Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-03-10
OTTUMWA, IOWA, THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1853.

1
before you start. aud don't fail to bring
with you at leas, one set of new shoes,
nails, and toOls sufficient to pu; them on
with. And for fear tina, these may fail,
bring piece of sole leather enough to
shoe all round one or more times, and
small horse points, or common (large)
carpet ,acks to nail ,hem on with. Your
oxen vii. be sure 10 become lame before
you get half way here, and unless you
have facilities for shoeing. you will be
either obliged TO lay by. or leave your
cattle. We found portable black smith
establishment on the road, about mid
way of the journey, and | believe they
charged $50 for shoeiug single OK.
You will need more or less of rope
upon your journey; and should you wish
TO lariat your stock you will need iron
pins-corrcsponding in number to the
number OF your stock-from IL to lS
inches long, made The size of your fin-
ger. sharp at one end and ring in the
other. But were to cross The plans
again, would neither tie up oxen or
corral them. Let them follow the incli-
nations OF their natures--eai, drink, rest
and sleep. When and where they seem
inclined to wander, or where there is
great danger to apprehended from the In
dians. watch and guard them. Ordina.
rily, where they can fnd gaass and wa
ter. they will--being quite as tired--be
as much disposed TO remain as you will
10 have them.
In regard 10 cooking, would advise
that every family provide themselves
with small sheet iron cooking s,ove.--
The best they can get. One made ex-
pressly Tor the tip. Its use on the road
early in the spring. during the cold rainy
weather, will riehly repay you the cost,
even should you throw it away at the
end Of the first five hundred miles.
But there will be no necessity for this.
You will find it useful all the way.
la addition to the stove you will want
a camp kettle, tea kettle, coffee pot, one
coffee mill, one frying pan. one (sin)
chamber, lin pan. small po, and brass
kettle, Tin basins and plates, iron spoons
and some knives and forks. Of knives
aad forks aud spoons, start with twice
as many as you think you will need
You will be sure 10 loose some on the
road. Ii you can conveniently do so,
put III bake kettle and spider. Should
your stove give out you will need them.
You will need one axe. spade and
lantern and a match safe. You will al
so need kegs for your butter, vinegar,
mnlasses, honey and lard; and either
cans or kegs for your water. These
should, OF course, be proporiioned in
size to the number to be supplied. They
should, a, least. contain water enough
to supply all who depend upon them for
at least "a hours.
In addition to all that has gone before
you should employ some physician to
select and put up for you a judicious
supply OF medicines, suited to the road.
Special reference should be haG in the
selection, to the cholera. dysentery and
mountain fever. And among the other
things, don't fail 10 supply yourself with
a syringe, and a fine quantity of mus
sard: The not having these articles the
present season, eos, many man his
life.
As to your clothing, it is only neces.
sary TO remark tina, this road is especial
| ly severe on hats. boots and pantaloons.
Get two kossuth hats. You can wear
them both out before you get here. Two
pair of boots will do. As to bedding,
women and children will require feath-
er bed, and all, both women and n. en-,
will require liberal supply of clothes.
Four-titths of the nights are cold. Aud
in crossing the Rocky Mountains, you
require as much clothing. whether upon
your person, or your bed, by day or by
night, as you do in the States in the win
ter. Summer hats, i. e. palm leaf hats.
and summer clothing are not needed up.
on the road. There is, to be sure. a
portion of the way where it is very hot
during part of The day. Blu, it will
hardly pay to bring much summer cloth
ing.
To those who have never crossed the
plains, my dwelling upon details, and
laying stress upon what would appear
minor matters, will seem Tifing and un-
necessary. But thev will not be so re.
garded by any who have passed over the
road. So controlling are the facts which
/ have presented, aud the suggestions
which have made-simp.e and imma-
terial as they may appear--that upon
their observance or disregard will depend
in great degree. the speed. safety, in
terest and happiness OF the immigrant, i.
not, indeed. his very existence. To re.
peat my advice, then, 10 all who come
to Oregon by the overland route, procure
light, strong wagons, take no superfuous
or unnecessary article. put four mules TO
each wagon-Spanish mules always to
be preferred. Ii mules cannot be had
employ ionr good sound horses. from 8
70 8 years old-such as have been ac-
customed to exposure and hard work.
And if these cannot be conveniently pro.
cured. take four or five yoke of oxen,
from 4 TO Z years Old. well made, thor.
oughly broke. and good, clear travellers.
II possible. start with six such yoke ol
cattle 10 each waoon-workiop 2 vok 9