The Davenport gazette., 1850-07-11
A. II. OWENS JOURNAL.

A. II. OWENS JOURNAL.
Wepresent our readers with the journal ofour
friend and correspondent, Mr.. Owens, up 10 the
time which he was obliged to mail it. II his life
be spared we may safely promise continuance,
but several months in the meantime may elapse.
Those contemplating The overland trip to Caifor-
MIA should preserve these papers:--
April 2iss.-Crossed over from ST. Francis to
Nebraska Territory, which took US two days, our
train consists Of 81 wagons and fifty eight men,
governed by w. Barrows, Wagon Master and
A. II. Ovens, Camp Master.
22d.-fn accordance with previous notice,
camp was aroused at O'Clock this morning,
and train moved at past 6; road good, no
streams, and eamped in small grove, at 2-dis-
sance Ia miles
23d.-Train started at l past 6, travelled aboue
10 miles, when the California ball, Cor -bubble)
was fairly opened by my team Of four mules run
ming away, upsetting wagon, breaking bows,
hounds, stakes, single,rees, &c., which frighten-
ed Barow's team, causing il TO run into the
team ahead Of him, which resulted in breaking
an nxletree. The train was delayed an hour
when i, proceeded five miles further and camp
ed on the Pappea at o'clock-a stream about
ten fee, vide, and bridged. Teams were sent
back from here, for the load and fragments of
those who were broken down.
24,h.-The wagon master being informed thai.
all damages were repaired, started the train at
O'Clock, travelled l2 miles when we arrived at
Elk Horn river, crossed over in boat, ferriage
So, 100, went on to Platte river and camped a, 3
o'clk. Road wet and bad in many places-dis-
,ance % mlce
25th.-Left camp at 6, travelled over a level
road, sandy in several places aud camped upon
beautiful little stream called Shell Creek, l2
feet wide at past 3-distance % miles.
26.h.-Started ou. at 5, road level and good,
except one or two very bad sloughs and camped
at on the Loup Fork, which is about as wide
as the Mississippi at your place, quick sand bot
tom, and very swift current. Il is very difficult
10 ferry on account Of the current and the many
bars, which are continually changing Each
company tina, ferries has to furnish 30 men and
Ia hundred feet Of rope, part Of the men having
to work in the water up to their knees, and each
team pay for this privilege the small sum of 49,
so, which reminds ono very sensby, that he is
going TO California.
27,h.-Sti.l in camp waiting our turn at ferry.
Gilmore's company now crossing.
28,h.-Still waiting. Hundreds ofteams have
passed US on their way up to the ford, but the
weather being so cold we don't like to drive our
horses in the water.
28h. g. 29.h.-Still in camp but very uneasy.
3Oth.-At,empted to cross this evening, but
wind rising had to stop.
| 3lst.-We had las, night the hardest wind
storm ever experienced, blowing over all tents,
and keeping the camp in state Of excitemen,
during the night. About 10 o'clk. this morning
the wind fell, and the boys sung Hail Columbia
as they commenced crossing Loup fork. A
happier set never saw.
May lst.-An over by o'clk. this morning,
and started at I, road good, camped on big
prairie, near slough, nothing to cook with but
old grass, got in camp at 5 o'clk. .,-distance Is
| miles.
2d.-Lef. camp at 5-road sandy and wet in
places, and camped at o'clk. upon Prairie
Creek, about IL feet wide, IA deep--no timber;
rain this afternoon-distance to-day 35 miles.
3d.-StopFe ed raining about midnight, turned
very cold, horses sbivering, which caused us to
start at o'clk without feeding or breakfast,
and travelled to Wood river and camped at A.
M.-dis,ance l2 miles.
4th.-Left camp at 6, travelled up the Platte
over some beautiful country, with good road, and
campsd on it's banks at o'clk. distance 38 miles.
5th.-Weather still cold, freezing every night
quite hard, started o. half past 6, road good, saw
prea, numbers ofpr,iric dogs, and also hundreds
Of burn. buiialoes and antelope which were una