Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-12-31
INTERESTING FROM GOV. sTEvEN's
EXPEDITION.


EXPEDITION.
The following extrac, Of letter from one |
Of the officers of the exploring party under
Gov. Stevens will be read with Interest:
PoRTLASD, On ECON TERRITORY,
October 10, 1859.
In order 10 examine as much country as
praciicabls, Major Stevens and myself have
not travelled foo, of the way togsther.-
He explored, with his parties, 10 The north
OF the Missouri, 20 the south, extending my
examinations 2oo miles into the Interior
We met al, the Blackfoo, foI,, one hundred
miles from tho Rocky mountains, by agree.
meni, and spent four days together, talking
over matters connected with the expedition.
Both OF our routes are entirely practicable fol
a railroad, and found no diff ,ulty whatever
in crossing the main chain Of the Rocky
Mountains. Wagons can pass with few
weeks labor, and not The least difficulty in
the way, Of railroad. There is a river bot
tom-"Dearbon" river on the east, with
valley sufficiently wide, extending TO the
Dividing ridge, which is OF no great eleva-
iion, and only occupies few hours in cross
ing; and on the western slope, the Black
Foot fork Of the Bitter Root river, with val
ley s,ill wider aud better, extending 10 prairie
land beyond the mountains.
The whole crossing, from prairie 10 prairie,
occupies from five 10 seven days 1t is ira
yelled by the Indiaas in three or four. The
Bitter Root mountains are not practicable for
a railroad, or any other kind Of road bu,
they can be wholly avoed by passing from
the outlet Of the Black Foot trail little north,
and following the usual route of the Hndson's
Bay Company in their excursions 10 that re-
gion. This route is wholly in the territory
Of The United States. Major Stevens will
thoroughly explore the Bitter Root Range
and may find better pass than crossed
through in 1851 and during my late trip.
The las, trail is called the "Grand" trail of
the Nezporces Indians, and is over a series Of
mountains route one hundred and thirty
miles, very steep and rocky the other two
hundred and ten miles, the mountains almost
equally elevated, bul not SO rocky; more nu-
merous, however. Both Of these routes are
ou, ofihe question. My own impression has
always been, and still is, that the shores OF
the Columbia river afford the most practical
ble route for a railroad through the Cascade
mountains The route passes north Of the
Blue mountain range. The whole route is
entirely practicable, as no doubt will be fully
demonstrated BY Major Stevens. The Major
and his party have all enjoyed good health,
and are getting on finely. The Major him
self is an energetic man, and has accomplish
ed wonders for one season, but unavodably
al a very great expense,
Major Stevens contempla,es leaving por-
tion Of the stores at Fort Owen, and a small
party under Lieutenant Mullin, TO operate
during the winter. If the passage OF the
wagons Cause much delay, Major Stevens
will hurry on TO Washington Territory, leav-
ing the train in charge OF some suitable off,
Ger. The patty is no doubt all over by ihi,
time, and Major s. may be expected in
abont ten days or two weeks
My owr trip has been eminently success.
full, much beyound my expectations, almos,
the whole way Though a country not previ-
onsly explored. JOHN EyENS.