The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-04-07
CONCERNING ROUTES.
Lieut.. Col. Dodge, Us A., On the
vsieAs Routes 10 the
Black Hills.
A Reliable aud D~isinteressed Statement
Tho Cheyenne Route The Best.

Lying on our table Is a hook bear
ing the following title: "The Black
Hills" which contains a minute de-
scription OF the routes, scenery. soil.
climate. timber. gold. geology. zoology.
ETC.. of the new Eldorado. with an ac-
curate map and a number of fine
plates. The book was written by
LIeut.-Col. r.. 1. Dodge, U. 8. A, and
is fresh from the press. From it we
make the following extract concerning
the advantages and disadvantages of
the various routes to the Hills, which
may be depended upon as being
thoroughly reliable and disinterested
testimony in favor of our route. Col.
Dodge has no interest in Cheyenne,
and speaks only for the benefit Of all
who intend going to the Hills:
THE question of route is q simple
one, depending on where the traveller
starts from. Should the party staff
from Minnesota or Northern lows. the
best point to make the plunge into the
wilderness is from Sioux City. A
wagon Dad leads up the Niobrara and
into the Hills from the southeast. This
is a long and tedious journey, trying to
men and animals and dangerous from
Indians. For all persons east and
south of the mouth of the Platte river
there Is really but one route. Those
east, crossing at Omaha. follow up the
Platte; those south, striking the Platte
ut Kearney, continue up that stream
to North Platte. From this station
two routes are open. the old Mormon
road and the Pole creek road, which
follows the railroad to Sidney, the
latter being the better of the two.
From Sidney two routes, both fairly
good. lead to the Black Hills, the
shortest being 205 miles. These are not
near so good as the slightly Longer.
route ria Cheyenne. There is no bridge
OH the North Platte. and the crossing
Is a bad one; there is a good deal Of
heavy sand between the North Platte
and the Niobrara the route from
Camp Robinson to the Cheyenne is
through bad lands" almost impass-
able in wet weather; water is scarce
along the route, and in some places
very alkaline and bad ; grass is gem
orally poor and wood almost entirely
lacking.
From Cheyenne the road runs
slightly east OF north 90 miles to
Fort Laramie, thence in the same
general direction by Rawhidc Peak
and Cheyenne river to Custer City,
1a5 miles. Total distance from Chey-
enne. DDS miles. Parties with their
W wagons or pack-muIes will find
this the longer. but in every other res
poet very greatly the better route.
They will arrive ut stations or settle
ments Mt convenient distances apart
for camping, all the way to their dcs-
tination. The road is well Travelled
ard most excellent. There are good
bridges over both tho Laramie and
North Platte rivers. The water along
walls for camping, and invariably good,
except ut Beaver creek. The grass is
everywhere fine, and wood sufficient
everywhere except on the Niobrara.
Except in distance the route via Chey-
enne is the best in every way.
To parties who go out by railroad,
ex pecting to outfit themselves at the
last station, 1 recommend Cheyenne
as the starting point. 1t is u much
larger town than Sidney. There are
more stores, more competition, and
their purchases will be made t. better
advantage. Animals. wagons, tools,
ETC., are quite as cheap and more plen-
tiful than at Sidney"
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