Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-10-16
Rxsrnos of . Letter froul IN 8nigEanf 81
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this Place.
sOVrH Pass. (road to Oregon July 16, Isl.
wrote to you from Council Bluff
some nine hundred miles from the Mis-
sissippi, which | presume you received
We are now at the South Pass, camping
for the night, and to-morrow's journe.
will take us where we shall see tn
waters running tributary TO the Pacific
On leaving Council Bluff, we entere'
the country occupied by the Pawne'
nation of Indians. While passinl
through it, we were detained fourteen
days, by incessant rain, and consequen
hig waters. Although we did not leav'
our encampment until the rain subsided
and clear sky invited US forward, yet
prudence should have warned US of th'
danger of attempting to cross streams
swelled to the tops of the banks, as il
doing SO, five of our young men were
drowned, and simultaneously with tha
calamity, another of our company wal
killed by lightning. No other serious
accident has occurred. Our company
consists of forty wagons, well filleC
with the necessary stores OF an outfit
with nearly as many families.
In contemplating location in Oregon
l determined on taking across tn,
mountains such stock, &C., as | sup
posed could not be obtained there, unless
at enormous prices; so took forty
good COWS, beifers and bulls, with some
fine mares, and several wagons, vel
loaded with such things as | supposed
should need. | have succeeded il
getting all safe thus far, except few o
my young cattle running away from
us before reaching Council Bluff.
From best information, there are up
wards of fifteen hundred Wagons nov
on the road between the Mississippi
and Oregon City.
We left Elkhorn on the first day o.
June; the roads were excessively rough
and miry for one hundred and fifty
miles, but we continued to press for
ward up the Nebraska 592 miles over 6
beautiful country, plenty of grass
water, and timber, and often enjoying
the sight of the tenants of the forest
The country here is literally filled with
Buffalo, Elk, and Bear, but they are
wild and shy of the presence Of BIZ
peds.
We reached Fort Laramie at the foot
Of the black hills, on the 98th of June
Our route was then over the desert, one
hundred and seventy-six miles. The
country was mountainous, and deprived
of timber. water and grass. Indeed our
only resource for fuel to make the poi
boil, was, lin hunter phrase buffalo
chips.
When we had passed the ordeal oil
desert, We fell into the Sweet Water
Valley at Independence Rock, which is
also called SaIeratus Valley, which we
reached on the 9th of July. The In
dians on the whole route, did not attempt
10 modest US. To-day, July 18th, we
arrived at the South Pass, 1910 miles
from our late residence, (Sangamon
county, Illinois,) 500 miles from Mis-
souri, River, 273 from Fort Laramie.
and $50 from Oregon City.
While journeying up Nebraska, or
Platte River, we often saw snow on the
distant mountains, which are $3.50 feet
above tide water; the air is pure and
bracing, indeed it is so well rarified
that an object the size of man can be
seen from hill 10 hill the distance Of
three or four miles. Here for the first
time did see ice and snow in the sum-
mer months.
As the road TO Oregon, and every
thing that appertains TO the route, can
not but be interesting TO those intending
TO emigrate there, | have determined
on sending back such notes as have,
(made of the road, distances, physical
appearance of the country, and every
thing that emlgrants should become ac-
quainted with, as guide,) with view
of having them printed. When we
shall arrive at Sempquaw Valley near
the Pacific Ocean, shall write again.
So far my family are enjoying excel
lent health, and I anticipate arriving
safe with them. in Oregon-the land ol
promise. Our company will locate in
the same district, as nigh to each other
as possible, that we may all aid in build
ing up a seminary of learning for the
youth we have taken with us; and the
erection of temple to the worship ol
the living God, We intend to become
a nucleus for a community of eastern
Americans.
My next letter will be more interes-
ting. as | can, in all probability give you
a correct view of the physical appear
ance of the location we intend occupy
ing, its natural advantages. relative to
agriculture, commercial advantages, &c.
You will please inform orr numerous
family of relatives of me contents OF
this letter. D. NEWSOM.
At meeting Of the citizens of
Ironion, held on Saturday night last,
- .,.- ,o,aluaI 81 IL - tLo oraot;op