The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-11-13

having travelled to-day 30 miles; found fine
spring of cold water on the right Of road; grass
very poor; no fuel but wild sage. The roads
still continue very dusty; rendered so BY the
large amount Of travel over light, barren soil,
very smllr to ashes. Passed within the last
week quite large number of horses and oxen
killed on the trip, caused by hard driving, and
scarcity of grass. Left one horse to- day in our
train, the first that has been lost by any member
of the company since we left the States; the re-
mninder all look well, and think will 90 thro'
| Sd. Continued our course this forenoon eleven
miles down the dividing rid ge, until we reached
Kanyon Creek, the head waters Of Hunbolt riv.
er; passed two alkali streams near the road one
Of them said to be very poisonous. Continuing
our course down Kanyon Creek, found the sur.
face Of the ground crusted over with large guam.
titles Of alkali similar to saleratus, which was
gathered by the emigrants for the purpose of
raising bread, which is said to be good substi-
lutte for salera;us. Encanped tonight Of
mile to the right of ,ad on the banks of Kanyon
Creek, near cold spring of water; h1ving trav.
| ellcd to-day 81 miles. Found company from
Wisconsin encampcd at this point, who had one
of their number shot on last n ght by the Indi-
ans, while on guard. 1t appears two Of the
company were on watch about 800 yards from
camp, with their horses; at l2 clock one of the
number started for the camp, with the intention
Of awakening the next watch; during his mo-
mcntary absence, the remaining watch, Mr..
Samuel Oliver, of Newankic, Wis discovered
4 Indians about SO yards distant, who had Just
arose from their hiding place, for the purpose of
attracting his attention, and while his attention
was attracted in that direction, an arrow struck
hiu,, from an Indian about 20 yards distant, who
had been concealed in ambush; after receiving
the hint-pointed arrow in his breast, he turned
upon the savage and snapped his pistol, (hav.
Ing no oth:r weaotns in reachO and ar
ing for the safety of his horses, he started them
all towards the camp, but fell mortally wounded
after running about SO yards: he was found Il
mono n. afterwards and carried to camp in q
dying condition. Two physicians were called
who pronounced the wound mortal, the flint
pointed arrow having pierced his heart, and il
drawing it out, the flint remained; several at
pose; he died in few moments.
4M. was awakened this morning, at day.
light, by the firing of guns, and sapposing tha
an attack was being made upon our camp, sciz
ed my rifle, with several others, and rushed out
expecting to meet horde of savages. Seeing
no Indians in sight, | recollected that it was the
morning of the 4th July, and being little asha
med Of my precipitancy, l silently put on my
clothes, and joined the company outside, who
were firing salute Of 80 guns
After hastily dspatching breakfast we har.
messed up and pushed on, in order to find suit
able place to celebrate the 4th; travelled eleven
miles down St. Mary's or Humbolt river; at
A. ~, found small stream, which we found il
necessary to swim; after unloading our wagons
we commenced our old plan of packing our load
ing over our backs, which, in many places
we found it necessary to swim;-after crossing
the stream 3 times in the same way, we at las
: halted upon the west bank of Humbot, having
travelled to-day ]S miles. In few hours, ia
bic was spread, 80 feet long, covered with the
choicest Of stores, served up in the best man
ner that our cooks were able. After dinner wa
, dispatched, and cnsk of lemonade placed upo1
; the table, toasts were drank until quite a lat.
hour in the afternoon; after which, the Declara
ton was road, and an Grafton delivered by DR.
| Tory of Kane county, Illinois; 80 guns were
then fred, and the company dispersed TO the
several tents.
5th. Continued our course IL miles dowr
Humbolt, until we reached I'd crossing; atte
+ spending u hours in packing across, we loaded
up and pushed on down the stream. Passed to
: day the graves of M. Byall, of Finley county
!, Ohio, died July 2lst, ls49, and Isaac Avery, o
Jones county, Iowa. died Sept. 9th, 1S49; boil
: buried at right of road, near the banks of Hum
t bolt. Travelled to day % miles, and encampe'
on river bank; grass and water quite poor; NJ
fuel but wild sage.
5M. Continued our course this morning dow,
t the west bank Of river; weather hot and sultry
s roads still very dusty-in many places from 4 t.
6 inches deep. Passed to-day the grave Of J
) II. Henderson, of Carroll county, Mo-, died Ju
ly 5th, IS50-buried upon west bank of river
Indians still continue very troublesome, stealth!
. stock, and killing emigrants; men were kIe'
q few days ago, on ahead ot Us, ana all 1he hors
7 es belonging to them taken; only one ofthe com
pany escaped, after receiving several wounds
7 but I learned that he has since recovered, an
t gone on to the mines. 81 horses were stolen Of
yesterday from a company near us, two mel
killed, and one stripped Of his clothing, and let
without provisions.
/, Five Indians were discovered this morning
near camp; four men from Missouri and mysel
mounted our horses and pursued them; afte
: giving them close chase for miles they dis
appeared in low piece Of ground, surrounde
by high grass and sage bushes; riding into tn
3 ravine, we were Immediately surrounded by q
>; bout 80 Indians, who raised the yell; for mc
: ment shower Of arrows flew in every directio
j. around our heads; one horse was immediatel
e killed, and two of our company slightly wount
a ed us soon as we could rein up our frightene
l. horses, we dismountcd and charged them wit
d our rifles and revolvers; we killed three ofthe
number, and the remainder fed for safe quarter
l 4 4 I ~ ~,