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From the Diary of Horace George.
TUESDAY — MARCH 30, 1852 — DAYTON, LASALLE COUNTY
LEFT AT THIS DATE IN COMPANY WITH SOME THIRTY OTHERS FOR CALIFORNIA WITH JOSEPH GREEN AS CAPTAIN. TRAVELLED FOUR MILES AND CAMPED.
WEDNESDAY — MARCH 31, 1852
TRAVELLED FOURTEEN MILES AND CAMPED AT THE HEAD OF INDIAN CREEK TIMBER.
THURSDAY — APRIL 1, 1852
TRAVELLED EIGHT MILES TO FOUR MILE GROVE. TEN MILES TO KNOLES GROVE AND CAMPED FOR NIGHT.
FRIDAY — APRIL 2, 1852
LEFT THIS PLACE, TRAVELLED SIX MILES TO LAMOILLE. FROM LAMOILLE TO DOVER, NINE MILES AND CAMPED FOR THE NIGHT.
SATURDAY — APRIL 3, 1852
FROM DOVER TO PRINCETON, SIX MILES. FROM PRINCETON TO FRENCH GROVE, FOURTEEN MILES. SNOWED ALL DAY. PUT UP FOR THE NIGHT.
SUNDAY — APRIL 4, 1852
LAID OVER ALL DAY AND MOST OF THE MEN ON THE SICK LIST WITH BAD COLDS WHICH SEEMS TO BE A GENERAL COMPLAINT THROUGH THE CAMP.
MONDAY — APRIL 5, 1852
SNOWED ALL DAY AND THE BOYS RATHER DOWN SPIRITED. SNOWED TO A DEPTH OF EIGHT INCHES. LAID OVER ALL DAY.
TUESDAY — APRIL 6, 1852
LEFT FRENCH GROVE. TRAVELLED SEVEN MILES TO BARREN GROVE, TWELVE MILES TO THE WEST END OF BARREN GROVE. CAMPED FOR THE NIGHT.
WEDNESDAY — APRIL 7, 1852
TRAVELLED FIVE MILES AND LAID UP ON ACCOUNT OF RAIN AND WIND.
THURSDAY — APRIL 8, 1852
FIVE MILES TO CAMBRIDGE. FROM CAMBRIDGE TO ANDOVER, SIX MILES, AND CAMPED FOR THE NIGHT.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1852
LAID BY TO LET THE CATTLE REST AND A SHOOTING MATCH FOR THE DIVERSION OF THE BOYS.
SATURDAY — APRIL 10, 1852
LAID BY ON ACCOUNT OF RAIN AND BAD WEATHER AND THE BOYS ALL IN VERY GOOD SPIRITS.
SUNDAY — APRIL 11, 1852
LEFT ANDOVER FOR CAMP CREEK, ELEVEN MILES. TWO MILES FROM CAMP CREEK AND CAMPED FOR THE NIGHT.
MONDAY — APRIL 12, 1852
TRAVELLED FIFTEEN MILES AND CAMPED FOR THE NIGHT. THE ROADS VERY BAD.
TUESDAY — APRIL 13, 1852
FIVE MILES TO MILLERSBURG. DROVE NINE MILES AND CAMPED FOR THE NIGHT.
WEDNESDAY — APRIL 14, 1852
TWO MILES TO NEW BOSTON AND LAID BY TO BE FERRIED ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
THURSDAY — APRIL 15, 1852
LAID BY TO BE FERRIED. THE MEASLES BROKE OUT IN THE CAMP.
FRIDAY — APRIL 16, 1852
LAID BY FOR FERRIAGE. RAINED AND SNOWED. NOTHING IN PARTICULAR OCCURRED DURING THIS DAY.
SATURDAY — APRIL 17, 1852
LAID BY FOR FERRIAGE. SOME LITTLE SPORT OCCURRED SUCH AS WRESTLING.
SUNDAY — APRIL 18, 1852 SUNDAY
COMMENCED FERRYING ABOUT NOON. FERRIED APART OF THE TEAMS.
MONDAY — APRIL 19, 1852
FERRIED THE BALANCE OF THE TEAMS AND THE WAGONS. CAMPED ON THE BANKS OF THE IOWA RIVER.
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TUESDAY — APRIL 20, 1852
TRAVELED UP THE IOWA RIVER SEVENTEEN MILES. CAMPED AT WAPALOOSSA.
WEDNESDAY — APRIL 21, 1852
DROVE TWENTY MILE. CAMPED FOR THE NIGHT AND HAD A WILD GOOSE ROAST.
THURSDAY — APRIL 22, 1852
TEN MILES TO WASHINGTON. FROM WASHINGTON TO BRIGHTON, NINE MILES. WE FERRIED THE SKUNK RIVER.
FRIDAY — APRIL 23, 1852
TRAVELLED ELEVEN MILES AND CAMPED.
SATURDAY — APRIL 24, 1852
TRAVELLED NINTEEN MILES AND CAMPED. CORN ONE DOLLAR PER BUSHEL.
SUNDAY — APRIL 25, 1852
TRAVELLED ELEVEN MILES AND CAMPED.
MONDAY — APRIL 26, 1852
DROVE EIGHT MILES TO OSKALOOSSA.
