The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-08

Co: Armstrong G. Stevens, Of Louisville;
Sanders & Co, OF Shippingport. As the
May heat was becoming intolerable these
emigrants started on the trail as early as
3 O'Clock each morning. and observed the
Sabbath by going into camp for the entire
day.
On one occasion a herd Of buffaloes stam-
peded the grazing cattle, leading their own
ers a chase Of six miles, but were recovered
without any loss. At another time Mr..
wicks, cantering by the train on horse
back. stampeded the cattle in Jokes. occa-
sioning much perturbation and violent ex-
ercise for the emigrants. Late in May grass
was only six inches high. and buffalo
chips the only fuel to be found along the
trail. At Ash Hollow the wagons had to be
locked and let down a seventy-fve-foot
precipice with ropes. Buffalo herds became
more numerous, as well as larger, and
Sioux wigwams of more frequent appear
ance in the valley of the north fork Of the
Platte. In sight of Fort Laramie poor
grass and no water were to be had. News.
FER mule train. was received that Mr..
Jamison. of Kentucky. had died on the
way from his accidental pistol wounds.
His family was with him.
A FAITHFUL SCRIBE.
Fort Laramie is described as a great
trading post Of twenty houses, inclosed by
a wall. I"You must excuse all errors
says James Abbey. 'as 1 write seated on a
bucket. with a board on my knees. a can
die in a lantern, with the wind blowing,
and extremely cold."l The mountain trad
ers were as keen as any Yankee wooden
4 aafra. ~, .11.Ix l. II a %
Their prices were: Sugar. . cents per
pound; bacon, Is cents; ham, Is cents; flour,
SIS cwt.; loaf-bread, so cents: brandy, SIS
per gallon, etc. Across the Black hills the
trail was rough and high, slippery from
frequent rain and hailstorms; but the oxen
travelled, on an average, twenty miles a
day. At the upper ferry on the Platte 900
wagons were waiting TO cross. The New
Albany men waited until evening to have
their wagons pulled over. the cattle swim
ming. Ferry rates were 81 for each wagon.
IE the Sweetwater valley good watering
places were many miles apart, the country
barren of grass, and the only fuel was
dried sagebush. When the train reached
the Fort Hall route. on June II, a violent
snowstorm was encountered. AS they
toiled on toward the Great Salt Lake the
desert-mirage was experienced. worn
with travel and thirsting for water" writes
James Abby, there might be seen. some
times to the right, sometimes to the left,
and then in front. Representations of large
rivers, lakes and streams of pure water;
but as we advanced they would recede or
fade away. leaving nothing to view but the
barren desert and the blighted hopes of the
weary traveller" Often a whole day would
be traversed in a broiling sun over a dusty
trail without finding a drop of water for
<he oxen, while. in sight, were mountains
whose tops were covered with snow.~Along
Bear river, in Colorado, small willow and
cottonwood trees were found; also fine
grass and wild strawberries in abundance.
Beautiful forest flowers and geraniums''
also contributed TO the weary emigrants'
joy at this stage. of the trip. In the noun
tain passes an OK wagon occasionally up
set and spilled out the 'plunder,' but with
no other damage. The mountain travel.
through deep, difficult, narrow gorges,
where the sun never shone, covered days
amid scenes of grandeur, but of painful
solemnity and loneliness. The highest
mountain-name not given i'm the chroni-
ele-but which overlooked the Great Salt
Lake valley, was 7,245 feet above sea level.
and the adjoining mountain was covered
with snow to the depth of eight feet. Salt
Lake City, at this time. consisted of log
houses. a few aristocratic dwellings being
built of sun-dried brick. covered with mud.
and one story high. Butter, at Salt Lake
City, was 20 cents per pound; milk, 80 cents
per gallon; meat. IS cents per pound. A
mont ef1o f.
and other articles in proportion.
In the New Albany emigrant camp. about
seventy-five miles beyond Salt Lake, the
Fourth OF July. 1850, was celebrated with
great and praiseworthy gusto. A process
sion was formed at 8 o'clock and marched
around in a grove of box elder, where a
salute was fired in honor of freedoms
birthday" The Declaration of Independ-
ence was read by Messmate Frost. of
Kentucky. A n excellent dinner of 'knick-
knacks," saved for the great occasion. was
served. Toasts were rendered. a salute of
firearms accompanying each sentiment.
Patriotic and sentimental songs were sung
and" concludes James Abbey. 81 have
no doubt the glorious Fourth was ceIe-
brated with as much spirit and zeal in this
far distant valley as in our own Indiana. -
NO special mention is made of BILLY Refs
singers band" In this great desert patriotic
celebration. but it is safely assumed that
New Albany music was foremost as well
as in the thick of the festivities of the
emigrant gala day. From Utah on to Cal
ifornia the toilsome journey over the long.
rough trail seemed to grow more toilsome.
men and oxen must have been worn and
weary. although the chronicler continues TO
record good spirits and the morning
starts made after each hasty breakfast 'in
hearty good will" Lofty mountains. deep
and difficult streams. heavy rains. cold
northern winds in July. no water or brack-
ish water for man and beast, intoIerable
mosquitoes, scorching sun and choking
dust-exposure without much protection TO
the torrid zone in the daytime and the
frigid zone at night. being. as Mr.. Abbey
enthusiastically comments. rather trying on
the constitution" In middle July Messrs.
Thomas S. Kunkle and CHRISTOPHER Fox.
OF New Albany, took breakfast with the
Hoosier camp, having left their teams al
Salt Lake. 10 pack through" on horse
back. Also at this time three other New
Albany wagons Joined the train, viz: Will
son and Rodgers. Pennington and Jones,