The Arkansas banner., 1849-08-14
The oyerland Emigration.


 We have lately seen letters from Messrs Dudley and Webber of Roxbury, who belonged to the Con. gress and California Mutual Protection Association which left Boston early last spring for the overland route. This company after reaching Missouri, broke up, the greater part returning disheartened few are pushing onward, though with considerable misgvings as to their own fate. Some particulars of what has befslen them may instruct those who have hope enough to follow in the enterprise. They are now in the neighborhoOd of Fort Kearney, some 300 miles out in the prairies. The difficulties had but commenced at this place, yet they were such as would discourage any but those who were determined to risk and suffer all rather than turn back. All the parties seem to have committed the error of carrying too much lading As the beasts give out they begin to throw over board provisions, then clothing, next the carts and wagons. and finally the animals themselves are abandoned. The party we have mentioned had already thrown away 500 pounds of bread and bacon, with large quantities of -four, beans, &c. Wagons aud harness were abandoned CT sold for song to anybody who would bid for them. Not day was passed without seeing graves by the roadside where tha victims of cholera or fatigue had been commit. ted 10 their long home. Al Fort Kearuey more clothing was lying abandoned upon the ground than would fill the largest slop-shop in Boston.
 Up to the 2d of June, the number Of wagons which had passed to the west amounted to 5,ls2, averaging eight head of cattle and four men to each wagon. Trains were often seen in the prairies ten miles long. Further particulars may be found in fhe folio,rinO letter.
 FoEr KEARsEY, June 3, ls49. We arrived here on Friday last, and are haltng to put our baggage on mules and throw away our wagons. To-day we are cooking our dinner with fuel which was a bran new wagon when we left Boston. It makes mans heart ache to see the property scattered right and ieft the trail every day as we pass along II an OK, horse, cow'or mule give out, it IS abandoned on the spot. Wagons are Ieit standing as fast as they emptied of theii lading Of provisions. We are in the same condition with every other psrty,-too heavily loaded; ant We are throwing oyerboard everything that is sot absc- uteIy necessary for the journey. Each man retains only two suits of clothes and l75 pounds of pross ions.
 Some of us elubbed together. bought three yoke 
 ahead with an OK train $io0 and the team to deIerv us the baggage al Suffers Fort. For my part expect to see this same baggage again: it will not get across the continent in year.
 When we start from this place we shall travel 90 or 5 miles day. Thns far have we averaged since leaving Westpost, only l2l, miles daily. Al this rate l, would require something like life time . nnn A ss. have passed some 40 graves on the road. was talking with friend in the forenoon, and at o'clock in the evening another borrowed my shovel to dig his grave. However, continue well myself. drink little water and no whisky.
 We have been among the Pawnee Iadisns five or six days-I mean in the Pswnee territory, for have not seen one oi the nation- They are now at war with tie Sioux. and week ago had battle twenty miles from tue spot where we are now encamped. Returning emigran,s continually passing us on their way back 10 the States, but ws are determined to push forward, and are now cutting up wagons and harness to make Pack-saddles for our mules As to prices along inc route thus far, can inform you that at WestPoit paid Sl0 for three pounds oi saleratus. On the other hand can buy Indian PoehES A~Ss w ~asJ ~ ~ W v@C. DFEkdfS uefe 20 on horseback; no indian owns less than three bead oi horses. though he has nothing to ea and scarcely a rag to his back. They come begging about us mounted on their horses, and if they are offered money or provisions in exchange for them refuse to sell.
 At the present moment we seem to be in no danger of starving. Game is abundant. Looking out while write this, see seven snieiopes, not more than half mile cf. Beside, provisions cf all kinds may be picked up by the wsy-side, having been thrown away by emigrants to hgh,en their loads. For dan- gers we have something now and then to siartie as Yesterday, party came up and informed us that the Pawnees had attacked train from Ohio, but were beaten of with the ioss Of seyea killed. One man of the train was wouanded. and the captain had his horse shot under him. These Pawnees ar. said to be pack of cowsrdIy thieves, who are more fond of plundsring than 6ghting.
 We expect to cross the forks Of the Platte on inc sih of Jonc, from which place shall probably write again. as shall dcsbtess find people enough there who have seea sae Elephant 10 their heat's con. tent. and are turning trunk and teeth homewasd.
 TBoston Co,rieF