The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-24
THE OVERLAND MAIL.
Our Special Overland Correspondence.
OVERLAND MAIL WAGON, NEAR FORT BElKSAP,
YOUNG Co. Texas, Sept. ~, 1868

ne Rosae from Fdyepue 10 Fort Sni-Dt6cuxses % hs
Os0rk Range-MagnJiceace of the Mountain Scenery
5As Ch0ctaW Reserpation-Condition Of the Negroes
Among the Indian SldushOlders-A Visit 70 Governor
WaR0-Aocidests cf the Road-Dreams and Realities,
DC, dc.
Nv last letter left the overland mail route from Fay
ettevlle Arkansas Fort Smith Arkansas Since then
we have passed through the Indian territory crossing the
Red river at Cobcrts Ferry, through Grayson, Cooke
Montague Wise and Young counties, Texas to Fort Bel
KNAPP aad are way to Fort Chadbourne, from
whence expect send this; and when reach there
we shall have gone s45 miles our journey.
Fayetteville Franklin county Arkansas, among the
hills Of the Ozark range OF mountains We left there on
Saturday the 18th inst al minutes before noonus
twenty thirteen minutes ahead OF the time
required of by the time table, Even among these hills
you do lose sight of the prairie nature Of the West
1cr just after leaving Fayetteville you see fine plain,
surrounded with hilsin fact prairie IN the mountains
After rather rough ride Of fourteen miles, which we ac
eompisned with excellent team IN one hour and
shree ouarers we took team Of four mules TO the
much dreaded Ozark range, including the Boston Noun
ain had thought before reached this point that the
rough roads of Missouri and Arkansas could not be
eouaeG but here Arkansas fairly beats itself might
say road steep, rugged jagged, rough and noun
famous then wish for expressive words
extraordinary team doubt whether should have been
able in less than two days The wiry light little
ANIMALS tuggea and pulled if they would tear
themselves 10 pieces, and heavy wagon bounded
along the crags would be shaken pieces every
minute and ourselves disemboweled the spot For
fifteen mles road winds among these mountains at
height a nearly two thousand feet above the Gulf Of
Mexico The approach 70 from Fayetteville is through
peas,nt and fertile valley and understand that these
valleys comprise of the best agricultural districts Of
Arkansas The mountains abound in splendid white oak
timber. As the road winds along the ridges you are
afforded magnificent views Of the surrounding hills
and valleys especially in the winter, when the foliage
less Obstruction than it was when we passed
Bot bal clear day. and can only say that
tain vslTs in the highlands Of the Hudson are but
shjldrcps toys comparison with these works Of
nature The term Boston Mountain" is, believe, de
rived prevailing Western fashion Of applying that
name to any thing which is considered very difficult But
Connecticut hills and roads pimplcs and sand
paper compared with the Ozark ranges BY hard tuggng
20, up, and with the aid OF brakes and drags got
down and can assure you were by no means sorry
when ,hai hercuean feat was accomplished The mules
which the mountains carried in all about
nneteO miles, when took another Of horses to
carry as TO Fort smith. We crossed the Arkansas in
natbost much resembling raft at Van Buren,, flourish
ing little town on iis banks Our course through the soft
bed of the fats, which not covered, owing to the
low stab Of the river, somewhat hazardous
heavy ioad liable 10 be sunk the quicksands
which sbvtind here. But by the aid OF a guide
on horseback, with a lantern, (for II was night)
crossed the fats and the steep sandy bank, in
safety. Picking way cautiously for five OF SIX miles
we reached Fort Smith, the Arkansas river Just
border OF arkansas and the Indian Territory tive mi
afsT O'Clock A. NJ having made the sixty i've
miles iyom Fayetteville in fourteen hours and
three hours and seven minutes less than sche
dne time We had anticipated beating the mail, which
left Memphis Tenn on the 10th 70 meet us at Fort Smith
several hours; but as soon we entered the town,
though al unreasonable hour, found
IL IN q great state OF excitement on account OF the
arrival a the Memphis mail Just fifteen minutes before
u.s. But though they had 100 miles 20 travel, five hun.
