January 24, 1849

January 24, 1849

Arkansas Intelligencer

Van Buren, Crawford County,AR

HO! FOR CALIFORNIA

Persons intending to go by overland to California, in the spring, via

Arkansas, must be in VAN BUREN, on or before the 1st of April next, as the

company forming here will leave at that date.

It is expected of every emigrant to be proved as follows: 100 lbs bacon, 180 lbs. flour,

30 lbs. coffee, ___ lbs. sugar, 15 lbs salt, with a proportionable quantity of small stores.

One four-horse wagon, hauled by mules, horses or oxen, the former being

preferable will carry the provisions and baggage for a mess of five persons.

Each mess must be furnished with a good tent and the necessary coking

utensils, as well as 1 axe, 1 hand-saw, 1 auger, 1 drawing knife, 1 spade,

and 5 lbs. nails and spikes.

Each male emigrant of 18 years and over must be furnished with a good

rifle, or shot gun and the necessary quantity of ammunition.

Each mess should take along surplus mules or oxen, to supply losses in the teams.

It is expected that when the party is organized each one will bear a proportionable

part of the cost of a chest of medicine. A doctor will accompany the party.

Emigrants can supply themselves with all the necessary provisions, arms,

tools, etc, for the expedition, in this city, at the most reasonable rates.

On the 1st of April, a Captain and three Lieutenants will be elected, to whom

will be assigned the control of the movements of the party, until its arrival in California.

For further information, address either of the following named gentlemen,

appointed for that purpose: Eli Bell, H.W. Bell, Van Buren, G.S Dyer,

Belmont, Dr. J. Foresman, Pleasant Hill, Ark.

---

February 2, 1849

Arkansas Intelligencer

Van Buren, Crawford County,AR

TO CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS

A large number of letters have been received by our citizens from persons in

Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York, Mississippi, and our own state,

asking information, a majority of whom seek very much of the same

information-- These facts have induced us to prepare the copy of the Letter

from H.W. Bell, Esq. of this city, one of the gentlemen engaged in organizing

a company to start from this place, to a gentleman in KY, whose letter was in

the shape of inquiries, embracing the kind of information sought in more than

half of the letters received here on this subject. Mr. Bell is one of the committee

 appointed for a reference, and those interested would do well to address him.

We will strike off some extra copies of this number, which our citizens can

procure and send to their correspondents. Van Buren, Ark., Feb. 2. 1849

Sir- Yours of the 27th Dec., requesting information of the route from this

point to California, etc, was handed me by the Postmaster; and I take

pleasure in replying to your several inquiries as follows:

1. A Company will start from Van Buren to California, on or about the 1st

  April, making Santa Fe a point on the route, or taking a route south of that

place, should it be deemed preferable.

2. The advantages of this, over the Independence route, are that it is nearer

by about 200 miles; grass is up sooner, enabling emigrants to start a month

earlier from this place than form Independence; the roads are as good, if not

better, and no water courses of importance to cross, after leaving Arkansas river at this place.

3.Everything necessary for emigration can be procured at this place, with the

exception of wagons. Oxen can be purchased at from $20 to $35 per yoke; flour

at say $2.50 per 100 lbs. It would, perhaps be advisable for you to purchase

your wagons and teams in Kentucky, and come here by land, provided with only

what can be hauled conveniently, such as cooking utensils, and etc. Mule

teams are far preferable to either oxen or horses.

4. The amount of money to be contributed as a company fund will be trifling,

say two or three dollars.

5. Corn can be procured from the friendly Indians, for about 200 miles west

of this point; it is however, of small importance, as the grass will be

sufficient. After going 200 miles the road is through a wilderness near 500

miles to Santa Fe. or 600 to the Rio Grande, opposite the Rio Gila.

6. The road from Memphis to Little Rock is very fine, if the season is dry,

-- otherwise it is almost impassable for wagons. From Little Rock to this

place,-- always good. There is a good road at all times, by going through the

southern part of Illinois and Missouri. Your best way would be to bring your

wagons without teams as far as Van Buren by water, and purchase the latter

here. Should you come by way of Memphis your best plan would be to leave the

Military road at Mrs. Black's and go through to the Cadron, leaving Little

Rock to the south, by which you will save 30 miles. But unless there is a

probability of a dry season in March, which is not very probable, you should

by all means take the Missouri route to this place, Cross the Ohio at

Golconda; the Mississippi at Green's ferry, and come by the way of

Springfield Mo and Fayetteville, Ark. This will be but little farther, and is

one of the best natural roads in the world.

I will send you a number of the "Van Buren Intelligencer" which will get you

here, as early before the 1st April as convenient.

Very Respectfully,

H.W. Bell

---