Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-01-31

extend about l40 miles. A great deal
of suffering is expected, ere We pass
through them, by man as we'll as beast
According to Bryants calculations,
it is 800 miles from Fort Laramie to
the South Pass in the Rocky Noun
tains. Whether we shall live to reach
ii no one knows. The hills are now
covered with bacon, -four and provls-
ions of every kind, wagons and cook
ing utensils of every sort, that emil
grants have thrown away, having
packed their animals with a part OF
their supplies and gone on.
Saturday, the 10th, We passed the
warm spring. 1t is very strange
stream and the water is about milk
warm. The next curiosity that draws
the attention of the wayworn travel
er is the Laramie Peak, $500 feet
above sea level and 1000 feet above
Fort Laramie. 1t presents beautl-
full and picturesque sight.
Sunday, 18th, we laid by to rest
ourselves and animals, as both are
much fatigued. We killed fine buff
falo today.
Monday, 18th, we started by day
light and travelled IS miles to break
fast. We halted on the Lebontl river.
This is the most delightful spot that
we have yet seen. Had fine rest
in a splendid grove perfpmed with
roses and various other flowers, with
which this romantic and solitary place
abounds
TUESDAY, JUNE 10Th.
A beautiful morning. The sun rose
in all its splendor and brilliancy, with
pleasant breeze from the west. We
made fine journey today.
Wednesday, June Goth, We crossed
the northern branch of the river Platte,
using our sheetiron wagon.bed to ferry
our goods and wagons over. We
crossed at the mouth of Deer creek,
about 80 miles below the regular Nor
mon ferry, in order to cut off as many
teams as possible. There are 100
ahead of us now. When we were at
Fort Childs there were 800 ahead Of
us There have been several men
drowned while crossing at this place.
The stream is about $50 yards wide
and very deep and rapid. Fortunate
ly we all got over safe, with our goods,
&C., while many lost their teams and
cattle. The 2lst, 22nd and 23rd we
travelled through waste and barren
country, although it abounds with
many fine springs, some of them the
strongest of sulphur. The surround
ing hills abound with stone coal, and
the low or level places are covered
with soda or salaratus.
SUNDAY, Oath.
The country presents little better
or brighter prospect. The hills look
something greener. We arrived this
evening at Sweet Water river, and
encamped for the night. Monday we
made an early start and crossed the
river at Independence Rock. This is
tremendous rock on the roadside.
| suppose it is mile or more in cir
cumference, and extending to a great
height. 1t is covered with the names
of travellers, come dated as far back as
1912. We travelled five miles and re-
crossed the river at place called Dew
lis Gate, where the river runs through
great mountain of rock about half
mile in length, and quite a narrow
channel. 1t looks as though it has
been the work Of art. The sides are
cut nearly perpendicular from four to
FIVE hundred feet in height. The OBJ
lect in recrossing the river was to shun
the sandy roads and dust and also to
get away from the number Of wagons.
The sand is from 6 to 10 inches deep
and almost hot enough to cook eggs.
We have now a much better road and
better grass. We have passed many
high mountains Of rocks Of q reddish
cast. They are called the buttes Of
the Rocky Mountains. There is also
plenty of granite in this section Of the
country. The 26 and 9th we trav-
eled rough and mountainous country
with heavy track and sandy road,
crossing the Sweet Water two or three
times. 1t runs very crooked and
winds through the mountains. At
one place we had great deal Of diff
Guilty, as it came very near swimming
our mules. Snow had made its sp-
pearance on the highest mountains the
past day or two. Thursday, 18th, We
took up the line Of march, at an early
hour and travelled until 9 o'clock,