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


the slopes antelope and elk are plenty
In the evening We encamped on slough
and near stake, marked as follows: R
. W., I. 26 n, Sec. IL, ls, I and s
which shows Us to be II miles west,i l.
miles south of Logan. We have variet
our course to day in order to cross streams
The streams have considerable willow
timber on them. We found another In.
dian camp on Jordan but recently de
serted. This evening saw considerable,
timber on the high blu ifs to the south ani
west. We tried 10 get to one grove bu
finding q bad road. we encamped on :
soft bottom. Late in athe evening Fitz
gerald brought in an antelope, which af-
forded fine repast for al! hands. Wood
Is scarce in camp, but there 10 plenty il
sight.
MAY 3l-We have made IL miles o
westing and 3 of southing, making {
journey of about l31 miles. This NOR
ming we crossed succession of sloughs
which show that proper load for any
wagon on this route should not exceed
fourteen hundred pounds, as il heavier
the wagon wheels cut through the turf
and it is almost impossible to pull loat
through. We encamped in a wooded
ravine, with water in pool not a fal
distance off. The wood is mostly elm.--.
We fad it some work to make our way
through an unknown prairie. The wind
from the south is quite high tonight. We
are nearly so miles west, I miles south
of Logan. Game is abundant. We have
seen no prairie dogs yet which surprises
US, as we were led to believe that there
were many in thi. region.
June Ito day we have made % miles
west. We struck the Elkhorn river, "a miles
west and Is miles south of Logan. 1t is
a stream about % yards wide; its banks
lined with timber. We travelled up the
stream some II miles, and encamped on
the bottom among some oak trees. The
bottom is good sol! but the bluffs are
sandy.
We came upon Lieut. Smiths trail to-
day, made in 1856. He crossed the river
four miles east Of our camp, and about 4
miles lower down the river than is repre-
sented upon Warren's map.
June To-day travelled IL miles up
the river in westerly course. The bot
toms are somewhat wet. The river banks
are full, and is four CT FIVE feet above low
water mark. We concluded to reach Ft.
Grafton or Ash Hollow in direct line,
which is W. S. w. Accordingly at noon
we prepared to cross the Elkhorn, by
rafting our goods and wagons over. We
commenced at o'clock and at night had
crossed everything except two guns, pair
Of boots and pair OF shoes, and few
smaller articles which slipped into about
nine feet of water. All hsnds were wet
and tired, but a good supper revived our
spirits, and We felt all right excep. the
annoyance of loosing our guns.
To morrow We think of making Sunday
and taking a day of rest. Our Sundays
come every six days on the prares. A
large hare was killed to-day.
June 3---The EIkhorn bottoms are about
two miles wide. There is more timber
than is usually found on streams Of equal
size in Nebraska. This day has been
taken advantage of to bake bread and cook
other provisions. We recovered the guns
lc-day that we're lost yesterday. The
weather is pleasant though still cool.
June 4-To-day we struck out S. W,
and found the bottom at least five miles
wide; the soil good. We then struck
sandy hills, and many pools of standing
water in the valleys which indicates a
clay subsoil appearance Of abundant
rains lately. We travelled ten miles and
stopped for noon. We here found the
first bafialo chips which make very good
substitute for wood in cooking. Saw NO
game except ducks. We made ls miles
to-day in straight course S. W.
June 5-Made 20 miles to-day: four
miles from last nights camping ground,
crossed Beaver Creek which has very
wide bottom. The hills get more sandy
rs we advance, and less regular in their
form, having no regular valleys of drain
age, which occasions the water to be col.
lected in pools, many of which we have
seen to-day, mono exceeding three feet in
depth, and the bottoms perfectly hard. -
We encamped at slough where was Tie
remains of large Indian eneampmen.,
and We were fortunate enough to find a
large quantity Of red root which they had
collected, and which we appropriated for
cooking our supper. Most Of the pools
here probably 90 dry in August aud Sep,
tember but there are few that no doubt
contain water the year round. Thousands
Of ducks and other water fowl are breed
ing among these lakes. Our party COL
lected to day five dozen of duck eggs, and
as they have not yet commenced incuba-
ton, it is no small item in our culinary
department.
June Eve have come lSl miles TO.
day, loosing some by winding among the
hills and ponds. Game is scarce. Ante.
lope are occasionally seen on the, bills.
We also see the large hare or rabbit. The
country is much the same as yesterday
AT 10 clock we camped on a small
stream which we took to be branch of
tho Calamns Nn lin, har a. i.y av,o,,t :.