xt7dz02z692x https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7dz02z692x/data/mets.xml Longsworth, Basil Nelson Historical Records Survey (Or.) United States. Works Progress Administration. Division of Women's and Professional Projects Oregon Longsworth, Basil Nelson Historical Records Survey (Or.) United States. Works Progress Administration. Division of Women's and Professional Projects 1938 68 l. 28 cm. UK holds archival copy for ASERL Collaborative Federal Depository Program libraries. Call Number: Y 3.W 89/2:43/Or 3/2 books  English Portland, Or.: Historical Records Survey  This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed in accordance with U. S. copyright laws. Oregon Works Progress Administration Publications Oregon National Historic Trail Overland journeys to the Pacific The Diary of Basil N. Longworth [sic] Oregon Pioneer, 1938 text The Diary of Basil N. Longworth [sic] Oregon Pioneer, 1938 1938 1938 2021 true xt7dz02z692x section xt7dz02z692x mgmmnglljmjlllly‘i

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THE DIARY OF BASIL N. LONGWORTH,

OREGON PIONEER

Transcribed

by

The Historical Records Survey
Division of Women's and Professional Projects
Works Progress Administration

******

The Historical Records Survey
400 Elks Bldg.
Portland, Oregon

 

  

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November 25, 1958

PREFACE

It is most fitting that the first publication, in the field
of manuscripts, of the Historical Records Survey of the WOrks Progress
Administration in Oregon should be the transcription of the diary of
a pioneer.

Basil N. Longworth, whose diary is presented, was a member
of a company, organized by Rev. T. J. Connor and Jeremiah Kenoyer, to
make a long journey by boat and wagon train to Oregon in response to a
plea by Mr. George Bethers, a pioneer settler of Benton County, Oregon,
for preachers to go to that region. The Ohio Conference of the United
Brethren Church contributed $500 to help defray the expenses of the
company.

On March 15, 1855, the company, consisting of 98 persons,
members of 16 families, and about 30 wagons gathered at Council Bluffs,
Iowa, to begin their long and arduous journey into Oregon; on October 6,
they camped near Albany, just across the river from Benton County. In
1859 or 1860, T. J. Connor became the first clergyman of the Bethel
Chapel of United Brethren Church. He was chiefly responsible for the
founding of Philomath College, at Philomath, Oregon, in 1867.

The diary contains little of the personal comment found in
many journals; it might almost be called a guide, since it describes
faithfully journey, distance covered from day to day, costs of
commodities, etc.

Basil N. Longworth accompanied his sister and brotherwin—law,
Mary and James Edwards, on this journey; The only copy of the diary
known to be in the possession of the family, is owned by their grand-
daughter, Mrs. Caryl Edwards Kyle, of Monroe; Mrs, Kyle has given the
Historical Records Survey of Oregon permission to issue a mimeographed
edition of the document, thus expressing her interest in the aim of the
Survey of gathering historical material which relates to the history
of our country and making it available to researchers, teachers, stu-
dents, and others who enjoy following American history from its begin-
lung 0

It has seemed best to transcribe the original without the
introduction of editorial comments in footnotes or otherwise. The aim
is to present the material as it stands to the user as a basis for
research. ‘

When Mr. Mark Phinney, working under the supervision of

 

  

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To Ju Edmonds, came upon the diary during his investigation of source
materials of historic value in Benton County, he perceived the value
of the manuscript. The Historical Records Survey, therefore, is
pleased to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to Mr. Phinney, and to
Mrs. Kyle for her gracious permission to publish the recollections.

Luther H. Evans

National Director
listorical Records Survey
Washington, D. C.

T. J. Edmonds

State Director

Historical Records Survey
Portland, Oregon

 

 .... vA.,,...:I.:,*-.-a:o. '

"Through the preceding winter James Edwards sold his farm and
other property and made arrangements to remove with his family, which
consisted of a wife and four children. In the preceding fall I had made
up my mind to accompany him, and after making the necessary preparations
-- on the eve of the 15th of March I left my native home where I was born
and had always lived —- bid adieu to my parents, brothers and sisters, and
a number of relations and friends, and with rather solemn thoughts we com—
menoed our long and uncertain journey. We travelled three miles and stayed
that night with Mr. Lewis Edwards.

