Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-04-03
From the Oregon SPECTATOR

As to the time Of leaving the States, have preyi-
onsy spoken of the Importance OF starting early from the
Missouri river in order that may avoid difficult
ties at this end OF their Journey Another important IN
quiry arises which we shall endeavor to throw some
light upon that what kind of team is best calcula
ted for the trip There various opinions this
subject, but opinion is, that with proper man.
agement good team of horses mules will come
through Persons accustomed TO mules prefer them
There is doubt but that they much harder than
horses, and capable of enduring hardshps, i'll
treatment and abuse They require less time TO feed,
and are much less choice to what they feed upon.
This in much grass is exceedingly in many
places, the last is deserving of consider
ation 1t might be proper to remark here, that much
the heaviest part of the road lies between Fort Hall
and the Cascade mountains and to travel through the
beds of sand to be found within the two points named
weight in animal, (or they become very light with
the greatest and attention. and under the most Ia
vorabDe circumsances il will be discovered is of great
consequence In this respect horses have decided adj
vantage. But when say horses, we do not wish to
be understood including under this head the little
scrubs bony booded horses such would be consid
cred horses in the eyes of sportsman. 1t is not i'm
portant that horse be fast traveller but
good walk is indispensably necessary. horse with
long back, high up from the ground, long legged
and ganglingy built, should not be selected for
horse in ten of such description will live get
through if he is required to perform service.
Horses should not be taken up, by one hour in
the morning. and should have at least hour more al
lowed them for grazing Their manner of feed
ing differs materially from that of both oxen and
keep inexperienced persons from falling into to
their and necessities that they may provide in
the best possible to meet the many trying ext
gences that will arise whilst performing journey "a
the plains. Horses require more and aten
ton, but what is lost, general thing, in time is
gained in speed Horses should not travel many hours
in day. Mules and somuch alike, as to their
feeding and travelling that be acquainted with is
know the other. We have been thus particular in
speaking of horses that persons unacustomed their
MAY not commit indiscretons during the first part
Of the Journey
The difficulties to be encountered the first 1000 miles
few in number the road with few exceptions, is as
good could be desired We found it comparatively
easy make average drive of % miles per day for
that distance. Performing the trip with wagons and
horses in 90 days, from the Missouri river Oregon
City, is probably the quickest trip that has ever been
made. 1t made by us without the loss of either
man beast and little or sickness.
No person should start with old, what gener-
ally termed second hand wagon. Care should be ia
ken not only to have wagons for crossing the plains
made of good materials but they should be welput to-
gether One important consideration is the of
fastening on the tire not with mere nails driven into the
ees but they should be fastened on with screws and
with taps tightly screwed down. The necessity of it
will be found most apparent after crossing the noun
tains and travelling in the hot sand to he met with be-
tween the Cascade mountains and Fort Hall. Wedeem
this caution highly necessary that the emigran may
not suffer delays, if not something worse break down.
and that too in country where repairs are out of the
question.
No calculation should be made on obtaining supplies
any point along the road Every person should
with enough carry his party through Ofbread stufs
125 lbs. to each person is not too much 100 lbs.
clear bacon 10 lbs dried fruit gallon vinegar 4
lbs. salt gallon pickles lbs. rice quarts of
beans II lbs of sugar 5 lbs. coffee ! Id. tea /
gallon brandy Id. salmratus. Such about The
proportions of the things would recommend. We
leave the outfit of medicines and ammunition the dis
erection of the emgrant with the single remark that it
useless to load down their with guns OF that
indispensable article called patience, we will not spe
city the amount necessary but it will require under the
favorable circumstances, upwards of considerable
1t might not be amiss urge again the great impor
of making early start, and give the teams their
time, they may not have to urge them faster than
their natural Gait.