Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean: Vol. 1, Pt. 2

FROM CANTONMENT STEVENS TO OLYMPIA.
mit is west one mile to the small creek before mentioned, and then nearly south, down the valley
eight miles, over a fine road, descending very gradually. This valley is a prairie from a quarter
to half a mile wide, and wooded with open pines in small groves. Leaving this creek, the
course is southwest, over a country thinly wooded with pines of a fair growth for three miles, to
a fine prairie of a hundred acres in extent, in the centre of which is a beautiful small lake.
Thence two miles through pine openings, when we reached a fine prairie, bordering a considerable fork of the Big Blackfoot, upon which stream we encamped, having made twenty-five
miles from our encampment on Dearborn river. A very cold rain commenced at 9 a.m. this
morning, and continued all day, rendering travelling very disagreeable. The night was too
cloudy to observe for latitude.
September 13.-It was still raining heavily this morning, and upon some of the most elevated
mountains snow fell during the night..At 9 a. m. we started down this fork, passing through a
beautiful prairie half a mile in breadth, and in four miles struck the trail of the main train, which
comes in on a course north 65~ 30' east; and in half a mile farther crossed the stream I have
named "Lander's fork," and which I suppose to be the main fork of the Big Blackfoot river. After
crossing, the trail continues down the river on a course south 68~ 30' west.
As, according to your instructions, my route from this point will be that taken by the main
train, of which an accurate survey has already been made, it is not deemed necessary to run a
compass line between this and the St. Mary's valley. We pushed on rapidly, and encamped at
the edge of the large rolling prairie, a few rods below the encampment of the main train September 24 and 25, 1853.
September 14.-Last night was very cold, with a heavy frost, and ice made in a bucket of
water an eighth of an inch thick. Passing over the high prairie, we obtained a good view of the
valley of the Blackfoot, which is here some fifteen miles broad. The soil is good, timber is
abundant, and I should think this a good locality for farms. The road during the day continued
good, passing over prairies and through open pine woods. At 6 p. m. we encamped, having
made to-day 30 miles.
September 15 and 16. Continued on, and reached within five miles of Fort Owen. The next
day, directing the men to come on slowly with the train, I started early for Cantonment Stevens,
and reached it at 1 p. m., and was welcomed by Lieutenant Mullan, and also Mr. Adams, who
came up from Olympia ten days since. Mr. Burr has concluded to remain in the employ of Mr.
Adams, special Indian agent, during the winter.
September 18th was devoted to receiving and packing up sixty days' rations received from
Lieutenant Mullan, exchanging receipts for animals, &c., and conferring upon the proper route
to be taken in carrying in our parties.
In conformity with your instructions, it was my duty to proceed by the Cceur d'Alene mission,
and Lieutenant Mullan determined to take a new route by the Lo-Lo fork, it being understood
that our parties should rendezvous at Wallah-Wallah. I employed as guide a Spokane Indian
who had come up with Mr. Adams from Wallah-Wallah.
September 19.-Left Cantonment Stevens, accompanied by Lieutenant Mullan. At Fort Owen,
twelve miles from the Cantonment, we separated our band of animals, and Lieutenant Mullan
pushed on and encamped beyond the first crossing of the St. Mary's river, while I encamped four
miles this side.
September 20.-Started early, and at 9 o'clock passed Lieutenant Mullan's camp. He will be
delayed a day or two by the loss of yesterday of a pack-mule, with his tent and mess equipage.
Continuing down the St. Mary's, crossed Hell Gate, and, passing over a rolling prairie, encamped
on the St. Mary's nine miles below, having made 35 miles.
September 21.-This morning the fog was so dense as to render it impossible to see in any
direction fifty yards, and in consequence the horses could not be found until a late hour. Continuing down the river, the valley, which has heretofore been broad and level, at nine miles from
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