Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-11-05

| mhhlnS money out OI thc cinlSrantS to the
Peak. lie became afraid Of the mob that
threatened to kill him, 80 returned in great
haste to Omaha. We crossed Loupc Fork by
ferry ying part Of the way, aud fordng the rest.
Had thunder shower in the night. Horses
Stampcdcd. All the men, except Is. and II.
gone after them. The tent would have blown
away il it had not been luriatcd down so firm
ly. AS il was, VIC poor, lone female women,
were mOncntarily expecting 10 see it fly away,
and leave us to the fury of the rain and wind,
in which the men were spinning around like
tops, going this way and that way, having lost
their why. At last they found their way back
to the tent, aud early in the morning started
off in search Of the stray quadrupcdS, which
were found four miles Off
Saturday, 2lst. Came to the Lone Tree
Station. Noticed some men trying To catch
pony that was lame, yet sufficiently swift Of
motion as to cludc their grasp. After thus
Keeping AWAY from them, he very composcdly
walked into tlcrver, aud coolly looked around
at his purSucrS, but they did not follow him.
u. jumped Oft his horse, and waded after him,
but notwithstanding his bravery in brpnsti"g
the waters of the Platte, and ptriing his life
among the Sand-bnrs and deep holes. the pony
appreciated it not, steadily limping through
the wntrr, yet stopping ever and anon To look
at us with perfect Indifference, which, being
observed by p, he deliberately walked on; Of
( the river, with pants and boots full Of water,
and the pony goes directly to the other shore.
Sunday, 22d We travelled on the day that
wns given us by God to keep holy, aud for
rest Camped on Woods Creek, three miles
from Platte river Had fine walk alonG its
vioet-cmbrodcred banks. Wrote letters.
Monday 23d. Fine morning. Passed DR..
IIenry's beautiful farm We had all the cur
tnins of our wagons rolled up so that the wind
might not upset them. The dust flew so that
| was obliged to sport my goggles for the first
time. Passed sod house half built, with II
stick stuck in it, and n place graded down the
bank for fording. Four men who were sitting
there, told us it was opposite Of Fort Kcarncy.
There was no boat or ferry, and the river was
too high to ford. We went on short distance
but could find no trees or wood and the light
ming was darting through the blackcning sky,
while the loud thunder was heard and the
rain was seen falling in the distance. Heard
some one hallowing from nm island, and soon
saw four men fOrding the stream. In some
PLACES the water was very deep and in others,
the Sand.bars were just covered. They hHrt
to cross twenty-five spaces between islands,
the river being three miles wide. They had
been to Fort X. to get letters for their conpa-
ny, but the Post Master, with commenda6le
strictncss. would not let them have letters,
except for themselves, without written orders
/ They Said the Fort was small square house,
with a few cannon around-the greater part
of the garrison had gone to Salt Lake City
There arc seventy.tive islands in this vicinity.
I counted Gorty.iour as sat in the wagon
As we could not find any wood, the men split
up the legs (pardOn me. fastidious reader }
| Hubs--ahcm. = of the table for fuel and after
sklacng the leaves or top of the table OF the
Trunks, we sat down on the ground to supper
The wind played such pranks that wagon
began to run backwards and finally upset,
before il could be stakcd down. five women
ties went out, the dry goods snapped alarm
ingly and the tent being so violently agitated,
to prevent its being rent in twain, the men
took it down. When it was put up again,
the wind had lulled somewhat. No rain fell
where We were, although we could see vivid
lightning and descending floods around US.
Tuesday, cath. Before We were up, man
on horseback from another camp, came here
to got our orders for letters, as he was going
to ford the river. He was unable to get any,
for the mail was a week behind time. How
Cisappointed we all were There were sud
I den facial eongations, and tcaT-bedmmcd
ewes TO be seen. This afternoon we passed
place where there were n great many campcd
| who had their provisions spread in the sum-
shine to dry. The hurricane Of the previous
evening had spent its fury on them. The wind
had blown three heavily laden OX-wagons a
quarter uf n mile from the rest, where We saw
them broken to pieces and scattered ever the
plnins-whees with sp0kcs n blown out
yokcs neutrality-suspicious. and boxes in one
place. wagon box in another, SO that out of
three wagons they could not get enough to
make one. \ woman aud three children were
! badly hurt also one man who stepped on o
wagon tongue, and the wind blew n trunk
over the dash board which struck him The
trunks were broken and clothes scattercd.-
Some of the wagons were blown in thu river,
and we saw the oxen drawing them out
Road struck of to Elm Creek. Water scarce
aud muddy. Laid in supply of wood TO last
eighty miles, as there is none for that distance.
and after that, none for two hundred miles.
"Wednesday. 18th. Thunder showers nll night.
A cold, drizzy rain to-day, so we concluded
not to go ON, but do plenty Of cooking. Some
of the men went buffalo hunting, but came
back with wet clothes, tired feet, and empty
stomachs, minus the buffalo. We were so cold
that we had to go to bed very early, so as to
save wood.
Thursday, Goth. Very cold Mrs. G. and
bundled up in our heavy ShawlS, with n blan-
kct around our shoulders, another over our
laps, und yet we were uncomfortable from
cold. Finally We had front curtains put down,
Mr.. q. pccped from one corner while driving.
Another steep hill to 60 up, so front curtain
goes up too. Saw an on harnessed in COW
cred hand cart, accompanied by three men,
Passed one train in which was two story
wagon with glass windows, stove firmly fast
cned, and pipe projecting through the end,
while the floor rested on the wagon box, which
was doubtless filled with provisions. Have
seen cows yokcd and pulling with the oxen.
Campsd by mud puddle, as there is no wood
or water near. II is strange how one can en-
durc exposure by standing, sitting, or lying
on the ground. sleeping in damp bedding,
with the cold night air blowing on us all night
from under the edges Of tho tent; and yet en-
Joy such good health. At home it would kill
us outright. Four wild geese swimming near
an island-P. and NJ. thought they had nest
on the island, SO they fordcd the stream shot
at the birds, didn't want to hurt them, so did
not hit them; e0me back from a wild goose
chase, finding the water rather wet, and their
clothes dtO.
Saturday 2Sth. "Vcraw foinc" day. See
no flowers now. Had the ague again. Camp.
cd at the Pawncc Springs, remarkable for the
clearness and cOOlncss of tho water that hub.
bles up from deep, grasslincd basin, bring.
ing up fine white sand, then flowing off in a
L