The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-12-02

without it's cold. He has gone TO verify his
winter theories In that region.
Respectfully, gentlemen,
Your obliged fellow citizen,
THOMAS H. BENTON.
foar MASSACHUSETTS, IN. NJ } Aug. 90, 1859.
Dear Sir: Knowing that you fee! interest
ed in the middle route for the Great Pacific
Railroad, and believing that any information
with regard to it would be acceptable, no
matter how humble the source from which it
comes, have determined to state what
know about it. This information is from
travelling the route just behind Capt. Cunni-
son. left Virginia the first of April, went
TO Missouri and Illinois to purchase sheep Tor
the California market. After purchasing |
started to take them by old Salt Lake, the
Humboldt River, &C., feeling assured that
would have to winter at Salt Lakes. ! had J
gotten the sheep as far as st. Josepb's Mo. |
Having some business in ST. Louis, met
with Capt. Gunnison, and learned from him
that there was better route by way of Utah
Lake, and that he was going to open it., and
that from what he knew about it, it would be
much better for me to take it. After thinkig
a good deal over it, determined to take it,as
there was very large number of stock on
the old route, and good prospect of getting
to California this season.
l read your address with great DIAL of in
terest; and, feeling assured these statements
about the route could be relied on, I left Mis-
souri at Westport on the 18th o. June with
large number Of sheep and some cows-Mr.
Crockett OF Virginia, partner with me. At
Westport | met with the two Mr.. Ross's of
Iowa, with their families, going the old route;
they also determined to accompany me the
new route. After travelling a few days
fell in with the two Mr.. Burwelle, of
franklin city, Virginia, with large NUN ber
Of cattle, who also were persuaded to join me.
We Travelled the Santa Fe road twenty five
miles above Fort Atkinson, keeping on the
we'll beaten track to thirty miles above Bent's
Old Fort, and crossed the Arkansas river at
the mouth of Opishka Creek, crossed over to
the Hasrtano, up that stream about twenty
miles, and crossed the Sierra Blanca noun
tains through Capt. Gunnison's Pass, about
twelve miles south of Leroux's Pass, to this
fort. The distance given by Capt. Gunnison
is 500 miles, from Westport, Missouri.
have travelled over the mountains of Vr-
ginia, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, over
several Of the passes Of the Sierra Nevada in
California, and have never seen n better or
easier pass for carriages and wagons than that
found by Capt. Gunnison through the Sierra
Blanca, just opposite Fort Massachusetts, nnd
distant from it fifteen miles. ! Travelled the
ol / route to California in lS49, and can speak
Of the two routes from actual experience, hav-
ing gone over both with wagons. look upon
g., Il e.I,
that as soon as it is known, will and must be
the great throughiare from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. On this route there is on abundance
ofgrass and water, SO much that stock will
travel and keep fat; the large majority of our
sheep are as fat As any mutton in the Phila.
delphia or Baltimore markets, and q cry large
number Of Mr. Burwei's cattle ure fine beef;
and have never seen any stock after having
Travelled so far look half as well Both of
the Mr.. Ross's have carriages; and us yet
nothing has in the least given way. I can
say withoutfear of contradiction that this is
one OF the finest natural roads in the world,
combining everywhere necessary to sustain
stock, and am confident thut il its advanta
ges are fully made known TO Congress it will
be adopted for the great Pacific Railway
On this line almost the entire route can be
settled, as all the land from Missouri to Bcnl's
Fort is rich and very fertile, equal to the best
lands OF Missouri and Illinois, and no land can
beat the Sierra Blanca for grass; even to the
very summit it stands as thick as the best
meadows; and many acres would NOW at least
four tons per acre.
Then comes the large and beautiful Valley
st Louis, said to be one Of the most fertile in
New Mexico; indeed fine land il upon the
whole route, and the climate such that stock
can live all winter upon the grass. | will
here state the rouie think best for emigrants
to travel: leave Westpor,, Missouri, take The
roadto Uniontown, then to Fort Centre, then
take Capt. Gunnison's trail, which leads from
the Kansas to the Arkansas, near tho mouth
OF Walnut Creek, up the Arkansas, above
Bents Old Fort, thirty-two miles then up the
Huerfano, through Capt. Gunnison's Pass, to
Fort Massachusetts,; then to Little Salt Lake.
Walkers pass, Sierra Nevada then down the
valley of the San joaquin to Stockton or San
Francisco. There are Settlements at differ
ent points all along this route where emigrants
can get supplies, none further apart than
Two hundred miles. After leaving: Missouri
you pass first Council Grove, next the Fort
on Walnut Creek, next Green Horn, next
Fort Massachusetts,, Little Salt Lake. Santa
Clara. Negas de Caza,ara; a, each of these,
supplies can be had. feel confident when
Capt. Gunnison makes out his report that this
route will be adopted. The pass through the
Sierra Blanca is so low and gradual that u
railroad can be made over il, and the grade
will not exceed fifty feet to the mile. Capt,
Gunnison is doing his whole duty, and well
deserves the thanks Of the whole country for
the very well laid out road through this al.
most unexplored country. will write you
sgsln after getting through to California, aud
describe the rest Of the way.
Yours Respectfully,
CHAS. w. Nc CLANAHAN.
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A Kentucky correspondent of :he Rochester