TUESDAY — APRIL 27, 1852
FROM OSKALOOSSA TO PELLA EIGHTEEN MILES.
WEDNESDAY — APRIL 28, 1852
FROM PELLA TO MONIOR, TWELVE MILES.
THURSDAY — APRIL 29, 1852
FROM MONIOR TO MITCHELLS, EIGHTEEN MILES.
FRIDAY APRIL 30, 1852
FROM MITCHELLS TO DES MOINES, FOURTEEN MILES. CORN THIRTY CENTS. HERE IS A ROPE FERRY ACROSS THE DES MOINES AND RACCOON RIVERS.
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SATURDAY — MAY 1, 1852
FROM DES MOINES TO NORTH RIVER, SEVEN MILES.
SUNDAY — MAY 2, 1852
FROM NORTH RIVER TO WINTERSET, TWENTY ONE MILES.
MONDAY — MAY 3, 1852
WINTERSET TO MIDDLE RIVER, TWENTY FIVE MILES. CAMPED ON THE BANKS.
TUESDAY — MAY 4, 1852
CAMPED ON A THIRTY FOUR MILE PRAIRIE WITH WOOD.
WEDNESDAY — MAY 5, 1852
FROM MIDDLE RIVER TO WODGES, THIRTY FIVE MILES.
THURSDAY — MAY 6, 1852
FROM WODGES TO INDIAN TOWN, FIFTEEN MILES.
FRIDAY — MAY 7, 1852
FROM INDIAN TOWN TO N. NISHNABOTNA, TWENTY TWO MILES.
SATURDAY — MAY 8, 1852
FROM NISHNABOTNA TO GAINESVILLE, TWENTY FIVE MILES.
SUNDAY — MAY 9, 1852
HERE WE LAID BY TO REST OUR CATTLE AND GET READY TO CROSS THE FERRY.
MONDAY — MAY 10, 1852
WE ALSO LAID BY PROVISIONS. SOLD VERY HIGH. FLOUR FROM SIX TO TEN DOLLARS. HORSES AND OXEN SOLD VERY HIGH. WE ALSO HAD TWO . HORSES STOLE AND I RECEIVED THE FIRST LETTER FROM HOME.
TUESDAY — MAY 11, 1852
SPENT MOST OF THE TIME HUNTING OUR HORSES.
WEDNESDAY — MAY 12, 1852
HERE WE BOUGHT SOME CATTLE FOR WHICH WE PAID FROM SIXTY TO EIGHTY DOLLARS.
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THURSDAY — MAY 13, 1852
PACKING THINGS AND GETTING READY TO START ONTO THE PRAIRIE.
FRIDAY — MAY 14, 1852
DROVE DOWN TO THE FERRY. THE BOAT SANK WITH FIVE YOKE OF OXEN AND SIX MEN BUT NONE LOST.
SATURDAY — MAY 15, 1852
FOUND OUR LOST PONIES ABOUT FIFTEEN MILES FROM TOWN ON A DRY ROAD. MOVED FROM GAINESVILLE TO COUNSEL BLUFFS, EIGHT MILES.
SUNDAY — MAY 16, 1852
LAID BY TO BE FERRIED ON WASHITA CREEK.
MONDAY — MAY 17, 1852
MOVED ONTO THE RIVER BANK.
TUESDAY — MAY 18, 1852
CROSSED THE MISSOURI RIVER ON A STEAMBOAT. CAMPED ALONG THE BANKS.
WEDNESDAY — MAY 19, 1852
STARTED ONTO THE PRAIRIE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THURSDAY — MAY 20, 1852
A HEAVY FROST LAST NIGHT. HERE WE CAME ACROSS SEVERAL INDIAN GRAVES.
FRIDAY — MAY 21, 1852
HERE WE CROSSED THE ELKHORN RIVER ON A FERRY AND LAID BY ON THE ACCOUNT OF STORM. PAID TWO DOLLARS PER WAGON ____ AT THAT. FROM THE MISSOURI RIVER TO THE ELKHORN, THIRTY MILES.
SATURDAY — MAY 22, 1852
FROM ELKHORN TO PLATT RIVER, THIRTEEN MILES. HERE WE CAME INTO THE INDIAN NATIONS CALLED THE PAWNEES. WHEN TREATED WELL ARE VERY CIVIL, BUT WHEN THEY ARE MISUSED, ARE HOSTILE.
SUNDAY — MAY 23, 1852
TRAVELED UP THE PLATT RIVER AND CAMPED. GOOD GRASS AND WATER AND SOME TIMBER. HERE ONE OF THE PAWNEE CHIEFS CAMPED WITH US. HE SEEMED TO BE VERY FRIENDLY.
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MONDAY — MAY 24, 1852
CROSSED SHELL CREEK WHICH WAS BRIDGED. FOR WHICH THE INDIANS CLAIMED SOME COMPENSATION. SOME OF THE ROAD IS VERY BAD. CAMPED AT THE FORKS OF THE PLATT AND LOOP FORK RIVERS. GOOD GRASS AMD WATER AND TIMBER.
