Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-06-13
An Overland TrsP to California
Notes by the way.
Council BLUFFS, Iowa.
June ,, 1864.

Council BLUFFS, IowAJ
June >. 1864
Mn EDlroR:-This place is readily reached
from st. Joseph by packet line of steamers,
for twelve dollars; time about forty hours. As
now advised, | would prefer st. Joseph for out
fitting for the far West it is more accessible
has more business competition. and emigranis
goods are cheaper. Interested parties have been
blowing" for Council Bluffs and Omaha, and
have thus induced heavy emigration by their
points.
The ferriage here is outrageous; only s %
for "A wagon and one yoke of oxen, and % cts
for each additional yoke; 81 for two horse
rage They charge only So for shoeing span
of mules and Sc for yoke of oxen. For
rifled gun, costing, in your city. S25. the modest
demand of S75 is made. There is no good rea-
son for this There i regular steamboat COM
muncation with ST. Joseph and st. Louis, and
freight added would not produce 1.-THE of these
exhorbitant prices. Dry goods and groceries are
more reasonable. Persons DESTROYS OF going to
the far West go by rail from your city to St.
Joseph They can ship their cattle horses and
mules and wagons through much cheaper than
they can drive them through and will gain six
weeks time Besides, their stock will be fresh.
The journey overland from Indiana is worse to
this point than from here TO California. Wag-
ons can be bought with good covers, ready for
immediate lse for sl75 at St. Joseph. Oxen
worth from 1925 to $3.50 per yoke; mules $500
to 5000 per span; -four 50 per 100 pounds: corn
90c per bushel: bacon hams Ice: sides l5c
shoulders l4c while beans are worth s. per
bushel; dried apples SO per bushe; dried peaches
about $40
Council Bluffs is situated 4 I, miles from the
river. at the base of range of hills Between
the town and river is marshy prairie. now GOV
cred with a luxuriant crop of srass, upon which
thousands OF emgrant's cattle are feeding. On
the banks OF the river there is "A narrow strip OF
cottonwood trees, and, here and there, in the
guches and rayines OF the hills back of the town.
are stunted walnut, elm. oak and cotton wood
Wood. for fuel, six dollars per cord last win
ter here, ana twenty dollars per cord in Omaha,
which draws its supply OF fuel chiefly from this
side of the river. Pine lumber IS worth $50 per
|, 900 feet, and cotton. wood $50.
The wheat crop here looks wretchedly bad. A
hail storm, few days since, cut the corn to the
ground. and from the fact that vacant prairie
land OF the best quality is found within mile of
the town, aud that there are few improved farms
in the vicinity Of the place though it is fifty years
DID, | infer it is not well adapted TO agricultural
purposes though IL Is most excellent grazing
country.
The town owes its prosperity to the emigrant
trade during the season for which il puts on city
business part OF the town.
Omaha on the opposite bank of the Missouri
river. is a flourishing place OF 1000 inhabitants
and is the capital of Nebraska Its site Is
beautiful high up on the bluffs, commanding
view OF the surrounding country for many
miles. The town is but six years old. but l.
rapidly improving, and 1T no distant day will be
a first class CITY Ii is the starting point of the
Pacific railroad. and the grading has already
commenced westward from the town.
The emigration 70 the Far West i immense
and Is chiefly from Illinois. Michigan, Wiscon-
sin, with fair representation from Indiana. Ii
is estimated that 100000 persons are now en-.
route for the plans. one halt OF whom voters
and nine ienths are Democrats They are not
fleeing from draft. as general thing, for
many of them not subject TO military duty
What motive induces this extraordinary exodus
OF people, Citizens here say that they take
through the best stock and appear To be the
wealthiest emigration that has yet crossed the
Missouri. Has anything new ;ranspired in Cali
fornia, Oregon and Washington, where most of
the emigrauts seem to be going, to attract such
rush of "movers?" The truth Is, however much
we may lament it, they are refugees from peFse-
cution for political opinions sake And, ii
nothing uniavorable be written back by them
them uext year, the emigration will be yet larger.
Thus will large portion OF the industry and
wealth OF the north western States be transferred
TO the Far West Those now in power may
chucke over this drain OF the voting strength of
their political adversaries. but, beyond renewed
lease OF power, they gain nothing. The burden
OF the local public debl j. lell upon them. with
largely decreased resources. Besides the danger
OF invoking the moo spirit, 10 those who foster
il. When the inevitable reaction sets in, the re-
suit. repeat will be felt in the material resources
OF the Northwest
Ii Is reported here that the Indians on the
South Pass route. usually free from danger. are
preparing for war Letters from persons residing
Al Denver City so represent. Government has
At least four companies of troops at Omaha.
whose chief business seems 70 be 10 fight bad
whisky Why they are aot ordered out along
the overland stage route. 70 protect il against
Indian depreianons. i question that j. daily
asked