Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-09-14
FROM Che Orsgon anal galiforaIa EmigranIs.


~ GREEN SPRxNes, July 10, Is47.
We are getting alons well and are in
TAe enjoyment of good Health. On the
10th, alth and 18th we continued to trav.
el up the Sweet Water river. We are
now COZ miles from Independence, 90
miles from the South Pass Of the Rocky
Mountains. For the last three days our
road has been over loose sand, gravel and
flint rock. No wood and great scarcity
of grass, water however is good. On the
18th, we had the pleasure of meeting
Capt. Bridger. He informed US thai
there was part of a company lost last
year going Il, California. They lefttheir
pilot and lost their way.and 20 out of the
100 persisted. And, also, 20 wagons
were los. onthe Oregan road. Their fate
is unknown as yet, for nothing has been
heard from them.
Wehave met three companies returning
from Oregon. The weather is very warm
and the thermometer stands at lie in the
middle ofthe day. however, we have frost
at night. We have now travelled 242
miles without seeing one Indian. Game
IS not very plenty; there are few elk,
some mountain sheep, plenty of wolves
and prairie dogs; the waters are poorly
supplied with fish. One that has not seen
this region can hardly imagine how very
barren it is-we often travel ten miles
without seeing any green grass.
July 18th aud l4th-OuF road contn
ues up Sweet Water and is good with the
exception of some hills. We are now on
the highest elevation ofthe Rocky Noun,
tains where the road crosses; we now bid
adieu TO the waters of the Atlantic. We
are about 1900 miles from Joliet, and as
we are leaving the eastern slope ofmoun-
aaiRS, 1 will call attention to one of nv
tormei letters in relation to an outfit for
the journey. From experience, | would
say that no durham or blooded cattle
should be taken on this journey, tor they
cannot stand the trip. Good sized trim
built cattle from four to eight years old
Ahould be selected. The emiSrant should
be prepared to start from St. Josephwhich
about eighty miles above independence.
about the 25th of April; as that will give
you. an early start so that you will not be
IA '"O lOoI Vi tue companies. Alter 5UU
wagons and their stock have passed along
abe road, the grass in many places is eat
out; so the best chance is to get an early
start. By starting from St. Josepas, you
may avoid crossing the Kansas river and
keep head of other companies.
As TO provisions, the emigrant should
provide pretty plentifnllY with -four, meal,
pork or bacon, dried meat or fish, rice,
beans, coffee, tea, sugar, &c. 1t is better
to yoke cows and drive them in the team
than 70 have the trouble of driving them
running loose.
July 15-We are on the waters of the
Pacific, for about 20 miles past our road
has been smoother and better than anyin
Will county. This would be called de.
lightful place lift was net so barren
The road from this place to Ind ependence
- good, taking it all together. There has
been no rain since the first of June. / this
morning have an opportunity ofsending to
the States by company that is returning
from Oregon think probable that this
Will De the laot opportunity will have of
sending this summer. Yours,
CHESTER INGERSOLL.