The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-06-21

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ORrcoN CAMP, April 81, 1845.
Dear e: The emigrants are
scattered all about here on the prairie,
wherever they happen to light on a
good spot for water, fuel, pasture, &c.
Yesterday we had meeting of the en-
igrants about mile from our camp, and
formed temporary organization for
the purpose of setting out on our jour-
ney. The 5th of May is the day set
for starting. We start from the usua
place about 10 miles from here, though
many ofthe emigrants will not Join the
main company before they get to Kan
sas river, (some 100 miles, at which
place we 60 into new and more sub
stantial organization. This week will
be all hustle among the emigrants, as
many are just arriving, and some who
are here are not quite ready, whilst
others are ready and anxious to be off,
All will endcavor to get as near the
starting point US possible this week, att
which place there is to be another NEE
ting next Saturday. By the rules pas
sed yesterday, we have in the companyl
the following officers: One Captain, ,oneI
Lieutenant, three Judges, three Inspect
tors-the Inspectors TO inspect the pro-
visions, &C., Of all emigrants and pre-
scribe the amount requisite, &c.. and /
report-the officers to be elected month";
ly. A committee was also appointed
10 procure pilot. 1t is difficult to get !
pilot this spring. The man who was
expected to be the pilot, who pioted
last year, and has been through fre.
quently, has not returned. There are /
numbers Of persons here who have
been through to the mountains, and the
route being plain and easily found to (
there, we shall be obliged to make an
agreement with some one of them to
take US through, and he can take us
to Fort Laramie, and there employ
some trader or trapper to assist him in
taking US through. suppose Maj. E
Adams will be the man. We had ali
very interesting address yesterday atE
the meeting by Mr.. Gilpin, who has 4
been to Oregon, and is a gentleman oh
good information, and very candid in his H
representation OF things. He gave a 8
very flattering account Of the country
in Oregon, OF its advantages, its pro- 4
ducts, climate, health, inhabitants, the !
prosperity Of the settlers, &c. &c. Iii
can form no estimate of the number oh
emigrants that will 90 over this year, asE
they are scattered all over the praries, u
some just coming in, and large C ON b
pany has already started from what isE
called "St. Josephs," north Of the river IA
perhaps 80 or so miles distant; they a
get into our road several hundred miles h
from here. At this time could give noE
closer estimate Of the number than you.
There are goodIy number of the "A
right sort of inhabitants among the en- II
igrants this year; ! heard it remarked 4.
yesterday, by merchant doing an ex- b
tensive business in town, that last year,
the emigrants who traded with him x;
were, with few exceptions, "hard ca q
ses''-but this year it was vice versa ID
all, with a few exceptions, whom he "A
had noticed this year, were very res.H
pectabie citizens. y Hl
A few words as TO the best way OF n
coming thus far. Get :c Clnclnnati,H 4
rom that by steam to Indepensscc u
bring nothing but what is absolutelyH
necessary, such as clothing, &c.; theH
lighter you make your baggage, the bet 4
er; we can use nothing on the way butt
in plates, tin cups, knives and forks, n
poons, coffee mill and boiler, frying \
'an, Dutch oven, and camp kettle.-
This constitutes about all the s'kitchenH
Bring your wagons with
'ou. Bring no horses, as you cannotH
rade or sell them here, unless you have "A
good horse or two you wish to take u
trough. Cattle is the principal thing,a
sw mules and ponies, which are plenty
ere. Buy your groceries, and all that x
ou can in st. Louis. Flour and pork Hc'
ou by here. You will perhaps by that !
me know as much about an outfit as
can tell you in letter.