, 1867-07-05
- f.orn Montana.

EDfToR STATBshAh '-Ai'et 80 - -
Journey of 4s days from Walla Wslla to Helena,
N T over the Boise aud Mallad roads, ara
,;vsd at last at my destination. The distance;
..eordipr to the best Of my knowledge and
,ndomeut, Is about SIT miles. The total toll
reouired of a two-hOrse team on the above men
TONED roads is $3.50. A deduction of S. win
naturally occur Ia the dry seasons, when the
waters in several streams are fordablej also the
distance will be lessened by about so miles, In
usip0 the Camas, instead of the Mallad road.
In view of all these facts, it is astonishing to
see Washington Territory and Oregon force tleir
travelling community to pay an outrageous toll
for the permission TO travel 3ss miles out ofthe
way over a rough and dangerous road, while
at the same time we might have splendid and
safe road over the so called Mullan wagon rad,
which, if put through Immediately, would benefit
both sides of the Rocky Mountains more tian
many at present anticipate. If the people wait
for its opening and rely upon the strong arnOf
the government, they might eventually succeed,
and their prayer might be heard, but the loss
sustained by them through their delay will per-
han. A--~--4 .-----. Ia one year, than the
entire repair of the road would demand. There
is no man but who is willing to pay reasonable
toll over a much shorter and better road than
the present stage of teaming presents. Let some
enterprsing citizen be induced to lay hold on
the road at once, he will surely effect more than
by going on a wild goose chase to Washington
City.
l noticed during my journey that generally
toll would be the highest, where the labor pers
formed and capital invested are but slight, and
vice.versa. How Legislature will permit some
lazy intruders to impose upon the people in that
line, is indeed surprising The most reasonable
charges within the whole distance, found on
the Thomas Ruokle's road, over the Blue
Mountains, and on the Jefferson bridge, NJ. T
The most e1orbitant charges are made on the
Mallad bridge, which is about IL feet wide and
10 feet long and on the toll road across the
Rocky Mountains, where q fellow barely per-
ceives that he is on toll road at all, until he
strikes the toll house.
The Indians living along the entire road are
very few, and all claim 20 be either Bannak
Jim or tillicums of that chief Every one We
met greeted US with the presentation of a GER
! tifcate or document to prove that they wer,
friendly. Some even endeavored to place them,
selves in an honorable position by showing theil
store bills, received in full They appeared very
destitute and were not slow in applying fol
many little articles, especially tobacco and -four
On arriving at the junction of the Lemhi ant
Salmon road, l noticed many discouraged min
ers and adventures returning, who gave an il
account of that mining country, and were evi
IDENTIFY leaving as fast as four-horse teams coulC
bring them away. Deep SHOWS, cold weather
and nothing to do, appear among their chic
complaints.
10 Helena and the different mining camp
around it there seems to be perfect stand still
in business as well in mining operations
The season is very unfavorable and late. Yester
day and to.day it looked more like the approach
of Christmas, than of the 4th of July; snow fel
a foot deep upon many places on the road be
tween Virginia and Helena since last night
Flour doubt will be in demand before loug 2
as the shipment from Salt Lake has entirely
ceased, owing to the much feared grass hopper
that at present iufest the land of the Saints.
James Robertson, formerly of Walla WalIa, il
imprisoned for the murder of John Peterson, a
Sun river. No hanging has been done at Heleut
since Frenchy graced the haDgmans-tree, las
fall. Little is heard of the anti .vgilantees. A
slight commotion had been caused at Highland
some time ago, but nothing occurred to checl
the spirit of the people or their organizations.
noticed ]. RoseRthal, engaged in the dry
goods Wholesale business DR.. Thibodo, in th
saloon business with VIM. Mansfield; L. Swa
bacher looking out for the gulch; S. RosenfeI,
having an eye an the cash to pay the freight
and numbers of other-siders all doing we'll ant
looking hearty. You're, ca. B.