, 1859-07-15
IMPORTANT TERRITORIAL ROAD.


columns Of the same.
In consequence Of information obtained by Mr.
Longmire, Of Yelm Prairie, and myself in a trip
to the mountains ION the western slOpe) in July,
1858, and by Messrs. W. Kirtlcy and G. Z. Blank.
enship, who had previously traversed the eastern
slope of the Cascade mountains, there was an
act passed at the last session Of our Legislature,
locating Territorial Road from Yelm Prairie to
the Nachess River, across the Cascade mountains
south Of Mount Rainier; appointing MessrS Long
miro, Blankenship and myself commissioners to
view out and mark the same. The Legislature,
in its wisdom, thought best also to provide in said
act that we should not be entitled to pay for our
services unless It be by private subscription.
After thinking the matter over, we Qhe com
missioners) came to the conclusion that, as the
thing had its origin in the little discoveries that
we had made, and might in the end prove to be
impracticable to make q road, we determined
that, before entering on our official duties, we
wonld first 90 across the mountains from the west
to the side, and ascertain IL road could be made.
Accordingly, on the 18th Of June last Mr.. Long.
mire and myself accompanied by Mr.. Kirtley,
nGr. BIankenship being 80 circumstanced that he
could not gO) leA Yelm Prairie, and, after an
eight days travel on foot carrying our grub,
bed and other Cquipage on our backs, which
made tho tramp very aborious, we found our.
selves on a stream that flowed to the eastward,
and followed down the same until We could see
out into quite large valley. It being late in the
evening, we eamped here, fully satisfied that we
had got to the opening Of the Nachess valley.
Here We turned back; and viii now give do
scripiOn Of our return trip, 50 Ear as the shape
Of the country passed over is concerned.
Tnesday, June 2lst-Leit camp on a stream
flowing eastward into the valley Of the Nachess,
and about Eve miles above where the same opens
out into quite large valley; travelled up the
same in W. N. w. direction ten miles, and
camped at the head Of the stream where Il takes
its rise in Bear Prairie. At this point the valley
is perhaps half q mile wide, but continues to get
narrower as Il gets down the stream, until il
becomes 50 narrow that Il would require blasting
in places IN order to make = wagon road; but to
avoid this road can be made on the ridge that
lies Immediately south Of aid parallel with the
stream, which seems 70 be Of easy grade both to
ascend and descend, and at the same time leave
the little valley on The stream undisturbed for
railroad purposes, for which Il Is certain 10 be
used ere long. as Il Is natural route connecting
the upper Columbia valley with Puget Sound,
without having to cross hin by the way.
Bear Prairie b situated Immediately on the
summit Of the Cascade Mountains on this route,
md contains about one hundred acres Of beauti.
Fal grass. of tall, heavy growth.
Wednesday,, juno 2sd-Left camp; Travelled
same direction; passed Bear Prairie; then down
an alder and lkunk-eabbage muck valley about
thirty rods wide, Of slight descent, some two
miles, and came into the upper NisquAlly valley,
which lies on the Nisqually River below where
the same leaves The mountains south and east Of
Mount Rainier. From thisu until lais On Saturday
evening our travel was down the NisqoaIly val
Icy, which Is from three 10 ten miles wide, until
/ Il comes near 10 fhe south lork; here Il becomes
more narrowly contracted, though tls hirs on
either zids are quite low. Our travel down this
valley was through heavy timber, sometimes dead
(canaod By fre) and principally ALLEN; other
places green; between dead and green, the whole
route Is badly obssruetsd By ALLEN timber.
Sometimes We were close 70 the river, then two
or three miles ffomit; sometimes over the point
of small hin, then on the bottom again. The
whole distance down thisvaIlsy Is almost dus
west course.
Sunday, June 2eth--Lsfl the mouth Of ths
South Fork; took the divide between the Ms
qually and The DeschuteS Rivers; travelled a
northwestsrly direction, passing BaldhiIls, and
laie 10 the evening arrived at the residence oI
NJ. Lonsmire, on Yelm Prairie, well worn with
fatigue and rough living; but with the aid Of q
good supper and bed, We soon forgot our troubles,
nor did they reeur % US again until we were
aroused nsxi morning BY the very pleasant call
for breakfast q
j Iesiimate the whole distance from the valley
thatwe awat The eastern base Of the mountains
to Yslm Prairie q 90 miles, and no trouble in
making good wagon road with the exception oI
timber; but an % opinion that il win cost moro
to move ne timber than the citizens Of this part
oi the Territory sAn afford until the government
pays The war debt The eitizenl, however, might
afford 70 send out ton or Aseen men to open 4
pack-trail this al, 50 as to enable some man Ia
the employment Of government 70 60 out and
examine the route, aud report the same to thu
! proper department at Washington. That being
dsneS think the government win take the matter
IN hand and make wagon road next summer.
IN clOsiag this article, Iwil say to the citizenl
, that good road can be made, and that we (th,
eommissiOnersl win hold ourselves in readiness
view out the same. as required BY law, when
> ever the citizens shall show BY their action tha