The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-01
THE OHERLAND ROurE.
FROM NEW YORK TO SAN FRANCIS
BY NoRTHWEsr.
GLENN HAMILTON. Nye county, /
Nevada August gt fgfT


dred miles. The trip by steamer via Aspinwall
and Panama occupies twenty-tvo days. over.
land 1t is but three thousand ihree hundred
miles, and with the present mode Of conveyance
occupies about sixteen days. Though at the
present moment the cheapest and least iatigu-
ing route is by steamer via the Istbmus, yet
they who prefer the rolling prairie aud the
Rocky Mountains to the "dark blue sea-" may
find as much excitement and amusement as
will recompense them for their extra expendi-
ture of money and muscle. The vast and un'
precedented growth of the Western States, and
the marked advance Of civilization even west
of the Mississippi must strike the mind
of the most ordinary traveller, while the skill
exhibited by the settler in developing the re-
sources of nature will divide his attention with
the beauties of the landscape. In no journey
will You find larger stretch of wellcultivated
lands, or find the arts of agriculture more
pleasingly diversified with the charms of nature.
The first part of the route, from New York to
Pittsburg, afterwards to Chicago, is familiar 10
every American. Nor is there anything beyond
this granary and Omaha that calls for special
attention. The journey occupies sixty hours,
the distance being l4OO miles. Here we leave
the Missouri river, and at once find ourselves
on the Plains. To the dwellers in cities the
mode of transit across this apparently bound
less level is not the most distinctive feature of
the Overland Route. Long trains of wagons,
seldom less than six, aud often amounting to
ten or twenty, each drawn by twelve oxen, or
as many mules, give an ianab aalme6ed aspect 70
Wagon-train of to-day will soon be superseded
by the cars of the Pacific Railroad, for il con-
tinued with the present energy the whole will
probably be open tor traffic in three years IRON
this date.
The prairies are of three kinds; the heathy or
bushy, the allevial or wet, and the dry or rolling
prairie. On the first ale found shrubs of various
descriptions, the grapevine, and innumerable
flowers, and the botanlst finds full scope for his
specially. On the second, especially in counec-
tion with certain streams, the ponds are full of
fish, and, when left high aud dry by the heats
of summer, are source of endless quarrel and
gluttony to host of buzzards, as we'll as rank
poison to the pure air, while in state of decom-
position. But ii is with the third that the ira
WELLER becomes most familiar; the favorite
haunts of the buffalo, and in autumn the love
liest flower garden OF the American continent.
At this season of the year nothing can surpass
the charming miXture-heath and harebell and
cactus, for this last thrives here as well as in
Sicily, thorgh the flowers are invariably scarlet;
and even the gastronome, the most pitiabe of
all Sybarltes in this home OF nature, must cease
to dream of ale and lager as he revels in the
glorious eoloring of this floral paradise.
From Omaha to the eastern base of the Rocky
Mountains the distance Is five hundred and
twenty miles, and this portion of the Pacific
Railroad will be completed at an early day.
Cultytand danger of the California emigrant, and
premature and miserable death has often been
the only reward OF the enterprising traveller
who committed himself to this lnhospitable
region at too advanced a period of the year.
All, however, is not sterility. The SUBMITS OF
the mountains ale barren to a degree, but
sheltered valleys abound with the finest and
most fertile soil, studded with pine and spruce
and other terebnthines, while the wild sage
assumes the height OF a small tree. The dry
air throughout this portion of the route has a
singularly eXhllarating effect; the heat, even at
midday, is seldom oppressive, while the nights
are unsurpassed in loveliness. Not even in
Australia is camping-Out q more enjoyable
necessity. Besides the pine groves, the natural
ist finds numerous animals to note and study,
the goodchqck, said to be good eating, and
description, and the wild turkey may occasion
ally be brought to bay. No traveller should
cross the Plains without gun, and his rod
would also afford him excellent amusement, as
the streams aIe filled with delicious trout From
the Missouri to the mountains there are nume-
rous routes on each Of which the Indians are q
continual bugbear. The wagons toll along at
the rate OF from twelve to twenty miles a day,
and continued vigilance is requisite throughout.
The Overland stage coach, generally drawn by
eight miles an hour. The passengers are
allowed three meals a day, and for these the
stoppage is usually thirty minutes. Sleep
must be taken in a sitting posture, but after
the first night or two no Inconvenience is eXpe-
rixnced from the novelty of the position. All
this will ere long be superseded by the uXu
THUS sle6pluB CdI, anu q Trip W Odn FRANCISCO
from Boston or New York be completed with as
little fatigue as voyage across the Atlantic.
In the heart of the Rocky Mountains are the
Colorado gold mines, and they who doubt the
paying character of this branch of industry have
but to visit Denver or Central City to dispe the
delusion. The estimated population of this dis.
trict is upwards of fifteen thousand; five years
ago it did not number two thousand, and was in
fact a mere collection of log huts, mingled
with the lodges of the Indians. From the
eastern base of the Rocky Mountains to Sal
Lake City is 500 miles. The Salt Lake valley il
charming in all its natural features. The Amerl
can is only filled with shame that the Government
has permitted the apostate Young to dwell here
30 long in peace, with his thousand wives, L
the utter disgrace of the nation. From Sal
Lake City to Austin, Nevada, is three hundred
and fifty miles. This city contains population
of about ten thousand, and is the point from
which radiates nearly all the business of tn
State, as 1t is near the centre, and will eVentu
ally become the capital. Nevada last year
added to the treasure of the world owe
$50, 900, nearly $4,000, 600 month. 1t is b,
this enormous production of bullion she ha
gained for herself the enViabe title of SilVe
State. California is the golden and Nevada thu
silver State of the world. Fifty miles soutt
of Austin is the famous Mammoth dis
tTict, in which the mines of the Hamilton
Company OF Philadelphia, are situated auC
which Did lair to rival any on the coast
The developments of the mines in Central Ne
Vada establish the fact beyond controversy tina
companies organized on good ledges witt
prompt and competent superintendents, can bt
made TO yield larger returns on the lnyestmen
oI CaplIal lnan almost any other branch O
INDUSTRY where large amounts are reouired n
carry 1t forward. True, silver mimic enter
Drises have failed So have hon -. - -s