The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-01-20
Pixies Peak-Its Locality.


Pixies Peak-Its Locality.
From those already returned from the
mines, we have generally correct idea
of the region in which the gold is
known to exist. Pixies Peak, which
may be taken as the geographical point
is about 25 miles south of the seth
parallel of latitude, and on direct line
about $40 miles southwest of Kansas
City. 1t is about so miles East of Co.
chetopa Pass, and about "a miles
south. The Arkansas takes it rise on
the south side of the range in which
the Peak is situated, and the South
Platte on the north side. Mr.. John
Cantrell, the Lawrence, Georgia, and
Missouri Companies have prospected
the South Platte streams, principally
Cherry and Longs Greek, which are
from 40 to so miles from the Peak, al
most in direct westerly course. Mr.
King, and the Cherokee company have
in addition, pretty thoroughly explored
the Arkansas branches, with in many
instances better success than on the
Platte but sufficient has been demon
strated to prove that both are gold pro-
ducing. The two rivers head together,
but the Arkansas penetrates the noun
tain range to much greater distance
than the other. The country prospec-
ted embraces about 70 miles north and
south, and following the streams greater
or less distances. From the South
Platte we have as yet seen only the
''foat gold," but from the Arkansas,
we have both the scales and the mug
gets, as well as the gold in the quartz
The specimens which have reached
Kansas City are greatly superior both
in richness and quantity to the first dis
coveries in California, and leave no
doubt as to the capabilities of the
mines when properly worked.
THE COUNTRY AND CLIMATE.
The country in the vicinity of Pixies
Peak, is well suited to the growth of
small grain is as well watered as the
mountain districts of Pennsylvania and
Virginia, and is in the same latitude
with Baltimore, Cincinnati, and St.
Louis. But owing to its elevation,
SHOWS fall early in the fall and late in
the spring. Trappers and traders,
however, who have long been familiar
with the country, speak Of it as much
more mild than the country at the
South Pass. Immediately west and
south are the Parks of the Rocky
Mountains, which are represented by
Fremont, Beale, Leroux, Williams,
Carson, and Goodale, to be exceeding
ly mild in winter, affording abundance
of food for stock during the entire
winter season, and are the favorite
winter haunts of the Indians. From
all we can learn, the seasons are as
mild as any in the same latitude East,
and much more, considering its alti-
tude.
GAME, TIMBER, ETC.
The country abounds in timber, the
prevailing variety being pine, immense
forests of both the yellow and white
being common. On the streams the
wild cherry and timber common to this
latitude are found. Game is exceed
ingly abundant, the black tailed deer,
elk, antelope, mountain sheep, black
bear, etc., being found in allportions of
the country. 1t is favorite resort for
the Indians, as it affords them plenty
of game when off the buffalo hunts,
and is where they get their lodge poles
and equipments for their excursions for
buffalo on the plains.
THE ROUTE TO THE MINES.
To the country bordering TIE Mis-
souri, River, in Iowa and Nebraska, as
far as Council Bluffs, and above, proba-
bly,, the best route would be by Fort
Laramie, although the route up the
South Fork of the Platte is very SAN
dy and covered for long distances with
"a dense growth of the prickly pear,
which is very severe upon stock, as
well as upon men. The sand hills
greatly retard the progress of trains,
and the prickly pair furnishes no susie
nance whatever. The streams are nu-
merous, and when full very difficult to
cross.
To all east of the Mississippi, and
for hundred miles west of it, the best
route, by far, is the great Santa Fe
road to Pawnee Fork, and thence fol-
lowing the Arkansas to Bent's Fort
and the mines. This is the route trav-
eled by the mountain traders for half
a century, and is well beaten, plain
wagon road, the entire distance. There
have passed over it the present season
over ten thousand wagons, as far as the
crossing of the Arkansas, and over
five hundred have left this city the
present season for Bent's Fort and the
different trading posts in that region
of country. These wagons carry from
5000 to 5000 pounds each, and are usu-
xly drawn by six yoke of oxen. 1t is