Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-08-24

you viii not need them As regards the
teams, we have found BY full experience
that OK teams are clearly and unequivocal-
ly the best, greatly superior to mules or
horses in all respects. They are much
more hardy than mules, and endure the
trip better. An or II one IF the hardest
animals in the world. He will eat almost
any thing, will find il in thickets and swamps
will climb hills for it, and win obtain it in
many places where mule will not. They
cost less at the start, and are worth most
at the end Of the trip: thu gearing is more
simple, never wears OUT and the Indians
will not steal them. Weyhaye found that
oxen from 3 to 6 years old, bear the trip
best. In fact those Of 5 md 4 years old
have born the trip better than those Of any
otter age. Those which are heavy and
strong in their form, are batter than the tall
slender oxen. We have found also that
cows Of good size, make most excellent
teams, perhaps better than oxen. They
walk very kindly, walk actively, and being
lighter than oxen, their feet do not wear
SO much. They are worth more at the
end of the trip, and cost less at the begin
ming. They can be broken to walk any
where on the road. Were preparing a
team for this trip, Iwould have few woke
of oxen, and the balance cows; and would
have about twice as many as should want
at one time. -As
We have not shod a single OK, and it is
wholly unnecessary to supply yourselves
with shoes for them. had sufficient
number of OK shoes made which | have
thrown away at this place, having never
used any of them. We have list about
one in ten of cur oxen, and about the same
proportion of our loose cattle. These
losses most generally arose from impru-
dcnce either in selecting the oxen, or in
using them. Our horses have borne the
trip very well, as well as our mules. But
a few have given out.
Provisions.-A suficiency Of provisions
should be laid in at the start-l50 lbs. OF
flour, and 60 lbs. of Bacon, to each person
will be ample. You may add sugar, cof-
fee, tea, rice, dried fruit, peas, corn meal,
Germ and other things in such proportion
as you may see proper. These provisions
ought to be used with prudence and econ
omy from the start. It would certainly
be advisable to bring few cattle to slaugh-
ter on the road, as you will need fresh
meat. One Of the most necessary things
on the road is mich cows. Milk is q
great luxury on the road, and by making
what we call thickened milk great saw
ing of flour is effected. Flour will keep
best if not very fine. What we call shorts
are just as good as snperfne flour. Corn
meal is excellent and keeps pure and sweet
until after you. pass the Rocky Mountains.
Corn meal and -four ought to be put III
sacks, and then placed at the bottom Of
the Wagon. Bring as many cows and
heifers as you can, they are worth grea,
deal here, and at all points on the road
For yearling heiier you may obtain a
splendid horse of the Indians. The Indi-
ans on this side of the mountains are rails
ing stock in large numbers, and are en-
ceedingly anxious to obtain more. AT
Fort Hall, fat oxen, the finest and fattest
in the world, may be had BY giving two
poor oxen for one fat one, which will
weigh more than both the others. Also at
Fort Baise the same exchange can be
made, and also at this place, and with the
Indians on the road. Flour cannot be had
in any sufficient quantity until you reach
DIR. Whitman's, rs miles from this place.
At Fort Hall coffee is so cents per pound,
sugar so cents, rice 33 cents, flour %
cents, powder 60 cents; lead 20 cents.
Wheat at DR.. Whitman's 81 90 per bnsh.,
corn the same, potatoes 40 cents. But
emigrants coming to Oregon should lay in
a sufliciency Of provisions at the start, and
by no means depend upon hunting. They
will have no time to hunt. II party
stop to; hunt buifaloes, they will eat up
more provisions than they will obtain
The Buffalo chase is very exciting, and
most amusing; and you can indulge in the
sport; but you can save very little meat in
the heat Of summer, where fuel is not very
plenty, and you have no time to cure it.
You may hunt for the purpose of procur-
ing fresh meat.
There are many remarks shall make
which | cannot class, or place under any
particular. head.
Emigrants to Oregon should bring
scarcely any thing but provisions and
clothing. Feather beds should be sold, as
they can be had in the Willamette Valley
for one-half what they will bring in the
United States. All the cooking utensils
should be as light as possible. No heavy
axes, ploughs, hoes or irons Of any kind
should be brought. They can all be had
at Vancouver as cheap as in the States.
No useless trumpery should be brought.
One or two augers, chisels and gimblets
for repairing Wagons oughtito Be taken
along. Saddlers'. tacks, few medicines,
nails, screws, and many little things, use-
full and necessary should be brought
Many things may be had from the Indians
on the road, for powder ana lead, guns,
clothes, such as shirts, waistcoats, coats
and pants. They are most anxious to pur-
chase clothes. Any quantity Of salmon
can be had at the Salmon Falls on Snake
river, $50 miles this side Of Fort Hall, for
old clothes. Fresh salmon can also be
had there. Peas, potatoes and corn may
be had Of the Indians, so miles before YOU
reach this place. For. cows and heifers,
you can procure any thing an Indian has,
except cows 81 heifers. They have plenty
of fat becves. Beads, paints, handker-
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