The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-08-04
the YELLOWSTONE RIVER.
Great Increase of Steamboat Bust
ness on the Upper Mis-
souri, River.
THE GOLD NINES--OUfx MINNIE.
sofa MlNERS..RICHNR
OF THE DlGGINS.


OF Capt. Abe. Hutchinson, who went out last
spring to bring back the steamer Cutter which
mad wintered at Fort Benton. Some interest
ing facts which we learned in connection with
him will be of value to the public.
The increase of steamboating on the Upper
Missouri is especially gratifying fact. In
former years not more than one or two boats
a year were accustomed to go up to the head
OF navigation on the Missouri. They were
merely loaded with supplies tor the Fur CON-
pany Trading Posts This spring, however,
Capt. Hutchinson counted nearly forty steam
Boots on their way up to the head OF naviga-
ton ON the Missouri loaded with miner goods
and supplies. This shows the great increase
of business and Population in Montana.
Light draught boats can ascend the Missouri
River 1900 miles to the Falls, and it light
dranpbt boat were launched above the Falls,
!, could run some 800 miles farther. Mer-
chants from Virginia City have ordered their
goods by this route, and after leaving the
steamboat, they have only to be wagoned some
four or five hundred miles.
If navigation is opened on the Yellowstone,
however. and some settlements made at which
Goods can be landed and warehoused, the Vir-
ginia settlements will find tbat route the short
est. Steamboats, can penetrate on the Yellow
stone almost to the mining region, whereas by
ascending the Missouri, they have to go i'm
mepsely farther-a circuitous route of nearly
1000 miles-and then do not approach SO near
the mines. This shows the importance OF set
Elements and towns on the Yellowstone, as
means of opening up oil that vast region. Capt
Fisk's expedition will accomplish this desider-
atum and establish a settlement which will be
a point for travel and trade, and the storing OF
goods.
The Yellowstone, it will be remembered,
was explored by Capt. Hutchinson OF this city,
last year. He made two successful trips up it
with the Cutter, but did not have occasion to
90 more than forty or fifty miles, to the mouth
of the Cannon Ball River. He found plenty of
water, and reports that it is about as large
stream as the Mississippi from here to Has
tings, and pretty easy to navigate.
We learn from Capt Hutchinson OF the graft
tying success of the Minnesota party who went
out last year under Tom Holmes of Shakopee.
They were late in getting out, and did not ar
rive at the mining region until almost winter.
They prospected while with no success and
finally went to a new valley which showed
good indications This, they say, was their
alas. chance" for finding gold that winter.
To their great joy, the diggins proved extreme
u rich, and nuggets of large size were found
quite easily. They named the diggins the
Last Chance" and it will probably be called
90 10 the end OF time. All the party were do
ing well, and Capt. Hutchinson brought back
some nuggets which show that there is gold
there, and very pure. Several OF the party
had made quartz claims. Six mills were taken
ont on boats this spring. This shows the ad-
vantage of the river as a means of transporting
hesyy freight
As route for travel, however, all the facts
on record point to that about to be opened by
Capt. Fisk. 1t is nearer than any other, being
only about forty days travel from St Paul iRto
the heart of the mines. To make the voyage
by steamer will require several weeks, and is
not o whit more safe, if as much 30. If the
expedition succeeds, it will open up the route
successfully. Miners returning to the States
will return on it, and expeditions and trains
going through to the mines will come here,
outfit at this point, and follow the new road.
Nail and stage, and express lines will soon
spring up, and eventually settlements and
towns By this policy St. Paul becomes the
gateway to that vast region. Its trade will
TOW through us to the Lakes, and our rail-
roads will be extended towards that region,
and ultimately TO the Pacific, Minnesota thus
becoming the keystone of the arch of States
through which the future great route of travel
and trade must pass.