The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-04-24

formed about LOO more had arrived in Iowa Ci-
ty since we left-saw several Indians to-day on
their way from Missouri to camp about . miles
below Phelps treated us very friendly, did not
like the looks of our six shooters-could not get
an Indian to come near them-wheh asked il
they would take one "no little gun-shoot too
much.
9Th. Left Phelps o'clock A. NJ, roads still
very bad in many places passed teams encamp..
ed at every house-travelled IS miles to Shocks
grove, arriving at o'clock p. M, teams very
tired-no grain to be had at any price-we had
enough for two orthree days-found teams feed.
ing on hard bread-met several persons return
ing home disheartened, out of money, and no
grain to be had for less than 81 per bushel-was
informed over 500 teams had passed this place
this season, some as early as February.
9th. Left Shocks grove clock A. M
roads still bad-crossed the 10 mile prairie in a
severe snow storm which lasted about hours
travelled 26 miles to Sugar Grove arrived 3 o.
clock T, M.-7-found IL teams encamped at this
place, mostly from Wisconsin-very little grain
to be had at 81 per bushel ,..z->.-
I 1Oth.N Left Sugar grove 9 o'clock A M. pass
ed the grave Of Dr.. King of Aurora III, who ac-
cidentally shot himself on the 10th March, while
attempting to take his gun from the back part
of his wagon-he died on the following Sabbath
and was buried the same day. His brother who
was with him started Immediately for the bluffs,
intending to sell out and return home. Met
several who had ssseen the elephant" before
reaching the Bluffs, and were returning home
travelled to day Is miles; roads bad-two ponies
ame-no grain to be had. ..., ....,,.
1lth Sent one team to-day 16 miles east in
search of grain-shall remain at this point one
or tw o days and rest our teams. .':s'!s'@' .sl
18th. Team returned to day with sufficient
| last RlnffS-SNant
this day hunting, killed a fine lot of game and
returned to camp very tired, having travelled 10
or IL miles to visit some Indian graves in the ID
mile prairie. .... ...
18th Left Hoosier Grove, IL o'clock NJ;
weather quite cold-travelled miles to cherry
Creek; arrived o'clock P. NJ, no gram to be
had at any price-passed Is teams encamped
waiting for more favorable weathrr-a large num-
Der feeding on hard bread and dry prairie grass.
18th. Left Cherry Creek o'clock A. M,
travelled 16 miles to Mitchell's Tavern, arrived
3 o'clock-roads good with the exception of two
bad sloughs-traveled in company to-day with
Is teams from Galena, Wisconsin, and Indiana,
saw several men to-day directly from the
Blufs-they report corn at so cents; hay, So
per ton; provisions plenty at reasonable prices
they also report 1900 teams waiting for grass,
and large number who have started for the
plains with grain sufficient for 80 days-I have
seen several to day returning. They have seen
the 'elephant' and are satisfied it is better to
turn home than ross the plains-was informed
by Mr.. Mitchell few moments since that over
500 teams had passed this place for the Bluffs
have seen but 3 from Dubuque-I learn that
Webb's company have reached the Bluffs. Nc
Garvnes CO. from Dubuque, 6 persons, passed
Mar. 81. Shipton CO. offs persons passed APP.
LIST; Kennedy on the 10th.
18th. Left Mtchells o'clock A. NJ, travel
ed ID miles to Fort Desmoines, arrived 2 clock
P. M.-weather pleasant, roads qnite good
Found about 70 teams at this place-gran very
high and little to be had at any price. Corn,
$3.50; Oats the same; no hay to be had-saw
several teams to day entirely out of grain, and
persons just from the Bluffs state that there is
none to be had this side of that place. This
place is now filed with Californians-gambling
lost their all, gambling and drinking.
Encamped tonight with Drkersons CO. from
Prairie Laporte, Clayton county; shall travel
in company with them from this place to the
Bluffs.