The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-11-06
Written for the "Express'
Journal OF an overland trip to California.

-f
June 1SM.-Heavy snow storm last night,
which lasted for about two hours; weather still.
continues quite cool, for this season of the year.
After leaving our encampment this morning,
we.contnlied our eourseSa short distance down
Green river, after which the road leaves it en-.
tirely. Passed to-day the grave ofJ Trimble,
whotdied July 3D., lS47 also, the grave of J..
Crawford, Of Clay CO, Mo, who died July "a,
1849-both Of them buried upon the west bank
of Green river at the left ofroad9S Found the
roads to-day very rugged, and in many places
difficult and dangerous for wages. Passed this.
forenoon the grave of Mrs. Mary Fulkerson, di {
ed July 14th, l947, buried at the west edge of
bluffs, near the banks Of Green river. Travel
ed to-day 90 miles, and cncamped at the DOT of
gravel bluffs, on the left Of road found water,
grass, and wild sage in abundance.
10Th. Weather still continues quite cool for
the season; in fact we find it necessary, morn
ings and evenings, to put on heavy ovcr-coats;
and even then we find it cold. Passed over some
very rough and difficult roads to-day; in many
places the descents were quite dangerous; grass
and water quite abundant-mountain streams
and cold springs at almost every mile. After
travelling 20 miles to-day, cncamped on the
bank of Indian Creek, 40 feet wide; grass and
timber in abundance. 49,.
l was informed to-day, that eight men were
drowned in Green river on the Sth, while at
tempting to swim their mules across the stream.
did not learn the names ofthe party, but learn
ed they were from Kentucky.
Goth. Left cncampmcnt on Indian Creek quite
early; passed a large number OF Indian wigwams
on the west bank; roads quite hilly and difficult
for wagons so much so, that in many places it
is necessary to rope them down the difficult de-
scents. AS we descend the mountains the
weather continues to grow more pleasant, altho'
the nights are still cool. Met to day 2 express
riders direct from ForI Hall, with dispatches for
Fort Laramie, days out; they report grass
plenty ahead, and most Of the companies getting
along first rate. Passed thro pine grove to-
day, situate on one Of the principal peaks of the
Rocky Mountains, 0 miles west of Indian Creek:
the grove is about &ths Of mile long, and 9TH
wide; many of the trees measuring 3 feet in d-
amcter, covered with thick, heavy foliage, which
renders it cool and pleasant retreat for the
weary emigrnnt who is toiling up those steep
and difficult mounta rs. Passed TO- day the graves
of Mariah Eme ieiy and Eunce Stone, died Ju-
" Goth, 1876, both buried on the banks of Noun
tain Creek, Il beautiful trout stream, shaded on
either side with willow and quakcnasp. Tray
elled to-day % miles, and cncampcd on the banks
of Bear river; grass quite plenty, no fuel but
wild sage.
2lst. After leaving our cncampmcnt this NOR
ming, continued our course through Bear river
pass the rocky cliffs piled on either side
900 feet high, and in many places the craggy
rocks hang directly over our heads. After reach
ing Indian Creek, q branch of Bear river, we
found the stream too high to ford, and were
compelled to unload our wagon, and pack over
{ n our horses, after which we aoated our agons.
After travelling 10 miles day, most Of the dis
lance on the river bank, we cncampel for the
night on the banks of Thomas Fork, 4 branch
Of Bear river; grass quite plenty; no timber but
green willow, very difficult to burn.
22d. After leaving camp, continued our course
down the bank of river; during the forenoon de
seconded one hill $ths of mile from the summit
to its base, and steep and difficult that it was
necessary to rope our wagons down from the
summit. After travelling to-day 90 miles we
cncampcd upon small mountain stream at the
foot of Stoncy Mountain; good grass and water
no fuel, but small green willow; passed this
week II dead oxen and dead horses, supposed
to be killed from the effects of alka. Passed
to-day large nnml or of teams, failing rapidly
under the effects of hard drvng-all anxious
to rush ahead, regardless Of the consequences.
AS regards health the present year it has been
good, until the emigration reached the Noun
tains, at which place large numbers were taken
sick--a disease called by physicians Mountain
Fcrcr, being the prevailing disorder; although
In most cases it yielded readily by applying the
proper remedies. Out of one company of 81
men, II were MINED to their tents; but up
to this time, most Of them have recovered. The
causes are supposed to be the sudden changes
from heat to cold, in ascending the mountains.
23d. After leaving camp, we continued down
the valley of Bear river; roads good and grass
in abundance. Passed to-day large number of
Snake Indians on Muddy Creek, encumped at
that point for the purpose of trading with cmi-
grants; we'll supplied with pack saddles, buck
skins, furs, robes, &c; many Of them speak our
language quite plain, and are very shrewd ira.
ders. Encampcd tonight mile north of the
river, at beautiful cold spring; found grass and
fuel quite abundant; -having travelled to-day q
miles.
Gath. Continued our course down the banks of
Bear river; roads still good, with mountain
streams at every few miles. Alto o o'clock a. m
we reached the trading post of Captain Grant,
formerly of Fort Hall, miles cast of the juno
ton of Oregon; spent some time with the old
Frcnchman, whom we found to be 4 very socia
bic and jovial old man; he is a person Of re-
markaby fine features, and said by many to be
a fac smile Of Louis Philippe; he has seen
great deal Of the world, and has good stock of
general information; but this wild kind of life
suiting his fancy, he inf ormed me that it was
doubt I'll whether he should ever change it, or
spend his days in other section Of country