The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-10-18

. AAu ALlbE lucy M6TGf HuIuClBQLlY
! dry We loaded up and started on
at 4 p. m.
I At 8 p. m. we arrived at Big
Blue River having driven twelve
miles. Here we were Obliged to
block up our wagon beds some
eight inches to keep the water from
running in and wetting onr proyi.
Eiors. We encamped on the west.
erh bank Of this river, the channel
Of which 10 100 yards in width, It's
waters are very clear coursing over
Q grayelly bottom and flowing into
Tho Kansas River.
The country over which we have
beet travelling for some time is roll.
ing prairies with numerous streams
running through them. The soil
Is exceedingly rich and fertile.
When we had landed safe upon
this aide OF the river there was a
gentleman came along and wished
70 stay with US all night. We told
him he could stay with pleasure,
but as 1t was uncertain when we
would e1camp and he did not wish.
10 return he concluded to seek an
other camp He informed me that
no n company with seventeen 9th.
sFs had started to California with
horses and pack mules and before
reaching the Plat they arose one
morning and found the greater part,
OF the horses and mules missing.
They were stolen by the Indians
and as their mules were gone and
they were out of money they we're
Obliged to return home. I shall
never forgot the downcast look Of
the stranger as he told his sud
story, and i could not but imagine
how | should feel eff we were. to.
meet with the same fate as he and
his company.
Late In the evening there was a
gentleman came in from an adjoln.
Ing camp inQuiring for brandy, say.
ing there was a young woman very
unwell. We judged from the man.
ner In which ne accosted us that
II was a trick to get Il for his own
use. However after supper we
sent couple OF our men down
to their camp with some brandy
and they found the woman very
low. (She had been Sick for three
weeks. or over since she had been
on the plains.) There are so many
ways for men to manage to get
liquor here on the plains that Il
Is seldom we can tell when weSare
doing kindness. q
The tumble bugs are very trou
blesome this evening. The day
was pleasant and grass Is good. =
Wednesday,, May ~. 1852.
Today we have travelled twenty
miles. We started at $3.50 a. m!
and camped at 6:30 p. m. We may
date this hour as Sour first days
travel over a level country and the
scenery was delightful.
AS we did not give our oxen
time TO feed we stopped at s a. m.
and grnzed until 8 a. M, then drove
TIL IL m. when he stopped to noon
near the junction of the Independ.
ence and st. Joe Road, having drly.
en- ten miles. The distance from
Independence TO the junction OF
the roads is $50 miles. Il was in.
formed that the distance from st
Joseph to the junction Of the
roads is 100 miles), and then drove
ten.miles from the junction Of the
roads and encamped on the open
prairie without fuel or water, with
the exception Of small quantity
we happened to have in our casks.
We are encamped in the most
beautiful spot We have vet had the
pleasure OF seeing. The grass ia
splendid and the day was pleasant
l have been informed by emf.
grants who have Travelled the ST
Joe Road that there is a great deal
OF sickness between st. Joe ana
the junction Of the roads. the nre.