New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-02-07
IN ADVENTCROUS 1RIP.
OVERLAND ROUTE FROM ALASKA TO ST. PAUL
DESCRIPTION OF ALASKA.
Fr1mGle St Paul Pres. Feb p

DESCRIPTION OF ALASKA.
Frou,rhe St Paul PIer Feb
We had the pleasure of meeting yesterday a
gentleman who has Just reached tine city having been
gagged since last August In making the perlous and ad
yenturOus overland tTp from our nc" Russian American
The Gentleman m question was one Of the early en-
ployCs of the Overland Telegraph Company whose lines
were to run up through Russian Aineic Thence across
Comp9ny having suspended operations for time he came
down TO the southern part OF " Russian America" and
going up Portland Canal" the salt water inlet which
forms its southern boundary anu ascending Mass River
given maps as Simpson RIVER started IN August
Nv making portage he was able 20 cross 10y means OF
a line OF small lakes from the headwaters of the Simpson
River Fort Mcleod on the headwatsrs Of the Peace
River Passing down this branch he came INTO the I'm
lev River and soon the Peace River proper follow
ing this rycr, which flows along beautiful valley
tbrogh the Rocky Mountains he kept on IA his canoe
with ls Indian guide 20 Duycgan House. Here he went
out Of the way to visit smoky River, called from the
country being cloudcd with smoke from the burning
peaks the SOIL being mass OF earth mingled with asph
Continuing his Journey sometimes IN a canoe some
times on horse aud sometimes foot. he crossed 10
Lesser slave Lake. the stream at It's northery end
aud thence by portage TO the Saskatchewan aud
down il the Carlton House. Here the wGcr courses
were lett altogether, and our adventurous traveller con
Garry on The Red River thence with ogsleds which
carry the mail to Pelnbna and Fort Abercronbie and
thence TO tn, city whence he intends 20 proceed 10 New
York, where lie VIII shortly take thel steamer for Cali
fornia.
One not accustomed TO that mode OF lifs can hardly
imagine the difficulties, prvations aud dangers attend
ing such journey through country large portion OF
which was inhabited only by the Indians ana dependent
upon them for supplies OF food for the traveller and guide
which often obtained with the greatest difficulty.
Our adventurer was for considerable length OF time
in the central portion OF Russian America, Alaska,
having aided IN clearing the route for the telegraph line
which starting from the terminus ~ other lines which
np from California, through Oregon and British Co
umbia 10 the southern boundary Of possessions,
thence has penetrated well mp toward the interior He
is well posted 10 its climate the nature Of the country
and capabilities being shrcwd observer, and having
large fund OF general knowledge.
II viii be seen that OF the late map. the Vow
caan tRiyPr * ,reuTcrentrd flowing the Arctic
ocean while others this j. but branch Of large riv
which flows into the Atlantic near Behring's Straits.
The latter correct; this river which called the kitc-
pitch I'VE don't claim 10 give the Russian spcng being
Manageable fOr thousand miles through The interior of
the country.
THE country contains plenty o. timber principally pine.
hemiOck and cedar and asO large quantities OF coal
which the Indians burn in their lodges 10 being similar 10
PcnnSy vaa coal The land ali along down thu southern
strip well tmbcred aud has abundant streams which
furnish the best Of wafer powers The lumber trade with
California ana Oregon destined TO Lee important
one ~ well as across 10 ASIA AZ II Was necessary 10 ship
immense quantities OF telegraph poles nom the Pacific
! coast to supply the Asiatic end Of the line
Some portions OF the country dotted With numerous
lakes and occasional marshes Others richly supplied
with minerals. which have heretofore not been worked
for two sons being the difficulty Of access, and
the other that all precious metals found until the recent
/ purchase, Tell to the rOyai treasury
TheTmOmctrcal observations have been regularly kept
for four years at Fort N0ucOn nn the YOucOn River
! about midway between the Pacific ana Arctic Oceans,
showing a temperature about tile sans Quebec and
Montreal. The cOdhsicTies the islands along tho
coast unsurp ssed while the finest furs arc wonder
fully plenty and cheap being bought fOI trIe from the
! Indians in the interior.
! Many ard conflicting statements have already been
published IN regard To Alaska. which makes tho dcscrp
ton or one whose acquaintance with the country is the
result OF recent and personal observation of special
erest We give ms statements they were furnished to
rs Whhodihg MS name az ms request his position, ana
me business connected with his present trip, rendering
this desirable