Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-02-07
of the California Gold
Seekers Half a Century Ago.
FRIDAY, JUNE %, lS49.

During this day we came through
the South Pass, which is 10 miles in
length, and found plenty of snow in
the ravines, which no doubt has been
lying there for centuries past. The
mountains are completely capped with
STOW. The scenery is grand at this.
We encamped this evening at the Pa
cifc Spring. This is the first stream
that flows into the Pacific Ocean.
Saturday, the 30tb, we started on
our long and toilsome journey with
renewed vigor, as we can now look
back on the Rocky Mountains. The
Pacific spring is said to be one-half
the distance from Fort Independence
to California. We travelled about six
miles, when the road turns off to the
Salt Lake, the great Mormon settle
ment. About one-half Of the emil
grants are taking this route. We are
taking the route by Fort Hall We
came 20 miles this morning and stop
ped for dinner on the Little Sandy
river. In the evening we travelled SIX
miles farther, to the Big Sandy river,
on the route that is called Sublettes
Cutoff. 1t saves five days travel,
though there is distance of 40 miles
without grass or water We are now
in the Oregan Territory.
SUNDAY, JULY lst,
Today we laid by until 2 o'clock,
for the purpose of refreshing ourselves
and mules for the 40-mile stretch
which is just before US. At that hour
we started and travelled until l o'clock
next morning. We moved by day
light and reached Green river at 2
o'clock. This country is generally
barren and sandy, part Of it very
mountainous.
July 3rd. Last night was a cold,
frosty night Ice froze to a consider
able thickness. We ferried our teams
across the river today This stream
is about the size of the North Branch
of the Platte, but much more difficult
to cross. 1t runs nearly north and
south and empties into the Colorado
or Red river, thence into the Gulf Of
California. The whole day was spent
in crossing. We drowned one of our
mules while swimming it over. This
is the first one that we have lost since
we have been on our journey.
July 1, 1849.
We spent the glorious fourth on the
western bank of Green river, in
beautiful valley, shaded by cotton
trees. We enjoyed ourselves under
the delightful shade Of the trees. We
fred our cannon several times, which
made echoes and re-echoes resound
through the neighboring hills, which
reminded US of home and the endear-
ments of civilization. We also hired
out our boats to other emigrants today
at S. per team for crossing. The
regular ferry charged $40 We made
$l75 by the operation.
Thursday, July 9th, got underway
about 9 o'clock, and travelled over
rough, hilly country and crossed a
considerable stream called l2-mile
creek.
Friday, 9th, passed over very
mountainous country, part Of it COW
cred with snow.
Saturday, 7th, the country contin-
ues hilly, with some snow, though the
grass is getting to be very good. We
passed some timber today, which is
the first of any consequence that l
have seen since | left the Missouri
line. 1t is the aspen tree. There are
some excellent springs in this region.
We met with party OF Indians to-
day of the Snake tribe. The face Of
the country looks better than usual.
The sod appears to be rich. We
crossed large creek this evening and
encamped on the eastern bank Of
Bear river.
Sunday, 0tb, We got under way at
an early hour, and travelled until noon.
Crossing Bear river, a considerable
stream, we put up for the remainder
of the day, in beautiful valley. We
caught fine bunch of fish this even
ing.
Monday, the 9th, we sent three men
ahead to Fort Hall, ninety miles dis
tant, to inquire of the prospects ahead
and also to try and purchase some
-four and horses, if possible. We met
with serious loss today. Mr.. W. 7.
Milton, in attempting to swim Camises
fork, quite a small stream, was
drowned. Mr.. Milton was resident