Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-08-13
Oregon EnigrantS.

Oregon Emf grants.
From a gentleman who arrived hero yesterda V.
on steamer Gen. Brooke from Fort Nermion,
wo have the following statement in relation to
James Emmet's Company of Oregon Emigrants,
which started from near Iowa city in January
last:
Our informant states that on tho 9Th Of January
last. James Emmct. Tcnncssoaan, organized u
company, consisting of one hundred and three or
four persons, men, women and children. most OF
whom from tho States Of Illinois, kcntucky
and Tennessee, and with twenty-five wagons, n
number OF horses, cattle, farming utensils, &c.
started from the ncghborhood of Iowa city for
Oregon Emmett, by the unanimous consent CT
all, elected before stlrtng Pilot and Captain
of the expeditions; rules and regulations were
adopted for the security and preservation of the
company during tho journey. and the property
and effects of each individual were thrown into 4
Joint stock. The company mustered is men and
lads who were able TO do military duty; these
were deemed a sufficient protection, and after
some delay IN arranging matters they started.
taking northwest course. which soon carried
thom out OF the settlements.
After travelling for some twelve or fifteen DAVIS
they boro little more to the North, and struck
the Iowa River, which thcv ascen!cd for a consi-
derabIy dstnncc and tlen changed their course
and prairie without compass any thing else to
guide them except the rising and setting sun.
Ia this condition they travelled for about 20
days, whom no prospect Of speedily reaching the
Missouri offering, some of tho men became unrulv
and mutinous, and nothing but by persuasion aud
the scveres threats of the leaders and o.hors who
were willing TO prosecute the journey. together
with tho fact of getting far into the wilderness
that tho road back had moro torrors than the
course ahead, did this mutnous spirit finally sub.
side, and all were again intent upon reaching the
great goal--the Missouri but they were della yod
by diiicultcs and dangers unthought of-brdgcs
had TO be made aud roads oponed; brouse and
provisions became scarce, and starvation began tc
stare them in tho face. In order TO obtain sustcn
pelied to keep near some stream, which carried
thcm often out Of their course and increased the
difficulties of travelling. and for better than eigh,
weeks the only provondor the cattle and horses
could get was tho buds and boughs of young trees
cut down after an cncampment for tho night. with
privations ana difficulties almost unhcar d Of and
which in the route caused large number Of tho
cattle and horses to do or give out.
After journey of over three months they
reached tho Nermillion, about two hundred miles
from its mouths; when they took down that stream
and al last cncampcd at tho fort. its mouth
with eighteen men and about half tho number OF
women and children with which the expedition
started.
Many left the company on the Iowa. and other;
becoming completely worn down pitched thci
tents high mp the Ncrmion, and concluded tc
hunt buffalo until they recurited from the
fatiguos.
Our informant says tha. for six weeks his daily
allowance of Indian corn pint tin cup hal
full. and when thcv reached tho fort their whole
stock amounted to about three bushels; here they
thought it most prudent to stop, and therefore
made no attempt TO tho Missouri. The
Company had been some fifteen or twenty da y:
at NcrmiIlion. when the steamer General Brooke
arrived from the Yellow Stone, on her way 10 thi:
city. A number were anxious to come down or
her, but wero prevented by Emmett and his con
nexions. who number some six eight men, anC
who still porsis, in going to Oregon, and doing
their best TO keep the handful they have under
their command from scattering. Since their SOLO
at Nermillion they have busted themsclve:
hunting buffalo. the flesh of which they have
mainly subsisted
While the boat at Nernnlon the strctest watci
kept the dsatfectcd. prevent their going
board but informant, who Young ctive
with Young and sprightly wife, managed by
her first board. and then he them the slip
leaving every thing behind except the clothes they
they from W ashington county. Illinois. and
making their way back. perfectly satisfied with ei
tramp to Oregon.-St. Louis New Era.