The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-02-09
MIN n ESOTA PION FER,
VOL. II.-NEW SERIES NO. III.
Thursday, February Q, 1854.
Railroad through Minnesota to Califor-
MIA and Oregon.

MIA and Oregon.
This subject is now receiving much attention
from our people, as we'll as from all persons who
contemplate an overland trip to California and
Oregon during the coming spring. Commission
ers have been appointed by the Legislature to
mark 4 road 10 the Missouri--a they will prob.
ably con'nu. through the entire route 10 The Sac.
ramento valley.
The Legislature has also memorialized Con-
grcss for an appropriation of 10 900 dollars to de-
fray The expenses Of the location Of this road
This road will be decidedly the shortest, pas
ses over the best route, is more abundlntly sup
piled with wood and water, and can be Travelled
with much less fa,igue to the cattle, than any
route now known. From St. Paul to the Mis-
souri, river we can speak fiom knowledge Of
the country, and do no. hesitate to say tina, no
impeachment exists to the travel between here and
the NJ ssouri. 1t is dry prairie the entire dis
lance, and is without hills There are two streams
that would occasion some difficulty in gerry high
water. From the Missouri to Fort Laramie, there
fsa good wagon road that has been used fr years
Tor tie transportation of goods and supplies. The
following is from the Shasta Courier, Of Aug. Z.
1852. II is n notice Of the arrival at that place
of persons who had previously travelled over the
laad routes between the Mississippi and the Pa =
ciic, and were competen, to Judge Of the superb
. ority Of this route over others:
NOBLE's ROUTE TO SHASTA FROM THE
PLAINs-FIRsT ARRIVAL OF lMMIGRANTs.
In another column will be found the names Of
twentysix immigrants from Illinois, Wisconsin
and Indiana, who arrived in this place w ednes-
day evening last, having crossed the Desert and
the Sierra Nevada Mountains. by Mobiles new
Shasta Route. The party came in under the pi-
lotage OF A. Z. Shul, one Of the first surveyors
of the route.
The entire party has expressed satisfaction with
this new route across the mounta ms. Water
and grass abundant The hills are a II slated
10 be easy of ascent and descent. being nowhere
more difficult in their passage than are the Black
Hills about Fort Laramie Those, therefore, who
have crossed the Plains, will readily perceive tho
unrival'ed advantages Of the Shasta Route
On other routes the passage Of the Desert he
tween the Humboldt River and the Nevada
Mountains, is a task Of extreme difficulty, invo
wing not only great loss Of stock but frequently
a sacrifice of human life. On the route under
consideration the Desert is Ia rd and smooth and
The distance between watering places is no where
greater than twenty-five miles. Grass also
abounds in sufficient quantities to Sustain stock.
| This route also possesses the advantage of be-
ing more direct than any heretofore Travelled by
California immigrants. In pursuing the roads
through Carson Valley the immigrant is compell-
ed to ,raye over hundred miles almost directly
south. over sandy roads, with insufficient grass
and brackish and poisonous waters. BY Law
/ fra he Of nd
strength. is even greater than by the southern route
The Shasta ronte leaves the Humboldt River
about so miles above its Sinks, and until the head
OF the Sacramento Valley Is reached it does not
vary ten miles from due west course.
The following, in relation to the same subject, we
clip hom California paper Of a late date. This in.
dicates that the people Of California are alive 10 the
advantages which are presented by this Pass for a
railroad, all other Southern and Middle routes
We shall look with much anxiety for the report Of Dr.
Wozoncrait, feel confident it will be highly IA
vorable
MOBILES PAss.-Dr. Wozoncran and his partv
had arrived at Sacramento, and were cordially re-
ceived by the committee appointed by public meet
ing to raise funds 10 forward this work. 1t is his
intention TO make thorough exploration OF this Pass
and proceed, II practicable, as far east the Hum
boldt river Ii is the DOCTORS opinion that this Pass
has altitude of 1000 feet less than any other gap
running through The Sierra Nevada than
Walkers Pass ITSELF
meeting Of our citizens was held at the Cap
ital last evening, to take into consideration the
propriety Of urgng upon Congress the survey Of
this ronts, by the general government, and the
proceedings will be published in our next The
meeting was large and enthusiastic.