The morning call., 1892-11-06

tion concerning the country between where
we were eamped and California. They
brought information that we must strike out
west of Salt Lake, being careful not 10 go
too far south. lest we should get into
waterless country without grass. and that
we must not go too far north, or we would
get Into broken country with deep can
yons, where we were liable to get lost and
perish.
Shortly afterward a party OF trappers
came down from Fort Hall, and from them
we learned that there was trail from that
point TO Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia
River. They said we would have great
deal of difficulty In getting to California the
way we wanted to go, and advised us TO go
to Oregon, and from there to 60 on to our
destination. This news had depressing
effect upon us, so much so that our German
friends decided to take their advice. In the
following March they left for Fort Hall,
and | have never seen or heard OF them
since.
Just as we were preparing to start Jo-
seph Larouche shot himself and fell dead
near the door of the hut We gave him
decent burial, and left the following day
with heavy hearts and very little hope Of
ever getting through to the Pacific Ocean.
travelling became more difficult daily,
and road for the wagons had TO be cleared.
We were getting along fairly well, and
about a week after we started and after we
had crossed the salt plains and reached the
broken country, where the wagons were
useless, Mrs. Larouche was taken sick.
halt was called and everything possible
done for her; but it was of no avail. and a
second grave marked our march. Here we
left our wagons and threw away every thing
we could not carry, made pack-saddies and
started.
Zone horse was reserved for Jeaue to
ride and the rest were on foot We got
along very we'll for week or ten days,
when we got into country where there
was no grass or water and the poor animals
suffe ed greatly. However, we struck
small stream and followed down its bank
and finally entered canyon. The road
was solid mass OF powders and stones.
aud the horses became so sOre-f0Oted that
1t was unsafe to be near them OIL the Drinks
Of some of the gulches we were obliged 10
travel along. for fear they might go over
ana carry one with them. Water had given
out and nothing but rock was to be seen on
all sides. We called a halt and it was de-
cided th al some OF the party should climb
to the top of the mountain and get a view.
Peter LaTOuche and Louis Bouchere
started out and they were never seen again.
What their fate was is mystery. We
waited for their return all the next day and
night, but we must have water or perish. so
we pushed on, and after sgoing about four
miles came TO large stream. which Is now
called the Humboldt River. Here we re-
malned about ten days searching for our
comrades. but without success.
THE fatigue of the journey commenced
to tel on Jeane. but she held up bravely.
An affection perhaps stronger than friend
ship had sprung up between US and we
courted back there in the mountains per-
haps like the swell fellows in the cities.
There were only FIVE left and a sorry
party we were as we started down the river,
first on one side, then on the other. The
water WAS running very swiftly and the
crossings were made with difficulty. 1t
finally became necessary to swim the
horses across.
"While making one of these crossings the
horse Jeane rode stumbled and fell as il
was ascending the opposite bank. Jeane
was thrown into the water and carried
down stream and sank out OF sight Her
body was found next day aud cross now
marks the spot where she sleeps. I've seen
1t many times since and the last time was
there put up new and solid Cne."
Bere the old man paused in his story and
got up and went inside the cabin. When
he came out his eyes were swollen and his
cheeks were still moist. lie sat for some
time in silence before he again spoke.
"Jeane's death was hard blow to US all
and it was gloomy quartet that went into
camp that night. Lille was gone for me. Ii
had seemed that had lived in a dream up
10 that time. Since then l have been moth
ing but poor wandering mortal, with no
rest nor eontentment anywhere.
"a few days after We left the camp where
Jeane sleeps We came to a lake, now known
as Humboldt Lake, and from there we went
due west over a broken and arid country
till We came TO the Truckee River, which
we followed TO where it came out of the
. mountains.
Crossing this range of mountains was the
most difficult part of the journey to Us. Our
horses we're abandoned, and all that we
thought we could possibly get along with
out was thrown away. Each man had
pa X OF about fifty pounds on bis shoulders.
A weeks time saw US over the ridge and
few days more a considerable river came
In sight. Its course was west, and from
that we judged we were on he Pacific Slope.
Here is where we had our first trouble
with Indians. Bcuchere had left his pack
on a fallen log beside the river, and was
preparing some supper. The rest of US
were some distance of. when suddenly we
heard shot On looking around we saw
an Indian making of with the pack. Bou-
chere had fired at him, but missed the mark
and the Indian got safely away. We hastily
ate our supper and hid all night in dark
crevices in the rocks, fearing All attack
Early next morning, as We were preparing
to leave, about dozen shots were fred al
us from across the river, and the bullets
few around Us like hail. / got ball
through the leg OF my trousers. but none OF
US were hurt. We scrambled back into the
cover OF the woods and cautiously moved on
down tile river. expecting every minute to
get bullet in our bodies from some hidden
foe.
"a few days travel down this river.
which is now called the American River,
brought Us TO signs of civilization. An
Indian We saw wore coat and hat. From