82 



ing timber for the country on the Missouri, for the reason that much 

 of the pine is too small, crooked, and knotty, and grows in places 

 difficult to transport it from. The species is what is called the Rocky 

 mountain pine, has a yellowish-white appearance, and abounds in 

 resin. The distance on the Niobrara over which these pine ravines 

 extend is about 120 miles. 



A road could not be made on the bottom lands of the Niobrara ; it 

 must keep out on the high prairie so as to head the ravines. From 

 the mouth to Turtle Hill river it would take the narrow divide be- 

 tween the Niobrara and Ponka rivers. It should remain on the north 

 side of Turtle Hill river from 20 to 30 miles further, and then cross 

 that stream, as it would thus avoid the sand at the junction of the 

 Niobrara and Turtle Hill rivers, and cross the latter where there is a 

 better ford or narrower stream to bridge. Turning then towards the 

 Niobrara, this river must be crossed in longitude 101° 20' to avoid the 

 sand hills, and the route must continue on the south side to about 

 longitude 102°, when it should again cross to the north side. These 

 crossings for a wagon road could easily be made at a ford or by bridg- 

 ing, but a proper bridge for a railroad crossing at these places would 

 be a stupendous undertaking ; for, on account of the nature of the 

 banks and ravines, good approaches could not be found so as to de- 

 scend to the level of the stream, and the bridge would have to be built 

 very high. From longitude 102° west there are no difficulties beyond 

 a scarcity of wood in reaching Fort Laramie, or continuing direct to 

 the South Pass, and in this course abundance of excellent pine would 

 be found near Rawhide Peak. 



A preferable road might be found by continuing up Turtle Hill 

 river to its source, and then along the divide between Niobrara and 

 White rivers, striking the former stream in longitude 102°; but these- 

 divides are generally bad for wagon routes, on account of scarcity of 

 water, and it is not certain that we would by that route avoid the sand 

 hills. 



I consider the north side of the Niobrara superior to the other for 

 a road for the first 90 miles above the mouth, as the greater number 

 of streams coming in at the south side would occasion considerable 

 detours in gaining good crossing places and approaches. The portion 

 of the river flowing through the sand hill region has the sand on the 

 south side generally for one-half a mile blown away by the wind, 

 leaving a smooth route. On the north side these hills are crowning 

 the very edges of the precipices that rise from the river, and cannot 

 be avoided. The evidence that this difference between the two sides 

 "was due to the wind i^ very complete, and shows that the prevailing 

 winds blow much more from the north here than from the south. 



The Elk Horn river rises in about longitude 99°, about 25 miles 

 feouth of the Niobrara river. Its general course is southeast, and it 

 empties into the Platte. As far up as I have seen it, which is in 

 latitude 42°, it has a broad, fertile, and well wooded valley. Where 

 crossed by Lieutenant Smith in 1855, nearly south from Fort Randall, 

 it is described by him as "a beautiful creek of clear water, with well 

 timbered banks and firm sandy bottom." 



The valley of tJie Loup fork is broad, fertile, aad well wooded up as 



