Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-01-13
Further from the Oregon EImf.
a - - kgrants.

"A letter from Or. ]. E. LONG, to one Of his
lormer neishboss At Lowell, Henry county, dated
aRoeky Mountains, 9TH Aug. lSAs," has been
kindly transmitted US for perusal. We take the
liberty Of making public such portions Of it as
are deemed to possess general interest. In all
parts Of the West, and in Iowa particularly,
everything relating TO Oregon is read with avid-
ty; aud many, doubtless, who are disposed to
emigrate, will be determined in their movements
BY ahe representations Of the perils, hardships
and difficulties to be endured on the trip, by
those who speak from actual knowledge, and
upon whose statements reliance may be placed.
For this reason we have made it point to lay
before our readers everything which has fallen
under our notice calculated to throw light upon
the subject, and intend to continue so to do in
future. DR.. L. says:
.'eThe country through which we have travel
ed for the last three weeks, is that part Of the
route known as the Sandy Desert, but it does not
answer the description have heretofore had Of
il; for so far from suffering for the want Of water
and feed for our stock, we have found a boun-
tiful supply Of both during the whole distance,
and at no time have we been more than twelve
hours out of the reach Of sufficient water for all
our purposes. The weather, during the middle
Of the day, has been generally warm, especially
while travelling over the sand and sage, which
abound here; but the mornings, nights, and
evenings, are cool and pleasant. We have been
considerably annoyed by mosquitoes when trav-
cling mp the waters Of the Platte river, but arc
now out of their reach, and shall in a few days
cross the mountains, after which water from the
snow capped peaks will flow down across our
path in clear and refreshing streams. In short,
we will be in the Oregon Territory in few days;
and although we will then have seven or eight
hundred miles to travel before we reach the Wal
lamett valley, we feel greatly encouraged in the
belief that we will arrive there safe and in good
, season. We have not met with the least diff
Guilty or interruption from the Indians, and a.
soon as VIC arrive in the Oregon Territory W,
will be out of the reach Of all the hostile tribes
/ assure you we have prosecuted our journey
with far less difficulty than expected; and will
the exception Of two deaths-one boy, klle,
by wagon passing over his body, and the othe
death from Inflammation of the bowels--hav
, had but little to discourage US.
81 hope there will be goodIy number of m
friends from Lowell and tsvicinity who will
prepare for an early start next spring to meet u
in Oregon; can assure them they will not fin
as much difficulty as their fears will probabl
suggest. Ofcourse cannot speak any turtle
than my own experience enables me, but al
told by those who have several times travelle
/ the whole distance, that We are now through tn
:. worst Of the journey. mentioned in my forme
letter that it is indispensable that those. VIII
: travel with wagons should see that they are mad
: oflight, strong, and good materials; that the
:. oxen should be young, middle sized, aecustome
! to work, not over fat, short legged, and roun
bodied. Such cattle will endure the fatigue Il
: better. Let them bring no loading but prov
= ions and clothing, and be sure not to encumb
:, themselves with more bedding than is bare
I, sufficient for the route. Let them not brir
= heavy cooking articles. 1t would be we'll
" bring cows, but would advise that they shou
be such as are able to work in the team; we ha
number of cows that work in this company
Let the men procure leather clothing if they c,
:, before they start II would be much better (
= those who start from Iowa TO forward their loa
Fshd sgS 81 westpoTf s. water; from Lowell
= Westport we found the most difficult part Of 0
!" journey"