The Daily state register. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1870-1872, 1871-01-14
THE PROPOSED WAGON ROAD TO THE
NORTH.

The Orcgonians want communica-
ton with the Central Pacific Railroad, |
and the Legislature Of that State has
memorialized Congress for the estab-
lishment of a wagon road from Winnie
mucca, at the north bend of the Hum
boldt river, in Nevada, to the town of
Pendleton, Umatilla county, Oregon,
via Paradise Valley, McDermitt's, Ba-
ker City, and Le Grande. Mr.. Cor
bett presented the memorial the other
dav in the Senate, which was referred
to the Committee on Public Lands.
There Is a necessity for this road.
That portion Of this State-and in fact
the entire State-has always been cut
off from all direct communication
with the rich and immense country
lying to the north. Wide and rocky
lava beds, and rough, precipitous
ranges of mountains, divide the sec-
tons. The difficulties of opening a
good road across this country have
heretofore discouraged private enter
prise from attempting it. Consequently
there has been hut little communica-
ton between Nevada and Eastern Ore
gon. though they lie side by side, and
are engaged in similar pursuits, mining
grazing and farming being the princi-
pal occupations of the people. This al
most impossible country has served
as n natural boundary between the
States. The people living OH either
side of this line know as little of each
other rs though they were separated
by a thousand miles of distance.
Maj. John A. Dreibelbis, formerly
Superintendent OF Indian Affairs in
Northern California, ON behalf of the
citizens of Canyon City, made an ex-
ploring trip across this belt of coun-
try last summer, for the purpose of
as~certaining its value, aud the fcasi-
bility of constructing n wagon road 10
connect the Humboldt river with the
valley of the John Days river. lie
found many fertile valleys along the
streams. one of the finest grazing sec.
tons on the coast, and a good location
for a wagon road.
The memorial asks for aid for a road
from this point in Nevada, but diverg.
ing from the Dreibelbis route north
easterly. so as to include the valleys o.
Powder. Burnt and Grandc Round, on
the eastern side Blue Mountains;
thence to the navigable waters OF ia,
Columbia. If this road were con
structed. it would bring the magnif.
cent valley Of the Columbia within
easy distance of Nevada, and Womb
prove Of immeasurable value 10 thi'
State. by inducing travel and trans
p~ortation, which now is wholly divert
ed from this State to san Francisco an,
Portland.
If Congress is I o continue this polio,
of aiding, either by a grant of land o
otherwise, these schemes of interna
improvement, it could furnish GOV
eminent assistance TO no more com
mendable project of this kind han i
aiding this little road. 1t require
some acquaintance with the northern
country to properly estimate the i'm
p~ortance Of opening this communica
ton. 4 mere wagon road may appea
Of trifling importance in this fast az,
to Congress; but if a little of tb1t proc
igality which has been so fearful,
recklessly devoted To railroads can [
diverted to aid this wagon road, tn
State at least would learn to en;e
: tain a better opinion OF Congressioni
favor and extravaganza.