Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-02-07

useful member In our company. 1nus
we were obliged to bury another OF our
comrades in this wild and almost un-
known region. Only another mound
is raised to catch the eye of the way
worn traveller. l know that l have
seen at least one hundred graves while
travelling this waste and barren route
in the past fifteen hundred miles.
Oh, what will man not endure in or
der to get the filthy lucre gold We
buried comrade Milton in the most
decent manner possible. Peace to
his ashes.
Tuesday, 10th, we made a brisk
travel today, over splendid road, up
a beautiful valley, enclosed on both
sides with uninterrupted hills. The
grass is at least two feet high, with
several small streams of pure water
running through it. 1t is a delight
ful spot.
Wednesday, the 1lth, we started
at one o'clock in the morning and
reached the soda spring little after
sunrise, IA miles distant. This wa
ter, with the addition of little sugar
and vinegar, is equal to the best soda,
There are also several boiling springs
at this place, and the steamboat
spring is certainly a curiosity. 1t has
constant putting, like the exhaust OF a
large steamboat. In addition to these
there are several poisonous springs
here, which are said to be instant
death to anything that drinks from
them. There is now or has been a
burning mountain at this place. The
gases issue out so strong that it takes
ones breath If they get too close.
We remained here until two o'clock
in the evening, viewing the different
curiosities, when we again pursued
our Journey. We travelled II miles
more and encamped for the night,
making 81 miles today.
THURSDAY, July 18TH.
Last night was extremely cold. Ice
froze in our camp kettles to the thick
ness of an inch. 1t reminded me Of a
December morning in Virginia. We
got on our way about 7 o'clock.
Passed some Indian wigwams today
and some very large and excellent
springs. Friday, 18th, made an early
start, as usual, and travelled over a
very heavy road and encamped at the
big spring, six miles east of Fort Hall.
The three men that were sent ahead
returned this evening. They succeed
ed in purchasing 700 weight of flour
at s cents a pound. AS to informa-
ton as to the road on to Fort Suter,
they gained none.
Saturday, l4th, we arrived at Fort
Hall, after much difficulty in crossing
sluices and mire. Fort Hall ls situa-
ted on the banks of Snake river, The
distance from here to Fort Suter Is
estimated to be from six to eight hun
dred miles. We travelled about three
miles further and crossed Ponturoot
river, and encamped fer the rest OF
the day on the southwestern bank.
This is the most delightful stream
that I have ever beheld. a fine gray
ell bottom, with water as clear as a
/
crystal. I saw fish in this river fully
ten feet long. We rigged up small
seine, but only caught some small
trout and fall fish. Sunday, 18th.
This morning we pursued our journey
at an early hour and crossed Snake or
Shawnee river, and travelled down it
the remainder of the day, through a
barren country covered with chappar-
raj. Monday, 10th, we passed the
great American falls on the Shawnee
river. These falls can be heard for a
long distance, the water pitching over
great precipices some 25 or 80 feet
high. We pursued our course down
the river, enclosed on both sides with
great pyramids of rocks. We find the
wild currant growing in abundance
here. We crossed Beaver creek in
the evening, with several high dams
on it, said to have been built by bea-
vers. These dams are ten or twelve
feet high We now leave the Shawnee
to see it no more. Vending our way
through the mountains, passing the
Oregon trail, which turns off to the
right and appears to be good deal
travelled this summer. We encamped
this evening on Cano creek, making
80 miles today.
Tuesday, 18th, We remained in
camp until eleven o'clock to repair the
axle of one Of our wagons. We have
now but fourteen left we travelled
about Is miles and encamped for the