The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-05-19

Eagle Mountain R,per-(565.95), 6oe
stream, 40 feet wide, and skirted with tim.
Der.
North Brapc. Of Saskatchewan J
This river is somewhat larger than the
South Branch, and resembles the Missouri
in the vicinity Of Fort Lookout. After
crossing the river, we travelled 40 miles in
q Dortberiy direction, where We strike the
trail from Carlton House 10 Fort Pitt, which
We followed from Lac lie Brosha or Jack
Fish Lake, where we arrived on the 18th of
November. Finding here two unoccupied
houses, the trader with whom We have been
in company, took one, and We occupied the
other.
The lake is 600 miles from Red River
settlement. ! soon after proceeded to Fort
Pitt, 70 miles beyopd, and was Hospitality
received. The master Of the fort offered me
house and our provisions, consisting Of
buffalo meat and potatoes. At the lake, our
fare WAS buffalo without salt, (havipg de-
termned TO save our -four for the spring
Quincy over the mountains), and a. potatoes
are luxury, have sent for the boys, and
We shall make Fort Pitt our winter quarters.
The tort is on the trail from Carlton to I'd.
monitor, being 1896 miles from San: Paul,
and 7G0 from Selkirk.
Our average days travel from Red River
was lac miles think the above distance
could be made with ease in thirty days, it
animals were packed, witch would make
taking our travel from ST. Paul az q guide)
tiity.one days to this place. The master,
who is stationed at this place, Was at Van
couvcrs three years, and has been across the
mountains several times, says that We can
reach Vancouver's easily in twenty-five or
thirty days, which would make from st.
Paul eighty days. The route by the Hud-
son Bay Companys Forts, although further
than u route directly West from Pemhina,
possess some advantages over any other.
The Forts, which are about ten days apart
and a party will require to pack only pro-
visions from one fort TO another. On The
whoie route IRE hare not stood nateh. At
every fort We have been treated well.
had some Pain X iller. which | have traded
ut every fort We passed ut 20 lbs. Of Penn
mican meat or lat per bottle.
To-day, the master Of this fort, for one
quart Of rum and blanket, bought fine
horse from an Indian. Animals, If broken
down, can be exchanged at every fort. You
will find liquor, tea, sugar, and pain killer
to trade to good advantage at the fort, in
exchange for horses and provisions.
hope to hear from you at VancOuvers
and will write a. sOon as can after eros.
sing the mountains. Yours trnly,
W. ELLIS SMITH.
y. $. CHARLEY and BuRstAM have Just
arrived. They are much better pleased
with the Fort than they were at the lakes.
LETTER FROM GEORGE C. BCRSBAN.
FoRr PITT SAsxArcHEwAE
January 18th, 1854
Col. W. II. NoBLEs--
SIR: The following is what little intor
nation have been able to collect. As we
were compelled, on account OF the snow, to
leave our carts, we are not able to give you
the odometer distance farther than Jack
Fish Lake, some eighty miles west Of Carl.
ton House.
From 81. Paul to Pembina, by the
Plain Road....... .............. 466.lt
From Pembina 10 Fort Garry ....... 70.?J
From Fort Garry, amending the As.
sniboin river TO Fort Ellice ......, 25l.29
From Fort Ellicc to Touehwood, w.
N. W. course. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. l69.t7
From Touchwood TO the South
Branch Of the Saskatchewan, on
the same course Communicates. 1854
From the South Branch to the North
Branch on the same course. . .... 5i.ss
Crossing the North Branch about a
day and Q halls journey west of
Carlton to Jack Fish Lake, (per
odome,er). .....,...........,.... 1870
To Fort Pitt (as IL ia called) ..... 1000
From Fort Pitt TO Edmonton. ..... 5000
Distance from 81. Paul to Edmonton. 1908
The distance from Edmonton to the foot
of the mountains is $50 miles.
There is plain trail from ST. Paul to
the Edmonton House--plenty Of wood, wa
ter and good grass. The great drawback