The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-07-31
From the Sangamo Journal
FROM Iiic California Company

FROM she California Casnpnuy.
The following letter is from Mrs.
GEORGE DoNNER, Gone of the emil
grants from this County, now on the
way to California, } to friend in this
city: 1t is dated
MAN ruE JUNcTIoy oY ruE)
NoHru am SoUru PLATTE,
June lG,h, lSfG.
Ny OLD FRfEND We are now
on the Platte, 200 miles from Fort
Laramie. Our journey so far, has
been pleasant. The roads have
been good, and food plentiful. The
water for part of the way has been
indillerent-but at no time have our
cattle suffered for il. slFood is now
very scarce, but "BHfai0 chips"
are cxccllent-they kindle quick
and retain heat surprisingly. We
had this evening buffalo steaks broil-
ed upon them that had the same fla
vcr they would have had On hickory
Goals.
We feel no fear Of Indians. Our
cattle Craze quietly around our en-
campmcnt unmolested. - Two or
three men will go hunting twenty
miles from camp and last night
two Of orr men laid out in the viii
dcrncss rather than ride their horses
after a hard chase. Indeed if | do
not experience something far worse
than yet have done, | shall say the
trouble is all in getting started.
Our Wagons have not needed
much repair; but cannot yet tell
in what respect they could be impro-
we'd. Certain it is they cannot be
too strong. Our preparation for TIE
journey, in some respects, might
have been bct.ered. Bread has been
the principal article of food in our
camp We laid in $50 lbs. of flour
and Is lbs. Of meat for each individ-
nal, and / fear bread will be scarce.
Meat is abundant. Rice and beans
arc good articles on the road-corn
meal, too, is acceptable. Linsey
dresses are the most suitable for
children. Indeed if | had one it
would be comfortable. There is so
cool breeze at all times in the prai-
rio that the sun does not feel as hot
as one would suppose.
We arc now 400 miles from indie
pendcnce.-Our route at first was
rough AMI through a timbcrcd coun-
try which appeared to be fertile.
After striking the prairie we found
first rate road and the only diff
Guilty we had has been crossing
creeks. In that, however, there has
been no danger. Ineyer could have
believed we could have travelled so
far with 50 little difficulty. The
prairie between the Blue and Platte
rivers is beautiful beyond descrip-
ton. Never have | seen 50 varied
a country-so suitable for cultiva-
ton. Every thing was new and
pleasing. The Indians frequently
come 70 see us, and the chiefs Of a
tribe bieaktastcd at our tent this
morning.-All are SO friendly that |
cannot help feeling sympathy and
friendship for them. But on one
sheet what can | say?
Since we have been on the Platte
we have had the river on one side,
and the ever varying mounds on the
othcr-and have travelled through
the Bottom lands from one to two
miles wide with little or no timber.
The soil is sandy, and last year, on
account of the dry season, the emf
grants found grass here scarce. Our
cattle are in good. order, and where
proper care has been taken none has
been lost, Our mich cows have
been Of great seryicc-indeod, they
have been of more advantage than
our meat We have plenty of but
ter and milk.
W. are commanded by Can't. Rus
,cl-an ar1iah,a man. Gcorge Dom