"On the morning of the 16th, after bidding adieu to many rela—
tions and friends, we left Mr. Edwards and started for Wheeling where we
expected to get on board a boat. we travelled four miles to Antrim where
we made some repairs to our wagon -- used a board for a tarbucket and had
some amusement. we then passed through Fairview and Henrysburg and stayed
at the next tavern where we were comfortably entertained.

"On the 17th we payed our fare and pursued our journey, passed
through Morristown and then Floydstown to St. Clairsville, the county seat
of Belmont Co., and arrived at Wheeling. James Edwards having gone before
us by stage in order to secure passage on a boat bound for the west. While

on stage he became acquainted with Mr. wm. D. Hare of Fairviow, who joined

 

 ~2-

us and we started with the intention of crossing the plains together. We
spent the evening awaiting the arrival of the boat, which was hourly ex-
pected, to convey us to St. Louis.

"March 18th. While here we examined the chain or wire suspension
bridge which is a great curiosity and one of the noblest works of art. It
is a single span of near a thousand feet in length and suspended something
like a hundred feet above the water. The abutment over which the wires
pass are forty or fifty feet above the bridge, there being an arch turned
in the abutments through which the road passes onto the bridge, which is
a double track, and is suspended to the cables which cross the river by
small wires attached to them and pass down perpendicular through the sills
of the bridge. The cables come within two or three feet of the bridge in
the middle of the river.

“After spending the day in changing our paper money for gold,
and viewing the city, in the evening we took cabin passage on the David
White, which was one of the largest upper trade boatS, and bound for Louis—
ville. This is a fine boat with good accommodations and runs well. We
paid $6.00 apiece for our passage, our baggage being included. Today we
bid farewell to Lewis Edwards and Wm. Longsworth, our brothers who had
brought us to the river, our parting was rather hard as we parted with
the last relations which we would in all probability see for years.

"Saturday the 19th. At three in the morn we left Wheeling and
passed rapidly down the river, and when we awoke in the morning all was
strange. At nine We passed Marietta, which is a large town and the oldest
in Ohio. The next town was Parkersburg situated at the mouth of the
Kenhawa. At 4:00 P.M. we took on coal at Pomeroy which is a town on the

Ohio side and extending along the river for six or eight miles, and its

 

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chief wealth consists in its coal mines and salt works. ‘We left this

place half an hour behind the Pittsburg -— one of the fastest sailing boats.
The passengers waved their hats in triumph when they left, but our captain
said we would pass him before they made Cincinnati. Our boat then gave
chase, the boat running at the rate of twenty—three miles an hour, and in
spite of the efforts of the Pittsburg we passed her at 2:00 o’clock in the
morning.

"Sunday, the 20th, we landed in Cincinnati where We remained
until 5:00 in the evening. While in the city we spent an hour or two in
walking through the city and feasting our eyes on the taste, order, beauty,
and wealth which everywhere diSplayed itself in the handsomely paved streets
and massy buildings. Cincinnati, including its suburbs, extends along the
river for Some eight miles and is really the Queen City of the west and
embodies a great amount of wealth. The eye gazes with interest and delight
on its many massy, rich, and fanciful edifices. While here we went to Dr.
wm. Owen‘s office, we being old acquaintances. He was not at home. We left
a line and went to our boat. In a short time he came home and visited us
on the boat: we had a short conversation. He gave us some directions on
how to preserve good health and a word of encouragement and assurance that
he would follow us and then left.

