, 1864-08-05
Letter from Touchet.

TOUCHET RIVER, August 4th, 1854
EDS. STATESMAN We are having terribly
hot weather out here-the mercury exhIDltlhg
in the shade from lO4o to 1922, and In
the Sun, up to 1859 and 1902 The "oldest IN
habitant'' does not remember warmer weather
during any previous summer in these parts
One week more and the ''honest yeomanry"
of the Touchet will have nearly finished cutting
their grain. Several of the farmers are glad to
notice by announcement in your paper of last
Saturday, that the Quartermaster of Fort Walla
Walla has extended the time for opening the
bids of contracts for furnishing grain, ETC., to
the Post, till the 10th instant. This will enable
the neighbors to combine and furnish an amount
of grain Jointly, which, individually, they would
be unable to do-and thus our farmers will all
"have a show" In this connection, itrmay not
be out of taste to express the hope that the
reign of "Ouartermasters' eliques" and 'pets"
is pretty well "played out" in Walla Walla.
A few days ago, l had the pleasure of con-
versing with a very intelligent and well-known
citizen residing in the Bitter Root valley, on
his way to Walla Walla. Among other matters
of general concern, he informs me that the citi
izens around Hellgate, Bitter Root and Deer
Lodge valleys, are very anxious to have a GER
tain portion of the ''Mullan Road, F" opened,
which.is now impossible by reason of the great
amount of fallen timber on the road from the
crossing of the Missoula or Bitter Root River
Ferry-and extending through the narrow val
leys of the St. Regis Borgia and Ceur d'Alene.
He further states that the only objection to this
Road now is the fallen timber which can easily
he clearled away with but little labor and ex-
nense Mr. j. S. Caldwell, who keeps the b.
r. Ferry says he would be willing, with little
! assistance to keep the road open between his
ferry and the summit of the Occur d Alene noun
tains-about half way of the extent of the
! fallen timber A large number of pack-trains
nassed over this road during the past season,
en- route for Beaver Head mines.
NV informant adds that he is requested by the
citizens of Hellgate to lay this matter before
| General Alvord, when he reaches Fort Van
couver, and to ask that troops may be sent, UiO
tbe Mullan Road, into the Bitter Root country;
that more than one object would be effected by
snch military movement. To cut out the
timber on the road would contribute vastly to
the s'general health of the men, C) besides the
moral effect their presence would have on the
| Flathead and Pen d'Oreille Indians. ..I.u
The Office of Justice ]. NJ Hedrick, this
creek. was well crowded. on Friday morning
last. the 29th ultimo, with spectators both from
YOUR city and residents on this creek, to heal
the trial of the case Of Louis A. Mullan agains
John and G. . Mullan+which had been sent tt
this court from the court of W. P. Horton, o
vour city, on motion made by the defendant
counsel. The Jury in the case decided tina
Louis Mullan was Justly and fully entitled to thu
land and Improvements in litigation; whereupoI
Justice Hedrck issued a writ directing th
Sheriff of Walla Walla county to place him il
nossession of his home, from which he haC
been absent since Dec. last.
Mr.. John T. Flowers has received from tn
PM Department at Washington appoint
ment as Postmaster at "Mullan's Bridge Ol
this creek. Yours OBSERVER.