ared OF them ny steamboat, from Memphis 10 Little
Rock, anil said that they got their mails before We
did Fort Smith thriving town Of about 800 nhabi
tants, and a, boast that every house Is full. There
newspaper 10th o which were, believe, iartcd by
mail root from St. Louis A. sever Al other routes oyer
the Plains pass through this pace, and have contributed
s1s Ss 70 so s an M%phs ha
arrived spread like widnre Horns were blown, houses
m vp and many rcckcd 10 the hotel to have look
NJ wagons and talk the exciting topic and have
a peep the FIRST mail bags The general interest
contagious that though had but few minutes spare
before the stage started again, actually employed the
must s however that expected you would hear Of the
few facts could then communicate before letter from
could reach you by means OF the telegraph An hour
and twen,y. i've minutes consumed M examining the
way mails, arranging the way BILL joining the two mails
from Memphis and st. Louis and changing stages; and
precisely nj half past three A. NJ Sunday the 10Th
inst stage left Fort Smith, being exactly twenty
hours ahe Of the time required IN the time table, which
had been rained the four hundred and sixty eight
miles of Journey. was the only person Ia. the
which len Fsrt smith beside Mr.. Fox, the matt agent, and
the driver. Mr. John Buerned, the President oi the
Overland Mail Company, had accompanied thus Gar
and though sixty i've years age, had borne the
ucu,ng secpess Journey as well not better than any
N the Indeed, felt ashamed TO complain when I
u his years stand out well. Certainty " tho
overland mail does succeed win not BE- for lack OF
his ardu0s personal excrtions. He urged the in
chang ng oorses every station, often taking hold
help and driving short distance lie
10, howevfr nm old stagcr. aud i in hs element In car
rying this enterprise I cannot be too graic
fui 70 him, your behalf, well my own,
Tor the kind facilities which he extended 10
We forded the Arkansas bort smith and tor he hrs
time sincs our departure from st. Loui had oppnFtu
nifty 10 siecp In the wagon wrapped up In blankets and
stretched on the seas IL took some time 10 gct accus
toned 10 the oting the rough ROAD tho rocks and
10y brdCs but three days STEADY riding without sleep
helped me in getting used 20 Il and was quite obviors
from the time Of crossing the Arkansas the hsi stop
ping place in the Indian Territory, about mites
from the river, which reached about daylight. Here
Ea larCe tarm, owneg nl en lndah anu worked by q
white man from the Fast here saw several friendly
Choclaws on their way East. The Choctaw scryaou
extends through the southeastern portion OF the Indian
Territory and the Indians o. be met all along the
either travelling located IN their log huts Many OF
them quite wealthy their property consisting chiefly
ip cattle and negroes Their ownership Of slaves Is quite
common and many pf them have large numbers In tbr
treatment u them they generally more lenent than
The white Shareholders. and appear 10 let them do pretty
much a. they please. noticed IN riding through the
Territory but little farming going The fact h. but little
land j. worked Though Tho soil well adapted for pro
hrnlp tity generally prefer
rsse stoct They brand cattle them run on
he plains which, during nine months OF the year, yield
excellent rastaragc During The remaining three months
they generally ct poor, having only the gass OF
the creeks 10 subsist upon
Many OF the Choctaws own large herds OF cattle, and
live well the increase. Their hab tstous arc mostly
on the road Those tho road appear 70 he Tho
miserable specimens Of the Western log hut, and many
81 them are deserted. Az we rode along we could
item lazly hasking in the reclining In the cool
lortcos, which built OF The huts as to di
wee the boasc IN The centre, anordng very pleasant
location Tor dining or sitting VA weather What
struck me fcrcby was the squad misery whia seemed
tochafacterse most OF nem, which only surpassed
by the appearance q their negroes, with whom am Told
they often cohabt They generally shrugged their shou
dcrs the stage passed, but seldom anything he
yond good day, aud only that when spoken TO-
About miles from the ng of The Arkan
10 the csdcncc of Governor VIM Walker
the Governor Of the Territory. He looks ike nun blood
cd white man, though undcr he has some Ind an
blood in his His wife Is half breed ndau of the
Cboctaw Nation lie elected al the last election and
has held his Office but about six months. Toe salary
thousand dollars per year. Tie mas farm of several
hundred A very comfortable house. owns e.va