The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-06-30
Arrival Of the FIrst Overland Party
from Minnesota. In Oregon.
DEsxRrIoS BY THEIR GUIDE AND TERRIBLE
SUFFERING.

DEsxRrIoS BY THEIR GUIDE AND TERRIBLE
sUvFKRiNG.
On the 26th Of July last party consist.
ing Of j. L. HoUcK, J. W. JONES, J. E.
SxrH, +. HIND, VIZ. AxrsBrKy, !. r.
SAxDFoRD, j. SCHAEYFER, j. PALMER, and
j. r. SASDroxp left Fairbault, Rice coun.
ty, for the gold mines Of British Columbia.
They arrived at Pembna, August 10th,
and at Fort Garry. distance Of sal miles
from St. Paul, on the 10Th Of August.
Here they traded their American stock for
Indian ponies and Red river carts, they being
better adapted for the route than American
horses and wagons, and also laid in boun,
tiful supply OF pemican. The party then
lett Fort Garry for Fort Elice, where they
arrived Sept. 4,h; they reached Touch.
wood Hills, Sept 18th; Carleton House
Sept. 23d; and Fort Pitt, distance Of
500 miles from Garry, on October Sd.
In regard to the remainder of the journey
we quote from the Dalles Oregon Herald,
brief synopsis of the journal OF Mr. j. W.
JONES, formerly clerk in the land Office at
Chatfeld, and furnished that journal by
Mr.. JONES:
The character Of the country is low and
marshy interspersed with fresh and salt
water lakes-timber plenty, consisting OF
small growth OF popples balm Of Gilead and
willow. The last oaks we saw were on
Q'appeIle river, near Fort Ellce--game
scarce-Indians friendly. Had to cross
Rapid, South Branch, and the main Sas-
katchewan rivers in skin boats
At Fort Pitt we were joined by Brews-
ter and Gibson, Of Minnesota. On the 4th,
snow fell to the depth Of four inches. Find.
ing it impossible TO follow the trail we
struck due west course and arrived at Ed
munton, the central depot OF the Saskatche-
wan District. on the 18th OF October, dis.
lance from Fort Pitt 200 miles-butfalo,
elk, deer, and antelope plenty character OF
the country unchanged.
At EdmuntOn we we're advised not TO
cross at Boat Encampment, as We would
have to abandon our animals at that post
and furthermore we would have no trail to
follow, consequently We determined to cross
at Sinclairs Pass and strike for Colvills
Valley. At this post We disposed Of our
carts for pack saddles. Hind, Brewster aud
Sanford concluded to remain. j. j. Hall
and G. W. Hodgeson, Of Mankato, MINI.
| Joined our party. Having procured half
breed guide named Rassette, and got every
thing in readiness, we started on the 10th.
About ten days from EdmuntOn We came in
sight of the snow-capped summit OF the
Rocky Mountains At Red Deer River
| the guide left us, under the pretence OF going
| TO hunt. Before leaving us be showed us
Sinclair's Gap Thinking that the trail
that we were then following was leading us
too far south, we abandoned the trail aud
struck across the country for the gap.
Within one days march Of the mountains
we came across some Assinneboin Indians
| from whom we procured guide.
We entered the mountains on the "a OF
| November, and on the 10th We came out,
(as we all thought at the time,) and the guide
left US according to agreement, but returned
the the next day to our surprise. We now
skirted the mountains for several days and
again entered the mountains at the kooto-
Mas Pass. about the 10th. Upon crossing
one peak, and after we had descended into
the vally, the guide left US to get through
the best way we could. We followed the
trail about half way up and lost it, owing to
the depth Of the snow, the snow getting
deeper and deeper as We assembled; and up
| on the summit we encountered snow about
twenty feet deep. We searched tor trail
but could find nothing that indicated one.
Finding place where We could descend,
we thought, with safety, we started but SON
found our mistake, man and horse nerved
themselves for the terrible slide before them,
never shall We forget our rapid descent; we
lost two horses before we got 10 the bottom.
Aboat noon Of the following day We came
across a well beat trail and no snow, here We
stopped tor a short time for the horses TO
pick little, as, they had eaten nothing for
five days. Having recruited somewhat, we
started and arrived at the Koottonias ira
ding post, on Tobacco plains, on the I'd OF
| December.
From Mr.. Linkeater, the master OF the
post We learned our whereabouts. and
where We bad crossed the mountains. Here
we lett young Gibson in charge OF Mr.. Lin.
keater, Gibson's feet having frozen to that
extent az TO preclude all possibility Of trav-
cling. Having procured some provisions
from the Indians we started for ColvIie.
On arriving at the second crossing OF the
Kootonai, River. we found il impossible
to proceed any farther with the horses, as
the snow was too deep. Holding consul
tation. FIVE concluded to remain and the
other four would 20 ahead On snos shoes:
accordingly l. Emehiser, WIN. Amesbury,
j. Hal, and Z. W. Hodgeson, started
for Colville; after suffering a great deal
of privatiou they finally reacted camp OF
Indians on the SpokAn River having lost
themseIyes,l IN q starved condition they
were kindly kept for four days, and guide
sent with them to CoIvilie.
The FIVE that concluded TO stay j. l.
Uonck J W. Jones. j. +. smith, j.