"Leaving Cincinnati at midnight we came to Madison, Ind. Soon
after leaving madison the night became so dark and foggy that they had to
lay up until late in the morning of the 21st. At 9:00 we landed at Louis—
ville and paid a drayman $1.00 for hauling our wagon three miles to Portland,
and We got into an omnibus and drove a mile or two through the town. This
is a rich business place. fhe Ohio here falls twenty—seven feet in the
distance of two or three miles. There is now a boat canal out around the

fall, the locks admitting boats near two hundred feet long. Among the

 

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curiosities of Louisville was a man seven feet, eight inches tall, and
another woman came in the PittSburgh who weighed above 600 pounds;

”We here took passage on the Pike, a rather rough sailing boat,
and paid $8:00 apiece for our passage to St. Louis, and at 2:00 in the after—
noon we cleared the wharf and started for our future destiny. Nothing special
occuring, the steep and nacky hills for 100 miles came very near the river,
there being scarcely a good farm or house along the river in all this dis—
tance. One curiosity was a grist mill which had a very large over-shot
wheel and was driVen by a spring of sparkling water which gurgled from the
hill directly above the mill. These hills furnished no good timber, and
were in many places a wall of limestone rocks.

"On the morning of the 22nd we awoke and beheld as lovely a day
as heart could wish. 'We soon landed at Evansville, a city of Indiana which
looks like quite a thriving business place. The river along here is very
large and crooked and we seem to be sailing in almost every direction, ~—

a little after sunrise we were sailing directly toward the sun. At 3:00
this morning we met the Vermont and turned our boat and lashed them together
and sailed upstream with her while we took a number of Oregon Immigrants

on board with four wagons.

"Today we are sailing through a most splendid looking country
with not a hill in view. The eye can have full stretch over dense forests
without an eminence to obscure the viSion. One thing strikes you with sur-
prise, —- namely, the severity of the cold. The motion of the boat raises
such a breeze as will chill you in a few minutes, while it is pleasant were
it not for the motion of the boat. Another peculiarity is this: although.
we are sailing down stream we go so much faster than the water that it

appears to run in an opposite direction with an extremely rapid current.

 

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”We now haVe a scene on board which exhibits quite a contrast.
There is a corpse on board (Which was killed by the explosion of a boat)
while in the cabin there are three card tables in active operations. The
bottoms have been low this afternoon and all overflow and, of course, but
little improvements near the river. About 5:00 this evening we passed
Cave Rock, which is a cave in Illinois with a small entrance in the rock,
the extent of the cave has never been found. At sunset we left Smithland,
a small town at the junction of the Cumberland and Ohio Rivers. At 7:00
we landed at Paduca, a city at the mouth of the Tenessee. At 12:00 we
landed at Cairo, a town at the mouth of the Ohio.

"The morning of the 23rd found us sailing up the mouth of the
Father of waters. This is one of the most beautiful of mornings, but the
river is not as beautiful as the Ohio, there being so many sand bars and
so much drift-wood and snags. The Illinois side is low and flat as far as
the eye can reach, while the Missouri side appears to be hilly and in many
places there are rugged limestone bluffs. There is but little improvement
along the river in this region. This evening we saw quite a town some miles
from the river on the Missouri side. All the way up the Mississippi, except
where the riVer strikes the bluffs, the bank appears to be a bank of sand
which, by the action of the water, is constantly tumbling in, and forming
sand—bars elsewhere causing the channel constantly to change; which, in
connection with the snags, makes the navigation very dangerous.

"Thursday, the 24th, Before day we landed in St. Louis, and as
soon as it was day we set out to see the city and secure another boat to
pursue our journey. After a little search we found the Banner State Which
was bound up the St. Louis river; we secured a cabin passage for which we

paid $12.00 apiece, and took our breakfast on board. After loading our

 

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baggage we commenced taking a view of the city. As we walked through the
city I was surprised at the wealth and magnificence which everywhere struck
my eye. The splendid Cathedrals, Churches, and Court House, with the many
large and splendid mansions which everywhere reared their lofty summits,
and are the abodes of the high and opulent, but in the midst of all this we
met the objects of extreme poverty. As an instance, I saw an elderly woman
gathering up wheat which had been spilled and which was, perhaps, one-third
dirt. we also met with thousands of men and children peddling everything
which you can think of, for which they want double price.

“Along this wharf is exhibited the most business-like place I
ever saw. The shore for a mile and a half is lined with boats while the
wharf is piled high with merchandise of every kind and description, and
drays and wagons make a continual hum. The draymen and boatmen in their
rough dress followed by the commanding harsh voice of the mate ordering the
loading and unloading of boats consummates the scene.

