The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-27
From the North Western Gazette.
THE OREGON EXPEDITION.

The OREGON EXPEDITION.
Mr.. Obadiah Oakley, one Of the party who
left Peoria in May for Oregon, returned home
on Sunday last, having separated from his
companions in the Rocky Mountains. From
. conversation with him we have gathered the
following outline Of his journey and adyen-
lures.
The company Il will be remembered, con-
sisted, on leaving Peoria, Of Is members. -
At Quincy they were joined by another /; all
Of whom reached Independence, Mo-, the
10th Of May, 20 days after leaving Peoria. 80
We presented in July letter from Mr.. Farm
ham, the commander Of the party, written
about this time, and another from MIR. Smith,
one Of the company. The narrative now
given will commence where the other left
of.
AT Independence two more joined the COM
pany, one Of whom, Mr.. Shortess, had been
once before to the Mountains, and now offer
ed to act as guide. He was about As years
Of age, and soon proved himself to be Of a
reckless and unprincipled character. The
other was young man named Pritchard, re-
Gently from one OF the eastern states. Before
leaving Independence they exchanged their
wagon and some Of their horses for other
horses and pack mules. Where these are
purchased the prices are from 60 to IS dol
lars. They bought also quantity Of articles,
such as knives, lead, vermillion, and few
trinkets, with which to trade with the Indians
One mule, which belonged to the party in
common, carried their tent, two kegs of pow
der, and few other articles. The other
mules, of which each member, for the most
part, owned one, carried the provisions, cloth
ing and other property of each. The provi-
sions amounted to 200 lbs. Of -four and $50
lbs. Of bacon, besides, sugar, coffee, tea, and
minor groceries. Upon their riding horses
they carried their rifles, blankets and some ex-
ira clothing.
Thus mounted and provisioned, the compa-
ny, 10 in number, left independence the 29th
Of May, on the Santa Fe road, which is dis
tinct wagon track. The first adventure they
met with was the loss Of two horses the follow
ing night, while they were encamped miles
from Independence. The owners returned
to that town the next day, and recovered them,
though this i'll luck was but the precursor Of
worse that was to follow, as will appear in the
sequel.
Ten miles further, and 5 from Independ.
ence, brought them to the western boundary
line Of Missouri, where Mr.. Fitzhugh resides
in log cabin, and this was the last house they
saw until they reached some Of the posts Of
the American fur company.
A day or two afterwards when they had
reached Elm grove, 40 miles from Indcpend-
encc, and had there camped for the night, they
discovered that two other horses were mis-
sing As they had doubtless returned to In
dependence, the owners started in pursuit,
while the remainder Of the company, after
hating day at the grove, continued on lei
surely, so that the absentees might sooner
overtake them. This they did, with the re-
covered horses, about day and half alter
wards, and the company met with no further
delays from this source. Their practice at
night, after unlading the horses, was to stake
them in the prairie, i. e. to drive notched
stakes into the ground, to which they would
fix one end of the halter, giving the animals
sufficient play to enable them to feed in album
dance. The ground thus far had been soft
and mellow, SO that the stakes were easily
drawn by the horses but afterwards it be-
came harder and frmer, so as efIectually to
secure them.
At the Usage river, about 100 miles from
Independence, they were agreeably surprised
at meeting returning party who had passed
along few days before them to assist Capt.
Kellcy's Santa Fe company, bound to the lat
ter place, over the worst part ofthe road Il.
consisted Of seven wagons, with proper
tionate number Of men. They had assisted
the company TO Council Grove, SO miles be-
yond, and we're now on their return. Though
our adventures had been but week from In
dependence, during which they had not seen
a human being, the sight Of fellow country
man now kindled the warmest feelings Of
sympathy in their hearts, and three Of them
resolved at once to return. These were Grin