mountains, and from thence to any part Of
California or Oregon" Mr.. Mobiles is e,nnentIy
qualified to Judge Of the route west Of the Missouri,
having spent several years in investigating the diff.
ferent routes leading from tn, waters Of the Missis-
slrpi 10 the Pacific, and whose knowledge Of the
Topography Of the country, and general information
upon all matters connected therew th is perhaps sur
passed by no one" The Minnesota Democrat Of last
week publishes letter from gentleman in Chicago
MR. w. d. Cutter,) who having closed his business
50 with view Of emigrating to California in the
springs aud having decided to go overland is now
examining the inducements afforded by tho different
routes as regards comfort, speed aud safety" He
therefore enquiries Of the editor
First--At what time in the spring does navigation
usually commence between Galena and your place?
Is the nav cation certain, and could cmgrants rely on
being able 10 get To your place without being subject
To detentions route What is the expense of pas
sage and ircights oxen, horses wagons and lner-
chandizci
Second-Can suitable outfits be purchased at YOUR
place al reasonable prices, such provisions, the
necessary Camping equiiage, Sc!
Thirds the navigate OF the st. Peters or Min
nesota River good far the Great Bend or the
mouth OF the Blue Earth, and would be advsaI lie
to go thence, from ST. Paul, by land or by water?
Fourth-liow early III the spring could train start
iron your place with the certainty Of finding good
travelling and good feed for teams, and how much
later would person he required to STAT from st,
Pan' than from Independence St. Joseph!
Filth-Are the streams between your place and
the Missouri River passaLe for teams or would they
require bridging!
Sixth observe that the route indicated would
cross the Missouri at the mouth Of tie Niob arab
River, and PASS up the valley of said River in line
TO ort Laramie Is there any ferry or other means
Of crossing the Missouri at this point!
Seventh-ls there any road or trail leading through
Oh the proposed route, aud il not, could Mr. Mobiles
or some experienced ranger be induced to accompany
party through 10 Fort Laramie!
We copy so much Of the answers Of the editor of
the Democrat, as are directly in reply to the above
questions:
First--The navigation between Galena and St. Paul
usually commences in the spriag between the 9th and
18th Of April. Persons arriving at Gaena or any
other town on the Mississippi in Illinois or Wiscon-
SIN, on Or after the fifteenth, may rely on finding
passage to st. Paul without delay. Two to three
DAYS is the time usually occupied ,nakinga trp from
Galena 10 ST. Paul. The navigation is certain and
SAFE Ia the early part of the the river is al.
ways at good stage, and can be navi,ated to ST.
Paul WITHOUT difficulty by the largest class of Misss
slpp steamers. The prlce OF passage (cabin) from,
Galena or Dubuque to ST. Paul has usually been SIS
to 10. Three to four dollars per head is paid for
horses and oxen; other freight usually Is to s. cents
per 100 pounds. Next spring there wall be two or
more daily lines OF boats between these points and
is naturally expected that both passage and freiqhs
will be lower than the former rates
Second-Every thing necessary for an outfit for
your journey can be purchased here at reasonable
prces-nearly, II not quite, as cheap could be
purchased at any other point the Mississippi with
addition Of freight Of course.
Ihmd-Ihe navigation OF the Minnesota River is
always good and reliable, in the early part of the sea-
son, as lar as Traverse DIES Sioux or Naaka;o--tbc
Latter place being situated immedateI, at the Great
Bend Of that River.
fourth--Ihe grass is usually large enough on ;he
pfares to afford good pasurage for cattle and horses
in The early part Of May-say from the 10Th to the
10Th. You can safely rely upon ample feed for Your
teams by the latter date, and this, VIC believe is as
early as the emigration usually find il prudent 10 star,
from ST. Joseph Or Independence.
fiih-We believe that all the principal streams
between this place and the Missouri NAV he crossed
without difficulty, except in the time Of unusually
high water.
Sixth-This query is too hard for US, but our i'm.
preston now is, that there no facilities fr cross.
ing the Missouri near the mouth Of the Eobrarah.
except those furnished by the band of nature. We
believe there 10, however. an abundance Of timber. |
out Of which party Of energetic men could soon
construct raft or scow sufficient 10 subserve their
meantime necessities.
Seventh-There is no trsH leadng direct from ST. |
pau to the point at which you propose to cross the
Missouri, but, with the assistance of good guide |
your party Can easily make You would probably
have no difficulty in securing the services Of a com,
peteni guide. on reasonable terms.
Having Travelled oyer the most direct and feasible
ROUTE IRON ST. Paul to the Missouri; and being there
lore more familiar with the country, enables us to add
to the information given in the Democrat.
We differ somewhat with both the editor Of the