"The 25th. we occupied this day in buying our outfit for the
plains. Our outfit cost us $150.00 including provisions and cooking
utensils, there being five or six in company. In the evening we exchanged
$150.00 of paper money for gold and then bought two gum coats and pants,
in which we were completely bit, paying at least one-third more than their
real'worth.

"In this town was a real curiosity, there was exhibited an OK
raised in Illinois which was 19 hands high, -- 18 feet six inches in length
from the nose to the tip of the tail. He measured nine feet eight inches
around the kidneys, and although he was quite lean he weighed 3500 pounds.
He was the common scrub breed, was perfectly white, and was sold to the
butchers for $75.00. They then failed in fattening him and sold him for

$150.00, and the persons now were offered $1,500.00 for him but they would

 

  

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not sell as they were exhibiting him, and intended to take him to the
world‘s Fair at New York.

"The 26th. Early this morning we left St. Louis and started up
the river. There is a marked difference in the waters of the Mississippi
and Missouri, the former being clear, the latter looks just as though it
was full of ashes and is muddy indeed. About 8:00 this morn we passed St.
Charles —- a fine looking town of perhaps a thousand inhabitants. This
was the only town we saw this day of any importance. The river bottom
appears to be five or six miles wide with hills on each side and in many
places there are bold and rugged bluffs with rocky fronts of one and two
hundred feet in height, On the top of these hills are the commencement of
many fine farms. This day we travelled very slow, perhaps four miles per
hour, the day being cloudy with heavy winds.

"Sunday, March 27th. This is a beautiful day with a cool wind.
The river appears as usual except for a remarkable rise. we passed no towns
of note until 5:00 in the evening when we came to Jefferson City, the State
Capital, Where they landed and took on board ten heavy wagons. In this town
we Visited the Capitol. This is a fine building on the outside but is not
well finished on the inside. It is built of polished limestone and looks
beautiful. There is a circular portico in front, one half of the circle
extending into the building. In front are round columns nearly four feet
in diameter and nearly 45 feet high which support the roof. I suppose the
building is 200 by 120 feet and stands on a bluff near the river. The city
has a very poor and uneven location, and is tied to the earth by extreme
poverty. The city being unsurpassed in native ugliness.

"This day I spent much of my time in reading my Bible and meditat—

ing on the wretched condition of those who follow trafficking along the

 

  

 

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river and desecrate the Lord’s Day by unloading and running on the Sabbath,
when I felt to thank God I was not a sailor and brought up in profaning
the Lord's Day.

"Monday, the 28th. A beautiful day with a continued rise in the
river. At 8:00 we landed at Booneville on the west side, a business-like
place with perhaps two thOusand inhabitants, its situation rather rough.
The sand bars are spotted with thousands of wild geese -- many fine farms
on the West side.

"29th. This morning fair with some towns on the west side. I
had a hard raking on free agency and falling from grace, and a hard contest
with a Campbellite minister on the essentials of Baptism. This day we
passed a fine prairie of some five miles in extent. It was really beauti-

ful to the eye, the ground was apparently as level as a house floor, and

covered with dry grass a yard high high and as thick as it could stand.

At 12:00 this night there was a card table surrounded with five abbettors
who seemed to handle each others money very freely, how long this was con—
tinued I do not know.

"This night I went to bed feeling that I was among a band of
thieves and robbers. After commending my soul and body to God in secret
devotion accompanied with an ardent desire that he would save me from the
sin and infamy of gambling in all its forms, I sunk quietly to rest.

"wednesday, the 50th. At daylight we landed at Lexington, Went
into the town and visited Cousin Ezra Boyer, formerly of Maryland. He came
on board and talked what time we had to stay. Lexington is Situated on a ‘
level piece of ground perhaps 150 feet above the river, and has a consider-
able population. We continued up the river occasionally landing passengers

and freight. At 10:00 at night our Campbellite minister, so noted for

 

  

 

debating, gave us the parting hand and left. Again the card table was
surrounded by four anxious abbettors striving to rob each other of their
money.