TUESDAY — MAY 25, 1852
WE CROSSED LOOP FORK BY MAKING A FERRY OF OUR WAGONS. BUT AS THERE IS A FERRY ACROSS HERE BUT IT IS AN IMPOSITION TO IMMIGRANTS. THEY CHARGE THREE DOLLARS PER WAGON. THERE IS A GOOD FORD UP LOOP FORK ABOUT FOURTY MILES, AND IS NOT OUT OF THE WAY IF YOU GO UP LOOP FORK AND THEN CROSS OVER TO THE PLATT. AS FOR DISTANCE FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ASCERTAIN. FOR THERE IS NO TWO GUIDES THAT AGREE. THE MORMON GUIDE IS CONSIDERED THE BEST.
WEDNESDAY — MAY 26, 1852
TRAVELLED UP THE LOOP FORK, CAMPED ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER. NOTHING OCCURRED HERE WORTH OF NOTE.
THURSDAY — MAY 27, 1852
WE TRAVELLED UP LOOP FORK, CAMPED ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER. CAUGHT SOME SPLENDID FISH. HERE IS AN EXCELLENT SPRING, GOOD GRASS AND SOME TIMBER AND GOOD CAMPING. THIS IS OPPOSITE ONE OF THE FORDS ON LOOP FORK.
FRIDAY — MAY 28, 1852
FISH FOR BREAKFAST. SOME OF THE ROAD UNEVEN AND SANDY, SOME LOW AND FLAT. TRAVELLED SOME WAY WITHOUT WATER UNLESS YOU DIG FOR IT, THAT IS FIT FOR USE, BUT GOOD GRASS BUT NO TIMBER. SOME WILLOWS FOR COOKING. WE LEFT LOOP FORK FOR PLATT RIVER THIS MORNING.
SATURDAY — MAY 29, 1852
SOME WILD DUCKS FOR BREAKFAST. THE ROADS FOR SOME DISTANCE IS HILLY, IS SANDY, AND SOME LOW AND FLAT, AND BAD ROADS IN THE FORE PART OF THE SEASON. GOOD GRASS AND SOME WATER IN THE SLEWS FOR THE CATTLE. TIMBER ON WOOD RIVER FOR CAMPING AND GOOD GRASS AND WATER. WE SAW SOME ANTELOPE TODAY.
SUNDAY — MAY 30, 1852
DROVE THREE HOURS, CROSSED WOOD RIVER AND CAMPED ON A SMALL CREEK FOR SUNDAY. TODAY DONE MY FIRST WASHING AND AWKWARD WORK I MADE OF IT I ADVISE YOU.
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MONDAY — MAY 31, 1852
WE MADE A FEAST THIS MORNING. STARTED AT HALF PAST FROM SIX O'CLOCK. DROVE TEN HOURS. THE ROADS GOOD AND GOOD GRASS AND WATER AND TIMBER. WE CAMPED NEAR THE RIVER OPPOSITE GRAND ISLAND.
TUESDAY — JUNE 1, 1852
TRAVELLED NINE AND A HALF HOURS. GOOD GRASS AND WATER. TODAY THE BOYS CAUGHT A YOUNG ANTALOPE. WE TRAVELLED FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS OVER ALMOST A LEVEL PLAIN, BUT BACK FROM THE RIVER IT IS MORE ROLLING. CAMPED OPPOSITE OF THE HEAD OF GRAND ISLAND FOR THE NIGHT.
WEDNESDAY — JUNE 2, 1852
TODAY WE TRAVELLED ELEVEN HOURS, CROSSED SEVERAL STREAMS, AND ONE CALLED ELM CREEK. GRASS POOR, SOME WATER, BUT TIMBER SCARCE. CAMPED ABOUT A MILE FROM THE RIVER.
THURSDAY — JUNE 3, 1852
TODAY WE TRAVELED NINE HOURS. VERY POOR GRASS. CAMPED ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER. WATER AND SOME TIMBER.
FRIDAY — JUNE 4, 1852
TRAVELED OVER A VERY LEVEL PLAIN MOST OF THE DAY. DROVE TEN HOURS. GRASS POOR, ONLY IN SPOTS WATER AND SOME TIMBER. CAMPED ON A SMALL BRANCH OF THE PLATT RIVER.
SATURDAY — JUNE 5, 1852
LEFT CAMP AT ONE HALF PAST FIVE O'CLOCK. CROSSED SKUNK CREEK. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL STREAM. WE ALSO SAW TWO EXCELLENT SPRINGS AT THE HEAD OF PAWNEE INDIAN CAMP. THEY BOIL OUT OF A BED OF QUICKSAND AND THE WATER IS VERY COLD. TODAY THE BOYS KILLED A BUFFALO. CAMPED ON THE BANKS OF A SMALL STREAM.
SUNDAY — JUNE 6, 1852
BUFFALO MEAT FOR BREAKFAST. LAID OVER FOR SUNDAY. AT THE PRESENT THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF CHOLERA ON THE PLAINS, ANTHONY PITZER DIED TODAY AT TWENTY MINUTES PAST FIVE O'CLOCK. PITZER THOUGH WAS TO OUR CAMP LAST NIGHT, QUITE WELL. DISEASE CHOLERA.
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MONDAY — JUNE 7, 1852
TODAY WE CROSSED SEVERAL SMALL STREAMS, AND AFTER TRAVELING A SHORT DISTANCE THE ROAD STRUCK THE RIVER AND FOLLOWED IT FOR SEVERAL MILES. CROSSED NORTH BLUFF CREEK. AFTER THIS THE ROAD RUNS OVER SANDY BLUFF. CAMPED ON THE RIVER BOTTOM. GOOD GRASS AND SOME BUFFALO CHIPS. TRAVELLED TEN HOURS.
