The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-02-21
Oregon Territory.

Correspondence of the New York Herald.
LINNToN, 1874.
Outfit for Emigrants-Value ofCattle in Or.
Wagons-7Ae proper time for EN-
igrants to start-Mode Of TrapeI--Bufa
Toes, &c.
JAMES G. BENNETT, ESQ.,
/ DEAR SIR:-
The proper outfit for emigrants is matter
of very great Importance, as upon it depend
the ease Of the journey. As little as VIC
knew about the matter, we were we'll enough
prepared to get here, all safe, and without
much suffering on the road. l would even
be most willing TO travel the same road twice
overagain, had the means to purchase cattle
in the States; and Mrs. B. (who performed
as much labor on the road as any other we-
man, would most gladly undertake the trip
again. There is good deal of labor to per-
form on the road, but the weather is so dry
and the air so pure and pleasant, and your
appetite so good, that the labor becomes
easy. had more pleasure in se.ip ISL Ga
trip than ever did in the same time before,
which would have been greater had it not
been for the eternal apprehension of difficult
ties ahead. Whether we were to leave our
wagons, or whether we we're to be out Of
provisions, was all uncertain, and kept us in
state Of painful suspense. This state Of
uncertainty cannot exist again, as the way is
broken and conclusively shown to be practi-
cable. The sedge, which was great impe-
diment to us, we broke down completely, and
left behind lis good wagon road, smooth
and easy. Those who come after US will be
better prepared, and they will have no ap-
prehension about scarcity Of provisiens.-
There is not the slightest danger of starva-
ton, and not the least danger of suffering.
if even ordinary care is taken. Emigrants
may now come, knowing that the property
they start with they can bring clear through
and when they reach here it will be worth
about twice, and some of it (all their cattle)
four times as much as it was when they left
the States. There is no danger of suffering
for water, as you will find it every evening.
and always good, except perhaps at one OIL
Two places-not more; and by filling foul
gallon keg every morning, you have it con.
venient all day. Fuel on the way is scarce
at some points, but we never suffered fol
want of fuel. You travel up or down streams
nearly all the way, upon which you will find
dry willows, which make an excellent fire
and where you find no willows the sedge an
swers all purposes. Nothing burns Inors bril-
liantly than the sedge; even the green seems
to burn almost as readily as the dry, it catch.
es as quick as dry shavings, but it does not
make as good Goals to cook as the willows
The wagons for this trip should be two horse
wagons, plain yankee beds, the running geal
made of good materials, and fine workman
ship, with falling tongues; and all in a state
Of good repair. A few extra iron bolts
linch-pins, skanes, paint bands for the axle
one cold chisel, a few pounds of wrought
nails, several papers of cut tacks, and some
hoop iron, and a punch for making holes ii
the hoop iron, few chisels, handsaw, draw
ing knife, axes, and tools generally, it would
be we'll to bring, especially augers, as the,
may be needed on the way for repairing
All light tools that man has, that do no
weigh too much, he ought to bring. Falling
tongues are greatly superior to others
though both will do. You frequently pass
across hollews, that have very steep, bu
short banks, where failing tongues are pre-
ferabls, and there are no trees on the wa,
to break them. The wagon sheets shoul,
be double, and not painted, as that make
them break. The wagon bows should b.
we'll made and strong, and it is best to hav
side boards, and have the upper edge of tn
wagon bed bevelled outwards, so that tn
water running down the wagon sheet, whel
it strikes the body, may run down on tn
outside. And it is we'll to have the bottom
of the bed bevelled in the same way, tina
the water may not run inside the wagon
Having your wagons well prepared, they ar
as secure, almost, as house. Tents an
wagon sheets are best made of heavy brow
cotton drilling, and will last well all the way
They should be we'll fastened down. Whe
you reach the mountains, if your wagons ar
not well made of seasoned timber, the tire
become loose. This is very easily repaire
by taking hoop iron, taking the nails out tn
tire, and driving the hoop iron under til
tire and between it and the refelloes; the tir
: you punch, and make holes through the hoo
iron and drive in your nails, and all will b
tight Another mode of lightning the tire
which answers very we'll, is to drive pin
wedges crosswise under it, which holds
tight If your wagons are even ordinaril
good the tire will never become loose, an
f you will not perhaps have to repair any o
: the whole trip. Any wagon that will pc
form journey from Kentucky to Nilsson
will stand the trip well. There are many WI
gons in Oregon, brought through last yea
that are both old and very ordinary. 1t
much easier to repair wagon on the wa
than you would suppose. Beware of heav
wagons, as they break down your teams ft
no purpose, and you will not need them.-
Lig int wagons will carry all you want, a
there is nothing to break them down, n