St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1906-04-13
A Matter Of Local History
The Diary oi James 81 Johns Now
Printed For The First Time.
Prepared by George II. Hines

June "a, fSlt-This day we
left the forts aud wen, about 70
miles by the way of the road, but
ONLY y miles across the hills We
encampcd in deep valley and
concluded to stay here until morn
ing. for there is no water after we
leave here for go miles Near this
cncampmcnt there is large spring
OF clear water. II runs out of the
side of the hill The stream is
large enough for an overshot mill.
The valley is surrounded by high
hills of limestone, with some scat.
tering cedar and pine growing on
them. We have seen no Indians
lately except about 20 Soos Sioux
at the fort The men at the forts
are nearly all French and Spanish.
Some of them have squaws for
their wives which they buy of the
parents of the same.
June 2s.-We left the camp and
warm spring this morning at 7
o. clock. We travelled about 20
miles today over high hills aud
through deep valleys, but there is
plenty of game here and good
water and kind of a mountain
turnip. They are about as large
as hens eggs and are tender and
good eating; also there is currants
aud mountain cherries. We were
overtaken today 10y two men and a
squaw from the fort. They are
going to the mountains with us.
Two of our men left us at the forts
but their place is filled by these
men, and squaw thrown in. We
saw good number of bufaloes to-
day, but have not killed any OF
them. We encamped in 4 valley.
There is plenty OF good water here
aud excellent grass for the cattle
aud horses and mules. The grass
is equal to timothy grass, II not
better II is of different kinds in
the valley. II resembles blue grass
of lh, States. II grows tall here
and thin OH hills aud plains and
short land thick in the valleysl
June 20. - This morning we
started at 5minuteS past six o'clock.
Took dinner on the bank of u
creek of good water and grass. In
the afternoon myself and two others
went out to hunt buiialocs. We
killed one and wounded another.
We packed our horses aud set out
ior the place where wei expected
To find the wagons, but they had
went a different way and encampcd
Oh the Platte on the main branch.
We travelled until ~ O'Clock at
night before we reached the camp.
There are some gray bears
grizzlies there which are mon
s,ers. Large, but we have killed
none OF them yet, Some more
hunters killed buffalo today.
June 27.-We left the Platte
early this morning, Travelled
until 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
I.ncampcd on the bank af a creek
OF muddy water. There is but few
springs in this country, The
ground is 50 sandy that the water
sinks. We killed one bulialoe to.
day aud some small game.
June 2S-We started early this
morning. Took dinner on the
banks of a creek of good water,
aud rs beautiful grass as have
ever seen. The grass is generally
good in the valleys, but on the
hills and plains It appears To be
dried up, Near our dining place
is a large cleft of rocks as white as
SNOW, The rocks are a little harder
than common chalk and some ol
the earth is composed OF lhi, sub
stance, which is the geuulur plaster
paris, or believed to be- by mos, OF
the company We left here and
after hard halt dav's drive
camped on a creek near a spring ol
excellent water, We killed one
bulialoe today. Seen some gray
dears, hut did not Kill them.
June 20 Did not start early this
morning on account of some of the
cattle straying away, We took
dinner on a small creek, We are
now travelling through the Black
Hills, over high hills and through
deep valleys. The hills are com
posed OF different kinds OF sub
stances, some OF limestone, some of
sandstone, some of granite, and
some of fine sand, and some of a
substance resembling chalk, aud
some OF plaster paris and red stone
and clay, also red sand in some
places, They have a beautiful
We encamped this |
evening on the bank of the north |
fork OF the Platte river, about 200 |
miles from the main ridge of the |
Rocky Mountains, We are now in
sight OF some high mountains,
June Soth.-Left the camp at
,iN O'Clock this morning. Took
dinnerl on the bank OF that river.
The day was pleasant, We made
1 good days travel, Encamped on
he bank OF the Platte. Killed five
COWS today and two bulls
The river is about 200 yards wide
mere.
LII. 90, NH L.. -. |