TUESDAY — JUNE 8, 1852
THE ROAD CONTINUES TO RUN OVER SANDY BLUFFS MOST OF THE DAY. WE CROSSED SEVERAL SPRINGS AND CREEKS THAT MAKE OUT FROM THE SAND HILLS. THAT ARE VERY COLD AND GOOD. GRASS VERY GOOD ON THE BOTTOM BUT NO TIMBER FOR TWO HUNDRED MILES, AND SO OUR SOLE DEPENDENCE FOR A LIVING IS ON BUFFALO CHIPS, AND OH IF THEY SHOULD HAPPEN TO BE WET, WHAT THEN? TRAVELLED TEN HOURS.
WEDNESDAY — JUNE 9, 1852
CROSSED RATTLESNAKE CREEK, MOORES CREEK, AND SEVERAL OTHER SMALL STREAMS. SOME OF THE ROAD TODAY HAS BEEN VERY SANDY. TODAY WE TRAVELLED ELEVEN HOURS. GRASS VERY GOOD AND GOOD WATER, SOME BUFFALO CHIPS BUT NO TIMBER. CAMPED NEAR THE RIVER BANKS FOR THE NIGHT.
THURSDAY — JUNE 10, 1852
CROSSED SEVERAL STREAMS, ALSO PASSED THE LONE TREE. CAMPED FOR NOON ON THE CASTLE RIVER. TRAVELED TEN HOURS. CAMPED ON THE RIVER BANKS.
FRIDAY — JUNE 11, 1852
TODAY WE TRAVELED TEN HOURS, PAST THE TWIN MOUND. CROSSED CRAB CREEK TODAY. WE FOUND SEVERAL BEAUTIFUL SPRINGS SOUTH OF THE ROAD. CAMPED ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER. GRASS POOR, NO TIMBER, BUT SOME BUFFALO CHIPS.
SATURDAY — JUNE 12, 1852
THIS MORNING ONE OF THE MEN WAS TAKEN SICK WITH CHOLERA, BUT FOR THE WANT OF GRASS WE TRAVELLED TWO AND A HALF HOURS AND LAID OVER TO SEE HOW THE CASE WOULD TERMINATE. WE TRAVELLED THROUGH THE ROUND BLUFF WHICH VERY MUCH RESEMBLES ANCIENT RUINS OF SOME OLD FORTIFICATION. THE CASE ABOVE REFERRED TO PROVED FATAL. IT WAS MR. WM. P. INCK. HE DIED AT HALF PAST FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. AND WE CONSIGNED HIS BODY TO ITS MOTHER EARTH AND WE PERFORMED OUR LAST RITES TO OUR FELLOW MAN AND HIS BODY IS AT REST WHERE THE WOLVES WILL HOWL AND PROWL AROUND.
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SUNDAY — JUNE 13, 1852
AFTER LEAVING THE GRAVE OF WM. P. INCK, WE AGAIN STARTED UP THE PLATT RIVER ON OUR WAY TO CALIFORNIA. TODAY WE PASSED COURTHOUSE ROCK, WHICH STANDS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE RIVER. THIS SINGULAR ROCK DERIVES IT'S NAME FROM IT'S SHAPE. IT HAS THE APPEARANCE OF SOME LARGE CASTLE OR EDIFICE. IT IS CALLED BY THE IMMIGRANT'S, THE COURT HOUSE ROCK. WE TRAVELLED EIGHT AND A HALF HOURS. CAMPED NEAR THE RIVER, GRASS IS NOT VERY GOOD AND THE ROADS SANDY. ALKALI IS VERY PLENTY ON THE RIVER BOTTOM, AND WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL. WITH OUR CATTLE. THE BOYS ALL WELL WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A FEW LITTLE COMPLAINTS.
MONDAY — JUNE 14, 1852
THIS MORNING WE PASSED THE LOCATION OF CHIMNEY ROCK. ALSO DERIVES ITS NAME FROM ITS SHAPE. IT HAS THE APPEARANCE OF A LARGE CHIMNEY TO SOME STEAM ESTABLISHMENT. AT THE BOTTOM IS A LARGE HILL OR MOUND AND FROM THE TOP OF THIS A SINGULAR ROCK EXTENDS SEVERAL FEET INTO THE AIR. TODAY WE TRAVELLED NINE HOURS AND CAMPED NEAR THE RIVER. GRASS IS GOOD. TODAY THE BOYS KILLED AN ANTELOPE, SO OF COURSE WE HAD FRESH MEAT AND WE CHURNED TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND WE HAD A FEAST OF FAT THINGS AND GREAT JOY OVER A FEW THINGS.
