The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-12-23
OREGos BAR. North Fork American

Dear Sir: Thinking it not altogether I'M
probable that you might be interested in
from this country, although
written by one whose circumstances are not
very flattering, will employ few moments
,f this Sabbath day to lay before you some
IF the most important items OF my journey,
md advent into this country. left home on
The 14lh of Mayor the Saladin-had quick
Trip to ST. Louis. From there descended the
Missouri river on board the ST. Paul. a heavy
drausht boat, and The river being quite low,
we wer. often aground. However, without
any serious occurrence, we arrived at 81. Jo
seph on the 24h, where made but short
stay, starting into.he plains with pack mules.
After travelling 100 miles | united with Il
train of lightly loaded ,-rse wagons which
added greatly to the conveh,pce of travelling
About the LIST of June the cho',-a made its
appearance amnng the cmigrants arye mum
-utfs uyITg uaily. 9Th we bn. ,.,.o
on the 9th third enc OF our company. w.
were obliged TO travel slowly, many more be
ing sick. On the 10th we buried the fourth
one, which was the last that died Of our com
pany throughout TIE journey. kept re-
cord, by which learned that the number OF
deaths on the plains, before reaching Fort
Laramie, was not less than one thousand not
withstanding the register at that Fort show
ed only 297 at the time passed, which was
June 18th. II was impossible for them to OBJ
tain correct information, as not one half of the
emlgrants called ut the Fort. Our ceIebra-
ton OF the anniversary of our national tri-
umph was after Iatigueing days travel OH
the banks Of Laprela river, in the Rocky
Mountains, where | addressed the company
with the best had in my shop, three hearty
cheers and then we drank to the health of
OF our nation from the bottle of brandy.
which before had remained untouched. =
Such were the feeble h0nors we paid to
the heroes of our rich boon oil Freedom, in the
land of hills and hollows far from civilized life.
On the 9Th of July we crossed the North Plat
tie, miles below the principal ferry, Travelled
up and camped near the ferry, where we
earned that VIM. Falkner, Of Capt. Sweasy's
company, from New Harmony, was drowned
the day before in attempting to cross the river
on horseback, aud that their train was camp
ed half n mile in advance Of us. On the
morning Of the 10Th mounted my mule and
-----.y o'Srs'.rs- cui-rcds nvr
camp before they sta ted, where found my
friend Consider Mitchell and family. To
NEE, my friends, and especially my mucl.
loved pupils in heather land. on the heights
Of the Rocky Mountains, after two months fa-
tigueing travel, all enjoying excellent health,
and bear 10 them the latest news of their
sensations of heartfelt gladness. J. +. Daw-
son was also in that company.
Our route was through Sublett's Cutoff.
and also through Carson's Cut-oH, which
proved much better than by Salt Lake or Fort
Hall. The road being mucli shorter, and grass
and water full as plenty. We arrived at the
head Of Humboldt river the 18th August, and
Notwithstanding provisions had been strewn
in heaps along the road heretofore, now came
the tug Of war. Hundreds were destitute,
and starvation staring them in the face
Those that had dare not sell, knowing that
the Desert and the Sierra Nevada was yet in
front, and to retreat was impossible. The
only relief was from attenuated cattle, and
those who travelled with horses and mules
were troubled to obtain them.
Twas little more fortunate than some
paid S25 for a steer, and jerked beef was my
only rarity for some time, dividing it with
those that were destitute Of meat and money
Although our company escaped the depreda-
ions of Indians, yet l witnessed several
scenes Of their stealing stock, and barbarity
upon others. We reached the desert at the
sink of Humboldt river, the 3ri Of Septem
Der. and crossed bel veen the hours of
O'Clock, p. NJ, and O'Clock, A. NJ, oil the
4ih, where witnessed the greatest destruc-
ton Of property that can be imagined.
give my opinion, as corresponding with thai
Of many others in our company, although i
may seem improbable. Not less than 500t
head Of stock were lying dead on this desert
and 800 wagons partly mutilaied. and some
uninjured, lay strewn along the road, anC
loads ofemigrants' outfits, provisions except
ed, they being out). But when have men
toned all this. the greatest loss is yet untold
Sunday, Sept lst. while | was looking 10
the desert, at the Great Meadows, where W.
supplied our teams with hay. at Wagon
about ten steps from me heard well known
voice, and looking up gazed full in the fac,
Of Col. Barney Royston. We had some con
versation; he was then well, but not so cor
paent as formerly. The next time saw him
after leaving that camp ground, was on TIT