The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-25

Kyle OF the latter however is not al all sNewporsnn
aays exertions tht they glad to retire early Mr.
Lsghtou does NOT perhaps at first strike you being the
most agreeable msn in the world but after know him
bgiy entertaining ana very kind hearted man. He is,
by the way OF the few persons who had the pleasure
seeing the famous 'sea serpent" Hs sons Oscar and
Csorio, he always ready to attend 10 the comfort
amueements OF the guests. Altogether, visit TO the
s.oas for person who is fond Of aquatic sports and
scipg salt air Is really very pleasant, and unqussona
by does "phy."
Our Rocky Mountains Correspondence,
HEAD SMOKY CANON
Rocky FOUNTAINS, July 20, 1859.
2he Oueland Routes The Neao Government Road on
Ldster's Pdss-Urgen Necessity Of bridging Green
Riuer-Lmm1se Overland Emigration this Sea,on-7he
Weather ir the Observation-Disclosures of Camping
Ont, DC, dc.
In my last letter. dated at Fort Laramie the 9Th June
spoke Of the South Pass wagon expedition and the new
northern route the mountains from the South Pass
to Fort Hall the old California road The old road from
South Pass BY the three ferries Lower Green river
has heretofore been the usual of tho overland emf
grafton to California Oregon and Utah but the traveller is
Obliged to pass barren arid sandy plain Of 90 miles in
eztent without grass, and, in one instance 81 miles be-
tween watering places. This being the cause of much
suffering 10 the emigration and subectng them great
loss Of stock, in 1855 petition California
to Congress- which resulted ina large appropriation being
made by that body for the survey and location new
route that would avoid far possible these difficulties
The old road had been often travelled that was per-
iecty broken and excellent way to the South Pass and
was the desderatum to shorten the distance from that
point BY cut offs and by removing the natural obstacles
which had hitherto prevented passage the noun
ains to direct and better furnished
with grass, wood and water
The new government road, or 'Lander's cutoan was
located in 1857 and built 1885, and is only 1886 miles
from the South Pass to the point at which Joins the old
California road eighteen miles Of Fort Hail. having
I'M optsrn
the Wahsach range OF peaks through Piney Canon is
abundanty furnished with good grass, fuel and water
(about twenty-five mies), passes through the most
beautiful valleys and fine, open, rolling country. is
and two hundred miles north Of Salt Lake City, ami
touches only few of the Mormon settlements on Black.
foot rver-thus afordng an opportunity to the emgra
ton TO escape the high tolls upon the ferries Lower
Green river and the exorban charges always levied 5y
the Mormons upon all who fail into their hands great
amount of work has been done upon the road in cutting
out the timber, grading round the mountain and brdg
ipe the small streams and only remains the govern
men to bridge Green river to make the the favore
route OF the great annual overland the Pa
ci6c coast
Green river the eastern head of the Grand Colorado
has hitherto been great Of profit the traders
on the lower road They have established erres over
which the travel worn emgrants have been transported
prices varying from three 90 dollars per wagon,
ana one OF the chief objects of new road WAS TO avoid
the necessity Of ferrying
During the seasons Of 1857 and 1858 the water
at the upper road ford did not touch a wagon bed;
but the present unprecedented for heat and
rain in the memory of the Oldest mountaneer-has
The stream, that there has been great difficulty in
delay or loss also, all the old California and Oregon
stock drivers but some of the inexperienced emerans
lost their wagons and one man his life by drowning.
Several others narrowly escaped the fate but
fortunately rescued by the friendly Shoshonees who
aided In crossing their trains.
In my opinion good substantial bridge should be
out here to prevent such accidents for the future 10
all due Difference to the superintendent of the road the
question ID not whether he swim his fine horse
the river, encounter with his picked risks and