TUESDAY — JUNE 15, 1852
THIS MORNING IT BEING FOUL WEATHER AND SOME OF THE BOYS A LITTLE UNWELL, WE STARTED LATE. TODAY WE PASSED OPPOSITE OF THE CAPITAL HILLS OR SCOTTS BLUFF. WHAT GAVE THEM THIS NAME WAS A MAN DIED NEAR THEM OF THE NAME OF SCOTT. THIS BLUFF ALSO HAS THE APPEARANCE OF SOME RUINS OF SOME OLD ANCIENT CASTLE OR FORTIFICATION. COURT HOUSE ROCK, CHIMNEY ROCK, AND SCOTTS BLUFF ARE ALL ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE RIVER AND AFFORD A SPLENDID VIEW FROM THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RIVER. THERE WAS A LITTLE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED TODAY THAT I MUST MENTION HERE, THE LIKES I HAVE NEVER SAW BEFORE, THAT WAS A STAMPEDE OR RUNAWAY OF A TRAIN OF CATTLE ATTACHED TO THE WAGONS, AND A FRIGHTFUL SIGHT IT WAS TOO BUT NO SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURED. WE ALSO PASSED SPRING CREEK. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL STREAM FORMED OF SPRINGS AND THE WATER OF A SPLENDID QUALITY. WE TRAVELLED EIGHT AND A HALF HOURS TODAY, CAMPED ON THE RIVER, GRASS GOOD BUT WOODS SCARCE, NO TIMBER AND BUFFALO CHIPS SCARCE.
WEDNESDAY — JUNE 16, 1852
WE LEFT CAMP THIS MORNING. CAME TO BLUE ROCK IN THE BLUFF, ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS MERELY A LEDGE OF DARK COLORED SAND OR LIMESTONE BUT IT IS A RARE THING TO SEE A LEDGE OF ROCK OR STONE ON THIS PLAIN. IT IS SAID THAT THERE IS MANY RATTLESNAKES ABOUT THIS ROCK. I HAD NO CURIOSITY TO HUNT THEM UP AS I AM NO PARTICULAR FRIEND TO SNAKES. PRICKLY PAIR ARE VERY PLENTY ON THIS ROAD. THERE IS ALSO A VARIETY OF
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WILD FLOWERS, THE WILD ROSE AND A SPECIES OF CACTUS, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I EVER SAW. ALSO MANY OTHERS THAT ARE CULTIVATED IN GARDENS. CAMPED FOR NOON ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER. WE HAD SOME FRESH MEAT FOR DINNER, IT WAS HARE, THIS ANIMAL IS OF THE SPECIES OF THE RABBIT. TRAVELLED TEN HOURS AND CAMPED ON THE BANK OF THE RIVER. HERE IS SOME SMALL TIMBER BUT THE GRASS IS POOR.THURSDAY — JUNE 17, 1852
WHEN WE LEFT THIS MORNING WE COULD SEE LARAMEE PEAK. THIS IS THE HIGHEST PEAK OF THE BLACK HILLS. (THIS AREA WAS CALLED THE BLACK HILLS AT THIS TIME, NOT WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER THE BLACK HILLS NOW) THIS CAN BE SEEN SOME SEVENTY MILES. WE TRAVELLED UP THE PLATT RIVER OPPOSITE TO FORT LARAMEE. THE RIVER HERE IS THOROUGHLY SKIRTED WITH TIMBER AND GRASS POOR. WE TRAVELLED SIX AND A HALF HOURS AND CAMPED OPPOSITE OF THE FORT. FORT LARAMEE SOUTH OF THE PLATT RIVER AND EAST OF LARAMEE RIVER ABOUT ONE AND A HALF MILES FROM THE JUNCTION OF THE TWO RIVERS. THIS PLACE FORMERLY HAS BEEN THE POST OF AN AMERICAN FUR TRADING COMPANY BUT NOW A STATION FOR SOLDIERS. GRASS POOR, TODAY I SENT SOME LETTERS HOME BY SOME OREGON IMMIGRANTS.
FRIDAY — JUNE 18, 1852
SOON AFTER LEAVING THE FORT YOU COMMENCE TRAVELLING OVER THE BLACK HILLS. THEY ARE MOSTLY COVERED WITH LOW SHRUB PINE AND CEDAR, WHICH GIVE THEM A DARK SHADE AT A DISTANCE AND FROM THIS THEY DERIVE THE NAME OF THE BLACK HILLS. THE ROAD HAS NOW BECOME VERY ROUGH AND UNEVEN AND HARD ON CATTLE, BUT THIS IS THE MOST ROMANTIC PLACE THAT I HAVE SEEN. WE CAME ACROSS A SPLENDID SPRING AT THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD, THE WATER COOL AND NICE TO USE. THE GRASS POOR IN THE FORE PART OF THE DAY. TRAVELLED TEN HOURS AND CAMPED ON THE BANKS OF THE PLATT RIVER. GRASS GOOD OFF THE ROAD A LITTLE WAYS.
SATURDAY — JUNE 19, 1852
WOOD AND WATER BEING PLENTY AND GRASS GOOD WE LAID OVER TO REST OUR CATTLE AND REPAIR SOME THINGS. NOTHING OCCURRED OF ANY ACCOUNT TODAY, IT BEING WASHING DAY.
