Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1881-01-28

1t comes the rush on the Yellowstone di-
vision.
NORTH PACIFIC STOCK RANGES.
What Capt. John Mullen says about
Dakota and Montana.
Hon. L. F. Grover, United States Sen
ator from Oregan, recently wrote to Capt.
John Mullan for information regarding
the practicability Of shipping stock via
the North Pacific railroad, and received
the following interesting and important
letter in reply:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec 2Sth, 1880.
Hon. L. f. GROVER, U. S. Senate,
j. Washington, D. G.
DEAts SIR You have requested me to
state to you in writing my opinion upon
the matters following, to wit:
lst.-The relative advantages to the
tockmen of eastern Oregon and Wash
ington Territory in driving stock to an
eastern market at Cheyenne, Wyoming
Territory, so far as distance is concerned,
and what routes would be followed in
each case respectively?
2d.-HoW the natural grasses en- route
on said two roads Will compare one with
the other?
3d.-What would be the advantages to
the public to have stock driven from east
ern Oregon and Washington Territory to
either OF said two named points UNI
ing that the Northern Pacific Railroad
shall be extended to Miles City at an early
dateo
In reply to the foregoing questions I beg
now to say:
FIRST; That Miles City, in Montana, is
farther vest than Cheyenne, in Wyoming
Miles City being a little to the east Of
the lo6th degree of longitude, while
Cheyenne is in longitude 104 degrees and
is minutes, west from Washington City;
SO that whenever the Northeln n Pacific
CITY, inNontana, said road will be sever
al miles west Of the Union Pacific at
Cheyenne, in Wyoming. =.
II stock were driven from some CEN
tral point east of the Cascade Mountains
say from about the centre of the great
stock region of that section ofthe country,
to wit: Walla Walla, Union or Umatilla
Counties the distance to be travelled to
Cheyen1l le would be nearly twice that to
Miles City, in Montana.
To re;nh Cheyenne, stock would be
compelled to pass up the valley Of the
Snake River at or near Fort Hall, and
thence across the Rocky Mountains to the
head waters of the Platte River, and
thence down the valley Of said river by
either its north OF south fork.
TO reach Miles City, stock would cross
the .Sp6iNSax 2 love. the point
therein syEere the n. P. FRR.. r. Co. pro-
pose crossing the same, and thence via
either the Mullan Wagon Road, or the
Pend dQreillc River 10 Missoula City;
thence Ep the ,Hellgate Valley to the
Deer Lodge Valley thence via the Little
BIackfob to the Missouri River south Of
Helena, to the Yellowstone River, and
thence direct to Miles City.
AT either Cheyenne or Miles City
(whehaver the. n P. r. r. construction
shall have reached said point on the Vel
lows+bne River,) stock SO driven could be
thente$easily and speedily Slapped by
rail to eastern markets.
SEdoSD. The advantages to stockmen
via the route to Miles City SO above de-
scribea would, IN my opinion, be far pre-
feraNe, because the distance to be tray
eled Oh foot is less, the grasses en- route
are richer and more abundant, and the
water during the entire road is pure and
perfecAy free from alkali or other dele
teridusSmatter injurious TO man or beast,
and the cost of driving would be ronsld-
erablyIess.
The natural grasses on the more north
ern toad to Miles City are, in my opinion,
far preferable for stock, being more nu-
tritlous: and stock driven over said route
at easv stages, or drives of from ten to
twen5yy miles per day, wonld improve,
and be heavier at the end of their drive,
at Miles City, than they could be at
Cheyenne.
have seen both routes, and have not
any interest III either of Il pecuniary or
other character. Stock could be d1iven
on either Of those two routes at any time
whenever they could be driven on the
otl,br ,Sand this could be done at any time
between April 18th and November 10Th
Ilfl1sSsD.- AS to the advantages to the
publis these would all be, in my opinion,
by taaN Northern Pacific Railroad route to
AIilesDity, and as hereinbeiore described,
becarae the public would have the posi-
tive advantage Of better beef at a less
prize Mia the Northern Pacific Railroad
routea than they could possibly have at
any time by the route overland, or on foot
to Cheyenne, and thence by the Union
P;,di1iff Railway.
these views, as above expressed, are
bahdscxclt,sively upon my own PERSONAL
observations while III the field, during
thdvears Of my service when engaged III
making geographical surveys IN Montana,
IdENnnl Washington Territories, cx-
tendint from 1858 to 1863, and as such |
now submit them to you with great re-
spect.fl
Id1r obeIient servant and friend,
john MuLLAN.