The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-04-10
Journal OF an Overland Trip to California.


Written for the "Nlincrs' Express"
Thinking that Journal of California Trip,
might interest number of my friends and &C
quaintances who design remaining in the States,
and be of some benefit to those who think of en-
igrating to the ''gold rcgio1.,'' have determin-
ed in brief and plain manner, to lay before
them through the columns of the s'Miners' Ex-
press daily transcript Of the ''uPs and downs
of California Emgrant's life.
On the morning of the 2lst March, 1850,
left Dubuque on board the steamer Wisconsin,
and on the same day joined cur company at Ga
lena, consisting of five persons, viz: DIR. John
Higgins, of Lancaster, Wis; Nilsson 0. Hig
gins, Esq. Bellevue, Iowa; David Higgins Esq
St. Paul, William Warbriton, Galena, and Lo-
renzo Trempcr, Lake CO. Indiana.
After spending one week in arranging things
preparatory for long and arduous trip, we took
up our line of march for Council Bluffs at ! o.
clock P. Nj. of the 25th; with one light two horse
wagon, yoke of oxen; light one horse wagon
with Canadian ponies two ponies in reserve
Travelled IL miles first afternoon, to Bellevue;
roads good-found large number of California
teams at that place-was informed AZ teams had
passed through since the 18th.
20. Left Bellevue at 10 clock A. NJ. trav-
clled l3 mlcs-roads good-arrived at Andrew 4
P. Nj. Ponies fresh and in fine sprits-oxen
rather tired, and most Of us in the same situa-
tcn.
Both. Left Andrew o'clock A. M.-was
informed sc teams had passed through since the
10th; that IL had left that place this spring-tra-
yelled IL miles, and at 3 o'clock p M. encamp-
cd for the night, on the edge ofthe 16 mile prai-
rie, roads good.
3lst. Left our encampmcnt I o'clock, A. M.
travelled IL miles on the big prairie without
water, roads quite bad in many places-arrived
at Howell Ferry 3 clock P. NJ. having travelled
S mles-company all very much fatigued.
April LIST. Left the ferry 8 o'clock A. M
roads getting very hard-turned over our OK
wagon-no damage done-encamped at Upton
at o'clock, P. NJ, having travelled IS miles
was informed that so G. teams had passed
through on the 2Sth
Apr. 2. Left Upton o'clock A. NJ roads
very bad-passed one California team stuck fast
in the mud-travelled most of the day in COM
pany with two Milwaukee teams and one Eliza
beth team-Johnson, drummer and Donley-
found G. teams waiting to cross at Cedar River
terry-was informed by the ferryman at that
point, that $50 G. teams had crossed this spring.
and heard Of large number behind us-raincd
very hard most of the day, but were compelled
to push on as every house was crowded with
Californians. Travelled to day fifteen miles
company all very much fatigued- hearing of no
good quarters ahead, were compelled to stop at
miserable Irish cabin, without window in
the house-rained hard all night.
3D. Our quarters being SO disagreeable, we
were compelled at 10 o'clock A. M. to leave in
the rain, roads very bad. Every, house being
full of emigrants, were compelled to travel in
the rain or camp in the open prairic-reached
Iowa City clock P. NJ, having travelled II
miles. This place is now filled with G. teams
in. every direction. Grain is high and not very
plenty; corn, 81 cts; oats, none to be had-was
informed by the ferrymen on the three different
crossings on the Iowa River at this point, that
900 G. teams had crossed this spring-the lar
gest portion for Council Bluffs; and us nearly as
| can Judge, there are about SO teams now in
town waiting to cross-was informed by Mr..
Swan, proprietor ofthe SwanHotel, that Webb's
company of Dubuque, passed thro' on the Goth
for St. Joseph. Gridley company passed thro'
on the 2sth bound for the same point. Have
seen no one from Dubuque since left-most Of
them ahead, bound for st. Joseph, and as our
company 60 by the Bluffs, shall perhaps notsee
them until we meet them on the plains. ", An
understand that grain is very high at ST. Jo-
seph and Council Bluffs; that great many have
got entirely out Of money, become disheartened
and are returning home. .,a.. ,.f..r
4th We shall remain in the city to day, and
if the weather permits, start for the Bluffs on
the 5th. ...,.s=a. ..a#'sa1 "a