SUNDAY — JUNE 20, 1852
WE LEFT PLATT RIVER THIS MORNING, WE SAW A FORD CALLED McGLORY AND CONTINUED OUR TRAVELS OVER THE BLACK HILLS. THERE IS LESS FIR AND CEDAR AND MORE GRASS. THE ROAD CONTINUES TO BE ROUGH AND UNEVEN. YOU CAN ASCEND THE HIGHEST PEAK OF THESE HILLS AMD LOOK OVER A VAST EXTENT OF THESE HILLS. THEY AFFORD A SPLENDID VIEW OF ALL OF THE HILLS AND COUNTRY AROUND. PASSED A SPLENDID SPRING A LITTLE NORTH OF THE ROAD. THE WATER COOL AND GOOD. WE CAME INTO A LARGE VALLEY. TRAVELLED THESE THREE MILES AND CAME TO A SMALL CREEK AND A SPLENDID
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SPRING ABOUT EIGHTY RODS NORTH OF THE ROAD. CAMPED DOWN THIS CREEK ABOUT ONE MILE AND ABOUT A MILE FROM THE PLATT RIVER. GOOD GRASS AND WATER AND PLENTY OF WOOD AND A GOOD PLACE TO CAMP. TRAVELLED SEVEN HOURS AND A HALF.MONDAY — JUNE 21, 1852
TRAVELLED ABOUT TWO MILES, CAME TO A SMALL STREAM WITH STEEP BANKS AND SANDY BOTTOM, BUT NOT BAD CROSSING. THE ROAD STILL CONTINUES TO WIND AROUND AMONG THE HILLS, QUITE UNEVEN BUT NOT ROUGH AS ONE WOULD ANTICIPATE. THE HILLS STILL AFFORD A SPLENDID VIEW. WILD SAGE GROWS HERE VERY PLENTY. THIS IS FULL OF STEEP GULLIES OR RAVINES. THE HILLS ARE NOT SO MUCH COVERED WITH TIMBER BUT MORE BARREN. CAMPED ON THE PLATT RIVER FOR NOON. GRASS POOR. DROVE ABOUT FOUR MILES. CAMPED ON THE RIVER BANK FOR THE NIGHT. GRASS POOR. DROVE EIGHT HOURS AND A HALF AND CAMPED.
TUESDAY — JUNE 22, 1852
TRAVELLED UP THE PLATT RIVER DURING THIS MORNING. CROSSED SEVERAL DRY CREEKS. THE ROAD BECAME MORE LEVEL. NO TIMBER BUT SOME LITTLE THAT SKIRTS THE RIVER. WE LEFT THE RIVER AND CROSSED SOME CURIOUS HILLS. HERE I SAW GREAT CURIOSITY, A LARGE MOUND OF HILL SOME FIFTY FEET HIGH. IT IS THE SHAPE OF A CONE OR PIRAMID RUNNING UP TO A POINT WITH A LARGE STONE LYING RIGHT UPON THE TOP OF THIS MOUND. THIS STONE IS TWENTY FEET LONG BY TEN FEET WIDE. THIS AND SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE BEEN FORMED BY THE WATER WASHING. THEY ARE FORMED INTO VARIOUS SHAPES. SOME HAVE THE SHAPE OF SOME OLD WALLS OF THE RUINS OF SOME FORT OR CASTLE. THEY AFFORD A SPLENDID SCENE. AFTER WE LEAVE THIS WE CAME ONTO THE RIVER BOTTOM. THE ROADS ARE QUITE SANDY HERE AND AGAIN WE LEFT THE RIVER AND TRAVELLED OVER SOME VERY ROUGH HILLS HARD TO DESCEND. TRAVELLED NINE HOURS AND A HALF AND CAMPED ON THE PLATT RIVER BANKS. GOOD GRASS AND SOME TIMBER AND A VERY GOOD CAMPING PLACE. PLATT RIVER HAS BECOME QUITE SMALL AND THE WATER MORE CLEAR.
WEDNESDAY — JUNE 23, 1852
LEFT THE RIVER THIS MORNING AND TRAVELLED OVER THE HILLS, THE MOST ROUGH AND UNEVEN OF ANY WE HAVE SEEN. TRAVELLED THREE HOURS AND CAME TO THE RIVER. HERE THE BOYS HAD A GREAT DEAL OF SPORT AND DIVERSION BY ROLLING STONES OFF THE BLUFF THAT WAS SOME TWO OR THREE HUNDRED FEET HIGH. STONES OF TWO OR THREE TONS WENT. WE PASSED MANY STEEP GULLIES AND RAVINES IN
THE HILLS THAT HAS BEEN FORMED BY THE WATER. WE TRAVELLED UP THE RIVER BOTTOM THE BALANCE OF THE DAY. THE ROADS BECAME MORE SANDY, GRASS POOR, WILD SAGE VERY PLENTY, BUT NO TIMBER. BUT A FEW TREES THAT IS ON THE RIVER BANK. THE HILLS VERY BARREN. TRAVELLED TEN HOURS AND CAMPED ON THE BANKS QF THE RIVER FOR THE NIGHT. GRASS POOR, SO THATS ALL.
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THURSDAY — JUNE 24, 1852
LEFT THE RIVER AT SIX O'CLOCK. TRAVELLED THREE HOURS AND CAME TO THE HILLS THAT WERE VERY STEEP AND ROUGH, AND THE ROAD VERY CROOKED AMD MOSTLY SANDY WITH STEEP RAVINES AND GULLIES WE STRUCK THE RIVER, THE GREEN WILD SAGE IS VERY PLENTY HERE AND A SHRUB THAT IS CALLED GREASEWOOD. WE TRAVELLED NINE HOURS AND CAMPED ON THE RIVER BANKS. THE HILLS ARE VERY BARREN AND GRASS POOR. NO TIMBER BUT A FEW TREES THAT SKIRT THE BANKS OF THE RIVER.
