The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-08-14

Illinois, who died of cholera, June 18th, lS49,
buried on the south side of the road near the
banks of Platte, about l mile from the cove tree
Passed the divide between the Pawne and Sioux
Indians-a large number of the Sioux crossed
the river and made us visit; treated us quite
friendly,-they are a fine looking race; tall, ro-
robust, and about as Intelligent as any in Nebras
ka-some of them speak English very fluent.
25th. Left camp on Castle Creek at day
light in order to push on and find better grass
drove on miles and breakfasted on the banks
of Sand Hill creek; found grass g. water plen-
ty. Passed 70 Sioux and Cheyenne wigwams,
on south side of river, numbering about 800 In
dams and or hundred horses, several Arab
an of very fine blood-a large number crossed
over to meet us, all very anxious to trade for our
Canadian ponies. Passed the grave of Mrs. M.
Hawks who died August 10th 1e49, aged as
buried on north side of road near the river; al
so passed the grave of James Walker of Dekalb
Co. ILL.,, who died, May 23d 1850; buried on the
north side of road, about IL miles east of Grab
creek Travelled 255 miles, most of the day in
company with the Iowa city and Dubuque COM
panies, encamped near Crabb Creek, good grass
and water quite plenty
Goth. Remained in camp to-day it being Sab
bath-weather still continues pleasant. 3 COM
panes passed to-day, numbering about $50
teams.
9th. Heavy rain last night for several hours
great benefit to emigrants as the grass so far
has been from 10 to Is days later than last sea-
son. Left our encampment quite early travel
ed to-day up the banks Of Platte, counted over
200 teams upon the opposite banks.
Crossed Crabb Creek and found good water
and grass but no timber. Creek Is feet wide
| foot deep. Crossed Crabb hills, lat. 40 33'
81; road quite sandy for miles. Prckly pear
and wild sage very abundant quite a strong
| breeze to-day from the west which has made it
very pleasant to travel-found the road quite
sandy for 10 miles. Travelled to-day 35 miles
and~encanped quite late at the foot of Sandy
bluffs, west foot on banks of river-plenty of
water; grass very plenty.
18th. Weather still confines pleasant-left
grain wagon this morning after selecting the
best parts for fuel Left our encapment at day.
light, travelled s miles and breakfasted on banks
OF Platte 10 miles below chimney rock-water
and grass plcnty-roads quite sandy to-day,
found large quantities of prickley pear and wild
sage. Halted at IL NJ. opposite chimney rock
and grazed our horses. The mound from which
the rock protrudes is about 1870 feet high, 100
in diameter at it's base the rock which appears
to shoot up from the top, is about 80 feet high
aad from to 6 feet in diameter: the mound
stands about 200 yards from the south side of
Platte, 70 miles east of Fort Laramie on the St
Joseph road. Lat 40 so So; Lon. 1910 90.
Travelled to-day % miles and encamped on
the banks of Platte, IL miles east of SCOTS
blutfs-found good grass and water by digging
about feet left another wagon to-day; en-
camped tonight in sight of large trains, num-
bering about 600 teams. Within the past 10
days we have passed II log chains, II Califor
MIA stoves, the remains of about 30 wagons, bed
ding, clothing &c. sufficient to clothe regi-
ment OF soldiers.
29th. Weather still continues pleasant, quite
warm to-day; had something of a stampede last
night in camp for an hour Our horses that
were picketed outside of the camp took fright
about Ii clock, and before they could be caught
D made their escape; men pursued them, but
have not been heard from up to s o clock this
morning; horses escaped at the same time
from two encampments near u.s. A large por-
ton OF our company pushed on to-day, leaving
sufficient number to come up with the horses
should they be found-Traveled Id miles to
Spring creek, 10 feet wide, 8 inches deep; gra-
zed our horses one hour and pushed on; travel
ed to-day "a miles and encamped on river banks
lO miles west of Spring Creek-grass good, the
road tor the last 10 miles very sandy.
Both. Left our encampment quite early and
travelled up the Platte. Prickly pear and wild
sage abundant; road most of the day quite san
dy; crossed Rawhde creek P. NJ: good water
and grass quite plenty-travcled to day, 20 miles
and camped on the Platte, miles South East
OF Fort Laramie-reached timber on the north
banks of Platte, the first we have seen for the
last 22O miles.
Dist. Left our encampment at 2 A. NJ. in Or
der to reach the ferry opposite the Fort before
the great rush could be made reached the fer
ry at sunrise-about 60 teams ahead of us wait
ing to cross. The current at this point is very
strong, and dangerous unless a boat is we'll man
aged. man was drowned here tire fore part
OF the week while attempting to ferry in the
night; his name could not learn; his residence
was keosauqua, Iowa; one wagon was lost this
morning, but portion of the loading saved in
damaged condition. The remainder of our CON-
pany reached the ferry at 10 o'clock A. NJ hor-
SEES had all been recovered. When found thew
were about 30 miles from camp, bearing back
east.
Companyaall crossed to-day,-shall remain at
the Fort until tomorrow the first June
Fort Laramie is situated between the forks of
Platte and Laramie rivers, on low plat of
ground lying between the bluffs. The buildings
numbering IL cover space of 10 acres, besides
two large stables 1875 feet by 80 each; the COM
handing officers quarters is frame building 2
stories high, about 40 by 60 feet.
There is large frame now being completed
in the centre of the grounds, about 100 by 80
feet stories high, designed for prvates' quar-.
lers. lhere Is at this time garrison of 200
men, companies mounted rifle, and company
of 9th infantry. Commanding officer, Mai VI.
F. Sanderson.
Provisions are very high, but there have been
appropriations made for all emigrants who have
been unfortunate in loosing their provisions, and
those who have no money to buy with are not
sent empty away.
The total amount of emig grafton this season up
to this date, is as follows Men, 922l-wom-
en-, 77-children, 46-wagons, 258s-horses, g.
2lo-mules, 296l-oxen, 1779-cows, 100, and
the cry is still they come.
lady making inquiries of boy about his
father, an Incorporate man who had been sick
for some time, asked whether he had regained
exactly; his appetite is very poor, but his drink-
attic is as good as ever
The Independence Commonwealth says that
Mr.. JAMES BRowN has obtained monthly con-
tract for carrying mail from Independence to