Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-09-14
From the Plains.

Interest 10 those who may think of a
trip to the gold mines:
NEBRASKA TERRITORY, June 5,
NORTH BANK OF THE NORTH
FoRE OF THE PLATTE RIVER.
Daar WTf:-We are now lbs miles to
the west of Fort Kearny. on the North
Bank of the North Fork of Platte River,
Nebraska. We have this week made l25
mics which is big driving for OK teams.
Our teams are rather thin, yet they seem
to stand ii we'll Some OF the men that
are travelling with us were for travelling
o-day, Sunday lbut | opposed it for !
wanted our teams TO have chance TO
rest. Car company is enlarged from
what it was when last wroteyou. Four
Young men from Wisconsin and three
from Summit county, Ohio, which now
increases our number to nineteen mem
and thousands all around us. Our road
lies along the Platte valley for some 3OO
miles yet beyond Loramie TO Deer Creek;
when we shall leave for the Yellow Stone
country, taking due North course
The valley varies in width from i've to
fifteen miles. Large Bluffs rising on Ell
ther side to great hight, approaching al
most 10 mountains. There is but little
vegetation growing upon the bluffs as
they are nothing more or less than large
sand hills. The vegetation in the valley
| is beautiful. The prettiest flowers with
the sweetest aroma that ever grew, are
in great abundance upon these sand hills
where grass would die. OH that you
could view the flower beds here as they
are placed by nature; just think, as far as
the eye can reach, one uninterrupted
lawn of as bright colors as nature can
paint and you have an idea of the Platte
valley. This is one of the best farming
countries in America. The river at this
place is about one mile wide. The only
objection | would have to living in this
country is the unfrequency ofrain; scarce
ly ever raining only in the months of Ju-
ly and August; though you can by dig
eing from one to three feet, obtain good
water at all times. The sand underlay-
ing the soil in this valley is full of water,
consequently vegetation thrives rapidly
We have this week had cause for many
solemn reflections. 1 tell you when the
emierAnt sees the grave of his fellow tray-
eIler it causes the tear to trickle down
the tanned cheek of the pioneer. We
have seen the graves of three laid away
to rest within the past ten days. Where
ever you see grave you will always see q
path leading to it from the road; hun.
dreds visit the spot daily. The first we
saw was young Parks who came to his
death by accident of shooting from hii
own gun: he was buried on the Slst day
OF May. Next was the grave OF j. L.
Manning, who was killed by the Indians
May I'D, circumstances these: He wa:
connected with stock train of mules
horses and jennies; some three hundred
head they were taking across the plains
from Missouri. 1t was the business oi
this man, and another, boy, to drive
and herd the Jennies. They usually
travelled short distance behind, keeping
them separate from the other stock. A
the time this man was killed they wer'
about three miles behind the Others
Along in the afternoon there were tive
Sioux Indians came up with them armed
with one rife, bow and arrows. The In
dians appeared very friendly helping
them drive their Jennies and trying to bul
powder; the men declined selling them
any. They travelled till night and hat
hoppled and turned out their stock wher
they sat down on the ground to rest, anC
also the Indians. Soon the Indian hav
ling the rifle went TO work apparantl,
fixing it; bringing the muzzle of the gun
to bear upon the boy, he sprang up. ,.:whel
the Indian laughed and said, "me n
shoot boy Then he worked arount
till Inc brought it to bear upon one o
the men and instantly fred. The othe
Indian at the same time shooting the re
manning man with an arrow; both mel
r Immediately sprang on their feet. Tn
one that was hit with the arrow spoke T.
the5other and says: 'Are You shot2 II
replied, yes. The first says, SO am |, ant
must Ire down, wnen he fell forward uI
on his face and never spoke again. Tn
wounded man fell senseless and the bo
ran to get mule, and tine Indians afte
him; the boy managed to cut the hop
Piles on mule and get upon his bacl
and escaped. The Indians shooting a
him all the time, wounding him slightly
in the shoulder The man who wa
wounded with the ball, in the mean tim
revived and began shooting at them witt
his revolver, when they made their c
cape in the bluffs; the ball entered hi
side and hitting a rib it turned and b
that saved his life. That night thei
stock was stampeded and the owner c
them lost 40 head of horses and mules
not less than S., 1000. We camped on tn
, same ground where the affair took plact
The emigrauts are very much enraged q
the Indians and they are aware of it an
keep pretty much out of sight. Ever
man sleeps with his rifle by his side an
! his revolver under his head. A copy O
the inscription which was on an end boar
of wagon placed at the head of th
grave is this: j. 7. Manning, killed b
the Indians May 23d 1864, aged "a year
r was from Pike county, Missouri. Tho'
sands upon thousands will visit his gray
] and drop the sympathizing tear. Th
next and last grave was that of T. J
Foster, from Ohio, Aged GA.