Year: 1859

i


Van Buren, is the most favorably situated
town on any navigable strsam. as point
from which to commence an overland Jour


ney to the Pixies Peak Gold regions. The
difference in the distance Of travel between
this point and that famous gold region, and
from Leavenworth to the same goal, is but
triaing. But the difference in climate and
the opportunities of an early start are de-
cidedly in favor of Van Buren. In the be-
ginning of April. when the ground on the
Northern route is bare of grass ard desti-
tute Of substance for stock, the Arkansas
route is covered with verdure, and luxuri-
ant food for cattle can be found along the
entire route. Overland travellers can start
from VAx BURES early in April and reach
Pixies Peak before start can be made at
Leavenworth, or any of the Missouri River
towns; and when We consider the shortness
of the mining season. the great object of
those who start in the Spring should be to
reach the mines at the beginning of the
season. The mining operations begin at
the Peak by the last of April. and those
who do not leave Leavenworth until May,
as they are compelled to do. cannot reach
there until the season is far advanced. when
the most favorable opportunities have pass
ed and the various enterprises have been
lcommenced.


The new beginner at Pixies Peak needs
tie preparation and the acquisition Of
knowledge of the mines and localities, be-
fore he can hope for successful enterprise.
Hence he should be on the spot early in the
Spring. and if possible before the mining
operations begin. If his object is to sell
stock and provisions. machinery or goods,
still greater is it to his interest to get there
early. At the close of long winter. pro-
visions. stock ami clothing. are scarce and
high, and the first supplies will bring the
best prices. AT a later period when all the
northern routes are opened, the rush will
be great, the market over-stocked and prices
down. These are important considerations,
in fact. are paramount to all others, and in
connection with the fact of the Arkansas
route being three or four weeks earlier than
all others, when the public become correct
ly advised, this will be the favorite, and


Tan Buren, will become the depot or river
port to start from. 1t is the interest of the
citizens Of Van Buren, to bring these facts
before the public and to adopt measures to
secure the advantages that their position so
Justly entities them to. Our merchants
and business men should communicate with
the citizens of Memphis, the next import
ant point, and which is equally interested
in this line of travel, and endeavor to rouse
thei. attention tn this interest: The nrAss
! Of Memphis should be instigatcd to place
the facts before the public, East and South
of that place. The railroad to Memphis
offers facilities of travel from all parts of
the Union to that City. and the Arkansas
river packets in connection will afford
transportation to this point. If the people
of Mamphis would use half the efforts they
are wont to when their interest is at stake,
they can establish and enjoy the fruits of
this route. 1t is the early Spring route
the Southern line of travel to Pixies Peak
1t is the most favorable and natural one.
Let travellers embark at Memphis and land
at Van Baren, and more than half their
trouble is over. Here they can finish their
outfits; wagons. teams, provisions and 9TH
er neeessaries for the trip are abundant and
cheap, and they have before them smooth.
level road. furnished with an abundance of
water, grass and fuel. The road is settled
over hundred miles west, with civilized
people, and isolated settlements of civilized
settlers are to be found along the whole
route. On their way they will pass by
Fort Atkinson, Bents Fort, and Pueblo
where they can obtain assistance and direc-
tions if necessary.


We have seen in our town, several per-
sons who went out on the Leavenworth
route and returned by the Arkansas. They
inform us that travellers can go out earlier,
and return later. than upon any other and
that it is far superior to the Northern route
as it respects the character of the road,
grass, water and wood


Our citizens should, during the coming
winter, prepare the public mind on this SUBJ
ject and secure the next Springs travel:
There is no obstacle to our success. unless
it be q lack of exertion. We have only
hastily alluded to this subject this week,
and shall revert to it again, and give our
views more at length on future occasion.


r. We see by the St. Joseph Journal.
of the 14th ult., that Gen. JOHN CALHoux
of Nebraska. died in that city. on the 18th
ult. Gen. Calhoun was the head and front
of the Democratic party in Kansas, for
many years, whose labors contributed to a