The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-27

wind Oh thein, as IL - tefh'e"s ~ ''S"' y
proach within 80 yards but from an opposite
direction near approach was l'nPossioie.-
For the two succeeding days nothing OF IN
terest occurred.
Is. Another tremendous storm tonight
The wind blew hurricane, breaking The tent
pole ia two, and prostrating everything before
II. The travellers were consequently drench-
ed
90. The clothes Of every man were salu-
rated with water, vet the two companies set
of and soon reached the Arkansas river, 20
miles below the Sanra Fe crossings.
% Reached the crossings this afternoon.
The distance is computed to be $50 miles
from Independence, and one month has just
been consumed in the journey. Here il be-
came necessary that the two companies should
separate, the larger 10 continue the plain beat
en- road to Mexico-the other TO penetrate the
trackless wilderness to the mouth of the Co
lumbia In view Of the latter prospect, three
of the company became discouraged and de-
termined to join the Santa Fe party. They
were @. A. Jordan, Chauncey Wood, and
young Prtchard. The others maintained
stout hearts and responded TO the motto of
their leader, +" OREGON OR THE GRAVE" Thus
far, since his dreadful accident, Smith had
been brought on in the carryall but as he
was now TO part with this, il became necessa-
ry to provide other means for his conveyance.
AT first litter was constructed and placed
upon two mules; but as it was not properly
made, it could not be used Other modes
were resorted to, with equal i'll success; and
as last resource he was compelled to be
placed upon his horse, and thus pursue the
journey. Every step of the animal seemed
to rend his vitals, yet he bore it with manly
frmness. Capt. Farnham duly commiserated
his condition, and sought by every means in
his power to render him more comfortable.
Most of the others partook Of his spirit but
some there were who looked upon the almost
dying msn as burden they would gladly get
rid OF, and strenuously urged his being left
with weeks provision and his rife, either
to die, as they believed he must, or to regain
his health and seek other adventures. For
the honor of the company this proposition
was advocated by three only, while the others
determined TO stand by, and, if need be, perish
with him. They waited on him with the ut
most fidelity, helping him every few minutes
from his horse, and sitting by him while he
rested on the prairie and as their compan-
ions would thus get some miles in advance
during the day, they would by late travelling
gain the camp at night.
The next prominent point after leaving
the Santa Fe crossings on Arkansas river, IS
Bent's fort, leo miles further up that stream.
The route is along tolerably distinct wagon
track, and they reached the fort on the 9Th
Of July, six days after leaving the crossings.
Here Smith obtained rest and good quarters.
and in week was sufficiently recovered to
resume the journey with tolerable convenience.
On the way, in consequence Of the mutinous
and diabocal spirit manifested by few of
the company, growing out Of the deplorable
condition Of Smith, Capt. Farnham threw up
the command, and thenceforward abjured all
control. Thus they arrived at the fort with
out leader. The fort is an enclosure of
about one quarter of an acre, with several
rooms attached to the walls, capable of ac-
commodating 100 men. II contains 1000
stand of arms and one brass cannon, the force
being intended to intimidate the surrounding
Indians and keep the hostile in check.
The Arkansas river is about as wide as the
Missouri, and the water Of the same color,
though far less deep and rapid.
After spending six days at the fort the par
ty prepared to leave, when it appeared that
the spirit Of disaffection, to which reference
has been made, had resulted in division Of
the company into two parties. One, and the
largest, was composed Of Shor,ess Moore,
Fletcher, Fash, kiburn, Yates, Homer and
Cook, with Shortess for their leader The
two first named had been most instrumental
IN the inhumanity practised towards Smith
and their separation was matter of rejoc-
ing 10 his friends. The other was composed
OF Farnham, Oakley, Smith, Wood, Blair,
Kelly and Osa, with Kelly for their leader
and guide. He was Kentuckian who had
been in the Mountains for eleven years, and
who here joined the party. Blair had joined
at the Santa Fe crossings, and Osa was
Spaniard, who had for some time resided at
the fort in the neighborhood.
Both parties left the fort on the lth of
July, with the design of reaching the Column
bia river-Shoress's for Bent ~ Sublette's
fort on the south fork CT the Platte river, go
miles distant, by plain wagon road-and
kelly's for Browns Hole in tho Rocky
Mountains, route estimated to be 200 miles
nearer The tent was left at Benls, and
such division made of the other property
held in common as could be agreed UPON
This history will detail the progress Of Kelly's
party, though it will be seen that reference is
had in the sequel to that Of the other.
On leaving the fort the party took only
small quantity Of -four, with some sugar and
coffee, depending as before, upon game for
their chief subsistence. The face Of the
country was similar to that before passed
over, being nearly destitute Of timber. At
night each man would lie upon the ground
within his buffalo robe, with his saddle for
pillow, and the heavens for a canopy. In
little while they got accustomed to this mode
of lodging, and suffered no inconvenience
from the loss of their tent For nine days