The Van Buren press., 1859-07-13
For he raa Rxrrn Rss.s.
western Arkansas ana the santa Fe Trade

western Arkansas and hesSnntn Fe Trade.
/ hope no one. Who msy have psruscd the former
essay on this subject, win conclude that the author
desires to palm OF npca the public something, not
OF his own orisinatines - his own. The matter or
rather data Of the following article found almost
entire IN work published some time ago, written by
JOSIAH GRree, entitled Gonna rec of the Praires'
This work has been seen By few, merely because it
is book and it has occurred to me that if the es-
sential parts Of that book conld be extracted and
made to appear in the columns of weekly journal,
1t might conduce much to faniliarize the citizens
OF this portion of Arkansas with the numerous ad-
vantases which they now permi. to lie dormant
In the last article promised to draw comparison
between the route from Independence in Missouri,
and the one along the 35th parallel starting from
Van Buren. What are the essential requisites of a
route across the mighty praries to the west of the
States For man, wood. water, game-for the
teams-water. grass, dc. These are the essentials
the conveniences may be said to be level roads
absence Of quagmires. of high winds and freedom
from the dangers Of hostility Of the Indians. Of
course then the route which presents the greater
number Of essentials and conveniences is to be pre-
ferred. IndependeacS is situated at about 80
and some minutes. Van Buren is situated about
midway between the 35th and 36th parallel Of lat
itnde. Santa Fe little north (only a few minutes)
Of the latter place An immense gain in time can be
made by starting st Van Buren, over starting at In
dene1ence A~i = in prairie travelling not to be
overlooked. MrchSSs,lise purchased in the East is
carried up the Missouri river to Independence
This river to that pot is about equal to the Arkan
sas up to Van Burent i e-navagable months in
the year Traders 9eaving Independence do not
make final disposition of their wagons in the train
until they reach Council Grove, some $50 miles
from Independence Here the Caravan must Law in
their. supply of timber for wagon repairs as. they
find no mora of sufficient size until they reach the
vicinity of Santa Fe. Hence the teames have an
increase Of weight to draw in addition to the heay
lily loaded wagons. By this means it is not unu-
sual for teams TO haul logs from Council Grove TO
Santa Fe and back again. leaving Cornell G,oye
the first trouble is generally foun1 in the Little Ar
kansas river, whose steep banks and miry bed is
an exceedingly graf annoyance to the Caravans
aften compelling them to make temporary bridges
by which not unfrequently the wagons are some of
them overturned and their contents greatly damaged
Coming to the main Arkansas the train is often de-
tanned by the freshsts in this swift and dangerous
stream. Even though they meet not June freshtts.
yet the bed Of that river is rious for the quick
sands which are more dangerous than high water
Next comes the Cimaron river. which, although it
is complimented with the name, of rioey, it by no
means deserves it. Ira lers often find not one drop
of water in its parched and sandy bed. At this
point or between it and the Arkansas, the Indians
begin their annoyances - stealing. frightening
horses and cattle, causing stampedes by which trad
.tr \ hat M
cross it is unusual for heavy rains to fall upon
them am, Being far north, hail storms Of great
size pelt the poor animals and men until they are
forced to ster AMI camp. Accompanying thos. hail
storms IRE rifle hurricains which often destroy
wagons, stano l. the hors an Lpro luce many
troubles from which thc central route is almost en-
tirely free Telling on through burning sands and
often frightened ontof his wits" by Indians, the
ira Ter graets with joy the Roun Mound which ris-
es sons l, 800 f4t above the level of the plain -
From the top of thty nnaccountable phenomenon
the river is beautif n but the fonndatian of ;ts
beauty is f,lse. TIA afse ponds. or the mirage
elu les tn thirsty traveller into the belief that he is
surrounded i,y oceans of water oil of which prove
to be luruing sand beds After leaving the yicin-
ity of Roun N un ]. the train strikes the head wa
ters of Cana lian. which from the Mexican name,
Rio Coiora7o, WAS one mistaken for the head wa
tors of the Main Red River. which streairi is 100
miles south of this point. Leaving Rio Colorado
you some 2oa miles from San Miguel The
rua to he 'ravers lies along the base of snow clad
MOUNTAINS This region is particularly celebrated
Cor its hail storms, violent and terrible thunder
gusts, c2usel no. doubt, by the sudden cooling and
consequent contraction of the atmosphere after the
falling of those heavy rains From San MIGUEL
the route turns north ,cest of North. Because Of
the imrassabe mountains the train, on this route
must go far South. past Santa Fe. in order to get
through The mountains then go north to reach it.
l have omitted all forid descriptions Of indivi.i-
ua suffering, attacks by Indians and other troubles
atten liant u?on this route. need not depict the
horrors of furnishing. lack of fuel. bltter. and
nauseating properties of some of the water l
leave all these to the imagination asd give only
the facts of to,ograGhy and let them speak for
themselves Let us turn now 70 the 35th Mer-
chandise. having been shipped by steam to Van
Buren the traders can make full arrangements and
complete out fit before leaving the city. Every
description of materials can be had at very reason
able rates. Horses and cattle can be purchased
with little difficulty All manner of stores found
III the ci' y-coiHIiete Outn!s made with little trOu
bile or exrense- Leaving Van Buren let us take tis
route marked out and frequently travelled by JOSIAH
GREcc. Esq. We start due West and keeping in q
straight line, the Arkansas few miles abov.
the mouth Of the Canadian. From the Arkansas
river to Choutrau's Fort says Mr. GREGG, ou1
route presented an unhroken success,o of grassy
plains and prolific ga les ntersectsd here and ther,
with woody belts and numerous rivul,ts" Be
tween the Arkansas river and Camp Holmes they
met with more difficulty than during all the res
obthe journey put nsather. The route followed BY
Mr.. GRDcG in lsin funs along the Canadian river
and at srring vallay forms the junction with hi,
route Of le'9 BY taking the latter (lsa9) at thi,
point, the cours continue along the North bank
the river finding of course plenty of wood, water
and grass, also a very level. good road, with n,
Song sandy stretchesof rnrie, seeing and securing
plenty of the wild Buffalo, thus having always .
full supply of fresh meat. This route passes far {.
the North Of the fearful Llano Estacado and is amos
entirely free from it's destroying winds and SAND
storms. No hail storms or continued rains visi
the route. The Indians offer but few obstacles {.
the Caravan. Although our minds are 40 fully i'm
pregnated with the belief that Indians and bloot
1 Il