The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-17

have been much impressed with the fact, ia listen
ing the debates ia the Senate OF the United States the
subject OF the Pacific railroad that there exists great mis-
apprehension Ia regard TO the country between the western
States and the Sierra Nevada range Of mountains With
few exceptions the senators have all spoken OF 'the DIES
er that Is supposed 10 intervene any proposed rone
had not thought however, OF asking the press to give
contradictory statement until noticed in the Union of the
2lst Of January a short communication signed North
west, ia regard 10 the 49th parallel route IL is my
purpose in this article 10 give description of the
trail route, and 10 show that least route the
desert is wanting
aliude, 10y the central route, to that the 39i par
allel by the valley of the Kansas river This route
at Kansas city the mouth Of the river aud fol-
lowing the Smoky Hill Fork 10y way of the Arkansas
river through the Parks aud thence by the NicolIet
SEWER river by Little Salt Lake Vegas de SAINT, Clara,
Prown and Cedar city to the eastern boundary of Cal
orna. shall not attempt 10 discuss its topography
adapted to successful railway construction although
have doubt of its entire pactcabty, but shall con
fine myself solely to the desert feature
will state in the outset that this is the used by
the people of Missouri for their mountain trains and the
route for their stock traffic with California Each year
thousands OF sheep and cattle driven it to Cali
ornia not only without loss but ia many instances
particularly with sheep the profit by fattenng the
route is uncomfortable item in the calculations of
droyers. But prefer to give the testimony of others
rather than to give facts which have only personal knowl
edge TO sustain them
In the first place. other grains are successfully
grown for distance beyond Fort Reyas far
Element has yet extended They also successfully raised
ut Council Grove, at Allisons Rancho, the Arkansas
ais, ut Bens Fort the Upper Arkansas, and at the
mouth OF the Huerano, at which point is reached the
mbered lands Of the Rocky mountains. reference to
maps will show that these points the whole
try west Of the Kansas settlements the base of
the mountains showing its eminent agricultural
pacty need not enter into details TO verify these
sertions the government vouchers will show supplies
bought all these points in sufficient abundance to dissi
pate any idea of desert
Inrcgard to the parks and the valley of San Luis would
be needless to speak, their unvacd natural advanta
ges OF soil timber grass water and climate have already
invested them with the mellow radiance Of romance
But in regard to the region between the Sierra Made and
the Sierra Nevada the country is not SO familiar and
will introduce the testimony Of others 10 the eminent adj
vantages of this route of transit for commercial pur
poses.
Mr. Charles McLanahan, formerly of Virginia, and
resident Of California and large stock driver from
Missouri and Texas to the Pacific in letter to the late
Colonel Benton, in 1858, thus speaks Of the route
On this route almost the entire way may be settled as
all the land from Missouri to Bent Fort is rich and very
fertile equal to the best lands Missouri and Illinois
and no land beat the Sierra Blanca for grass Even
to the very summit il stands thick the best meadows
and many would at least four tons to the
Then comes the large and beautiful valley of SIN Luis
of the most fertile in New Mexico. Indeed fine
land upon the whole route and the climate is such that
stock live out all the winter upon the grass On this
route there is abundance Of grass and water much
that stock will travel and keep fat vey large ma
orty of sheep fat mutton any in the Phi
dephia Baltimore market and very large number
of Mr. Blrnwes cattle are fine beef and ha, never
vrfnp trav. hale
We have the testimony of the same gentleman four
years later through Lieut. Beae, in bis Journal Of the
35th parallel route in 1857 IS. Lieut. Beaic says
June 90 2 K met here Mr. McIanahan
of California who has just returned overland This gen
teman, having travelled by both overland routes north
and southern, prefers very much that Of the Central
or Coochotope Pass. He followed my trail made in
1853 and carried through, with great success thirteen
wagons and considerable amount Of stock. III II.
Er. Doc. No. 1874 page Is Isl session XXI Congress
Mr. r. S. Wooten, of New Mexico, also large stock
dealer in the of 1853 writes in regard to this
route as follows
During the last year have taken drove Of sheep
from this place (Iaos} to California the route that
Col. Fremont intended to have gone in the winter of
lSiS49 at the time of his disaster / made the trip
through to California in ninety days, arriving there with
my sheep in good order having passed through some of
the finest country saw, and had good camps and
plenty of wood, water and grass every night during the
the Arkansas river, at the mouth of the Huerfano at
which emgrants procure such nccessaes they may
be in want of and also at the Mormon settlements at Lit
tie Salt Lake. There also good ferry at the mouth Of
the Huerfano and ferries will also be established during
the coming summer Grand river and Green river up
per Culolado) There is also another great advantage
that this route has over more northern one egrants
may leave Missouri late the LIST Of August and there
is no danger OF being stopped by snow. After reaching
the great Spanish trail in the valley Green river up
per Colorao from thence to California there is never any
snow and the months of October and November are
pleasant to travel and better for stock than the
summer months
Here is the testimony of two well known gentlemen of
high character who have proved the nature of the con
try by the best of all tests And when Mr. Wootten
states that he found 'plenty wood water and grass
every night and it is known that ten miles is the aver
age daily travel Of sheep it dspates entirely the idea of
" five hundred mile desert, which seems TO be the
senatorial quantity any route
In regard to the geological features OF the Great Basin
will simply quote the testimony of Col Fremont in
1883 Speaking OF that portion of the route living be
tween the Wasaia mountains and the Sierra Nevada he
says:
They what are called fertile mountains abundant
in water wood and grass and fertile valleys offering in
ducemcnts to settlement and facilities for making a road
These mountains great store house Of maeriastin
bcrr iron, cod-whch would be Of Indispensable use in
the construction and mainenarAc of the road and are
solid foundations to build up the future prosperity of the
rapidly increasing Utah State Salt is abundant on The
eastern border mountains the Sierra de sal--beng
named from it, In the ranges lying behind the Mormon
pts f,,, pt,,,, a..