"Elst. This morn we found our boat at Independence, the day
clear and warm. At 10:00 we came to Kansas, a town near the mouth of the
Kansas River which separates Missouri from Nebraska Territory. There was
a peculiar contrast between the waters of the Kansas and Missouri, the
former being very clear and seems to run over the waters of the Missouri,
while in many places the muddy waters boil up and make the stream look
spotted, which reminds one of the horizon when it is bestudded with numerous
clouds. At sunset we landed at Ft. Leavenworth, a military station in
Nebraska. There is a splendid stone warehouse at the landing, and upon an
elevation of 200 feet is the barracks and town, and back of this is a
prairie as smooth as a floor and dotted with timber. This surely is a hand-
some place, while the soldiers look beautiful.

"Nebraska will soon come into the market and is one of the richest
countries in the world and is very inviting to immigrants. At dark we halt-
ed at Platte City Landing and landed much freight. At 9:00 we came to
Weston. Here James Edwards landed for the purpose of purchasing a team.

“April the 1st. This morning We saw a tent and four wagons be—
longing to Oregon immigrants. At 4:00 in the afternoon we landed at St.
Joseph and put up our proviSions and boarded at Mr. Blackstone's, a man
who formerly liVed in Middle Town and had recently moved to Missouri. We
paid three dollars a week for board.

"On Saturday, the 2nd, I remained in the house with my sister
as my brother-in—law had not returned and the children were unwell and

very crOss.

 

  

 

 

 

_ 10 _

"Sabbath, the 3rd, there was preaching in a number of places,
but on account of circumstances I remained at home.

"The 4th. Today Edwards and I went some twenty miles and brought
home four yoke of cattle which he had purchased and for which he had paid
$285.00.

"On the 5th we continued making arrangements, the weather con-
tinuing warm and dry.

”On the 6th we purchased another yoke of oxen and some other
necessaries, the oxen cost $70.00. This day we also secured an old wagon
which needed considerable repairs and cost $50.00 when ready for use.

"The 7th continued preparations. While here court was in session
and a criminal case was investigated. In July 1ast.four men formed a plot
to whip a man to death because he owed them a few dollars which was ill—
gotten gains, and which he refused to pay. For the accomplishment of their
plot they secured handcuffs and went into the store and purchased cowhides,
and then went to his own home in St. Joseph and compelled him to leave a
sick bed and drove him by force out of town, handcuffed him and tied him
to a bush, stripped him and commenced whipping him. While the whipping was
going on they sent one of their number two or three times into town to buy
liquor; thus they continued drinking and whipping him until he was dead.
The operation lasted from four to six hours when death relieved the sufferer
from further bodily pain. They they threW'his clothes up in the bush over
him to point out his remains. Mr. Jennings was tried, found guilty, sentenced
to be hung, and the 5rd of June was appointed for his execution. The
trial of the remaining three will take place soon and they in all probabil—
ity will share a similar fate. This was surely one of the most shocking,
cold—blooded‘ murders ever committed and the perpetrators should not go

unpunished.

 

  

 

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"On the 8th our wagon was ready and we loaded some of our pro-

visions.

"The 9th we secured another yoke of cattle and at 4:00 in the
afternoon we started on our journey and felt glad we Were out of the city.
The last yoke of oxen cost $80.00 and our boarding $24.00.

"When we left St. Joseph a number of reflections crossed my mind.
St. Joseph is a hard place. Mechanics charge extravagantly high for their
work. It contains 4,000 people and is a stirring place. A few days before
we were there four negroes were sold at public sale; an old man, a woman,
and two children.

"We went four miles and stopped for the evening° We watered and
tied our cattle to the wagons, got our suppers, breakfasts, and a bed for
Mary and the children and grain for the cattle and paid $2.15. ‘We slept
this night in the wagon.

"The 10th. Being late on our journey we travelled twelve miles
to Savannah, the county seat of Noble County. This day was dry and cold.

"Monday, the 11th. We started early this morning and travelled
on until a little after noon when there came a violent storm of rain and
thunder. I had my gum coat on and was in all the rain but did not get much
wet. This morn we purchased a cow for which we paid $16.00. We travelled
a mile or two after the rain when we took up our lodging in an old deserted
cabin where We baked bread for the two days following. This night was very
rainy.

