Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1853-08-11
From the Plains.


consider an apology due you from me, and
perhaps you are right; but if you knew the
circumstances under which l am placed,
I think you would willingly excuse my long
delay. had made arrangements at Fort
Kearney TO write you long letter, but cir
cumstances, unavoidable, prevented me-
In order, therefore, TO give you short his
tory Of our trip so far, you must permit me
to carry YOU, IN imagination, back to st. Jo-
seph, and follow our footsteps 10 this place.
We crossed the Missouri river at a point
four miles above st, Joseph, on the 9TH day
Of May, and bidding adieu to Missouri and
civiised society, launched o1t on the wild
and desolate plains. For many miles out
the whole country appeared alive with stock,
principally cattle. After making all neces-
sary arrangements for our long and tedious
trip before leaving the suburbs of Missouri,
we left the bluffs of the river on the 9th day
of May, and proceeded on, with fine wea-
Their and good roads, until we arrived with
in the vicinity of the Ioua Mission, when
we were startled one day at noon by the
intelligence from some of the boys, that the
Indians were among and killing our sheep,
which had strayed out of our sight while
grazing over small hill. In q few mo-
ments we were among them with our ri
fies, and the Indians fled; we pursued them
and succeeded in taking one of them, but
the others being OH fleet ponies, with fair
STAR, made their escape, though they were
pursued until late hour in the evening"
the Mission, when our Agent at that post
dealt with him according 10 law, l suppose
for he gave him about thirty-nine and paid
us for our sheep, and he was then set at
liberty. This was the only difficulty we
have had with them so far, and hope it
will be the last.
With pleasant weather and good roads,
we marched OH until we arrived near the
big Blue River, when we were overtaken
by a succession of storms, such as l have
never witnessed before, and hope never to
see again. The whole elements appeared to
be deranged, and wreaking their vengeance
on the weary emigrants; for while light
nings flashed, thunders roared, winds blew
and rains fell in torrents, the hail pelted us
Severely. Stampedes always succeed such
storms, and it would be amusing TO see, in
the blaze of Lightning, men and stock run
ming in all directions, and TO hear the
thoughts of men excited and vexed, exposed
by their tremendous oaths.
The next place of note was the crossing
of the Big Blue, which with cattle is a
small matter, but with sheep is one of some
consideration. We have found all the riv-
ers and creeks much larger than in 40, and
many that were fordable then have TO be
ferried now. There is good ferry across
the Blue, but we swan our sheep without
the loss of one.
We find the roads much improved since
Az, for many streams that were thon al
most impossible, are now either bridged or
with good ierrys. Leaving the Big Blue,
we then passed on over an embarrassing
country TO Fort Keaaney where we arrived
on the 25th of May. This has become a
beautiful and neat place since 40, when it
was very uninpOrtant filthy place. l
learned from the Register at that station
that there had passed the Fort, up to the
25lh of May, $4,000 head of cattle, 5000
head Of sheap, $500 men, LOO women,
besides a whole lot of children. From this
statement you can have an idea of the emf
grafton this season. Add TO this at least
one-third of the numbers have given for
those behind at that time on the ST. joseph
road, and suppose the numbers that will
cross at Council Bluffs 10 be equal 10 those
that cross at st. Joseph, and you will have a
formidable list, and think reasonable one.
Grass in some places now is rather scarce,
and after the junction Of these two great
, 1Iorough(ares, with their immense herds, |
am fearful some must perish for want Of
food.
We find the complexion of the emigrants
this year very different from that OF 40
and perhaps any previous year. Then the
| sight Of woman was a rare circumstance,
but now there is scarcely train TO be seen
without them. This is gratifying scene,
indeed, 10 those who expect to remain in
, California.
From Fort Kearney our road leads up the
Platte for considerable distance, until we
= came to the crossing Of the South Fork, {
short distance from the forks of the river
There is, however, ford five miles above
the fort at which great many crossed, and
among them, one drove of sheep, 5000
with the loss of between 1900 and 1900
! head. This was somewhat calculated tc