, 1864-02-13
Letter from Regulus.
EXPRESS RANCHE, Burnt Rive

EXPRESS RANCHE, Burnt River,
Baker County, Ogn, Jan 20, 1864.
EDS STATESMAN The question which
most absorbs the attention of the people Of
Walla Walla Valley and which most affects
their interests, is, Whether the travel and
trade to the Boise mines shall 90 by Wal
lula Or by Umatilla Landing to the dig
gings? In travelling over the roads from
Walla Walla valley, and Umatila Landing,
| have been greatly impressed with the su-
periority Of the former route, if the road
were shortened by descending directly from
Linkton's Mill to the valley of the Walla
Walla River, and keeping down it to the
third crossing, following the old travelled
road to Wallula. This will make a cut off
of about twenty miles and place the road
upon better ground. The ascent to Link
tons Mill can be made on r'point" with a
natural grade, on well-drained ground, Of
not over one foot rise in fifty. The distance
from Wallula to Linkton's Mill is not
greater than from that place to Walla Walla,
showing a clear gain in distance of at least
as many miles as [ have asserted. [ sub
Join an itinerary of the route mentioned:
From Wallula to Linkton's Mil, half
way over level ground and the balance a
gradual ascent on an excellent natural road,
through settled country with extensive
pasturage, 80 miles From Linkton's Mil
to the Grand Ronde,-gradual ascent and
descent-2l miles. Across Grand Ronde
to the junction with the "COve Road $50
miles; making a total of 81 miles.
Now we will consider its relation to the
Umatilla Landing route by La Grande, and
the contrast is shown by an itinerary of that
route:
From Umatilla Landing to Crawford's at
the foot Of the Blue mountains, s,-frst ten
miles sandy, heavy road, the balance gradu-
ally ascending and good footing-45 miles
From Crawford's to Meacham's, Is miles;
From Meacham's to Moores, on Dry Greek,
Is miles from Moore's to La Grande, l3
mies-broken mountain country-snow COW
ered with many miles subject to drifting
SHOWS; from La Grande to the junction with
the Walla Walla road at "the Cove, p
across Grand Ronde-15 miles Total, 103
miles.
1t may be urged that the pass by the Wal
lula route is higher, which is true; but the
snow section is only half as long, the total
of ascents and descents much smaller and
the possibility of the road being drifted over
entirely obviated by being located through
timber with the exception Of an incOnsder
able distance. You will then ask, Whv
doesn't the travel come and go by this
route? There are two reasons. The frst
because there has been but little preparation
for the entertainment of travellers on the
road, and the excessive charges for forage
and meals the other, because you have laid
out no direct road to Wallula, but endeav-
ored to force the travel to come by Walla
Walla
The people of Walla Walla valley are al
ways talking of opening the Linkton Mill
road, but if the hints have thrown out
were acted upon that trouble and expense
would be saved, for the road would be kept
open by the travel upon it. Unless this is
done, those who are working to keep the
road open will have their pains for their
wages.
As to depth of snow being an objection to
the route, it is simply ridiculous as it mat
ters but little how deep the snow is as long
as the road-bed is well beaten; and unless it
is so, two feet of snow is just as impossible
as ten.
The only advantage claimed for the Una
tilla route, is, that the pass is lower on that
road but when it SHOWS on the Walla
Walla trail it rains on the other, and the
choice is between a little snow on one road
and great deal Of mud on the other
Having given you my views in brief on
the road-question 1 should here conclude
this letter if it were not for a valuable dis
coyery which has recently been made by the