"The 12th. This morning we started and travelled over a very
muddy road and about 2:00 or 5:00 we came to a large prairie which was
eight miles across. we drove pretty fast and reached a lodging on the west
side. There were no buildings, nothing but prairie hens, cranes, ravens,

and turkeys. This prairie is one of the beauties of nature. It is rolling

 

 

  

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or hilly land and certainly would be rich and very productive if cultivated.
This night we pitched our tents and for the first time found ourselves en—
joying the realities of a trip to Oregon. The wind blew a gale and a
threatening storm hurried us in our preparations. 'We kindled a fire, made
our coffee and fried meat and spread a quilt in our tent, placed our supper
upon it, seated ourselves on the ground and commenced helping ourselves.

I enjoyed the feast very well. Mary, James. and the children slept in the
wagon while Hare and I slept in the tent. ‘We were happily disappointed

in the rain shOWer.

'WNedneSday, the 15th, We travelled five miles, came to the Nod—
away —- paid $1.00 for ferriage. This day was very cold and windy and in
the evening snowed some. Wb slept in the house this night and in the morn
we started and travelled five miles and came to one of the muddiest roads,
we doubled teams and consumed three hours in going one mile. This evening,
the 14th, we crossed a prairie five miles wide; While in the middle of this
prairie two yoke of oxen balked and it was late at night before we found a
resting place.

"The 15th. This morning Edwards left in order to bpy a yoke or
two of oxen. He purchased one yoke for which he paid $85.00 and returned
at 5:00 in the evening.

"On the 16th we yoked our cattle and started. This day we tra—
Velled thirteen miles and camped for the night —-

"0n the Sabbath, the 17th as we Were late in meeting our company
we thought it advisable to drive a short distance. At 10:00 we came to a
river and had to ferry. In going to the ferry we had to drive through
backwater as the river was over its banks, and I got in over my boots.

When we got to the ferry the oxen would not draw the wagon into the boat

 

  

 

~13-

as the mud was deep; so we had to unload. We got over and paid $1.25 for
ferriage. we camped this night and carried our feed and water a quarter of
a mile.

"Monday the 18th, we pursued our course -~ the day windy and cool.
In the afternoon We entered a twelve-mile prairie and had to travel until
9:00 o'clock before we found feed and water.

"Dn.thp,19th we came within twelve miles of Caynesville, passing
through Coonsville, a dirty little shire town, and camped for the night.

"The 20th. This morning Edwards went to Caynesville to see the
arrangements of the company in which he intended to travel across the plains;
but to his surprise he left the town without hearing from them. On his way
to camp he met a Brethren minister who told him a number of the company
would come next day. This night we had quite a rain.

"The 21st. This morning Edwards and Hare went to Coonsville to get
the wagon tire and buy corn, and purchased sixteen bushels at 40 cents per
bushel.

"They returned Friday the 22nd. This night it commenced raining and
we had a very heavy wind and rain from the east, and about 3:00 o'clock in
the morning of the 25rd, just as it was raining, our tent blew over -- which
raised us rather early in the morning. This day continued very rainy and cold
and Mary was quite unwell. ’We got some breakfast and gave her a good drink of
brandy and covered her quite warm and then she felt better. This night it
still rained heavy and blew up very cold and late at night snowed considerable.

"Sunday, the 24th, very cold and windy.

"The 25th pleasant and Edwards went with the wagon after corn and
bought sixteen bushels for which he paid 65¢ per bushel. This evening three
Indians came to our camp and wanted money and something to eat —- after

eating some bread and meat they left camp.

 

 

  

 

— 14 -

"Tuesday, the 26th, I walked to Caynesville to see our Company,
but could hear nothing from them as the Rev. my. Conner had not arrived.
Received a letter from my brother at home and found all thingS'well,

"The 27th was cloudy and after night it commenced raining and
rained very hard until 7:00 the next morning.

"The 28th. After it ceased raining we made arrangements and
moved to another camp where we could get hay for our cattle.

"The 29th and 50th were dry and cool.

"Sunday, May the 1st. Edwards went to the Brethren Camp, and
found a number there, but neither of the missionaries had arrived.

