Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-07-28

to the Platte River. ..
May 22d-Crossed Missouri river and
encamped above Logan.
Nav 23-Reached Ponca--5 teams and
IL men; three wagons had loads of from
one thousald d to sixteen hundred pounds,
two yoke of oxen two we're loaded with
about nine hundred pounds, one yoke Of
oxen each. -r-zsl g s
My 24--We went up the north side OF
Aoway Creek, which has fine valley and
many good farms we'll cultivated. We
passed at O'Clock P. NJ. the last house
we shall probably see for many days. We
here left the travelled road, and our way
now lies across the prairie with no guide
but the compass. We made Is miles to-
day.
May 25-Started at I o'clock, and fol-
lowed up middle branch of the North
fork of Aoway Creek, and after two and q
half miles of ridge road We descended in.
to the valley to the left, and constructed
temporary bridge across the creek
which detained US an hour. The stream
is about four yards wide, and descends to
the left. We jourueyed southwark, cross,
ing the heads of some rayines we dined
near q delicious pool Of cool water eight
and o half miles from the starting place
of the morning. Two miles from here we
crossed small stream which was to the
right, and which we forded without Diff
Guilty. About half mile further, we
struck the old Norman trail, which is
quite distinct in most places, especially
on uneaven ground where the water has
worn gullies. We have discovered team
on our track, which proved to be Esq
Duttou, Of Logan, who had stated his in
tention of overtaking us. He brings two
other Pixies Peakers, couple Of yoke of
oxen and COW. After ll3 miles travel
we sncamped on the S. W. side Of a
sloughy creek which runs to the south
east. Weather uncomfortably cool.
Moy 26-This has been hard days ex.
perience. 1t has rained all day. with a
cold N. ". Wind Ne timber. We made
II miles of travel without hating. In the
afternoon we struck southwark Of the
trail. We have seen no timber for twenty
five miles.
May 27-We concluded TO strike in
direct line for the forks of the Platte as
near as possible. AT noon we dned at
government section corner, showing US to
be on the line between townships p and
2S, range east, sections 3 and 4 a.nd 33
and "a. We crossed the heads Of many
ravines rather than follow crooked di-
vide, aud to keep up our course. Most
49, a much better, and certainly nearer
ne might be found to our present po
,tion by taking up Elk Creek, near Lo-
gan, and following its branches west and
south. Our object in going by.Ponca
was to join some teams that had previous
ly engaged to accompany us, but who
failed to make good their promise in this
matter. In the evening we were gladen-
ed by the sight Of a small cottonwood
grove, on approaching which we found to
be on the bank of a stream about yards
wide. We eneamped expect tomorrow
to journey S. W. Our small sheet iron
stove is invaluable; few chips, Or even
weeds are sufficient to cook meal, and
its weight is comparatively nothing. We
find most of the government mounds
without stakes, which is quite disap.
pointment, as by them it is easy to locate
our position. We have killed no game
but elk are abundant in the valleys.
Nay 2s--Ths morning one of the cat.
tie being lame and the company weary,
We concluded to observe this day as Sun-
day. One of our company found sec
ton stake at a township corner, one md
half miles south of camp, which shows US
to be 4s miles west, and lOl miles south
of Logan the stake being marked as fol-
lows: Range east, town q, section 81 !;
range east, town 26, section 6 range
west town 26, section | range west,
town q, section sc. The creek upon
which we are encamped runs to the south
west We see considerable timber south
and west. The country here possesses the
same characteristics as does the land near
the Missouri, except that the hills are not
SO abrupt. The soil is equally rich, and
no doubt sometime not far distant will
TEEN with busy population. We might
have saved 25 miles OF travel by taking
Elk Creek, and passed from its head to
the head OF Middle Creek where we are
encamped.
Nay 29-Started at clock and made
IL miles west, and struck a stream about
5 yards wide, coming from N. N. w,
where there is plenty Of timber for camp.
ing purposes. We bridged the stream 10
about "a hours, and followed up the west
side about four miles. We found on this
stream the remains Of four Indian huts,
which had been but recently deserted
They were probably made by small
hunting party of Poncas. At II O'Clock
passed a government stake, marked as
follows: Range w., Sec. 80; r. 2, W.,
Sec. &c, 7. II r. w.. Sec. !; X. 2 W.,
Sec. Il, L. 2G. We have travelled about
lG' miles west TO day.
My 3o-To day we have Travelled Is
miles. Before noon we crossed prairie
stream which looks much as many OF the