El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-13

river at a distance of thirty-two or
thirty-three miles, the creeks followed
having no water in them. From this
point Of the Rio Grande the mountains
and table land set back from the river.
the valley becomes broader the quality
of the soil better, and the quantity OF
timber greater. From the ford on the
Pecos to the creek in the mountains,
there is but very little labor required,
and that consists in grading of few
arroyoS, and the cutting of some chap
arral in the valley of the PecoS. From
the running water in this creek, SO far
as it may be followed. more labor will
be required, though not sufficient to
detain the troops. if the fatigue party
could gain a couple of days on them be-
tween the Ojo Escondido and the
mountains. The next labor is the val
ley of the creek leading to the Rio
Grande; and the cher two passes also
require labor, but yet cannot be con-
sidered as difficult, the main obstacles
being in some places the chaparral, and
in others the loose stones and rocks.
and two or thre arIoyos and side hills
in each requiring grading and excava-
ton. From the outlet of the last pass
to Ell Paso, the grading of small AFRO
yos. and the clearing of some timber
and chaparral, will require but small
fatigue party to keep the troops in mo-
ton. The great want of water by the
San Saba route caused us, in coming
back, to seek practicable road by the
San Pedro river, striking the wool
road in the vicinity of the head of the
Leona- The route found and suggested
crosses the Puerco at the same point as
the other. and follows down it's left
bank for the distance of about twenty
miles, then. leaving by one of its
branch valleys, passes over the table
land in southeasterly direction. strik-
in gthe handspring OF the San Pedro
at a distance not exceeding thirty-five
miles. The valley of this river may be
followed for six or seven miles; and
then. leaving the. river by its right
bank. the road passes along the table
land to point where the river turns to
the east. Touching here for water. the
table land is again followed to a small
creek, distant twelve miles from the
head of the San Pedro. From this creek
southeasterly direction strikes the
San Pedro a short distance above its
mouth, and, crossing it by an Indian
pass. the road crosses the San Felipe.
the Pedro, and Toquite, running in a
direction south of east to the head of
the Las MoraS, the distance from the
crossing of the San Pedro to the latter
point being about fifty miles. From the
Las Moras to the head of the Leona
the direction is nearly east and the
distance about forty-five miles, the
route touching the heads of Elm and
creeks, and crossing the Nueces
From the head of the Leona the road
may strike the Wool road at the near
est point. or at a saving of distance
and having, in all probability. an equal
~ fine country. intersect it at the Rio
Frio. and thence to San Antonio de
Bexar. The great difficulty on this
lower route. which has heretofore been
reported as impracticable. is found in
the country between the San Pedro and
Puerco rivers. At the point of depart
ure from the latter. the high table
lanus-s solid mass of Transformations
in, leaving but narrow valley. and the
conyons or ravines leading out are
mostly rocky. The table land once
reached. the next difficulty is on the
San Pedro. whose valley is narrower
than that of the Puerco. while the table
lands are of the same character as the
others. In some places fine broad can
yons. having gentle slopes. lead down
to the river: it is confidently hoped
that a further examination will discov-
er others at suitable points for the
road. The canyon leading out towards
the Puerco from the head spring of the
San Pedro. and those at the crossing
of this latter river. are not difficult;
but as much cannot be said of the in
termediate ones. or the one by which
we left the Puerco Taking them. how
ever. at their. most a strong fatigue
party. with al 1.-The implements neces-
sary to the making of a road over such
ground, could. in three weeks. at most
render this portion of the route prac-
ticable; and il would seem that the
saving of distance, and the compare
lively great abundance of water would
give this route great advantages over
that by the San Saba, were these diff
ficulties thre times as great From the
left bank of the San Pedro to the inter-
section with the wool road. the
country is almost entirely the rolling
meZquite prairie, and the only OBJ
stacleS the crossing of one or two
creeks. which are somewhat DOGGY.
A scarcity of timber exists on the table
land between the San Pedro and Puerco
rivers and from a short distance above
the ford on the latter to the pass in the
Sierra Diablo. while here even the sup
ply is not abundant. From this point
to the Rio Grande there is least of all;
but in the valley of this river there is
no lack. The estimated distance from
San Antonio to Ell Paso del Norte. by
the lower route. is six hundred and
forty-five miles.
Before closing this report l must bear
testimony to the invaluable service of
our able guide and friend, Mr.. Howard.
To his accurate knowledge of the por-
tions of the route previously passed