Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-07-10

TIMBER. AS we passed westward the road
grew more rough on account OF the banks
ana bluffs of these streams and the ap-
proaches to them and divides between
them. We then after full consultation
concluded that these gulches and hills
rendered the route thus far impracticable
Tor a roadway, and were unanimous in
the opinion that we had travelled too near
to Bad river, and north of the best route.
We accordingly agreed to move south
from this point and traverse the country
back to near Fort George landing; and
we moved southwark up a divide Tor
about ten miles, and found that the
creeks divided and their beds came much
nearer the general level, while the dj.
vldes were nowhere steep or abrupt. and
the slopes to and from the creeks were
smooth and easy. Thence we Travelled
back to our first crossing of Antelope
creek, keeping a nearly direct line, which
closed upon u course outward. along
The nor.h slope of the divide aud water
shed between White river, or Medicine
creek, and Red river. There we found
the route good and direct with abundant
water at intervals of from three to five
miles, plenty of grass of the finest kinds
and ample supply of timber.
Describing this route, then, westward
from Fort George landing, it passes as
described above to the general level of
the pralrles, aud thence upon a course
nearly dine west to Antelope creek, a dis
lance OF about 80 miles from the landing.
TO this place the route is over a smooth
or gently rolling prairie with plenty of
good grass and good ground generally
for the road. We found water at one
place about ten miles out, and at another
about II miles out, from Fort George,
but doubt II the supply is permanent.
The approaches to and from Antelope
creek are easy, the valley is wide and the
stream easily bridged. There is plenty
OF timber and permanent water with
luXuflant grass and places where hay can
be cut. This point is therefore well
adpated for a stage station and rancho.
The route IS thence for six or eight miles
about south 90 deg. west with a general
ascent over a somewhat rolling country
out without any serious obstacles or steep
grades. Thence the course bears about
south 10 deg. west, or perhaps generally
more westerly, in a nearly direct line
over a smoothly rolling country Tor a dis
lance of about fifty miles, crossing the
divided beads of the streams, with abund-
ant water, grass and timber. The slopes
are easy and smooth, and the crossings
present no difficulties. The water is at
this season found in holes, and is from
two to i've feet deep and of uniformly
good quality. The grass consists of our
ordinary prairie grasses, and of buffalo
gamma grasses which afford winter graz
ing, and they are everywhere abundant.
1t was a subject of remark and even sur
prise TO find the whole region one of the
hnest for grazing ever seen anywhere by
either OF US. The road bed is firm and
smooth, and the route is so direct that it
can be pursued for distances of twenty
or thirty miles without the necessity of
passing outside of two parallel lines three
hundred tcet apart. The timber is not so
plenty as further noIthward down the
creeks where 1t forms a continuous body
on some of them, but it is deemed ample,
and If unusual supplies should be re-
CURED al certain points it is within very
easy reach.
This examination showed an unexpect-
edly favorable route for about 80 miles out
from the landing, and to a point beyond
which all our informants had assured US
the difficulties were less. From the testi.
mony OF many persons whose statements
we found confirmed as far as tested by our
examinations, we do not hesitate in peliev.
Ing mat the road is easy from there to
Pinos Springs, and that a like practicable
route lies beyond in a nearly direct line to
the present crossing of the Cheyenne river,
passing over a country as good as that we
examined or like that traversed by the
present route between Pinos Springs and
the Cheyenne. Such information was OBJ
tanned, among Others, from Lieut.. Hamil-
ton, U. S. A, who explored the
country about the head of Bad river.
and from MIR. R. j.. Mershon, who
accompanied us, and who has travelled from
the forks of White river to the CHEYENNE
along the north edge of The bad lands which
lie near the western part of that stream.
III is also proper to state that The road now
Travelled from Rapid City to Fort Pierre
landing passes nearly due eastward from
the former place TO the present ford of the
Cheyenne, crossing the dry bed of Box
Elder creek about half way 10 the same.
thus forming a direct continuation west.
warQ OF the route from Fort Georpe The