SECTION II. 
From Fori Smith to the head of Pajarito Greek, seven hundred and two miles. 
The Canadian river and the branch above mentioned may be considered as occupying the 
same general valley, the course of which is nearly west for the distance specified. 
The mean inclination of the Canadian is nine feet per mile, from the junction of Tucumcari 
creek to its entrance to the Arkansas, affording light grades, without expensive excavations or 
embankments. Few large bridges would be required, because most of the tributaries sink as 
they approach the great valley. The trail upon which our profile was made, in order to avoid 
some of the principal bends of the river, is generally favorable for tbe location of a railway. 
Some of the valleys traversed, particularly those of Walnut creek, Deer creek, and the affluents to 
the False Washita, contain better timber than is found upon the banks of the Canadian, in the 
same meridians. There is, upon this section, plenty of sandstone, quicklime, and gypsum. 
Upon the eastern part, extensive beds of coal and large forests of trees afford fuel and timber in 
abundance. The Cross Timbers extend to the meridian of 99° 11' west from Greenwich ; and 
the wooded branches of tbe False Washita would afford materials for bridges and railroad-ties 
fifty or sixty miles beyond. Thence, to the end of the section, from three and a half to four 
degrees further west, good timber is scarce ; yet large cotton-wood trees grow in the valleys, 
and the hill-slopes are covered with thick groves of cedars which afford excellent fuel. 
Lieutenant Abert reports tbe existence of “an abundance of timber” a short distance above 
the mouth of Tucumcari creek. Hence, the supply for the construction of a road in this vicinity 
might be obtained from that region, or from the Cross Timbers. Upon this section, the labor of 
graduation could not much exceed that required in the valley of the Ohio. The expense of 
bridging will be small. In cutting off tbe bends of streams, our trail crossed a few barren 
spots ; but the valleys throughout this section may be cultivated. The eastern portion is 
remarkably fertile. Throughout the extent of the Canadian valley, the precipitation o 
.moisture is evidently greater than occurs elsewhere, north or south, within the arid region 
that lies east of the Rocky mountains. Springs and streams are numerous, and common 
wells, or short aqueducts, would furnish sufficient water at those points where railroad stations 
would be required. 
From a general view of this section, we will pass to the consideration of some of its topo¬ 
graphical details, taken from the field-notes and journals of the expedition. 
From station 1, near the flag-staff at Fort Smith, to the ferry of the Poteau, the distance 
southwest is nine hundred yards, and the descent fifty-two feet. The width of the stream at 
that point is two hundred and thirty-five feet. The water is somewhat turbid and apparently 
deep, being backed up from the Arkansas with which it unites a few hundred yards below. 
The right bank of the Poteau is formed by a nearly precipitous ledge of slaty rock, from twenty- 
five to thirty feet high. The left bank is generally about eight feet above the water’s edge, but 
during freshets is overflown. Better points for bridging occur above the ferry. That considered 
the most favorable is at the ford, where the bottom is of rock, and bluff-banks at nearly equal 
heights line both sides. A span from thirty to fifty feet is believed to be sufficient; and building- 
materials may be found in the vicinity. 
From the ferry, before noticed, the road crosses a low bottom land, extending from the Ar¬ 
kansas on the right to the Poteau on the left. This is covered with forest trees of various 
kinds, and a thick undergrowth. Eight miles distant from Fort Smith there is a Choctaw set- 
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