The Sierra citizen., 1855-01-27
The Emigrant Stage Route.

AuV 411kAA6 oAAS Sss~0~
The villainous Vaccinations OF Ocean
Steamship Monopoly, having put stop
to emigration, and for time, blasted the
fairest prospects Of our State, it becomes
necessary to look for some other means OF
communication with the Atlantic States,
than by route on which every traveller
is robbed, and over which the poor are
forbidden to pass.
A general expression Of Indignation
comes from all parts of the State, and it
seems to be tie fixed determination Of the
people to break up that nest of cormorants
that are preying on the vitals Of Califor.
MIA, and shaking their never-ending thirst
with the sweat wrung from the brow of
honest industry.
1t is now pr ,posed to construct stage
route from the Sacramento Valley to the
Missouri line, over which passengers can
travel for about one hundred dollars, or
perhaps less. The construction of such
road is perfectly practicable, and if COM
pleted. will do more for our State than all
the appropriations that Congress is likely
to make in the next fifty years. This is a
subject worthy the attention of the Legis-
lature-something that will be Of real i'm
portance to the people they represent
not mere abstract question for argument,
| but one that is ready for action; if we can
succeed in laying before them any infor
nation that may of service, we shall feel
satisfaction in having contributed a
little toward removing an incubus from
our State.
There are various opinions as to the
best pass in the Sierra Nevada. The best
suggestion that We have heard is from the
Sacramento Union-that three roads be
constructed, intersecting east of the noun
tain. But at least let one road be made,
by whatever route. After the emigrant
reaches the valley he will find little diff
Guilty in reaching any settlement he may
choose for his future home.
The following description of the route
from Downieville to the Sink of the Hum
boldt, was furnished us by a gentleman
who has travelled the route many times;
it will be much more. valuable than specu-
lations of our own. 1t was prepared at
our own request, and may be relied on as
strictly correct, as the writer has nothing
to gain by misrepresentation. 1t is respect
fully submitted to the consideration of the
Pacific Emigrant Association, and to every
one who is desirous of seeing the valleys, now
uninhabited, peopled by the hardy sons o1
poverty and toll, who are now efectually
{; shut out from the Golden Gate.
"In answer to your inquiry as to my
knowledge of the mountains between this
and the Sink of the Humboldt, permit me
= to say, that l have several times been to
that point during the past summer, trav-
: cling sometimes by the Emigrant Road,
and sometimes by no road at ALL have
also conversed with persons who have
crossed the mountains by other routes,
and take pleasure in offering the Citizen
all the information in my possession, in
relation to the shortest and best route to
the Sink of the Humboldt, and to Carson
VALLEY.
"As it is determined to build turnpike
road from Fosters Bar to Downieville, l
would recommend its continuation along
the South Fork of the Yuba to the Dow
melville Buttes; there crossing the North
Fork ofthe South Fork, and following up
the East branch to its head, it will reach
"A pass some two or three hundred feet
''ower than the pass of the present emi-
grant road, by way of Galloway's Ranch.
from that pass the road descends the hill
Ito Sierra Valley; on either side the grade
would be from twenty inches to two feet
TO the rod.
"From the foot of the hill in Sierra Val
ley. the road would run in north-easterly
direction, keeping the high land, until it
intersected the present emigrant road, Ola.
American Valley, near Beckweth's Pass.
Following that road from the point of in
tsrsection, the cost Of making good turn
pike-road from Downieville to the Sink
Of the Humboldt would be about S34 900.
the distance being las miles.
my estimates are-from Downieyille
to one mile above Kanaka Flat, six miles:
three thousand dollars per mile. This is
BY far the worst part of the route From
that point to Sierra Valley, l6 miles,
$4,000; from Sierra Valley to Beckweth'a
Pass, l0 miles, the whole cost would not
be over $500. From Beckweth's Rass to
the Big Meadows on Truckee river, IS
miles, the road would cost about 81, 900;
thence to Carson Valley, 1s miles, I can
make no estimate, as have never travelled
tha pNsVfo L.