The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-02-10
Correspondence ofthe Iowa Cislsen.
Pacific CRY, Jan. 18th, 1859.

=" "iuu'Se ue, Oy shOWinSa Few remarks K
appear in your excellent paper, from YOU
humble servant, with regard to the routes t.
the newly discovered gold fields in Kansa.
and Nebraska.
did not wish to enter into this route con
troversy, but when see such glaring errors
or wilful Misrepresentation, with regard To
some points on the Missouri River, and arair
see that the shortest and best routes are, in
many instances, entirely ignored, l feel tina,
it is but just and right that the truth should
be given. In the first place. it is admitted
Oh all hands, that all the different routes
come to focus at New Fort Kearney. Con.
sequently all will rest as to the road from
the Missouri River. In the first place, where
Is Fort kearneyy 1t is twelve miles south O,
the mouth of the Platte River. In the next
place, where is Council Bluffs 1t is eighteen
miles north OF the mouth cfthe Platte River
hence thirty miles north of Fort Kcaaney
and for the truth of which statement. Womb
refer the reader to Stanbury's Surveys,
which are the most reliable yet published
u. NJ. Dodge to the contrary notwithstanding
Now let US see where Pacific City is located
Well, that will be found l-2 mile south of
the mouth of the Platte River, where there
Is one of the very best crossings on the Upper
Missouri, with alarse commodious steamboat
plying as ferry. Tie actual distance from
Pacific City, via Plattsmouth, up the south
side ofthe Platte, is III miles, without q
single stream to ford or ferry after crossing
the Missouri. There is but one stream of
any consequence, between the Missouri and
cherry Greek, and that is Salt Creek, which
is now being bridged, it being very narrow
with rock bottom. The expense of bridge
ing will be very light Let us for moment
look at the north side of the Platte. In the
first place, taking their own figures, it is 10
miles further than the route of south side
and in the next place, there is the Loup For.,
to cross, which has no briage. and which
cannot be ferried with any degree of safety,
only about three months during the summer
season. In the next place, there is Wood
River, very difficult and dangerous stream
to cross and last but not least. the Main
Platte River must be crossed, befor. the en-
isrants can reach Fort Kearncy, which stream
can only be crossed during low water, in the
summer months.
The above are facts upon which 7 defy
successful contradiction. | have in nv DOS.
session, the maps of surveys, which all prove
my statements, and what is more, they are
not erparte surveys, gotten up for the occa.
sion.
A few words more, and have done. !
know certain gentleman who r.si les il,
Omaha, who is well posted on the ,liifer,n
routes, and when he talks, he recommend
the north side of Platte as the route ihn o,;o
large interest in Omaha an Council Bur;
The sail gentleman intends going t, tn. g I'D
mines in the spring, with lars, trln. an
designs to start very early. He happened
to s"journ in our City, one day, not lon.
since, and upon being questioned as to how
ne expected to cross those iii Ii ut stream.
so early in the spring. On! says H., in a.
unslar'ied moment, | am go;l. t, con
Town and tax: the sont.t ile. W. can In
the parties if required.
Yours truly,
S. II. MOER.
| Correspondence OF the sane
GLENwooD, January 18th, 1853.
j 2sesdab Esq,
DEAR SIR My att ntion has bee,
directed to communication in the Citizen
OF the 18th inst, over the signature of sc
w. Dodge" that contains some misstatc
ments that may mislcad those bounl for the
Nebraska gold mines; and therefore requires
correction. That the Platte valley is the
true route, there is no question; but which
side of the river presents the best route, i,
the question we wish to call the attention O
cmigants to.
Mr. Dodge says: "All the stream, are
bridscd by Government, except South Fork,
which is ferried' 'up the north side of Platte.
Again, 81 measured the distance to For
Kearney."
| Now, sir, | regret to see sucha statement
} as this, and more to have to correct it.
At distance of a hundred miles or s, on
this route, the emf grant will finl the L,un
Fork one of the largest tributaries of tn,
J Platte not brilyel nor, can it be at any rca.
sonable cost SO difficult to cross, that mos
of those who ventured on that route tIli
t winter. have lost their stock. Tai, NJ. D.
must know. Again, the emgrant does NJ
D cross the "South Platte" but the main Piatt
t at Fort K,arney, which is n,r. lii .llt to
D pass than the L. Fork.
The mouth of Cherry Creek is within
g few minutes of Lat. 80 north. +. K.arne,
5 A. degrees and 3S minutes North Platt
River, Al degrees and 3 minutes north
r Council Bluffs is 20 miles north of the mout
t of the Platte, and 1S miles south oftha mort,
l bend of the Platte river 80 miles W st of tn
l Bluffs, SO tn. emigrant will save distance b.
t crossing south of Platte, All save the troub
q lie of two dangerous and expen sive ferryingS
N 81 k,ns~~ - nl..H. 4 L.,