The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-10-10
Col. Mobiles, Wagon Road.

Col. VIM. Ii. Mobiles, Superintendent Of
the Expedition sent to construct a wagon
road from Fort Ridgcly to the South Pass oil
the Rocky Mountains recently returned to
this city, direct from old Fort Lookout. on
the Missouri river, having left there about
the first of September. The following infor
nation concerning the progress OF the road
he communicates to the Pioneer:
Col Mobiles and his party have surveyed
and partially constructed good wagon road
from Fort Ridgely the Minnesota River
opposite old Fort Lookout. The distance
between these two points is two hundred and
forty miles. The road is nearly on an airs
line, Fort Lookout being but about half a
degree South of Fort Rideely. Two roads
were made from Sandy Hill river, to the old
Fort Aux Cedres, and passing through an
INFERIOR country, in respect to wood and wa
ter.
The road from Fort Ridgely follows the
Cotton Wood river, for some distance. in a
Southwest direction; then proceeds West
wardly until it strikes Lake Benton; passes
over the COteau DIES Prairie, via the natural
roadway, called Hole in-the Mountain. and
crosses the Big Sioux River, two miles below
the town of Medary. The road is laid out
from the Big Sioux to the James river. in a
direct Western direction, and crosses the
latter stream few miles North OF Sandy
Hill river. From this point, its course is
due West to the Missouri.
''COl Mobiles informs us, that between Fort
Ridgely and the Missouri, by the road laid
ont, horse cannot travel two hours without
finding water. Springs, lakes, and streams
are plentiful on the route. But if the traveller
DIVORCES either North and South, from the
line of road marked out, he will find water
scarce, and of a very poor quality.
"The road from Fort Ridgely to Missouri,
IS good one, and light buggy or heavily
laden wagon can be driven over st, without
difficulty. AT no point On the road is the
grade higher than eighty feet to the mile, and
this grade only occurs in ascending the high
prairie between the James river and the Mis-
souri,.
"But two bridges, both over the Cotton
wood river, will be necessary on the road
Good forcing places have been secured at all
the treams, and whercverit was advisable. the
bottoms OF the rivers were paved with boul-
ders. Particularly on the Sioux ann James
rivers, sale and convenient fords have been
selected. Care has been taken to construct
safe read over al the swamps and low
lands
10 designate the road, mounds have been
constructed, from three to five feet in height.
on on The side of the road, its entire LENGTH
Ihese mounds are placed at intervals of q
quarter and half mile, and nearer together.
Wherever 1t Is deemed necessary. This
mound building was the most laborous work
performed on the expedition nearly twenty
hve Kindred We're constructed between Fort
Ridgely and the Missouri
The party did not design proceeding far
Their than the Missouri this season. They
reached that river the latter part of August.
and started on their return on the first If
September, improving and completing the
road as they came eastward The entire
road to the Missouri will be completed about
the Goth of Oct"
The country between Fort Ridgelv and
James river is described as excellent rollinp
prairie, with scarcity of timber He con-
siders the valley of the James river para
disc for grazers, with growth of grass I'M
equalled in the country in extent and rich
ness. The land is rich and wat.r plentiful.
all the way between Fort Ridgcly and James
Ivy: D0J"ho Incie Tie country changes,
and IS OF poor character till the valley of
the Missouri is reached.
James river is described as narrow.
crooked, deep and sluggish stream, but
thought to be navigable for boats of a small
class for two hundred miles above its mouth.
The road between Fort Lookout and the
South Pass of the Rocky Mountains, a dis
lance Of $50 miles, remains yet to be built.
The party of men belonging to Col Ms ex-
petition is in excellent condition, and has
thus far escaped sickness or serious acct
dent