Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-07-14

VI U0OOeS-a UIlCA uiuC O-6AN
inches, made of mud and sun-dried--
and plastered outside and inside. The
store houses are admirably arranged
cool and well ventilated. and neat as
model housekeeper's kitchen "down
East" Every attention and courtesy
which a kind heart could suggest, has
been shown to us in no stinted manner.
The ladies, tired as they were, fully ap-
preciated it. From this point we shall
cut loose from the recruits and push
ahead as rapidly as loaded wagons can
go. This has seemed but little like
Sunday to us. We talked of it and of
the Sabbsths at home until, in imagina-
ton, we could hear the church bells
ringing, and see the dear friends we
left behind, occupying their places in
the old familiar pew. The Arkansas
river here is narrow but very swift
not as wide as the Little Kanawha. We
found good grass on its banks, but
vegetation is far behind.
May 30th. Went to bed at dusk
last evening, and did not awake this
morning until the sun was an hour
high. How refreshed we all feel.
Breakfasted at eight o'clock. Had
some of the mules shod; drew forage
for them--purchased supplies for our
own wants--rations for the teamsters
and escort--and with one hundred
pounds of ice, generously provided by
Col. Dodge, we were ready, at 1l:3O
A. NJ, to proceed on our journey. We
bade adieu to the kind and gentlemanly
officers and started from Fort Lyon
Our march to-day was to terminate at
Brent Fort, a distance of II miles,
which place we reached at 4 P. NJ.
The wind was blowing hard and the
dust flying thick. We had some diff
Guilty in pitching tents, owing to the
wind. Our road to-day has followed
the north bank of the river. We pass
ed several ranches, all stock, but the
grass seems poor and very dry, not at
all nourishing to stock. Still, l am
told that cattle, even in driving, keep
fat on it. Brent fort is large walled
in station of the Stage Company, in
tended to be secure against Indians
the Arapahoes, on this side, claiming
close up to the river, and who, this
season, are troublesome. The soil is a
sandy loan, and susceptible of high
cultivation.
Ny own anxiety increases from this
out. Dread of some accident to our
overloaded ambulance; or that some of
the ladies or children may get sick, or
our stock be stampeded--and dozen
other accidents which might happen.
! The "worry" in having ladies and chill
dren along with you, especially if they
are near to you, on such trip as this,
is no child's play, assure you. 1t
keeps your mind on continual strain,
and even sleep fails to bring that rest
one so much needs. l have tried it
and speak from experience.
As we were getting everything ready
to have a good supper, our cook comes
up missing, and we had to send back
! for him. He was found among the
wagons of train, great number hay
ing crossed the river at Brent's fort
this afternoon, engaged in chatting
with an ebony-hued female. He was
brought back III triumph, and soon
gave us an excellent supper. 1t turned
out that the colored female is the lawful
wife of our cook, and is on her way to
Kit Carson. She wanted him to return
with her, but we frightened him so,
about the Indians, that he concluded
TO remain with US.
This morning before leaving Fort
Lyon, Col. DIS servants introduced
themselves as John and Julia Ann
Taylor, hailing from C.. Having
promised to inform their friends OF
their present abiding place, take this
method of fulfilling it.
Nav 81. Arose this morning at two
O'Clock, feeling somewhat uneasy, be-
ing vet on the north side of the Arkan-
sas river. Had breakfast at six; broke
camp and was on the road at seven,
all Of us, especially the ladies, feeling
bright and cheerful, reminding me OF
a spring morning in Ohio. Met sew
eral trains, (oxen, on their return to
Kit Carson, laden with wool and hides.
Merchandise for New Mexico and part
of Arizona is hauled overland in OK
and mule trains-from 25 to 60 wagons
comprising a train. They will start
out very early in the morning and go
until nine or ten o'clock, when they
stop and turn their stock out to Craze.
About four clock in the afternoon the
cattle are again yoked to the wagons
and they go on until darkness compels
them to go into camp. The charge for
freighting is from seventy cents to one
dollar and twenty-five cents per one
hundred miles, depending upon the
season of the year. The month ol
May is considered the best time OF the
year and the charges are the lowest
After travelling seven miles we reach
Kingsbury, only one house-stage sta
tion-where we cross the Arkansas
river on a rickety bridge--so poor Is 1t
that we deem it best for all to get out
of the ambulance. Yet they collect
/, toll in passing over it, amounting to
one dollar and half for each six-mule
|, wagon. Came near losing two OF our
best mules in crossing the bridge
were compelled 10 unhitch them to
save them. We are now south OF the
|, Arkansas and free of all danger from
the "gentle savage" The country is
truly can ocean of land" without q
a tree, house or shrub, to relieve the
tiresome, dull monotonous view. AT
twelve O'Clock, noon, high wind,
scorching in its intense heat, sprang
up, accompanied by dust storm, the
like of which never before Witnessed.
, 1t filled our eyes, ears, nostrils and
throat. We reached Tempas station al
- oona pinor T1lono for