The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-06-01
Col. Fremont's Explorations.

Messrs. GALES & SEAroN The subjoined
letter, taken from the Salt Lake Ners, and
written by Mr. j. G. L. Smith, of Paroan, is
the latest account from Mr.. Fremont, although
only one week later than his own letter, by
Mr.. Baebitt. 1t gives special account Of
Mr. Fremont's arrival in that valley, his de.
in the central route.
From PsrOan, where last seen, he would 90
about sixty miles westwardly along his track
of 1914, (now great road,) passing the two
Mormon towns of Paragoona and Cedar Lake
the latter at the Santa Clara Meadows
which place there arc ample supplies, if need
cd.
From Santa Clara Meadows he will explore
a new route, nearly west, to Ovens Lake and
Owens River, ut the eastern base of the Sicr-
IA Nevada, about north latitude 81 deg. With
these three points, to wit: Owens Lake,
Owens River, and the meadows of Santa Clara,
he is acquainted, and has established their To-
calitics, and has only the line to explore be-
tween Them which will cover about five de-
grecs of longitude, in latitude about 81 deg.
He believes in a good enough country for
the road between these points, which it is very
desirable to find as it will cut off the elbow of
the southwest now Travelled toward Los An
gcles, and also avoid the desert through which
that route lies. His belief is founded upon
his observations in le45, and upon his know
ledge of the structure of the country, and from
subsequent reports of emf grants; and, if rcaliz-
cd, will complete all that is desired for the CEN
trail route which is now established from Mis-
souri, to Santa Clara Meadows, and will carry
the road into California near the upper part
of the San Joaquin valley, either through
I.
mont in lS45) or through the excellent pass
Just north of Walkers Pass, described by Su-
perintcndent Bcale, or through Walkers Pass
itself. The object is to get pass north of
Walkers to be nearer to the straight line, and
both kcrns Pass and Beales will fulfil that
condition. Yours,
THOS. II. BENTON.
Letter from Mr.. j. c. Smith, of Parawan
to the editor of the Salt Lake Nc,rs:
"On the 9th February the man on the look
out at Parawan reported IL company, supposed
to be Indians, coming into the north end of
the valley, twenty miles distant from Para
wan. and about eleven o'clock on the morning
of the 9TH Colonel John &. Fremont, with
nine white men and twelve Delaware Indians,
arrived in Parawan in state of starvation.
Oac of his men had fallen dead from his horse
the day previous, and several more must iney-
itably have shared his fate had they not had
succor that day. They reported that they had
eaten twcnty-scvcn broken down animals
that when Il horse or mule could 90 no further
il was killed and divided out, giving onc-halt
to the DclawareS and the other to the Colonel
and his men; the hide was cut in pieces and
east lots for. After the bones had been made
into soup. they were broilcd and carried along
by the men for luncheon. The cntrails were
shaken AMI then made into soup together with
the feet and eyes thus using up the whole
animal. They stated that they had travelled
forty-!ivc days living on this kind of fare.
although Colonel Fremont was considered
hy the people as an enemy to the Saints, and
had no money. he was kindly treated ana fur
nishcd on credit with provisions for himself
and men while at Parawan, and fitted out with
animals and provisions to pursue his journey,
and went on the way rejoicing on the 10th of
February. The Colonel was sanguine in his
opinion that he had found the best route for
the great national railway. The honorable
Secretary, \. w. Rabbit, arrived here on the
evening of the 7th and left on the Sth having
been out five days and half.
Your brother in the Gospel covenant.
j. {. l.. SMITH,"