Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-09-19

Lef1ef fron ne FInhn1.
Opposite Fort Laramie,
North side Of Platte river,
June 18th, 1850,

4
/ Dear Father: We have Just concIu-
ded the second part of our journey in
good health and condition. We left
Fort Kearney on the 26th of May, and
reached this point, $50 miles distant,
in Is days, making an average of 22
miles per day. At Fort Kearney we
left the main road and crossed the Platte
river at Grand Island. then struck the
Mormon or Council Bluff road. By
doing this we avoided the immense
crowd of emigrants and had very good
road, good grass and water. plerty of
game, no wood but good substitute in
the way of "bufalo chips" So think
can recommend this route. We have
seen thousands of buffalo and antelopes,
and killed great many ,end almost lived
on the meat, which is most excellent.
Buffalo chasing is the finest sport ever
engaged in, but very dangerous, with
out you have good horse and are your
self good horseman. ] was out one
day last week in company with two
others, and had fine fun We charged
on a herd but they outrun US; soon
after we came across one by itself, so
we made charge on it and crippled it,
after which we dismounted and went up
to it; if proved to be bull. He turned
on US and we made some fast running.
We approached him again, more eau
tiously, and fired on him until he fell.
| made eight holes in his hide, and the
other boys worked about as fast as did,
so you see they are very hard to kill,
for we stood within 80 steps OF him, and
aimed to shoot HIM in the heart. He
was fine, fat fellow, and made first rate
beef. So much for buffalo hunting.
will now give you kind of des-
cription of our manner of living, ira
yelling, &c. In the evening, the first
thing after stopping is unyoking the cat
tie, driving to water and grass, and sta
king out the horses; then some go to
gathering chips, building up fires, cook
ing, &c. After supper we pick out the
most suitable place and pitch our tents,
spread one half OF our blankets on the
ground, roll in and cover with the rest.
At daybreak we turn out, get breakfast,
yoke up, and move on; some stay with
the wagon, some ride horses, some take
their guns and amuse themselves shoot
ing prairie dogs, gophers, rattlesnakes,
and every thing that comes in their way.
We drive ~ to IA miles before lunch;
rest two hours at noon, and then drive
on till we find a good camping place.
Some may not like this mode of living,
but it is always attended with a great
deal of excitement and amusement-I
person with an active mind will every
minute in the day see something to ex-
cite his interest or awaken his curiosity.
As far as can see or learn the health
of the emigrants has been very good,
and the greatest proof that l can pro-
duce of this is the fact that we travelled !
twenty five days behind 5,347 wagons,
averaging AZ men to each team, and |
have seen but two newly made graves, |
and the death of one of these was caus- |
ed by accident; and it is my opinion |
you cannot find less sickness in the
same number Of men in any State of
the Union. A person will stand more
exposure here than he will at home, ow.
ing to such constant exercise and pure
atmosphere. We never pretend to salt |
our fresh meat, as it is entirely unneces-
sary. We can hang up behind the wa
gon a quarter of buffalo beef and use
it at our leisure in oppressive warm
weather.
Yesterday we spent the day in ferry
ing across the Platte river. As the riv-
er was not fordable, and the ferry boat
having drifted away, we were compelled
10 use our wagon beds, and as they were
very unwieldy it took US the entire day
to cross our four teams. The river here
is about like the schute at Gallipolis
island in nigh water; but we got over
tolerably we'll, considering all things,
having sunk only once.
i went up to the Fort this morning.
and found it no fort at all, but collec-
ton of rough log and mud houses
There are all kinds of mechanical shops
here, but they charge California prices.
l went to blacksmith shop to get some
OK shoes, and they charged 37l cents
apiece for shoes, and 10 cents apiece for
horse nails. Flour sold here yesterday
for $50 per sack Zoo lbs.;) hard bread
S14 per bushel; whiskey Sc, and BRAN
dy SO per gallon.
Up to this time there have passed
here 16. .o16 men a36 woroen o4o cb;I.
dren, 4,679 wagons, 14,974 horses, A.
641 mules, 7,471 oxen, and ,O53 COWS.
l have been at hard work all this day {
the teams started this
and are some 10 or IL miles
ahead, and it is now 2 o'clock. / have {
been making OK shoes and nails.
Frank CromIey is well, and calcu- {
Iates to walk through from Salt Lake.
could tell you great deal more that i
would interest you, if had time, but | '
must go. Give my love to all.
Yaur SON r