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

Drought lorth and had It uttertng
Its unaecustomed voice among the
solitudes Of the plains and the
merry dance commenced.
We have plenty OF wood and
water and after stationing our
guard the remainder OF US retired
TO rest, though somewhat vexed
to think We could not hear from
home, there to enjoy the sweets Of
repose.
Sunday, Mhy 2, 1852
Our guard aroused the camp
early and informed us that our cat
tie had strayed ava :, Thew were
found some four or tive miles OF
making toward the states as fast
as possible. They were oyertaken
by our horseman and soon brought
back.
! Lamb caught US a fine mess Of
fish for our dinner.
Our camp is one mile to the left
OF the road where We had quite a
commanding view OF the surround
ing country. This country Is In
hab.ted by the Shawnee Indians,
who are a peacable tribe.
Late in the evening there came
into our camp a gentleman who
had been rambling for miles over
the plains In search OF horses that
had strayed away from his COM
pany two days previous. He was
hungry and tried having lain out
one night. We gave him what ne
could eat and enough to do him
until he would overtake his train.
He did not succeed in finding his
horses.
We had quite a heavy shower
before day, but the day>was pleas
ant. We designed laying by every
Sabbath when we could make It
convenient.
Monday, May 8, 1852
About midnight our cattle he.
came mixed in with q large drovs
that was near and the guard be.
came uneasy and aroused the
camp The night was very dark and
cloudy and the lightning iIlumin-
ated the heavens in every direc
ton. We separated our oxen from
among the drovesand concluded u
start.
Everything being ready we start.
ed at 1 a. m, Two miles brought
US to Bear Creek. small stream
of clear water. and ten miles ove-
a beautiful prairie country brought
us to Walkrausha River, where We
arrived at 6 a. m. This river Is
about 100 feet In breadth and its
waters are clean and swift and
course over a pebbly bottom. We
crossed the river and stopped on
its bank to cook breakfast.
We purchased sonic cheap oats,
for our cattle Of an Indian on the
opposite side OF the river. There
are quite o number Of Beautiful
farms here which are cultivated by
the Shawnee Indians. Some OF
them speak very good English and
on the whole arc approximate to
civilization.
Breakfast over we started at
a. m. and a drive of eight miles
brought US into camp, one to the
right Of the road near a lone tree.
which stood far from any other.
and at the foot Of which was a
beautiful spring. We encamped al
l p. M, having driven twenty
miles today. We passed a largd
number Of trains.
Lamb and Raymond gave chase
to small drove OF wolves but did
not get near enough to kill them.
George Paris brought in n rattls
snake measuring five feet in
length, upon the tail OF which were
nine rattles. He killed 1t close by
the spring.
] No trains are near this evening
I, The weather is fine aud GrIss
Is very good. We make II d point
to give the places where Wa sop .
name unless we camp on the
banks Of q stream-but l shall not
insert the names In this journal.
There is music and dancing in
camp this evening. William Col
Inns and I are guards in camp to-
night.
Tuesday, May g. 1852
We started at Z a. m. and stop
.fped at IL M. near pond of water
which We could scarcely use, We
suffered all day for the want Of
water. We should have filled our
kegs before leaving the spring in
the morning. Emigrants suffer a
great deal for neglecting TO carry
water with them.
| Greed Raymond. A. Hayden and
myself left the wagons and after
walking couple OF hours We sat
down Oh o small knoll to wait until
the wagons should como up. In
short time we saw III tho dlg-
trance three Indians riding toward
US at full speed. We placed our
selves in the attitude OF defense
and awaited their approach. Soon
oae rode in advance OF tho 0tber
two and as this was q signal Of
reeco advanced and received hia
", ended hand. The other two
then came up and though they
wern armed we did nYt fear them
las VIC were equal In numbers.
They were naked and were, the
first uncivilized Indians We hsd
lhe first who had advanced
could speak English but his lords
lWCtr 40 broken that We could not