The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-06-12

buy here, and leave what grain and provisions
they expected around. The Mount Carroll
Company have been here about 2 weeks wait
ing for a boat, and no prospect of one before q
rise in the river. was informed to-day, that
quite large number had returned, owing to the
heavy prices Of grain and provisions, which had
reduced their means low, that they were a.
fraid to start out upon the plains.
Goth Saw a gentleman from St. Joseph to-
day, who informed me that the number at that
4 point was much greater than here--he thinks
Ethere is about or Z thousand teams there, incu-
ding about 400 who had started out on the plains.
There are about 1000 persons there, as 1 under
stand, from St. Louis was also informed to-
day by gentleman direct from Fort Laramie,
that he had met about 1000 teams already on the
plains. and no prospect of grass when he saw
them; he met large train about 400 miles ont
SHOW several inches deep, and some of them
almost out Of grain, and their horses ready to
sink under them. TT 1888" FEs.f
9th. Weather still pleasant--teams coming
in all directions;--about so wagons and 200 yoke
ofcattle arrived to-day; grain still continues high
two, and sometimes three auctioneers are cry
ing off property all the tme;--about 200 horses
and nearly the same number of wagons have
changed hands this week, some at a sacrifice and
others at a handsome profit. Cattle are in great
demand owing to the Mormon emigration to
Salt Lake, and have been sold at enormous pri-
ces. great deal of property has been sold at
great sacrifice; large number are compelled
to sell or starve themselves and teams.
28th. Weather continues pleasant--prospect
Of grass more encouraging;--the Missouri bot
tom looks quite green to-day;-quite number
crossed yesterday at the mouth ofthe Platte Riv-
er;--both the ferries at the Bluffs are running
all the time, and have been for four or five days;
they crossing from 60 to rs teams each per
day. saw MIR. Noble to-day, of Wisconsin, who
was through to California last year, and is fitting
out large company here; he thinks that it is
impossible for those who started or 5 weeks
ago to get through--says that horses or cattle
| must have some grass to start on; and predicts
that those who started the first of April, will be
passed by those who start the first of May
There is quite large number joining his COM
pany, and when made up, will number about $50
men.-There has been several companies organ
lied, but it is the opinion of great many, that
none of them will stick together. The Maquo-
keta company stand among the first that have
crossed; they all have good teams, and hardy,
energetic men, who think, are bound to 90
through. The best teams that have reached the
Bluffs, are from Wisconsin--most of them cross
ed this last week, and are rs miles out Indians
have not p.ovcd troublesome as far out as we
have heard Quite large number Of horses
have been stolen at the Bluff. I saw man on
yesterday, who had lost of his best horses, and
was compelled to abandon the trip and return
home--no one has yet been detected; but emf
grants who are out Of means, are probably the
| aggressors. ! have seen but three or four per.
sons here from Dubuque--David Jones g. COM
pany crossed the river on the 10TH are probably
about $50 miles OH the plains; his health was
quite good when he left here l saw Miller of
Dubuque, on yesterday; he is waiting to purchase
span of horses and wagon--will probably cross
the river on Wednesday.
49, Cold, disagreeable day. About $50 teams
| left Kanesvllle for the ferry--a small number
only remaining: saw 3 persons to-day in one
company, who were making preparations to re-
turn home Grain is coming down; corn can
be bought for $3.50; Hay $l.OO per hundred.
Heard to-day the steamer Ben Campbell was a.
ground at the mouth of the Platte.
Both. Weather still cold--about 40 teams left
to-day for the upper ferry-most of those here
are making preparations to leave. Two cases
of small pox at Kancsville to-day. Emigrants
are very much frightened and all that can leave
are pushing out Left our camp this morning
for the ferry at Traders Point, where we shall
remain for few days, until we join company
sufficient for protection, as we find it neces
sary that companies should be large enough in
case of an attack from Indians
] was informed by Sarpee, an Indian trader,
just from the plains, that the Indians had attack
ed a small company of two or three wagons, a.
bout $50 miles out, taken their horses and pro-
visions, and left then on the plains;--he also in
formed me, that large numbers of horses had d.
ed on the way from St. Joseph and the Bluffs to
Fort Laramie.
heard to-day, that Charles Hewitt and young
Van Hagan, of Dubuque, who left here two or
three weeks since had lost several of their hors-
es about $50 miles out, and were returning for
the purpose of purchasing more at this place, as
they were unable to 60 with the small num-
Der left. Miller and Moore's company, of Du-
buque are still here;-they will probably join
our company this week.
May LIST. Weather more pleasant today. Mo
river rising rapidly; but few teams crossing;
large company are encamped to-day upon the
opposite side, at Bellevue.
ascertained to-day from the three ferrymen,
that about 1900 teams have crossed at the Bluffs;
and as near as 1 am able to judge there are about
500 teams encamped at Kanesvlle and this point
making in all about 1000 teams that have
reached the Bluffs.
Purchased light wo-horse wagon few hours
ago to carry out grain, and one more horse. We
now number horses and two light wagons, and