![]() Despite his strenuous efforts in its behalf, congress In 1852 he introduced a bill to protect the emigrant route and establish a telegraph line and overland mail from the Missouri river to California and Oregon. Douglas of Illinois, who coupled it with the territorial organization of the Nebraska region, then a part of the Indian country and not open to settlement. Among the leading advocates of the project was Stephen A. During the 1850's repeated proposals of this nature were advanced, but every concrete suggestion as to route foundered upon the rocks of sectionalism. Benton proposed a "Central National Highway" to the Western ocean, to include both a railway and wagon road. As early as 1845 Asa Whitney suggested such a project through the public domain, and a few years later Thomas H. The growing tide of migration to the Oregon country and California led to a growing demand for a railroad to the Pacific coast. The story of the latter organization and the accompanying Pony Express and Pacific Telegraph are treated in this issue, with the concluding phases of the Pike's Peak Express companies. In February, 1860, the last trips were made by the Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Company, which was now continued as the Central Overland California and Pike's Peak Express Company. The company installed improvements along the route and carried on a large business in the transportation of treasure, mail and passengers between Denver and Leavenworth. This road was longer than the initial trail but enjoyed many natural advantages which made possible a more rapid transit between the Missouri river and the Rockies. Not long thereafter the company took over the Hockaday line to Salt Lake City, necessitating a transfer to the Platte route-the old Oregon and Cali fornia trail. IN the spring of 1859 the Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Company began operations between Leavenworth and Denver, by way of the Solomon and Republican rivers. 1), pages 36 to 92.ĭigitized with permission of the Kansas Historical Society. ![]()
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