The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-04-05
DELIGHTS OF An OVERLAND JOURNEY n
CALIFORNIA.

DELIGHTS OF An OVERLAND JOURNEY 10
/ CALIFORNIA.
We find in the St. Louis Republican the
following rich commune alton, which will
afford considerable amusement, il not in.
s.ruction, to those about migrating to the
Paciic:--
TO CALIFORNIA MEN.
i Permit me to caution your over-zeal in
going otter gold. Remember, and take
warning before you engage in an enter
prise beyond your age, and strength and
means.
1 A long, dreary road, Of upward Of 1000
miles lies before you, without houses, with
out inca. or flour, aud in many places, with.
on, wood, water, or grass. You that start
across the plains, by the time YOU reach
Santa Fe, N. Ma distance of not less
than 1900 miles from St. Louisville find
your ambition and courage fail; and We,
through Santa Fe 10 paradise to wha, you
will see afierward. By the time you have
been fifty days out, which will be the time
you will be in going there, Tor kill all your
oxen and mulcs,) you will wish yourselves
back again at work in ST. Louis--mark my
words. You must cook your own meals,
which will be fun and sport for few days,
where wood, water aud grass are plenty,
but after you get 100 miles beyond Council
Grove. you will hunt in vain tor wood, aud
often for water and grass.
Instead Of wood, get your blanket and
two Of you go out, take circle Of one mile.
and pick up oil the buffalo chips (manure)
YOU can find which will he scarce, make
Your fires and cook by the blaze. While
two are bunting for fuel, some will have to
90 Tor water, others picket out your mules
or watch your oxen, others attend to the
cooking, some attend to fixing your tent
BE sure and cook enough at night to do the
next day, leaving nothing to do in the
morning hut boil your coffee, harness up
and be of. Twenty miles is q good days
travel.
Two men will use barrel Of flour before
getting ~ Santa Re, md 200 lbs. good ba
con, about 30 lbs. coffee. You cnn travel
on foot better than he tyoubled with horse,
for you certainly can keep up with an OK
wagon. aud in few days become used to
il, which will harden you for the labor,
when called to use the pick, crowbar, spade
or shovel.
You want good axe. Ratchet, pick axe,
crowbar, spade and shovel; on auger, inch
chsel or two. You will wnnt Tin or pew
ter plates. tin cups, good knife or two,
coffee boiler, tea kettle, frying pan. spider,
bake oven and canteen; little salt, pep
per, saleratus, mustard, red pepper; plenty
Of pickles, and good supply OF vinegar;
moIasses, ms il is quite sweet ON the plains
get plenty Of matches, both lucifer and
wax; get two large blankets as your bed
ding; cap is better than hat. Il INIT
tiers not about the sun, you'll get used TO
it; your hat 10 blown by the wind into
''cocked hat" and then the sun has oil sd-
vantnges; wear shoes instead Of boots for
walking (unIess you arc afraid Of snakes
Of which you will see plenty Of the bigges,
kind Of rastle-snakes) You can kill dogs
enough for fresh meat ss you arrive in their
cities and towns; they always sis ut the
d0ors Of their houses, and are always either
shot or caught. They are very pala.able,
and in eating them, nj first, one 10 apt TO
eat too much II mesl Especially At supper
time,) which causes considerable noise in
the lower regions, about the time one
wants to sleep, but cannot for the constant
barking Of the dogs. To prevent this.
TAKE along some No. 6; few drops put oil
10 rest agsin. A good file would be useful
when you arrive At the Buffalo Range, for
you can't help killing an old bull. md while
the boys arc SHINING, you can be filing
your teeth, to be ready to enter on duty.
As wild meat 10 Of running breed, and
YOU ct tame one. YOU needn't be surpris.
ed TO find yourseli running the day after
eating il. In case your run is more than
Won are used to, take few drops of No. q,
and oil is quiet. Be careful not to chase
the wolves on foot--shere are many, and
are sort Of hyena; when they turn upon
you they destroy both soul and BODY, and
then run of with the homes. Some Of
them are old. with boards like Aaron's that
hang down to the ground-his only went
to the skirt of his garments.
The wind blows NIL the time on the
plains, and very hard; so much 90 a. to
cause you to complain: but you will get
used 1, il after three or four months blow
ing, and can't we'll live without il, Tor smosh-
eriOg (down in the holloway You can see
a great way ahead 10 some places weeks
march in adyance-mounds and the like.
You will be apt to have rain and water
plenty It yon start early, and consequent
" get your jackets and blankets yet
through day and night; then comes the try
ing time with the buffalo chips They will
neither burn nor blaxe--so make up your
mind to cat raw dog. Or any other raw
meat, without bot or warm stuff, except