The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1867-09-05

1st1ra & oAas. 4. Rua.., Esq.

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1stura Il oAas. 4. Ruass, Dsa.
A. our readers are already aware. TIL
contract for carrying the mail,. three time,
: week, over thu route from Fort Absr-
erenbie. In Dakota Territory. 70 Rslsas
City, in Montana Territory, was awarded
to Msssrs. Rudes 4 Doble, Of this State.
For The benefit Of Eastern subscribers VI
would state that Fort Absreromb,s Il
twelve miles from the northwestern boun.
dairy line Of Minnssota. and that the route
virtually begins At 81. Cloud. u
The contract for carrying The mails COM
msnced on the arst Of last July. Mr.. Ruf.
fec left Devils Lake, which 10 two days
journey from Fort Abererombie, on the
Esd Of June, to make the necessary ar
fragments along the route. BE has just
returned from Helena City, arriving in this
city on Saturday evening, and from him We
gather few items which may have some
general interest.
A part Of tho route as 1t present pursu-
ed, viz: From fort Abercrombis to Fort
Buford, il taken on account Of the protec-
ton afforded by reason Of the military sta
tons, and Is somewhat longer than the
route intended whom Indian difficulties
shall permit carriers to choose such oours.
e. - will be most direct. The distance
from Fort Abercrombie to DEVILS Lake 10
accomplished in two days. At this point =
large and substantial post Is being built,
and tho garrison will consist Of three COM
panies Of soldiers: It is Mr.. Ruffee's in
tent,on to run hack from Abercrombie to
Devils Lake, in order to accommodate pas
ssngers and transport express matter.
From DEVILS Lake to Fort Buford 70.
quires three and huff days travel. The
route then follows up the Missouri river to
the mouth Of Milk river, and up the valley
Of this river to Fort Benton, Occupying four
and half days. From Benton to Helena
City, tho wsstsrn terminus Of the route, il
one hundred and fifty miles. and takes two
days travel.
Mr.. Rufee left DEVILS Lake with seventy
men, and distributed them in parties along
the route, at distances Of thirty or thirty
five miles apart, 20 that no reached Fort
Benton with but seven men. These parties
are now engaged in erecting permanent
stations, cutting hay, and preparing for
winter. There Is no difficulty in moving
and curing, near At htud, al the hay that
will bs wanted. The government affords
no protection Whatever either to tho mail
carriers or to the stations. The mail
which is carried on ponies, has not yet be-
come very heavy.
In going they saw Indians Of tho Sioux,
Assinniboin, 0rosventrs and Piegan tribes,
who detained them somewhat, but inflicted
NO injury or damage on the party. Mr..
Ruffee saw the principal chief Of the Sioux
upon his return, and received from him
assurances that his train should not DO mo-
Tested.
The route is in the main very good.
Grass and water are abundant, and there
is timber at every station but one. A line
Of stages could easily be run but for the
danger from Indians.
Mr.. Ruffee has experienced agents 81 tho
principal points. John Bingham is At
Devils Lake; John Folsom 1t Fort Bu-
ford; and James German, At Fort Benton.
All were formerly residents Of this State.
There is : good supply Of horses At the
different stations along tho route, so that
the mails can be carried with al obtaina-
BILE certainty and regularity.
A letter received by Mr.. Ruffee from
Capt. Davy, dated at Fort Berthold, Au-
gust 10th, stated that tho Expedition was
getting along finely. But Capt. Smith, Of
the 10Th Regiment, who had gone with his
company ~ far a. Fort Befthold a. an e.
cort, reports that tn" Expedition il break
ing up, and viii r. I'm to this State. Mir.
r. thinks this is tho true condition Of At.
fairs.
At Helena Mr.. Ruffee saw Mr.. Philip
Beaupre, who is now on his way back to
St. Cloud. The Messrs. Sims are in bust
ness, are well and are prospecting finely
The same is true of Mr.. Tubbs, also from
this place.
This Northern route is = very important
one, especially in its influence upon the
growth Of st. Cloud. The full benefit will
not be felt until the suppression Of Indian
troubles will permit Of regular line Of
coaches, but at the same time the carrying
Of the mail in the present manner is long
step towards what may confidently be looked
for. 1t is strong opening wedge, and 1e
are glad to learn that it has started sue
eessfully.
ST. CLOUD AS A WHOLEsALING