The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1903-11-28
EXPEDITION 70 NORTHWEST
WAS MADE PITY YEARS AGO
some Interesting Facts - Related By the
Head ofths Exploration Party Look
ing for Railway Pass Through the
Mountains.

The development Of the Pacific
northwest 10 closely connected with
the building Of railroads, and there
are many interesting incidents with
the preliminary work Of searching
out the routes for these roads.
An old document of the war
department in Washington contains
Reports Of explorations and surveys
TO ascertain the most practicable and
economical route for q railroad from
the Mississippi river TO the Pacific
ocean, made under the direction Of
the secretary Of war in 1885.
There we're several Of these routes
explored. One Was near the 35th
parallel Of north latitude: another
near the 3sth aud 39th parallels;
another near the 4Ist aud 42nd
parallels, and still another near the
i7th and 4eth parallels The last
named route1 was in charge OF
Governor Stevens Of Washington
territory.
Entering upon this exploration,
Governor Stevens writes to Hon.
jefferson Davis, then secretary Of
war
Dear Sir: / hare the honor
respectfully inform the department
that left Washington city on the
9th inst, stopped in New York one
day TO transact business, and, taking
the route Of Lake Erie and Chicago,
reached st. Louis on the 18th.
remained in ST. Louis until the
departure Of the fur company's boat
on th4 2lst, which carried up ten
thousand rations TO Fort Union. and
small party consisting of
Lieutenant Donelson, Lieutenant
M0llRn, Mr.. Graham and six sappers
and miners. Lieutansnt Donelson is
instructed 70 make the best possible
survey Of the Missouri, and Of the
country in the vicinity Of Fort
Union, from the White Earth TO the
Porcupine rivers. Whilst at ST.
Louis ! secured the services Of Alex
ander Culbertson, Esq, rs a special
agent among the Blackfeet Indians.
lie has lived in the country twenty
years. and knows by name every
adult male In each tribe. He
estimates the number to be from
fifteen to eighteen hundred lodges.
found him to be . reliable, steadfast
and calm man. He joins the main
party at Fort Union, and accompanies
us TO Fort Benton. The fur company
makes the trip, 400 miles, in twenty
days, four tmnles drawing 1900
pounds. The grasses In the Blackfeet
region are exceedingly good, the
country IL we'll watered, and wagons
can be taken TO the very base OF the
mountains.
The BlAckfeet tribes know all the
passes in the mountains, and Mr..
Culbertson assures me that we shall
have no difficulty in securing the
confidence Of, and controlling the
Blackfeet. With vigilance aud firm.
ness, entertain no spprehensions
whatever.
'Dr. John Evans, who is intrusted
with the geological reconnaissance Of
Oregon, under the supervision of the
general land Office, for which congress
has made a special appropriation, has
accepted the position Of geoligist of
my expedition. He adds: ~ shall
reach st. Paul this evening, where l
expect 10 find all the arrangements
well advanced to commence the ex-
ploration, and from which place l
hope to start, at the furthest, by the
first Of June.
The following was announced as
the general organization of the ex.
petition:
al. The expedition is in charge of
Isaac l. Stevens, governor Of the
territory of Washington.
.. There will be two main parties
|, In prosecuting the work. Our party,
, under the immediate direction Of
Governor Stevens, will proceed from
the Mississippi river, and surveying
rapidly the intermediate country,
: will reach as early as practicable the
Rocky mountains aud examine all
!, the passes To ascertain the most
, practicable one. The second patry,
under the command of Brevet CAPTAIN
, George b. Mcclellan, will organize
: at Puget sound. or on the Columbia,
= aud operate for similar purpose in
: the Cascade range OF mountains.
II may be added that Professor
:, Spencer +. Baird was the naturalist
: Of the expedition.
), The following extracts from the
. Official document relative to the eN'
- petition will be read with interest;
Under date of Camp Pierce, June