The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-10-07
south Pass Pass Wagon Road Again
letter from Col. Mobiles.
ST.. Paul. Sept. is, 1855.


Editor Of Henderson Demoorst
DEAR SIR: | see in your issue Of sept.
9Th, an article headed The end of the Fort
Ridgely and South Pass Wagon Road" 1t
is satisfaction to me know that my friends
feel that, in the il!ing Of the road that has
been placed under my charge, nothing has
been left undone that could have been done
to secure its completion and that 80 far as
it was in my power the appropriations that
were made by Congress have been expend-
cd with an eye sing y to that end. You are
well aware OF the facts in the case, and an
eye witness Of the difficulties that | have
had to contend with from the start, so far as
could he seen without having an inside view
OF all that transplred, both in Washington
and elsewhere.
The facts are these There ia a set Of in.
diyiduals that prowl about the federal city,
that have never been known TO signaize
themselves in any other way than to watch
their chances at appropriations that are
made from year to year, and whether right
or wrong, get their fingers in, al whosoever's
expense such appropriation has been brought
about. do not say, nor can hardly be
leve that the Secretary OF the Interior has
been personally acquainted with all the
the means that had been used by them to
defeat the building of the Northern road I;
yet one thing is certan-the Fort Rdgley
and South Pass Wagon Road has been de-
feated and these who defeated it seem TO
have had fine time generally. In case an
investigation can take place, IA thing much
I I 10 o., r., Ia
only how the $4,000 for the Fort Rdgley
and South Pass road was expended, but
also how the whole 100000 for building
the For, Hearney and Honey Lake road,
has been run through with under the direc
ton OF the department.
You say that my zeal in trying to build
the road 50 much at my own expense has
gained me the censure Of even my friends,
Had Mr. Phelps taken little more pains IN
the matter Il speak of him more particular
ly, rs the people Of his portion OF the State
would have been benefited most by the
road). no doubt should at least have salts
fed my friends that more road would have
been built than has ever been known 10 be
constructed with the same amount Of money
in the United States.
With all the Instructions that were
thrown in my way, | now challenge com.
parison. and vet, believe that with S25,-
900 in money. untrammeed by government,
| could have nearly doubled the amount OF
actual labor.
Mr.. Campbell is now, understand. buy.
ing Sioux half-broed scrip, and locating on
the Southern road
You remember that while | was laboring
TO faithfully carry out my instructions. last
summer articles appeared from time 10
time in the Washington Star, the organ of
the small fry in more than one Of the de.
partments, giving me the devil for owning
shares in the Dakota Land Company;
was told by the editor OF that sheet, that
he was only rejecting the views OF the de-
partments.
And you remember that one Of the su-
perintendents after receiving his instruc
tons became so much inebriai,d that be
Quarrclei with his men and abandoned his
work and a. 10 the other, all the work
that he had done, WAS between the work
that he was instructed 20 do and his Dig.
gngs 10 California and you also remem-
her. that, tive Ks before | knew il.
was thrown a. high as kite, without cause,
other than doing more work in less time
and with les money than was ever hearl OF
before in the history of the government
and then in lrss than hye weeks after vas
turned ont, and AFTER an explanation which
mus, have been a. interesting 10 the depart
mcnt As 10 myself, without consulting the
small try. was turued in again.
II a. humble an individual as myself can
get al Investigation into the altar, prom.
lss e. draw out from some Of the hidden
mysteries Of Washington City something
new and Old until that time. sha.l remain
qaieL Your ODD servt.
WILLIAM II MOBILES.
ANON. the attractions Of a camp met