FRIDAY — JUNE 25, 1852
TRAVELLED NEAR THE RIVER, TODAY ROADS CONTINUE SANDY AND THE HILLS BARREN AND GRASS POOR. CAME TO A SMALL CREEK WITH QUICKSAND BOTTOM, THE WATER VERY MUDDY AND NOT FIT FOR USE AND STEEP BANKS. CAMPED OPPOSITE THE UPPER FERRY ON PLATT RIVER, DROVE NINE HOURS AND A HALF, THE BOYS HUNTED SOME, KILLED SOME ANTELOPE AND HARE. WE ARE NOW IN THE SIOUX INDIAN NATION. NO TIMBER BUT A LITTLE ON THE RIVER BANKS AND THAT VERY SCARCE. GRASS POOR. A GENTLEMAN STOPPED WITH US LAST NIGHT FROM SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS. HE HAD BEEN UP TO LOOP FORK WITH A WOMAN WHO HAD LOST HER HUSBAND AND LEFT WITH FIVE SMALL CHILDREN.
SATURDAY — JUNE 26, 1852
LAID OVER TO LET THE CATTLE REST. GRASS POOR BUT WE FOUND VERY GOOD GRASS OUT ABOUT TWO MILES NORTH OF THE ROAD. WE ARE NOW ABOUT 671 MILES FROM COUNSEL BLUFFS, ACCORDING TO THE MORMON GUIDE. TODAY WE SAW A LARGE BACKING TRAIN OF CALIFORNIANS JUST RETURNING FROM CALIFORNIA TO THE STATES. THIS IS THE MOST BARREN OF ALL COUNTRIES (UNLESS IT IS SOME SANDY DESERT) THAT I NEVER SAW. THERE IS NOTHING BUT WILD SAGE AND PRICKLY PEAR AND A FEW COBBLESTONES AND THE HILLS ARE TOTALLY VOID OF ANYTHING ELSE.
SUNDAY — JUNE 27, 1852
LEFT CAMP AT SIX O'CLOCK TRAVELLED OVER A LARGE HILL WITH GRADUAL AND EASY ASCENT BUT STEEP AND CROOKED DESCENT, WITH ROUGH AND UNEVEN ROADS BUT SANDY. TRAVELLED EIGHT MILES UP THE PLATT. HERE IS A GOOD WATERING PLACE. HERE IS A POINT OF ROCKS IN THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RIVER THAT IS QUITE HIGH, AND THEY RESEMBLE BRICK IN COLOR. HERE THE ROAD LEAVES THE FLAT RIVER AND CROSSES OVER TO THE SWEETWATER. THIS IS THE LAST GOOD WATER YOU WILL GET UNTIL YOU GET TO THE WILLOW SPRINGS, PASSED SEVERAL SPRINGS THAT WAS VERY THOROUGHLY IMPREGNATED WITH SULFUR. TODAY WE PASSED WHAT IS CALLED AVENUE ROCK _______ PLACE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD LOOKS LIKE SOME BROKEN DOWN WALLS. WE PASSED CLEAR SPRING CREEK AND CAMPED ON _____ SPRING CREEK. GRASS VERY POOR AND SOME WILLOWS TO COOK WITH AND VERY GOOD WATER. THE HILLS CONTINUE BARREN AS EVER. NOTHING BUT WILD SAGE AND GRAVELSTONE.
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TODAY WE SAW SOME BLACK BEAR BUT KILLED NONE. TRAVELLED ELEVEN HOURS. TWENTY SEVEN MILES FROM THE UPPER FERRY TO WILLOW SPRINGS CREEK. I LIKE TO FORGOT THAT I SAW ON SOME OF THE HILLS A FEW SMALL SHRUB FIR, ALSO ON THE RIVER WHAT IS CALLED THE BURNING BUSH.MONDAY — JUNE 28, 1852
STARTED AT TWENTY MINUTES AFTER SIX. WE CROSSED GREEN CREEK AND ASCENDED PROSPECT HILL. FROM THIS HILL YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE COUNTRY AROUND AND ALSO OF THE WIND RIVER MOUNTAINS. THIS IS THREE MILES FROM WILLOW SPRING CREEK. HARFUS CREEK THREE MILES. GOOD WATER, POOR GRASS, SAGE FOR FUEL. TO GREASEWOOD CREEK FIVE MILES. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL STREAM. THE ROAD IS VERY HEAVY AND SANDY. TO SALERATUS LAKE SIX MILES. IN THIS PLACE THERE IS MANY ALKALYE LAKES AND SPRINGS. THE WATER IS ENTIRELY UNFIT FOR USE FOR MAN OR BEAST. TRAVELLED EIGHT HOURS AND CAMPED ON SWEETWATER RIVER BANKS. GRASS NOT VERY GOOD HERE. THE FOOT OF SOME OF THE WIND RIVER MOUNTAINS CONES DOWN TO THE RIVER. THE SWEETWATER IS A BEAUTIFUL STREAM. SWIFT CURRENT BUT THE WATER IS A LITTLE RILEY. THIS SALTERATUS LAKE IS SO STRONGLY IMPREGNATED THAT IT CRUSTS OVER WITH SALTERATUS LIKE ICE. TO THE DEPTH OF A HALF INCH THICK. AS PRETTY A SALERATUS AS EVER WAS SEEN.
