The Nevada Democrat., 1859-12-07
xv.oow uo.D nTrrTTNc.

Pursuant to CALL an enthusiastic meeting oft
citizens ofNevada county assembled at the Court
House in this place, on Saturday evening last, to
to consider the expediency Of constructing wagon
road across the mountains to consult as to the best
and most practicable route, and to devise the ways
means to carry out the proposed undertaking.
| The meeting was called to order BY VIM. +. An
derson, and on motion Of G.. Wilson Hill, Judge
Niles Searls was called to the Chair. 7. H. Role
and N. P. Brown were chosen Secretaries.
Mr. Hill stated the object Of the meeting. He
said he had no personal knowledge Of the adyanta-
ges of the several routes, but from information
which he had procured from reliable men who had
Travelled over them, he was satisfied that the short
est and most practicable route for wagon road
from California to Western Utah was through Ne
vada county he was also Of the opinion that II ever
railroad was constructed, connecting the Atlantic
and Pacific States it wouldpass through this county
Mr.. Meredith being called upon, stated that he
had travelled over the route by way Of Eureka, aRd
was satisfied there serious obstacle to be en-
countered in making good wagon road. Some
grading would be required between Eureka and
Jacksons Ranch, but for distance Of forty or fifty
miles beyond the latter point, the route was nearly
level the steep hill at Dog Valley is then reached,
which can be easily overcome at trifing cost and
the only other serious obstruction was at Steamboat
Spring; but at this place parties are already engaged
in making a toll road, which will soon be completed.
The distance was less, and the route was much
more practicable than that by way Of Placervile.
At the places where grading would be required, the
ground could easily be dug with the shovel and
spade, and there no points where any blasting
would be necessary. He was satisfied that an ex-
penditure Of fifteen or twenty thousand dollars on
this route would make the best road ever yet con-
structed over the Sierra Nevadas.
Mr.. Anderson said it was universally admitted
that the opening OF the road would be ofgeat ad-
vantage to this county, and also to the State; and
that in view Of its being public benefit, he believed
that an appropriation could be procured from the
Legislature, nearly, II not quite sufficient to con-
struct the road Two routes had been proposed, one
by way Of Eureka, and the other by way Of Bear
Valley, and each had its advocates As to the COM
paratiye advantages Of the two routes he was not
sufficiently informed to speak, but in order to bring
out some expressions on the subject, and also as
first step towards procuring Legislative aid he sub
|
WHEREAS, The rapid settlement Of the Territory
on the eastern slope Of the Sierra Nevadas, and the
large population which will in all probability be
drawn there during the coming year, and in view OF
the valuable trade which such population must OF
necessity open Immediately to the enterprise Of the
people Of this State, it becomes duty to provide
better facilities Of communication through the passes
OF the mountains, therefore, be 1t
Res0Lred, That the Senators and Representatives
Of Nevada county, be instructed to urge at the next
session Of the Legislature appropriation to be
expended in the construction Of wagon road, lead
| ing from some point in the eastern section OF this
county to the summit, in the Henness Pass.
Resofved That committee Of - persons be
appointed to solicit from the citizens of this county
sufficient amount, by subscription, and to expend
the same in obtaining an accurate survey OF the
routes, grades elevations, and distances from Eu-
reka South, and also from Bear Valley in Washing
ton township, to Virginia City, in Nevada Territory,
and that such information as may be thus obtained
be speedily furnished to representatives in the
Legislature.
Mr.. @. A. Young said he thought 1t would not be
possible to get an appropriation from the State as
such bills not looked upon with much favor by
members Of the Legislature. A bill making ap-'
priation for the road through El Dorado before
the last Legislature; amendments, making appro-
priations for other routes were tackled to the BILL
until the whole exceeded $25O,00O; but even with
the strong influences brought by the friends Of the
several routes, the bill lacked two votes Of passing
and many members voted for it who would have vo-
ted against it had they not known that the bill would
be defeated.
Mr.. Meredith advocated the formation Of cor
poraton under the general law of the State for the
construction Off toll road. BY that means the
route would be speedily opened and ready for travel
next spring; but five undertake to build the road
by subscription, wait for Legislative aid the most
of us will be in graves before the work is COM
pleted and other parts of the State will reap all the
advantages TO be derived from the trade with West
ern Utah the men now in this room have means
sufficient, that they will invest in the construction
Of toll road, but ask them to give money by way
Of subscription, to open public road and the purse
strings viii be drawn tight. He argued in favor OF
the Eureka route, in preference to that by way Of
Bear Valley and said that he could not imagine
route presenting more advantages than the former.
He submitted the following resolutions as subst-
tute for those offered by Mr. Anderson:
Resolred, That experience and observation have
satisfied us that the nearest, most practicable, and
best route for railroad or wagon road, leading
from the Sacramento Valley to the mines and settle
HeiitS oh tne edSVeIn sue OF tne sierra Nevada, as
also to the States in the east is that now travelled
cta Eureka South, Jackson's Ranch, through the
Henness Pass; and this meeting in good faith, rec
ommends the to all persons crossing the Sierra
Nevada as superior in every essential to any other
route known.
Resolved, That corporation, under the provis-
ions Of an act to authorize the construction of
plank and turnpike roads, be now formed for the
purpose of constructing turnpike road from Eure-
ka South, U'a Jackson's Ranch, to the summit in
Nl..H d. 4 A ii
be admitted as stockholders Of the corporation on
the payment Of the assessments levied, either in
money or labor on the road.
Resolved, That after organizing the corporation,
the work Of constructing the road shall be COM
menced and prosecuted so that the same shall be
completed BY the 10Th of March next, and when
completed the road shall be offered to Nevada
county, to become public road for sum equal to
the cost Of construction with twelve per- cent added
: Resolved, That committee be appointed to take
forthwith the necessary steps for incorporating the
company, the names Of members as they may be
given in, to draft the bylaws Of such corporaton
and that the capital stock Of such cornnratinn be