The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-07-11
Correspondence of the Sandusky 10Y Mirror.
LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.
WOOD RIyER- Nav 10 Ia5.

i LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.
4 Ia fls.e WooD RIVER, May 10, 1854.
Friend Cable: We left Council Bluffs the
18th, and have had good luck SO far on our
journey; we find many emigrants on our way,
and arc in largo company camped on the
bank of this crock, (caled Wood river,) all i'm
good health excepting one man an emigrsnt
from Michigan, who was wounded in tho side
day before yesterday by the Indians. When
l said we had good luck, only had reference
TO our own families. There has been consid-
cradle trouble on the way from Indian depre-
datIons. Last week we crossed ferry called
Soup Fork ferry from there in we saw Indians,
generally friendly, but by no means very a.
greeable visators to us.
On the 2lst we crossed small creek, tho
bridge of which the Indians had possession; tho
crossed fer little or nothing. Many of tho
emigrants had more or less trouble crossing this
bridge. 1t would be impossible TO discribe tho
methods the Indians have to frighten emigranis
and their teams; those acquainted with tho
Indian character well know that they seldom
fail in their attempt; suffice it to say that, af-
ter about two hours Witnessing all sorts Of
capers and contrivances to detain us, and beg
and scare from the emigrants, we oil (perhaps
thirty wagons) got over safe. We oamped
near that night; were visited by four Indions,
who stayed till evening, and then attempted to
leave our camp. We however used authority
enough to keep them; after taking their arms
from them, they stayed with US till morning.
should say nothing about Indians, but fsem
the fact that the Sioux and Pawnee Indians
are at the present time fighting each other in
small parties the emigran:s havo to contend
with. Our company lost four fine horses
there; they had close watch. We laid over
one day, and party of emigrants on horse
back parsued them some seventy or hundred
miles, but did not recover their horses. The
same Indians had about twenty horses and
mules, which they had stolen from the differ
ent tribes of emigrants, This is Monday; ON
Saturday last, the news came back on the line
that the Indians had stopped the trains ahead
and were takig their goods from them. We
hurried on, of course, but before VIC arrived the
Indians had fed.
The depredations at this time were simply
these: 1t seemed that those three wagons
had stopped on the side of the main road a
bout half q mile, and had turned out their stock
to feed; among the stock were some eight or
ten horses. All of sudden the Indions camo
up and pretended to be good PaWnese, which
phrase this tribe of Indians understand. I'm
medately they commenced frightening the
horses, and after they had well succeeded
in running the horses off and following them
some two miles, they returned, but the men fol-
session OF the train till at a distance of some
four or five miles, they stopped and caught the
horses; but before they could return to the
! wagons the Indians, some twenty in number,
had robbed the three wagons.
One man and his wife had stayed with tho
wagons; the man was shot in the side with an
arrow, and is now lying dangerously i'll from
the effect of the wound. Yesterday he was
carried on his bed, and is now in this camp and
l Jnin II icf ba ~
- - ~ L----- ----- -i,~t load. wonn-
ded and one of his cows badly wounded with
, arrows. The family is in bad condition, but
, is going on; the Indians took all their clothing
and money, and destroyed most of their pro-
visions. A young man who lost al except
the clothes he had on is now with me, and is
, going on in our company. One object have
in mentioning the Indian depreGations, 10 to
correct the many reports which will very likely
, get into circulation. have seen nothing, as
yet, very alarming,
The Indians are extremely poor, destitute
and cowardly; and nothing is, in my opinion,
. wanting to warrant a safe passage through the
Pawnces and Sioux, but good management
We are on what is called the north route, up
T the north side of the Platte rivor, and are a.
bout ono hundred and seveDty-fve mes UP.
We are Just arriving on tho buffalo grounds
The weather SO far, has been fine. Yesterday
a and to-day have been rainy, which makes the
road rather soft in places. With bpt few ex-
, ceptions, the roads are the best ever saw, and
r the country grand beyond description. Tho
, first thirty mica from Council Bluffs to Elk
Horn river cannot be beat for handsome land.
0 In the States of New York, Pennsylvania or
i Ohio there is not to bo found tract OF land
v equal 10 the wilds of Nebraska, either in that
richness of its yerdure of the beautiful scenery
I; which surround its expansive plains, and moth
5 ing is required but timber to make IT most
: delightful farming country.
There are many large droves Of cattle here,
which are going either to California or Ore
: gon. The grass is very good though short in
! places near the camping grounds. You can
q do what you please with this letter; If you can
n pick anything from it of general interest, you
s can publish it. though am in a very bad wri-
Z ting condition. What is said you can rely up
Q on, SO far as it rclates to the Indian diiculties
(: along our road, so far as have learned them.
g We are about to get unGes way ana leave
n this camp with a largo company well armed,
: | really think with proper prudence our COM
O pany. which is composed of at least $50 men
is Just as safe from Indians, except stealing, a.
d we would be camped one mile out OF Sandus-
ky. The one difficulty, to my mind, is to keep
) the company cool and within the poHAqs OF
reason. You know there are always yery
It loose men in all communities; and don't think
i! we are destitute an the plains of just such men
IS as will always have difficulty with the Indians
or any body else they travel among. As o
general thing, we have good company, many
% intelligent and valuable men, and from present
d appearance tho emigration will be hpalthy:.
a, We have not heard OF any sickness, thus TAR,
l. of any account and have seen but one new
is grave on tho ropd / understand there Is o
,f post Office ahead, and will mail this to you, in
:. the hope you will have good stock Of patience
which will, am sure, be necessary to cyphel
out and read this letter.
Yours in great haste:
n oCuAPJES u JJIDSON