, 1859-07-29
Description Of Journey from st. Louis 10 Sau
Francisco, via The Overland Mail Route.

Mr.. EDTroR we left st. Louis on this day bound
for San Francisco on board the Overland Mail stage
Of Buttereld & Co.. with fair prospects Of pleasant
journey Ia the Eldorado of the West. We travelled
from ST. Louis, about lG0 miles by railroad to Upton,
by way Of Jefferson City-which rOad passes along
the banks Of the Missouri River all the way from st.
Louis to Upton. The banks Of the Missouri are steep
and precipitous. and it is with much difficulty that
space is found for the road In places the foun-
dation OF the road had given way, which required i'm
mediate repairing. Jefferson City is situated on the
bluff Of the river above the road did not get
view Of the town, but the capitol from dis
tance, which looked very nice, situated il is
tall emnence. As we pass along up the river, we
passed several steamboats, going up, which gave a
striking illustration Of the two great modes Of travel
now in use on the American Continent. Though the
steam Is by far the most expeditions mode OF
cling, there is nothing that equal some Of our
Mississippi river boats, In the way Of comfort or lux
~, splendor or magnihcence. We left St. Louis at
nine o'clock, A NJ, aud arrived at Upton about seven
In the evening, which place Is the present terminus o
the Pacific railroad Here took the stage, travelled
all night without sleeping, and arrived next morning
at Warsaw, small town in the interior Of the Mis-.
souri,. From here we went to Springfield, about 50
miles from this places arrived there at Ocock in the
evening. We passed over some good land between
these places little broken, but producing fine grass
and good crops. Left Springfield "A O'Clock arrived
at Fayetteville next day to dinner, which is very
nice place, by the way. Travelling on this portion O
the route we generally made from 10 10 miles an
hour. From Fayetteville we entered rough mount
ainous country, which lasted until got to the Ar
kansas River, where we arrived about IL O'Clock P
n. Of the same day crossed the river opposite
Van Buren, through which we passed in the night
and arrived at Fort Smith next morning at O'Clock
Here we got about two hours Sleep the first from St
Louis, which could not enjoy, owing to the fact thai
| was attacked with very severe chill, which made
the second one from St. Louis. Here we bought some
dried beef and crackers to take along with u.s. We
had heard that grub was pretty scarce along the
route, and can assure you that the above mentioned
articles proved Of great service to was consider
ably disappointed In Fort Smith, as expected 70 se,
only fort and few buildings; but II is quite town
larger than Van Buren. From here we struck out iI
southwesterly course Tor Sherman, a small town II
the eastern part Of Texas, where we arrived on thu
morning Of the third day. From Fort Smith VIC i'm
medatey enter the Indian territory in passing through
which we saw some beautiful country. fhe eve
changing roll OF the prairie, gently unduatinR
now bluu and precpitous studded with islets Of tim
Der the innumeable hues OF the grass ranging from
pale yellow TO deep emerald varagated with the bril-
liant coors OF thousand wild flowers harmonizini
and blending with the intense blue of the atmosphere
and gIittering in the rays Of the sun-it was one o
those grand master pieces the Divine Artist had scat
tered with unsparing hand the North American Con
tiuent All the way from Fort Smith to the easter
portion Of Texas we saw beautiful country In pass
ing through the Indian territory was surprised q
see what progress they had made In agriculture
Some Of them had fne large farms with crops upon
with plenty Of negroes tO tend them. great rnany
white men have intemaried with the Indians, ant
have introduced various branches OF mechanism ant
agriculture, that they have been quite civilized
Beyond this they are fine looking class Of Indians
NOBLE dignided In appearance; far superior to the In
dans Of the far west On this and the farther side o
Sherman Is one Of the most beautiful countries have
you could wish IT, and covered with fine grass Here
you have beautiful view far the eve can reach
on either hand with here and there a large herd Of
cattle or horse- grazing upon the nxurient grass