Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1852-07-10
Letter l..
Twenty miles West of Independence,
April 29th, 1852.

Twenty miles West of Independence, !
April 29th, 1882.
DEAR PARENTS After long and tiresome
delay, in yoking unruly oxen, and saddling
vicious mules, we bade farewell to Mr.. Will
sons family, quite proud of our respectable
train, consisting of IA wagons, GO men, so
head of loose cattle, and as many horses and
mules. Tonight We are encamped about II
miles from our starting place, all in good spir-
its. retired to rest with violent headache,
not however without helping to prepare sup
per of biscuit, coffee, and fried bacon for our
mess, consisting of FIVE, including my husb7nd
and myself.
April 3oth. Arose this morning after en-
joying night of quiet sleep in our wagon
our first camping out. The day has been
cold and windy, blowing clouds of dust in our
eyes. Charles rode Mr. Parks horse, while
he rode in our wagon good part Of the after
noon. Travelled IS miles to day, and camped
near the Lore Elm after camping tonight,
baked two nice loayes Of gingerbread, ,and some
biscuit, for morrow's dinner. Crossed the
big Blue [river this afternoon, and overlook
two trains, which we passed.
May lst. Crossed the line this morning,
at which place there is store and grocery.
Travelled 16 miles to-day, and really enjoy ed
it, as the wind blew just enough not to raise
the dust Received call from Frank Parks
this afternoon, while Charles rode his pony.
Passed train of 10 wagons bound for Oregon.
Found a spring of excellent water this
afternoon, near an Indian cabin, of
which both men and women drank freely
Csmped about three o'clock, P. NJ, on the
vast prairie, where three rattle-snakes were
killed soon after the tents were set Partook
of an excellent supper of coffee, bacon. pan
cakes, and maple molasses. Every thing very
pleasant, except cooking in the wind,
May 3D. Crossed the Sweet Water (Hon-
ey-creek) this morning, and the Walkerousha
this afternoon the latter, the prettiest stream
ever saw, near which we encamped about
O'Clock, P. N. Tonight baked biscuit. gin
gerbread, and stewed apples, while Mr.. Lilsby
Drowned some coffee.
May Sd. Arose early this morning, and
started about o'clock. all well, except Mr..
Barlow, who is quite sick with the measles
Rode on horse back to-day, distance of Is
miles, over some of the most lovely country in
the world; found running stream six miles
after starting, Assembled a very high emf
nence about 10 A. NJ, where we had de-
lightfUl view of the country also of the two
rivers above mentioned. Charles, Mr.. Parks
and myself, have come on in advance of the
company, to find a good camping ground,
which we have succeeded in doing, where
there is abundance of water and plenty of
grass. Our horses are feeding near by, and
We are seated on the ground, in the sun, but
with good breeze it is quite comfortable
Travelled 20 miles to-day, and camped
miles from Kansas, or Can river, near a good
stream of water. Rode VIM. D. Hays mule
to-day, which is as pretty riding animal as 1
ever was on-and such ears! Found nest
of IS prairie hens eggs. The wind has blown
the dust in our faces terribly to-day, but after
washing in a cool stream of water, feel very
well except my eyes. The wagons are just
coming in and forming 'CoraI'-in this way.
The wagons are all driven round, forming
half circle, with the tongue of each wagon
placed on the hub of the hind wheel, of the
one in advance of it; here they drive in the
oxen every morning to yoke them. Tonight
have cooked some beans, and with so many