Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-30
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

WASHlNt1VN No % hfND 0OAA
Ell PAso AND FoRr YUMA WAGON Road
A. H. Campbell, Esq., the General Superin-
tsndent of Pacific Wagon Roads, Department
of tho Interior il in receipt of private advices,
bearing date at Los Angeles, Cal, Oct. Gath,
from which we learn that this important enter
prise is now completed. Hence, we have a
good road connecting the States of the Union
on the Atlantic side with our Pacific coast, and
smigrants are enabled to travel 1t with the
sure guide Of accurate surveys and tables of
distances, so that they may not fail to find ex-
cellent camping grounds, where they can OBJ
tain water, wood and grass each successive day
Of their progress through the wilds Of the in
terror. Already the Overland Mail is conveyed
by Messrs. Butterfeld 4 Co., over large pro-
portion OF this road, and settlements will, no
doubt, speedily begin to extend along it from
the frontiers of civilization, at both termini,
and thus rapidly diminish the distance through
avid country. The letter received by Mr.. c.
states that tho Superintendent of this road
reached San Diego on the 18th of October, and
expected to be in San Francisco in time to take
the steamer of the 4th instant, on his return
to this city.
An advance party Of this expedition, under
the direction of ]. C. Wharton, Esq, principal
assistant surveyor, arrived in this city several
weeks ago, and are now engaged in the prepa-
ration OF notes, &c, with q view to getting in
readiness the report of the Engineer, H.
Hutton, Esq. The following lengthy abstract
from that portion of the report showing the
practical results Of their labors, we have been
K ndly permitted to lay before our readers in
advance. 1t is of great interest to the people
of this country generally and WILL NO doubt,
be eagerly perused:
On the arrival OF the expedition at franklin
opposite FL Paso, the initial point on the 22d OF
Octooer. 1907, three parties Were imme diately
organized and the construction of the road com.
menced. Since that period. il was continued
without intermission or suspension pxcept IN.
necessary intermisson OF distributing the partie.
a.ong Ihe route, until the LIST Of August, ISIS
The advanced state OF the work then authorized
Il reduction OF laborers emplo, ed, and rendered
unnecessary large proportion Of the outfit
mules, WAGONS. oxen, tools, &c. which Were
SOLD at public auction, in La MesilIa on the
LIST Of August. With the reduced force the Su
perintendrnt and Chief Engineers have AGAIN
gone over the road, from La Mesilla to Fit Yuma
10 make some additional improvements az yyeli
as 10 secure dnd Tender more certain an abundant
supply OF permanent water. o: this a report
more in detail will be given on the arrival Of
tnese oWcefs In Washington city, early in De-
cember.
LOCATION OF THE ROAD
Beginning at Franklin (opposi;e FL Paso) the
road proceeds up the valley on the east side OF
tue hlo Ofande, touching the river at convenient
points Ior water, crosses 1t near La Mesilla and
continues up the valley the W. st side to Plea.
cho, 81 5 miles from Franklin, thence tuning
westwardiy ascends the Misa and passes over
genty nndulating prairie to Cooks spring. IOI 4
miles, thence through the favorable pass In the
NJ lmores mountains, crossing the Rio Mimbres
directly to Ojo de la Vsca, l3i miles passing
the southern edge Of the Burro range Of noun.
aims TO OJo Excavado li7 miles through tie
Peloncillo pass Isl miles crossing the Rio de
Sauz ZOl . directly TO Parks railroad pass. be-
tween the Chiricahui AID Pinelena mountain,
-. pm mites 70 Croton water springs 24s miles,
thence through Nugent's pass in the San Calistro
range to the Rio San Pedro 27l miles down the
valley on the east side of the river to the junction
OF the Rio AIavayPa 32o 1 miles, and is miles
from the Rio ella Then crossing the Rio San
Pedro, the road continues 10 a very favorabIe
pass into the Santa CateTina range directIytoand
striking the Rio ella 1852 miles, 81 miles east
OF the flnos villages, theme by the Maricopa
wells down the valley on the soutb side NJ m.
Rio ella to Fort Yuma, the western terminal
point OF the road $50 5 miles ffom Franklin.
making tie new road about 20 miles Ip.s IN
length than the old travelled road. bv the wav NJ
fuefto Del Dada or Apache pass, Tucson &c
CONSTRUCTION OF rKK ROAD
Inc excavation, owing to the generally smooth
or gently unduiating surface of the prairies and
n
country traveIsed by the road, VIZ not yery heavy
or expensive, but confined chiefly To- sid cuttiny
In ma king the road around the rocky hills and
blutfs in the vicinity Of franklin at the p cackS
Opposite Dona Ana, in ascen dino III. Ness fro,n
the valley OF the Rio G fande, and along the val
lies OF the san Pedro and ella rivers, turning the
points OF Meses and rocky bluffs, or keeping the
roadway above the wet and marsLy bottoms.
also, wherever Ii quired to ma ke easier m.
crossings OF AFrayos and streams or more gentle
ana gradual the accents and descents Of the noun
- N 49, In1
and loose or detached rocks as well a, of hrnsh
throughout its entire length, requiring much
time and labor, especially In the vallies of the
san Pedro and ella rivers.
All the springs and permanent watering places
were Improved and made easy of access and the
supply OF water rendered ample to meet the A O.
Il4hus OF tne stage and emigrant trains at all
seasons w here permanent water was not found
at suitable points, reservoirs were constructed
either by damins the Arrayos or sinkiny Iarge
tanks to collect and retain supply Of rain water
1he accompanying tabular statement of the
localities OF The most convenient watering places
with the required facilities for camp pnrpose.
shows how abundaEtly the country along tbe
road supplies the great desideratum Of travellers
across the plaiBs-~Ood, water, and grass The
soil generally mixture of coarse sand cIav and
gravel, Is very favorable to the formation of a
good and durable road bed, which a little use
Will render hard, compact and smooth The
grades and curvatures OF the road are com.
parativeiy light, and offer no obstruction To the
rapid transportation OF vehicles Of any descrip-
ton.
The crossing at the Rio G!ande is effected
with much trouble and di ficulty by fording at a
low stage of the water, owing 10 the Quicksands
in the channel, and at high water the ra pidty Of
the current makes feTrying tedious and dancer
ous bridge is greatly needed by the people
OF the valley by the large trains OF emIgrants en-
T0g!e TO The Pacific coost, and also by the Over
land Mail Company. The rivers San Pedro and
Mimbres are small streams, and are readily
ioTded at all seasons. The Colorado is crossed
by ferry.
STATIONS on HZ ROAD.
Miles From
r-nLi{rx apart Frank Ia.