Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-12-13

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and property.
Letter from Oregon.
SEPTEMBER 10th, 1916.
Dear &r:-Permit me to inform you
that am now on the west bank Of Louis
river, about one hundred and seventy
miles below Fort Hall, in good health,
but with many cares, owing to my situa-
ton in the Company. They selected me
as their commander, when we first set out
on our journey, with the assurance that /
should be relieved from it in month or
two. But since that time, have endeav-
ored in vain to get rid of this ardursus
task. I still have the command of forty
one Wagons, with sixty-five men, well
armed, and about one hundred women and
children. You know, that in among so
many, there are always some who are un-
governable, but in the main body very well.
We have great trouble in getting up our
cattle in the morning, sometimes five or
six are gone, when we have difficulty in
finding men willing to stay behind and
hunt for them; especially when there is
danger of Indians. We have been mo-
Tested by them but little, though the Paw
nees on Blue river, killed some of our
cattle and stole six horses from lis. AZ
forwards six of them came into our camp.
| espied them, and we Immediately took
them and kept them under gnard until
morning, which alarmed them very much,
and we were never troubled by them
again.
We have had hard times for want of
grss. When we first came OH to Platte
river, we had good grass, but as we pass
ed up that river, it became orse until
we came 10 Fort Laramie, where we
found It exceedingly scarce. For some
miles above that place on Sweet Water,
we found good grass on the bottoms, but
on the uplands, there is nothing but sage,
or worm wood as some call It. must
say to you, that it is much greater under
taking to 60 to Oregon, than most men
think. But if the country is as good, as
It IS represented to be, those who go to it,
will be repaid for all their troubles and
vexatloEs, though they are many and un-
thought Of, until the journey is tried
We this evening met DR.. White, in COM
pany with four other men. They assure
us, that the Wallamett valley, is one of
the most beautiful countries they ever
saw, Astounding with plenty of every thing
needful to sustain life. | should like to
give you full detail Of all our travels,
but have neither time nor space.
! will say word about the curiosities
Of the Soda Springs. They are situated
on Bear river, q will tell you about a
bear fight we had there, after awhile) some
of the springs are warm, while others are
cold. They all spout up out Of the ground
with great force. One which is called
the Steamboat Spring is great curiosity,
and to one who never saw it, is worth a
long journey to see it.
1t is continually foaming and spouting
like the scape pipe of seam engine
The water of some of those springs is
strongly tincured with Iron, some with
copperas, while that Of others, is good So
da water, and may be used to equal ad-
vantage in making bread instead Of salera-
tus' This region of country is the best l
have seen since / left the Missouri. saw
pine trees ON the moutains, which were
one hundred and fifty feet high.
Now let me tell you about our bear
tight. Some eight or ten of us, came
across an old she bear and her two cubs;
and by the by they were of the grizley
breed Of lears and we surrounded them
in thicket. l placed two men at eacl,
stand, with directions that one should re-
serve his fire in case of an attack, SO as to
prevent accidents. We then sent some
of the boys into the thicket to drive, and af-
ter some time, the bears made their APP
pearance. One of our men fred and
wounded the old bear, and as she passed
me | gave her another shot throug h the
body, awey she ram up ravine believing
and growing prodigiously. We soon found
they were all in thicket, snd one Of the
party fired upon and wounded one Of the
cubs, when it ran away also screaming
Justify. In few moments found the
old one again and gave her another sho,
through the body from the ether side.-
She now ran down the ravine to where
Morgan Keys was stationed, who gave
her another shot, thus attacked on all sides
the old lady made chase after Keys, whose
only chance was to run, his gun being dis.
charged, Heran for life towards where
was standing, and ! had barely time to &c,
between him and the bear, when she turn
ed after me. | now had recourse 10 nv
pistol. (not having my gun loaded) and
as she made grab at me placed it agains,
her neck and fired, which turned her q
complete summerset. Keys now run up
and fired at her with his pistol, when she
again gave chase TO him. Our only chance
now was our knives, / drew mine and
pursued her, but she gave up the chase oil
heys and again took to the brush. After
hunting some time we again found her
and Jack Robinson fired upon her. She
turned upon him and pursued him when
run in and shot her through the head,
which ended The battle. ~
! wish you to see my family and let