TUESDAY — JUNE 29, 1852
STARTED AT FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE SIX O'CLOCK THIS MORNING. FOUR MILES TO INDEPENDENCE ROCK FROM SALERATUS LAKE. THIS ROCK IS QUITE LARGE AND LIES ON TOP OF THE GROUND. I SEE NO PARTICULAR CURIOSITY ABOUT IT. IT IS A LARGE SMOOTH STONE OF AN OVAL IN SHAPE. IT IS MOSTLY COVERED WITH NAMES, DATES, RESIDENTS, AND SO FORTH. SOME ENGRAVED AND OTHER PAINTED WITH DIFFERENT KINDS OF PAINT, BY PEOPLE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE STATES AND LEFT THEIR NAMES HERE. TO THE DEVIL'S GATE FIVE MILES. THIS IS ALSO A NATURAL CURIOSITY. THE SWEETWATER FORCES ITS WAY THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS. THE ROCKS ON EITHER SIDE ARE FOUR HUNDRED FEET PERPENDICULAR AND THE SPACE IS VERY NARROW. TWO SMALL CREEKS, ONE MILE. GOOD GRASS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE ROAD, ALSO ON THE RIVER BOTTOM. TO A CREEK AND RAVINE SIX MILES. BAD GRASS, WILD SAGE AND GREASEWOOD PLENTY AMD THE ROADS MOSTLY SANDY. TO ALKALYN LAKE FOUR MILES. THIS LAKE IS ALSO VERY STRONGLY IMPREGNATED WITH ALKALYE. DO NOT LET THE CATTLE DRINK HERE. AT THE DEVIL'S GATE WE PASSED THROUGH THE WIND RIVER MOUNTAINS. WE CONTINUED UP THIS CHAIN OF MOUNTAINS FOR SOME DISTANCE. THEY ARE AT THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD OR RATHER NORTH OF IT. CAMPED ON THE BANKS HERE THE RIVER RUNS CLOSE TO THE MOUNTAINS. TRAVELLED TEN HOURS, HERE WAS SOME GOODS FOR SALE. LIQUOR FOR SALE, TWENTY FIVE CENTS A DRINK FOR WHISKEY AND FIFTY CENTS FOR BRANDY.
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SUNDAY — JUNE 20, 1852
IT IS SAID THAT THERE WAS A MAN LYNCHED AND HUNG ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE RIVER FOR STABBING A MAN.
WEDNESDAY — JUNE 23, 1852
THERE IS STILL ANOTHER SITUATION THAT I MUST MENTION THAT WAS MOST CRUEL AND SEVERE. THERE WAS A WOMAN THAT LOST HER HUSBAND AND BEING LEFT IN RATHER BAD CIRCUMSTANCES AND SOMEWHAT FATIGUED AND EXHAUSTED WITH A LITTLE EXCITISM WHICH NATURE COULD NOT HAVE ITS COURSE AND SHE WAS CONFINED ON THE ROAD. SHE REQUESTED THE MAN TO STOP FOR AWHILE OR LET HER OUT BUT HE BEING A BRUTE OR WORSE WOULD DO NEITHER AND THE ROAD BEING ROUGH AND SHE DIED UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. BUT THE WORST OF ALL WAS HE DUG A HOLE AS IT WERE AND TUMBLED HER IN, IF I MAY USE THE EXPRESSION, AS YOU WOULD A DOG BUT NOT WITH HALF THE RESPECT, WITH HER DEAD CHILD AND COVERED THEM UP TOGETHER AND WENT ON HIS WAY TO CALIFORNIA.
FRIDAY — JUNE 25, 1852
IT IS SAID THAT THERE WERE THREE PERSONS KILLED BY THE INDIANS ALL WITH THEIR THROATS CUT. BUT ONE THING CERTAIN, THEY WAS KILLED BY SOMEBODY. AND THEIR WAGON AND THINGS FOUND IN THE HANDS OF A FIEND.
ACCOUNT OF LETTERS SENT TO MRS. ELIZABETH GEORGE
ANDOVER APRIL 11 NO. 1
NEW BOSTON APRIL 15 NO. 2
OSKALOOSSA APRIL 25 NO. 3
KANESVILLE MAY 10 NO. 4
COUNSEL BLUFFS MAY 17 NO. 5
FORT LARAMEE JUNE 17 NO. 6
SOUTH PASS JULY 4 NO. 7
SALT LAKE CITY JULY 23 NO. 8
VOLCANO CALIFORNIA SEPT. 28 NO. 9
DRY CREEK OCT. 24 NO. 10
DRY CREEK DEC. 5 NO. 11
DRY CREEK JAN. 1, 1853 NO. 12
DRY CREEK FEB. 5 NO. 13 (THIS LETTER SENT AND DRAFT FOR $100.00)
DRY CREEK FEB. 19 NO. 14
DRY CREEK MARCH 11 NO. 15
DRY CREEK APRIL 15 NO. 16