The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-10-18
Ms NEW DAYS
lie Plans

= - - fslf.f. - - - Il.
yailinE disease being smallpox. We
passed one dead or today, for the
FIRST,
Thursday, May 10, 1852.
This day We have travelled TWEEN
ty;tive miles, starting at $3.50 q. m.
and camping al 6 p. m. Our course
lay over a prairie country and sew.
enteer miles brought Us. TO Turkey
River, which "a about the Size Of
Redstones There Is a postotfice
and blacksmith shop upon the
north bank Of the river and here
we took In wood and water and
droyeieight miles out on the prairie
and encamped.
In today's travel there appears
to be q great change ID the sol and
the appearance q the country,
tThe soil Is sandy and the grass IS
short Our other two Wagons
stalled today, sinking into the mud
until the axietrses dragged upon
the grodnd: ~ 4 :
This mprning while we were eat
Ing breakfast there were fifty we.
mounted Indians came riding full
speed toward our camp. The old
chief rode a. short distance In ad
vance Of the company leaving 4,
to follow He advanced with his
right hand extended above his head
as a signal Of peace and when he
came up he offered his hand as Q
token Of friendship. He spoke
English, but very brokenly, and
said they were hungry and wanted
something to eat SO We gave them
come refreshments. They were
Cav Indians and were well armed
They said they were engaged In, q
war with the Pawnees and wert
then in pursuit of a company but
when we arrived at Turkey River
We ascertained that In place OF tight
ing the Pawnees they had beer
stealing horses from the emigrants
They were large. and noble looking
Indians. The Claws are said to be
the most notorious thieves OF any
other tribe in this region Of coun
try. r
The day was pleasant, but thi,
evening the wind is blowing yert
hard and cold.
Friday May u, 1852.
We travelled, twenty.tour miles
today by Starting at Z a. m. ant
camping at 6 y. m. Seven milei
brought us to Big Sandy which we
crossed at 10 a. m. There was bui
little water in this creek. 1t is for
ty.two miles from6 the junction OF
the roads.
Seventeen miles over a sandy
plant brought us to Little, or DR.
Sandy as It is sometimes called
Here we crossed and eneamped or
the western bank. We obtained
water by digging holes in the bed
OF the creek. There was no. water
in today's travel. except that men
toned in Big Sandy, Grass Il
short.
We may date this as the first
day the wind has not blown since
we have been on the plain. II was
a delightful day for travelling.
Another Wagon and five gentle
men from Michigan Joined us this
evening and our train is now com
posed Of four waggons>and nineteen
men. 4. Z
II was my turn to stand guard
last night, and my watch coming
on at twelve o'clock | was herdinr
the cattle one mile from camp. when
lust as the morning began to dawn
/ observed a large wolf In the act
Of trailing an OK from among lie
rest. His object IN doing this was
to get him some distance from the
others and then down him as
wolves frequently do. watched
his motion until I could gain a ia,
vorable position to fire. waited
very short time and he turned a
broad side to fair view about fifty
yards distant and / brought my old
musket which runs thirty to the
pound to bear upon him with a tire.
mendous explosion. He sprang into
the, air and gave a terrific howl,
falling upon the ground lifeless
corpse. The ball entered behind
his tight shoulder and passed
through his heart.
Saturday, May is. 1852.
Twenty miles were Travelled to.