The Evansville daily journal., 1852-07-13
From the Plains.
Fort LARAMIE, June IL, 1852.

fIdtte hiVel) dUOut OVV Iiiies hohA ~
seph. We gothere yesterday about 3 o'clock,
wrote you from st. Joe, the particulars OF
our journey to that place, and will now try to
give you short sketch of our trip thus far.
We leftS t. Joe, on the 5th of May, drove one
mile and broke three wagons, one wheel and
two tongues, had to 60 back to town to get
them mended. Next day drove to the Bluffs
or Plains, distance Of four or five miles
over a very bad road, and what made it worse
our oxen and drivers were all very green, but
we could drive over the same road now with
out any trouble. Left the Bluffs the 18th;
had good roads and plenty of grass and the
handsomest country that ever laid out doors.
1t is all a hoax about the hardships that a
man has to go through. never enjoyed
myself better in my life than l have on this
trip. Inever was heartier in my life than
since left Evansville, in fact we have all
been blessed with good health, with very
few exceptions. Mr.. A. L. Stinson, was ve-
nv sick for few days, bat thank God we are
now all well. We averaged about 90 miles
day to what is called Big Blue; there we
found very good ferry, had to pay 50 per
wagcn-drove the cattle through the water;
this was the 18th of May. After crossing,
James White resigned his Office as Captain,
and was appointed in his place We have
since made about "a miles day. We rest
one day in seven; generally on Sunday, if
we happen to have wood, grass and water
The teams seems to hold their own; some
thinks they have improved. May oath, found
us at Fort Kerney; there was where we first
struck the Platte-stayed there one day,
found the officers very accommodating. On
yeti got enc of his wagons fxed-some
blacksmithing done free of charge. We
then went Is miles to a ford, where we
agreed to divide the company, as we had IA
wagons and over..l head of oxen, which
made too many for comfort. James White,
with his three wagons, Browning, and his
wagon, Thos. Butler, and his wagon, Sales
g. Whites and Mr. Swift, of New Harmony
which made seven wagons, crossed over to
the North side of the river. Onyett, with
his FIVE wagons, and Gilbert with his two
wagons. leaving us seven, went up the South
side. We agreed to wait for each other at
this place, but fortunately we all got here
within one hour of the same time-a dis
tance of over 300 miles; it is called 337.-
We had 40 miles the farthest to 60 and laid
up one day the most, and then got here as
soon as they. But there is still large and
swift river between us, called the North
Fork of the Platte, they having crossed be-
low where they come together. We travel
ed over 200 miles to the upper ford over the
best road that 1 ever saw; we had not one bill
or mudhole the whole distance. At the ford
the river is about of mile wide and about
hub deep with a very swift current, and quick
sand for q bottom; you have to keep moving
or you are gone suckers. The night before
crossing we camped miles below the ford
next morning took horse, went ahead and
got posted up by the time our train got up.
when we made short halt. Boss took out
his brandy, treated the boys, and went thro
kighting. We then Travelled Is miles over
rolling country to the North Fork-went
four miles up this and camped, making 81
miles, our largest days drive, notwithstanding
we crossed the South Platte. We Travelled
ITO miles up this fork before reaching this
place. We had hardly laid our whips down
when up came James White and r. Brown
they crossed over to the Fort in a pas
lns, .:.a ,h -
fort on the West si~e VI 'iie i'ef' 'iie rof'
being on our side Our teams s'ayed a' the
Fort until night when they went out Il don :
know how far) to camp, as James White laid
violent hands on my person and carried me
off to his camp to stay all night l am at his
camp writing this letter. We intend start
ing from this place tomorrow morning-have
got $50 miles to 60 when we cross the North
Platte, there we expect to join companies
and travel together the balance of the way.
Imust bring this to close, but not with
out telling you about the game. We have
seen plenty of Buffalo, Onyett, Gilbert and
Newman, shot one the other day in sight OF
the wagons, they gave him chase on horse
back-had not run him far before they brought
him to the ground. l have shot at Antelopes
several times but never kill. have nothing
to do but hunt, and can have horse to do
that with. We have watch every night to
guard our cattle. I:make it out. l put two
men until O'Clock, then two until morning
The mail leaves for the States the 10Th.
Yours in a big hurry,
c. FINLEY.