February 2, 1849 Arkansas Intelligencer Van Buren, Crawford County,AR TO CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS A large number of letters have been recieved 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 recieved here on this subject. Mr. Bell is one of the commettee 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 wil 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 give you what other information is necessary on the subject. I will advise you to be here, as early before the 1st April as convenient. Very Respectfully, H.W. Bell Thanks, Fran Alverson Warren