The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-04-17


a teams to day from Salt Lake, they tell 10 that
if we can get our stock over the mountains, we
will find plenty Of erase. Myself and oil our
mess were sick day or two with dysentery and
fever, but have all recovered. Camped st3 o.
clock on Sweet Water; distance 10 miles.
a6th.--Started at Z o'clock, found road still
sandy, but not 50 bad as yesterday. Weather
cold, cloudy, and very windy, found no water bu,
alkaline for sixteen miles. miles from starting
point came to Ice Springs, feet below surface
find ice Camped At 5 O'Clock one mile west Of
ford No. Substance 20 miles. We find in this
section Of country the large Miehigan Wolf which
are more dangerous to horses than Indians; seye-
raj horses near us have been deyoured BY them.
We have lost none as yet
9th. 1t commenced showing this morning
abou, o'clock and at daylight the ground was
covered weather very cold grass still Short pros
meets dfeary. Started at o'clock, road good,
excep, tew hundred yards Of rocky road, which
must be crossed with care, as there is great dan
ger OF breaking wagons. Passed over snow in
the road feet deep. Camped at o'clock on
Quaker and Aspen Creek-small stream Dis
lance to-day 90 miles.
2sth. Started al o'clock. Weather little
more mild, road good, crossed over more snow,
some six feet deep and reached the famous South
Pass and was much disappointed in the appear
ance around it. Instead OF high craggy rocks,
upon either side OF the road that ! expected t.
see. Hound beautiful looking country, with a.
fine road over it as tire best we had travelled.
We pass over, as you are aware the dividing ridge
which separate the waters Of the Pacific from
those OF the Atlantic. The ridge is about 90
miles wide Camped at 4 o'clock on Pacific
Spring Creek, stream ; ieet wide, foot deep,
good cold water and plenty Of good grass around
il. Distance q niles Here again, through the
kindness Of Capt. Gilmore, | enjoyed rich sup
per Of oysters.
29th.-Remained in camp to-day in conse-
qnence Of several Of our party being sick with the
mountain fever.
30th.-Started ont Of camp at noon, travelled
over good road for fifteen miles which brought
US to the forks OF the road the right hand leading
to Fort Hall, the left to Salt Lake. The compa-
ny was called together, and after long debate
on The different routes, it was decided by small
majority to take the Salt Lake road; alter the de-
eision we moved on and camped at shutdown on
Little Sandy distance % miles.
June la.-Started at 6 o'clock, road fine, soil
barren since leaving tie mountains. Camped at
) O'Clock on big Sandy, distance 25 miles. We
now find good grass; we have descended fifty
miles from the summit, and are only 1000 feet
below il, which will give you an idea Of the grad
ual descent, which is about the same on both
sides of the mountain. From green river the road
ascends again until we arrive at summit only
800 feet lower than that Of the South Pass. Ia
descending from the mountains we saw three girls
y bears, but could get none Of them.
2d.-started at 6 o'clock, road good, travelled
10 miles which brought US to Green river, q
stream 40 rods wide and usually 3 feet deep, very
rapid current, and being too high to ford wa
obliged 10 pay five dollars to have our wagons
crossed over in boat, aud swimming our stock
over Plenty Of grass along its bottoms and tim.
Der enough for camping purposes. Camped, AZ
the road leaves the river, five miles below ferry
Distance Is miles
3d.--Left camp half past 6 O'Clock, had fin.
road, and although ascending it was 50 gradua
as 10 make il easy. From Green river we take
different road from that travelled by last year:
emigration, thus avoiding the crossing Of Blacks
fork seven times, but were compelled to ferry
Hams fork as it was too high to ford; feriiage
&c. A few miles further on brought us to little
Muddy, stream 10 feet wide and two feet deep
Camped in sight OF Fort Briger at o'clock. Dis.
lance to-day 80 miles.
4,h.-This morning visited the fork and found
Mr. Briger and Mr.. Bascus, very courteous to
emigrants, they persuaded us to take the Forl
Hall road, but would advise any one to go by
Salt lake, as should most certainly come tina,
way were coming through again. Mr.. Brigel
has been in the mountains some eighteen years
and informs me that he has crossed the 'sSoutf
Pass where the road now runs with wa gon
some ten years ago, SO it seems that Col. Fremont
is entitled to no credit for tina, road. Before we
lef, the Fort, report came in that Snake Indian
had been murdered by half breed, and that the
half breed had come in and pitched his lodgs
near the Fort, Mr.. Bigger knowing the revenge.
full disposition Of the tribe, and fearing, unless
something was done, that they might commit
some act ofyiolence, on the emigration, dispatch.
ed number TO the Snake village inviting the
chiefs in. They arrived a. the Fort about mid
night, and Immediately after entering the room
seated themselves on the floor around the fire,
and passed around the pipe for smoke. After
all had smoked, the talk commenced. The wit
nesses told their tale which showed most wan
ton murder. The same testimony would have
hung man in the States, and often would hang
a man without Judge or Jury. Mr.. Brigcr after
the testimony was given, told the Indians that
they claimed no man as brother who would act
in such manner and that if the murderer was
in the States, they would kill him, and that they
m CHIT do with him as they saw ft--he would