The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-10-02
LAWRENCE, KANSAS. oCToERB- -2.4ls58

the streams the wild cherry, and timber |
common to this latitude, are found. Game |
is exceedingly abundant. the black tailed
deer, red deer, elk, antelope, mountain
sheep, black bear, etc., being found in all
portions of the country. Ii is favorite |
resort for the indians, as it affords them
plenty of game when off their buffalo
hunts, and is where they get their lodge
poles and equipments for their excursions
for buffalo on the plains.
The ROUTE To THE MISEs.-To the
country bordering the Missouri river in
Iowa and Nebraska, as far as Council
Bluffs and above, probably the best route
would be by Fort Laramie, although the
route up the South Fork of the Platte is
'very-sandy, and covered for long distances
with dense growth of the prickly pear,
which is very severe upon stock, as well
as upon men. The sand hills greatly re-
tard the progress of trains, and the prickly
pear furnishes no sustenance whateyer.-I
The streams are numerous, and when full,
very difficult to cross. ~ l' @r1 1
To all East of the Mississippi, and for
hundred miles West of it, the best route
by far is by the great Santa Fs Road to
Pawnee Fork, and thence following the
Arkansas to Bent's Fort and the mines.
This is the route travelled by the noun
tain traders for half century, and is a
well beaten, plain wagon road, the entire
distance. There have passed over it the
present season over ten thousand wagons,
as far as the crossing of the Arkansas, and
over five hundred have left this city the
present season for Bent's Fort and the
different trading posts in that region of
country. These wagons carry from 5000
to 6,000 pounds each, and are usually
drawn by six yoke of oxen. 1t is also
the route which the stock drovers take to
California, and we give to-day the amount
of stock which Mr.. Thatcher proposes to
start with the present fall. But to those
who may not have access to those who
are familiar with the route, they can gain
all the information they desire from the
reports of Fremont, Beale and Gunnison.
Their point of starting and general direc-
ton is the same, and although their ex-
plorations were made for railway purpos-
es, yet their description of the country is
perhaps the most reliable, to which the
great mass of people can have access.
The trip is usually made by Kansas
City traders, with their heavily laden
wagons, in 25 to so days, and starting any
time from the middle of April to the first
Of October, plenty of grass is to be found
throughout the whole extent of the route.
The past season, grass was abundant as
early as the first of April. Wood and
water are more abundant than by any
other route, avoiding the wide and tree
| less table lands of the more northern re-
gions.
| We have been thus explicit in regard
| to these facts, as it is far better for the
EN-; grant to select his route before start
ing from home, as when once upon the
passage, the cupidity of railroad and
steamboat companies, stock traders and
town spectators, are all set at work TO di-
rect public attention to intermediate and
out of the way localities, while those
whose interests lie with the true channels
of emigration are too apt to be remiss in
this respect. ..- ....,-.-.
The two great thoroughfares necessary
| to keep in view are the Missouri and the
Great Santa Fe Road, by the valley of
the Arkansas. Any school atlas will give
all the localities necessary to full under
standing of the locality of the mines, and
the route by which they are best to be
reached.