Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1850-09-27

grazing. We have seen no dead horses or
oxen nor graves of persons for the past three
days. We have seen few buffalo and ante
lope' and some OF the companies have sue
cceded in killing buffalo. The grass con-
tsuues backward foI the time of wear. We
have now been on the road II days from St.
20; have passed about 900 wagons. 500
Eorned cattle, and about 200 horses and
faules.
Sabbath, goth of Mny-At Fort Kearney,
On the Platte bottonl-south of the river
about SEQ miles from St. Jo., and 335 from
Sort Laramie. The station of Fort Kear-
ney consists Of two frame and several sod
buildings; no Qualifications are erected
About 200 soldiers are stationed at this point.
The western point of Grand Island is about
one mile west Of the station. This Island
Is said to be one mile wide and 40 miles lone.
IN the middle OF the Platte. The river is
irom to l mile wide, with an average depth
oi only one or two feet; sandy bottom, with
numerous bars. The Platte bottoms extend
several miles, on both sides of the river 70
nigh bluffs Of sand and clay, which have been
cut up by the constant action Of the autumn
al and spring rains. Beyond the bluffs is
handsome prairie, but DO timber. We leff
TT. hearney on the Goth, aud moved on three
miles aud encamped. In the eyenino tre-
mendous thunder storm. accoronani,d viii,
haii' drove several hundred horses from the
bottom and caused their owners much trouble
IN hndlng them among the bluffs. We trav-
elled aloEg the bottom until the 81 Of June
When We found ourselves at the first CROSSING
Of the South Fork, I23 miles west of Fort
hearney, and PA miles east OF Fort Laramie
We crossed over without difficulty, and con-
linued up The North Fork bottom between
the rivers. We expected to fud good grass
between the Forks, but fad it .niseruble.-
lew buffalo, antelope. rabbits and wolves
are found among the bluffs. On the 9lh we
were encamped al Chimney Rock. 532 miles
from St. Joseph. The country for 20 miles
west OF Chimney Rock, as wei! as in its Vi
entity, has been cut up and the greater nor
tIon OF 1t swept away by water, leaving
Chimney Rock, Court House Rock, and
scores ot other scarcely less distinguished
Rock, as well as all the other fragments i;
not composed Of roc.,, but OF stragifiad. com
pact cluy, mixed with sand; the tons Of an
being Oh d level with the prairie a few miles
distant. Chimney Rock is in the form
OF pyramid; the base nearly mile in d.
ametcr' and $50 feet high. suruouuted Jy the
Chimney, which resembles Bunker UU
Monument. The entire height Of base and
chimney Is probably nearly 300 feet. The
road IS very good, bat dusty; clouds Of dust
mara the direction Of tie route for miles
Wish the exception Of few scattering trees
on the small streams, there IS no wood. n,
fact It IS nothing but one vast prairie from the
Missouri 10 Fort Laramie. We have not,
yet been out Of sight u ygagons-thev are
strung along tie whole distance, as fur as a
wagon can be seen.
We passed Scots Bluffs on the 1Otb. AMI
arrived at Fort Laramie on the 18Th. rTba
teams from Council Bluas are crossipq over
on RATS, and some Of them in their wagon
beds. The stream Is deep ana rapid. One
man drowned while crossing tits afternoon.
lew wagons have attempted to fiLd a pas
sage up the north side OF Tie river. btt tIe
most Of them have returned. The weather
has been very dry, which makes the Grass
scarce. The best route to tbs poiut is from
Old Fort kearney, near the mouth OF the
Platte following the South Bottom to this
po'Ct, and the best teams, thus far, are oxen.
(donkeys exceptcd) over 6 6.0Co wagons are
reported ahead Of US. There mas been no
GOOD grass yet. We shall continue up the
river abou, 100 miles. and then cross over to
the mountains, when you may expect to hear
from Us again.
Given under our hands this 10Th day Of
june, \. ID, 1880, and of the Cuhiorni.,
Excitement the Third
BIG THUNDER, Esq, sc. sc.
Q. 4. N. 4, See'y.