The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-10-25
@ Jew DAYS 7
s. aR4pAaoss TIE Plains With JaccbS hSn ~

over to a large island, then took
our wagons TO pieces and terr1e1
them across to the Island In six
loads. Upon three canoes, which
were fastened together with strips
Of boards. which were nailed
across them, we put up our was
CONS and drove half a mile
across the island to the crossing Of
the Main Platt which Is not quite
so wide as the first crossing but
1t Is considerably deeper and the
current is more swift. Here the
accommodation for crossing was
much better than at the first,
there being four canoes fastened
together in the same manner as at
the first. They are twenty feet In
length and about twelve feet IN
breadth. We conveyed our was
CONS and provisions across In
three loads. The crossing was
made without any accident hap
pening or any Of our provisions
being damaged.
We encamped near the landing
and danced In camp this evening
for the first time since the fourth
day Of May, though we have fire.
Quently har fiddling and all, ali
along the road when we were
tarvelIng during the day.
Friday juno IS, 1862
This day we have Travelled
fourteen miles. We started at IL
m. and encamped at Z p. m. Three
miles over a billy and sandy road
brought us to the upper crossing
Of tn north fork OF the Platte
River. which is 14S miles from
Fort Laramie and S27 miles from.
Independence. At the ferry there
are two roads, one leading over
the bluffs, the other following w
the river. We have taken tho lat
ter having been Informed that
there is no water on the other I'M
til the Willow Springs are reach
ed.
Four miles over a beautiful
bottom land brought us to where
the road ascends the bluffs, which
are quite sandy and gravely, two
miles over the bluffs and down a
! very steep hill brought US to the
river bottom, one and q half miles
brought US to the bluffs again.
These We assembled and two miles
brought us again to the river. Be-
fore reaching the bottom we de-
scended a very long and steep
mountain which was hard on the
oxen as the sand was knee deep.
One and half miles up the river
bottom brought US into camp on
the banks OF the river near where
the road leaves the Platte for the
last time.
We commenced crossing our
cattle at an early hour, and after
a great deal Of trouble succeeded
in landing them safe on this side
OF the river at II a. m. We cross
ed 100 head and the greater part
we were obliged 10 lead over with
ropes the current being 80 swift
that they could not stem It.
At the ferry they charge So
for wagons though I could not
prevail upon them to receive any
compensation from US. at the up
per ferry there are three ropes
stretched across the river and
three large ferry boats. This ferry
Is owned by company from
Chicaoga, Mich. Their chargea To-.
ferrying a Wagon are IS, for a
man so cents and for horses and
oxen 81 each. They offer SO a day
the year round for hands. They In
formed us that they had terryed
1860 wagons this season up "
this time and equally as many
have passed which came UP the
north side Of the river. Ton men
have been drowned In attempting
to ford their cattle at this ferry.
l was upon the island this
morning hunting the oxen in
company with James D. Lamb and
We concluded we would mount the
ponies and continue the search.
We had ridden but short dis
lance when the pony I was riding