Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1858-12-15
Information as to the Butterfeld Over
lAnd Mail Route"
GAINESVILLE, Nov 10Th, 1858,
iitOr Sherman pstriOt


GANsvMLE, Nov, 10Th, 1858,
Editor Sherman Patriot:
DEAR SIR Under the above heading
| find an article in the "Sieamer Bulletin" oI
Oct. Goth, paper published in San Francisco,
California. The article seems to have for lis
object the enlightenment of the people of CAL
iforna, the Sandwich Islands, Japan, the Ce-
lesial Empire, and the other side Of the world
generally, as to th3 means and facilities Of
Transportation over the aforesaid Route, espe-
calIy through Texas. But notwithstanding the
said Editor has all the advantage of assocnt.
| ing with CeleaiaiS who have been the lumin-
ous subjects of the Emperor of the Sun, a
lttle more light might yet dawn on his mind,
even from the dorkened plains of Texas The
article referred to contains some grave misrep'
resentations which deserves notice through the
columns of the Texas Press. After noticing
the arrival of the st. Louis mail one day and
one hour less than the schedule time, the Ed
itor says:
| "Had the arrangement Of the contractors
and superintendents Jet,ceen st. Louis and I'll
Paso, been as perfect as those Of the superin.
tendent, Mr.. Kinyon, on this end, the trip would
undoubtedly have been made in twenty days."
This is a reflection upon the energy of the
agents on the Eastern part of the line, and
more, 1t is palpable Misrepresentation of the
actual state of affairs. We know from relia =
bic information, that when the stage has been
two and a half days behind time at Chadbourne
from the West,) it has arrived at St. Louis
in Schedule time. The untiring application of
Mr. BATES, the enterprising and energetic
agent on this part of the route is too well
known and appreciated here and elsewhere
along his division of the line, to need any COM
ment. Suffice it TO say, his whole time has
been bestowed on his part of the route, and
through his unceasing efforts, il was carried in
to effect, when the most sangune friends ol
the route did not think it could be put in cpe.
ration in the time proposed; and it is now sup
piled with good drivers, conductors. mechanics,
and everything necessary TO keep the line in
active operation. And we are sure of this for
the future, for the agent keeps none in his en-
ploy but reliable and active men. As for the
Eastern line to this place, the trips have hth-
erto been made in Schedule time and general
| ly in advance OF it.
But the most important errors in the article
alluded to- occur in the Editors comment on
the want of accommodation for passengers on
the line through Texas. After dwelling on
the credit due the California agent &c., he
says:-
"At TT. Yuma, at present, provisions will
have to be taken to Tucson, at which place
they get additional supplies to 81 Paso, from
vhich last place, supplies vU hare to be taken
to Preston. Texas %
This is grave mistatement, and deserves
correction The route crosses Red River, in q
good boat at Colberts Ferry, eight miles be
lou Preston, entering Texas at the Ferry, ant
passing through the nourishing towns of Sher
man, GAINESVILLE, Jacksboro, Belknap, Camr
Cooper and Fort Chadbourne. These towns
with the exception of Cooper and Chadbourne
are thriving county seats, situated in fertile
corn and wheat growing counties, presenting
the two.fold advantages of rich soil and fine
range, already well populated with farmers and
stock raisers, and filing up rapidly with indus
trlous and intelligent emigrants. From Col
bert's Ferry to Fort Chadbourne, the distance is
$50 miles, over the finest natural roads in the
world, for nearly all that distance, the route
lies over the smooth and solid bosom of the
Great Western Prairie, while there is scarcely
a stream of any magnitude to cross, except
the Brazos River. Through the counties OF
Grayson, Cook, Jack and Young, there are
many settlements along the road, and at all
the stands to Fort Chadbourne there are families
and houses of entertainment, with years
supply of provisions on hand for the accommo
dalton of passengers, and with provender &c.
in abundance. In short, they are prepared tc
keen up the line, and the settlements are rap
Iidly extending westward along the route. This
lis the true condition of about 300 miles of the
Texas line. Those of the passengers from
california with whom have conversed, have
Invariably informed me that the only difficulty
in procuring provisions exists between tor
Chadbourne and Ell Paso and the latter place
and Fort Yuma. These paragraphs may have
{ been written under misconception of the
Northern part of Texas, on the parts OF th'
Editor ofthe Bulletin. But whether growing
out Of misapprehenson or sectional feeling
the statements are false, and trust the Press
of Northern Texas will give some attention Il
the true state of affairs, on this subject, ant
dispel any aspersons on the commendable in
dustry and promptitude of the praise-worthy
agent on this part of the line, who, up to thi
date, has used every exertion to improve hi
already excellent supply Of stock and materia
necessary to successful operations.
have, at another time, commented on th
,, advantages of the Southern route, and will on
" add in this place, that the Overland Mai
, Route is really magnificent enterprise an'
! one of the greatest achievements of American
progress. While it is regarded as the forerun
ner of that great Highway of Nations, th
! Pacific Railroad, it already affords US tn
! means Of transportation across the continent
, and Of communication with the ophir of tn
!; West, despite of foreign Intervention. Fror
! the rockbound coast of the Atlantic to tn
, golden strand of the blue bosomed Pacific, tn
: the traveller is borne with the speed of tn
heetest American horses, and in one month pei
farms tourney. which few wears since 4