The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1865-04-08
A New Road to the owyhee Mines.

The Jacksonville Sentinel has report of
Col. Drew's, of his operations in the Owyhee
country during the past Summer He appears
to favor another route extending farther
northward than the one which has heretofore
been spoken of direct to Red Bluff or Oro-
Vile OF this route the Sentinel says:
"From our exchanges we CLEAN the fact
that considerable interest is being manifested
In other portions Of Oregon, and in California
also, with regard to the Owyhee mines, and
the several routes to them. We have just
been shown the tracings of Col. Drew's route
(of last Summer) from Fort klamath to the
Owyhee region and back, and from this, taken
in connection with his official report, 1t IS
obvious, to US at any rate, that the route by
which he returned is decidedly the best that
has vet been found. From any portion OF
the country between Red Bluff, California,
and Eugene City, Oregon, it is quite direct
from Yreka, Jacksonville and Roseburg, more
direct than i: is possible to find another. It
has, also less desert, more grazing and better
water than any other route OF which we have
any knowledge. 1t is of the greatest possible
CONSEQUENCE to Southern Oregon and North
ern California, that this route should be
opened at once, as regular thoroughfare, as
among the many benefits of public charac-
ter that will accrue in such event, the dis
lance of. the overland immigrant route to this
coast will be greatly shortened, and other
wise Improved We hope, therefore, that this
route will receive early attention on the part
of the Generals commanding the District OF
California and the Department Of the Pacific,
and that an ample military force will be
olaced upon it very early in the coming
! Snrine. to guard it effectually from Indians.
] General Wright, commanding the District OF
California. and at whose instance the Owyhee
reconnaissance of last year was made, we
know to be fully alive to the interests and
welfare of this frontier, and we trust that
through him the General commanding the
Department will also become fully aware Of
our wants and necessities"
The establishment of military post some
where intermediate between Forts Boise, kla-
math, and Fort Crook, (says the Red Bluff
independently is military necessity, and az
the Drew expedition of last Summer was or
/ dered with that end in view, We hope tha
General Wright will push this matter to
j successful Termination, and bring the posts
already established on our frontier within
easy communication of Department head
quarters. There are, all along THIS route
some beautiful valleys, which Will soon ~
settled up by the large immigration rom liz
Eastern States, to say nothing OF tne .hou
sands who are rushing there from CallIornls
and Oregon, and which like all newly settlee
sections REQUIRE protection of the military
for some time at least. The advantages u
ha earned nv the authorities in San francisco
bei1o within easy communication of the mill
+o r nnsts IN this coast must be evident t.
averv one. and with the cooperation OF tn
officers at Forts Boise, Klamath and Crook
the nIan nroposed could be easily carried int
effect ali that is lacking is orders from head
I quarters.