The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-12-18
Tho Overland Mail to California.


The ST. Louis Republican states, tina +
vhen the last overland Mail from California
vas about to leave, TIE rush for seats was
60 great. that the passengers drew lois lot
hem. But dozen could be taken, while
there were at least 100 applicants, and Fs
nigh as 100 dollars premium was 0uered lpr
seats.
/ AZ ,hia overland mail is new institution,
and few of eur readers may be acquainted
with the extent, character, and promise oil
the enterprise, we copy from the MENDOZA
Press the following excellent article in refer
ence to it, which was furnished that paper
by a recent passenger:
The distance from jefferson City is TWEEN
ty.six hundred miles, fourteen hundred OF
which is over a fertile and partially inhabi-
ted country, and the remainder an uninhab-
tied desert. For this service MIR. Butter
field, formerly stage proprietor IN New
York, and Wells & Fargo, the express men,
have taken government contract lo' ten
years, for which they are to receive the sum
OF twelve hundred thousand dollars per an
mum. They run tive wagons per week,
which are fitted up for the business, and
which carry only the letter bags, SIX passcn-
gers, who are allowed each twenty pounds
Of baggage, aud are equipped each with two
reyolyers and minnie rifle, and water which
is served out IN ratons Of a pint day, while
going over one thousand miles oil the coun-
try in which no water can be found.
For this service one thousand animals are
on the line and in use for various purposes.
For Transportation over the latter portion Of
a. of tlr.S
used, and our informant states that it ID not
un(, eouant that hcrses Of great speed, and
STYLE are found ia this iine-holses tina;
would equal those kept in the large cities for
carriage usc-and such is evidently the
case from the incredible time which is made
on the line, being twenty g!.t days gener
ally, and in one instance but twenty-five
On some portions OF the route the teams
make ten miles an hour. and average fou.
and half all tie way through. Over the
desert aud mountains mules are used, whict
are found to subsist on less food, and
more irnpertan; consideration in that coun
try. less water. The drivers have adopted
, the English custom-and COON one which
our hou:scman should adopt for this coun
try-that Of spuHoiag the mouth instead o
watering their animals on a hard journey
> The stages are eight miles apart, where al
, stables built, and i groom at each one VIII
has his animals haruess.d on hearing til
huge sound as the mai! approaches tn
4 station. The drivers hre mostly Oil me
VINO have been employed IN staging in tn
States. and have been brought out by theI
employers " no have taken tins stupend.ou
service The wagons are made To seal s..
! persons and the driver, which latter ulaA.
: stage Of fifty miles. In the back part c
Z, the wagon is fixed a spring HltiresS VII!
: enough for two. and the rule i such tn:
: every pair shall occupy 1t four hours ou,
I the twenty four, winch civss eight hour
= sleep 10 each passsnrer. In addition to IN
= arrangement there are tSD stations oa III
, line where the passengers may lie over, &
4 dav or iwo's rest, ana take the next maj
For the security Of tAe mail against the !!
: dian. there are two guards GuouHted Oh fe'
: herses. 1t is the business 81 one % r!C
about half mile in advance and if Ind!ar
are seen. to ride back and put the passcnge>
on guard, AZ q il attach - 20 ride 10 the Ue.
staten for support. II IS the business oi II
IS other 10 ride almoS: half mile IN tn: res
r and report danger from that quarter. Thee
guards ar. hardy fronticrsugn, who 10y
The adventure and har1shiFs to which the
are constantly exposed. Government o:
e promised /. aid this service in the locaiiu
d of troops which VI eve additional salei
to the overland mail The fare i 5000
At each OF :hese stations, eight mi;
- apart, il IS the intention OF the contractor
l. to cultivate the soil, and if pos>iDis to raj,
% sufficient grain 70 feed their stock Doub
,ess in short time the whole route will
: c;,, LTD, and n tine become a fertile r
:" ihs; arrangements a&Fs. CUR !n!orTnant stat
i ferries established, SO trotuo difficulties "
long exist from that cause.
- Il is estimated that this enterprise =
clear about two hundred thousand do
Per aGuGm.