"The 2nd. Nothing of interest happened and in the evening
Edwards went out to kill a deer; he saw one and the first shot brought
it to the ground. There being another brought into camp all were served
with venison.

"The 3rd. I went to Caynesville, put a letter into the office
and received one from my brother Peter and found all my relations well
at home. I here formed an acquaintance with Brother Conner as he came
to the office while I was in, and also made arrangements with the rest
of the company to move near the ferry.

"The 4th continued cold.

"Thursday, the 5th, a fine day and we moved to the camp near
the ferry and camped with the Colony, who were busy in making preparations
to cr0ss the river.

"Our outfit consisted of the following articles:

600 lbs of flour 2 bbls of pilot bread.
100 " of hams-bacon. 160 lbs of sides—bacon.
6O " of dried beef. 15 " of tea.

5 " of pepper. 2 sacks of salt.

 

  

 

—15.. , ‘

5 bu. of dried appleS. l bu. of beans.
50 lbs. of rice. 5 lbs.of allspice.
5 gals. of vinegar. 5 " of soda.
26 lbs. of cheese. 3 gals. of pickles.
5 lbs. of saleratus. 1 box of matches.
2 bunches of fire 1 lb. of ginger.
kindling. 20 lbs. of black lead.
20 lbs. of rosin. l lO—gal. water keg.
20 " of tallow. l S-gal. water keg.
5 " of tartaric acid. 100 lbs. of sugar.
5 gals. of brandy. 6 " of mustard.
5 cans of powder. (gun) 10‘ " of candles.
3 gals. of alcohol. 12 " of lead.

150 yds of rope.

"On the 6th we intended to cross but by delays and inaction
we failed.

"Saturday, the 7th of May. About ten o'clock in the morning
we commenced crossing and by 4:00 in the afternoon we were all safely
landed on the western shore, and for the first time felt that we had left
civilization-—turned our backs to happiness while our faces fronted dan-
gers, hunger, and fatigue while we travelled through an uncultivated
region of two thousand miles in extent.

"Our Company consisted of thirteen families numbering about
eighty persons, and 26 wagons and carriages, and near three hundred head
of cattle besides a number of horses. The number of teams being too large
for the number of men, which made the labors of the camp Very laborious.
Our ferriage cost $4.00 per wagon and 25¢ a head for stock. We drove four
miles and camped where we remained over Sabbath and let our cattle grass.

"The 9th. This morning we put a tongue in a wagon which had
been broken and in the afternoon drove seven miles, crossing Papillion
Creek, and camped for the night.

"The 10th. This morning is very cold with much frost and the

ground froze a little. This dav we drove near fifteen miles and camped

 

 

  

-16..

on the bank of a creek where our stock was nearly without grass. The bridge
was so very poor that We had to unhitch and run the wagons over by hand.
There were two or three logs thrown across the stream -- bruSh thrown across
I the logs and dirt on the bruSh, and this so narrow that thereiwas scarcely
room fer the wagon wheels.

"The 11th. We crossed the bridge, drove about eight miles and
camped. This evening they drove their cattle over a slough to an island
which had good grass, when a large number of them mired and we had to wade
through the water to our waists to get them out.

"On the 12th we moved to the Elkhorn River, paid three dollars
a wagon for ferriage,--swam our cattle and droVe some distance, making ten
miles this day.

"The 13th day was fine. we traVelled near twenty miles and camped
in the open prairie without wood and nearly without water -— we made coffee
and made bread with weeds for fuel.

"The 14th. This morning is rainy ~- we started and about noon
came to one of the most miserable sloughs I ever saw. It was three rods
wide and the wagons Went into the mud up to the wagon beds. When most of
our company were over, after breaking many chains, there came an awful
wind and rain storm such as I had never seen and I took it all after wading
the slough. ‘We drOVe Six or seven miles -- passing an Indian who had been
lying shot, and was lying by the side of the road. After camping for the
evening I concluded the day rather unpleasant and eventful for a birthday.

"Sabbath the 15th. This morning at 9:00 we had a sermon by
Br. Conner from the first six verses of the tenth chapter of Corinthians
-- drove twe