Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1862-12-10
TRIP TO OREGON.
An Abridgement of the Juniors Memoron-
d0 of a Trip 4cross the Plains

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da Of a Trip Across the Plains.
Sunday, June l. Laid in camp today,
which was exceedingly fine for this sec
ton, although it seemed very long. / at
tended camp meeting in the evening,
where heard some very excellent preach
ing
Monday, June 2 Roads good in fore
noon Very hot-nary breeze. In the
afternoon we had to drive II miles without
water, and part ofthe way over low sandy
bluffs Found camping ground at 81 in a
low swampy spot on the Platt We have
driven about 80 miles to-day, and both
men and horses are very tired tonight.
Tuesday ytne 8 Roads rough and
sandy-some very heavy. Passed through
considerable Alkali country to-day. Drove
about 20 miles and camped on the Platt.
Wednesday, June T. Rough. heavy,
sandy roads nearly all day. Cool and
cloudy. Crossed one very bad mud hole,
with variations Crossed Skunk creek
and camped on the Platt near the junction
OF the north and south forks. Passed bv
splendid spring of pure cold water
Drove 20 miles
Thursday, June 5. Pete, who was hitch
ed to the fore wheel of the old wagon. cot
scared at some unknown cause early this
morning, and pulled back, breaking the
arm OF the axle. Spliced it up with a
doubletree, which took us until 10 and
started on. Very poor roads. Two very
bad mud holes. Crossed Carrion and Mud
creeks and camped on the Platt Drove
| about l5 miles
Friday, June 9. Pleasant morning, but
very hot T. NJ. Very bad sandy roads all
day. Had to 60 round some terrible mud
holes, Camped near the Platt Very
poor grass Drove Is miles Crossed north
Bluff Fork
Saturday, June T. Cool, cloudy and
showery-had a hard rain storm in the
afternoon. Roads the heaviest yet-all
sand. Plenty of good cold S ring water.
Drove Is miles and campel by fna
spring, with plenty of grass.
Sunday, June s, Cool and pleasant
Roads better, although not tip top Cross
ed several fine clear spring streams. Drove
about 20 miles and camped near the Platt
Monday June g. Had fine shower
early this morning. Roads sandy for a
while, after which they were good I day
Crossed Wolf and Castle creeks, and some
deep sloughs. Travelled about % miles.
Camped | mile from the Platt Poor We
ter and grass tonight This afternoon
has been very hot, but good breeze was
blowing Looks Ike rain.
Tuesday, June lG Scorching hot. 1t
clouded up near evening, and threatened
rain, but finally contented itself with rain
/ ing all around but passing US, Road very
fair. Water scarce. Camped on Crab
creek. Drove Is miles
| Wednesday, June IL. Awful hot fore
noon-the hardest half day on our teams
/ yet. Afternoon not so hot Roads good
until we struck Cobble Hills, after which
they were sandy Passed Ancient Bluff
ruins. The scenery along the PIatt valley
has been very monotonous, but now begins
to be more striking and pleasant to look
at, camped on the Platt opposite Court
/ House Rock, pretty view from this side
of the river. Can see Chimney Rock in
the distance Drove % miles. Good grass
Indications of rain
Thursday, June p A fine morning
after a hard thunderstorm. Roads mixed
between good and sandy Very hot after
noon. Train split up to-day. Serceant's
Roberts, and our teams travel by our
selves. Camped on he Platt near all In
dian trading post. Grass very poor The
Sioux are beginning to show themselves.
Drove 20 miles, Heavy winds in the night.
Friday, Jnne 13 Fine morning for
driving, cool aud cloudy Hot in the af-
ternoon Roads good, bad and Indifferent
Camped at noon opposite Scots Bluffs,
which resemble the ruins of ancient cas-
ties, fortiGcations DC. Sand Aies, Buffalo
gnats and Mosquitoes trouble US Camp
/ eo IN Spring Creek near a small Sioux
VILLAGE Drove % miles.
| Saturday, June IA yCcc9l and pleasant
Roads good, bad, muddy and mixed. We
camped on the Plat. Drove 20 miles
Had hard hail storm this evening-hail
stones from the size of hickory nut to d
good sized hens egg
Sunday, June Is. Drove about TWEEN ty
miles to-day, when we reached the river
opposite Ft Laramie. Roads sandy, but
not as bad as we have had some Of the
time. The grass around the Fort is all
ate off by trains ahead of us. Fit Lara
ME is situated in low valley, and con-
sist. of barracks, a hospital, a guard house,
| eommissary department, suffers store,
blacksmith shop, officers quarters, and
post Office. Corn was $3.50 per bu. Flour
SIC per hundred The Platt is very hard
to cross here at present on account Of the
| high stage of the water.
| Monday, June 16 Struck our tent at
3 and drove out 8 miles, leaving Sergeant
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