The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-10-16


being very dry
they became I'm.
u ruly and plung-
~ ed into 4.
hauling the
wagon afte r
hAz11-2l1lEzz6dd them. We had
to hitch our oxen to the hind end
Of the wagon and haul II out.
There was no serious damage done
more than the fore bolster was
broken.
Two miles brought US to Little
Blue where we saw David Black.
He expected to start in a few days
for oregon.
Four miles brought us to Big
Blue River where we arrived at
1880 p. m. While crossing our
oxen became unruly again and
stepped IN the. water. I. Peach
and were Obliged to get out In
the water waist deep 10 drive them
out. We landed safe on the west
side and encampel for the night.
Lamb >and company drove short
distance farther to q blacksmith's
shop. We drove fourteen miles to-
day and are now sixteen miles dis
tant from independence, Mo.
( We feed our oxen corn. some Of
which we are hauling along. Pas
ture was short today, the season
being late. The weather was warm
and pleasant and the scenery
beautiful. We flddled and danced
in camp in memory Of the last
night we would have tho pleasure
Of enjoying In the states for some
time. One month from Fairmonr
today.
Friday, April 80, 1852
Drove up to the blacksmith shop
early in the morning to get SOME
little repairing done. We got two
lock chains attached to our wagon
and had the bed enclosed with a
body chain. Lamb and company
had a new bolster made for their
wagon. We left the shop at II a.
a. m. and at IL p. m. crossed the
line that separates civilized man
from the wilderness.
Eight miles brought US TO where
there were three monuments erect
ed on the right hand side Of the
road. They were built of stone, in
the form OF cones, which had been
carried a great ways as there were
none near. I suppose they had
been built there to mark tho re-
mains OF some celebrated war
chiefs.
We travelled four miles farther
and camped near low gully.
where there was some water which
had been standing since tho Inst
rain. AS we had driven all day
without water weswere glad to get
this such us It was. Our cattle, as
we'll as ourselves. suffered very
much during the day for the want
OF water.
We encamped within one mile
OF the Lone Elm. It derived its
name from the fact that there was
but one Elm tree standing by Il.
self, fifteen or twenty miles from
any other tree. The scenery Was
manglf.cent-the prairies gently
undulating stretched as far as the
eye could penetrate.
We cooked supper with dried
grass and weeds. We drove four
teen miles today after supper. The
violin was brought out and though
We were a little tired We danced
four in honor Of our first camp
out OF the states.
The weather is warm and grass
Is short. We turned our cattle
loose and commenced guarding
and camp duty.
Saturday, May I, 1852
We cooked breakfast with But
falo chips and were agreeably sur
pr!sed to find what good sub
stitute to wood they were. We
started at a. m. and drove
twelve miles to Bull Creek. q half
miles to the left OF the main road.
Here there is a good spring and
several Indian huts on the banks
Of the creek. We drove three miles
farther and encamped on tho
waters Of Bear Creek, with the de-
signs OF laying over Sunday.
Late in the evening James Lamb
returned from Independence, hay-
Ing remained there in order 70 get
our letters. He brought one let
ter, also a paper, The True Vir-
glnIau, for Greed. W. Raymond,
who did not get any for himself or
the balance Of tho company.
The wind blew very hard all day
ana the dust blew so thick that
We could not see our foremost
oxen.
One monthtrorn home! This was
great day amongst our friends at
home. and is one Of the most cele'
brated days throughout our IN
ion. Often would our thoughts
wander back to home and friends
and we would think how the latter
were enjoying themselves in the
merry dance, while We poor spirits