San Andreas independent., 1857-06-27
The Opening of the "Big Tree Road
Energetic Action Required.


jected Wagon Road from Carson Valley via the
Big Trees, and of other roads leading from
thence into this State, that q statement of the
advantages to be derived, seems to be almost
absurd and yet in the present state of feeling
in our county, too much cannot be said
At the recent convention held at Mokelumne
Hill so much harmony seemed to prevail, and
there seemed to be such general feeling of
the greatest good to the greatest number"
and united determination to push an enter
prise through that promised so much to the
southern counties, that the committees went to
work with an ardor and vigor that promised
well tor its completion. The citizens of the
different precincts were called upon to contrib
ute; they responded nobly to the call; enough
has been already collected to commence the
work in earnest, and if the people of this coun
ty would cooperate with those below, and ex-
pend their capital in making the main road to,
or near the Big Trees, good one, we have no
doubt we would be able soon to have a greater
portioa OF the Carson Valley trade and emigra-
ton passing through our county
Bat what is the present aspect of affairs p
We see sectional jealousies dividing our cti-
zexs those of one part of the county are re-
fHsing to let their subscriptions be applied to
any part of the contemplated road, unless they
are gratifed by sectional road leading to their
little village or town; those of another going
to work and applying their funds to the COM
pletion of small road leading to themselves
and which cannot be, by any system of logic
thought to be general good; others withhold
ing their resources entirely from the road fund.-
because they are unwilling, that without gen.
eral assistance, their means should be applied
where it will only lead the travel to another's
door; and the southern counties are looking on
waiting the result, and wishing some unity of
action before lending helping hand to those
who will not help themselves. But let road
go where it will through our cOunty-let a
dozen roads, leading to every town, village or
hamlet, be constructed, if the Inhabitants are
willing to build them; but for Gods sake, and
our own too, don't let US lose sight ofthe object
of the convention What was that? 1t was
the construction of road from Carson Valley
to some point in our county, by which the trade
and emigration might be induced to come this
way. From wherever this terminus may be,
as many bye-roads might be constructed as our
citizens need. The first resolution in that con-
vention specified the Big Tree Grove as the ter
minus and better one, or one more adapted
to the object contemplated, we cannot conceive
In the consideration of this question: many
of our citizens seem to lose sight of the fact
that such a road must be constructed before
any great amount of travel can be induced to
come over here-more especially if the citizens
of the northern counties render the travelling by
their roads any better or safer. In natural ad-
vantages, we are greatly the superior of the
counties further north-all who have travelled
this way pronounce it without any hesitation
the best, and say, with the expenditure of a
small sum comparatively, there is no doubt but
that a magnificent wagon road could be COM
pleted Shame, then, on the short sighted pol
icy that would risk its own safety for the fear
of beneftting others.
But let the main road be constructed and it
would bring us source of wealth which would
diffuse itself through the whole county-through
the whole southern portion of the State. 1t
would bring among us hardy, energetic, en-
terprisipg community. 1t would give us per-
manent citizens and settlers 1t would build
up our towns, gather families together among
us, increase the amount of work to be done and
doing, collect capital, increase the amount OF
taxable property, and give us cash circula-
ton in their increase of wants, that would be
felt by the very farthest of our citizens from the
road concentrating at the same time pOpu-
lation and energy on the whole length of the
road that would tell well, in few years, for
the wealth of the State.
Who is there that knows anything ofthe coun-
try through which the National Road lcd-its
poverty, its want of agricultural resources, or
of any other resource that would apparently be
productive of wealth, and the mighty change
few short years effected-doubts the truth of
the above statement? Who that travelled it at
its first completion, and marked the barren des-
olatcness that everywhere prevailed, could but
be struck with the mighty change fifteen years
developed? From barren sand hills from
fields which the hungry kline wonld shun, as
without vegetation, magnificent structures arose.
Houses were congregated together, forming
towns; the busy hum of life, the ring of the
anvil, the stir of trade, the increase of profess
sional men, on every side, bespoke the accu-
mutation of wealth and business. Nor was this
confined to the sides of the road itself Far
mers of petty means found ready market for
the produce of their farms, to meet the require
ments of the new travel, at their own prices,
for all they could sell; the drowsy mechanic of
some country village was awakened by the loud
calls for his services in renairinfr Or mendinp