Drake University - Quax Yearbook (Des Moines, IA)

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OUTFIT I will say in the commencement, that although the character of the trip may be greatly modified, yet it is a long and arduous journey, and one that requires a large amount of patience and perseverance to be laid in at the start. No fears need be enter- tained of laying in too much, as a good supply of both will be found to be indispensable articles. As to the manner of outfitting, in other respects, much difference of opinion pre- vails. In regard to stock, take none but No. 1 of- mature age, whether horses, mules or oxen. Either, with proper attention, will perform the trip. Cattle, though generally conceded to be slower, will perform the trip in about ninety days. They are safer and easier taken care of, and pay a better interest on the money invested in them-after arriving in California-than any other kind of stock. My plan of outfitting is as follows, with the supposed cost of each article an- nexed. The wagon should be what is called a two-horse wagon, well ironed, with a bed about ten feet in length, supplied with good bows and a double drill or osnaburg cover. Four yoke of good oxen, from five to eight years old. Such a team is sufficient for the transportation of four persons, with the following additional outfit, with which to leave the Nlissouri river. Time of leaving, first of May, or as soon as supplies for teams can be procured. Supposed cost of wagon and team ..... S5400-OO 400 pounds good flour in sacks ........ 10.00 250 ham and side bacon .... 20.00 200 corn meal .................. 2.00 100 hard biscuit or Boston crackers. . . 7.00 100 crushed sugar .............. 10.00 30 Rio coffee ..... 4.00 30 H4 rice ........ 2.00 30 white beans ... . .75 20 L. B. salt ..................... .25 75 dried apples or peaches ............. . 7.50 100 vinegar pickles, pepper and sundries. . . . I0.00 100 ' cooking utensils, etc ............... . 25.00 100 arms, ammunition and clothing .... . . 100.00 1535 pounds ...................................................... 35598.50 The above is a competent outfit for four persons. As little clothing should be taken as will be deemed absolutely necessary for the trip. The object should he to burden teams with nothing but what is indispensable. Fire arms may be found necessary for defense against the Indians, and a sufficient supply of ammunition should be laid in, as it will be needed in case of an attack. The journey should be pursued steadily, laying by only when immediate necessity requires. If horses are taken, they should be kept well shod. Take also some extra shoes, nails, shoeing hammer and rasp. Although not absolutely necessary, a few ox shoes may be found useful. Turpentine is good to re- move soreness from their hoofs, as well as to harden them. Take-say one-half gallon. An axe, saw, two or three augers, and a mowing scythe are tools sufficient. Have as little communication with Mr. Indian as possible. When you do encounter him, mani- 'fest the spirit of the true American, and you have nothing to fear. We now proceed to give the distance from point to point, beginning, as above re- marked, at Council Bluffs City, interspersing the same with suitable remarks. I6

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We Emigrantis Guide PREFATORY REMARKS lygffiwffiax T IS not the purpose of the author, in presenting this brief work to f 3', 'v' the public, to make it a scheme of speculationg but it is done f l ,T , through the belief that it may be of some benefit to the adventurous it emigrant to California. 455573 It is not prepared from memory, after his return, and after the incidents connected with the journey are partially obliterated from the mind, but from a journal kept by him while performing the journey, in the spring and summer of 1852, in which every important thing was carefully noted down, at the time. Aware of the many difficulties the emigrant has to encounter, owing to numerous stretches, void of either timber, grass or water, these notes were taken for the benefit of himself and friends, with the view of crossing again the present year. Believing, there- fore, that much of the suffering heretofore experienced in crossing the plains might be avoided, did the emigrant know each day where to pitch his tent the following evening, so as to have the .most eligible situation to procure the articles his wants demanded-- know where he is, and the progress made each day. These, and other reasons of a sim- ilar character, are deemed a sufficient apology, for laying this little work before the public. Numerous Guides of a like purport have been issued from the press, many of which are-quite imperfect, although the most of them have been found to be of great utility to the emigrant. To B. B. I-Iorn's, of Iowa, and Andrew Child's, of Wisconsin, I would refer, as having been of intrinsic worth to theilast ycar's emigrants. But as material changes have been made in the route since their issue, the author of this work, believing that a guide of more recent date than those alluded to, would better suit the wants of future emigration feels warranted in offering it to the public for what it is worth, making COUNCIL BLUFFS CITY, on the Mimouri river, the starting point. He would also apprise all emigrants crossing the Mississippi river above Quincy, that the natural road on the south side of the Des Moines river, is on a fine ridge, extending quite to the Missouri river, and is consequently the best route. Those crossing at Keo- kuk, Montrose, Fort Madison and Burlington, will find it to their advantage to cross the Des llfloines river on the bridge at Farmington, and intersect the divide road at Harmony Inn. The author has deemed it unnecessary to encumber his work with a superabun- dance of words, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the different routes. He has marked the one be deems most eligible, and the one he would travel, were he to perform the journey again. Neither has he attempted to gloss his work with rhetorical flourishes, for the purpose of astonishing the natives. His object is to benefit the emi- grant rather than excite his admiration of things not serviceable to him on the route. I THE AUTHOR. Dral-eseille, Iowa, F ebruary, 185 3. I5

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Extracts From Tue Guide DISTANCES ' MILES. From the upper, or old Mormon crossing on the Missouri river, course north- west to Pappia creek ............................................. Elk Horn river, a tributary of the Platte ............................. . . . . This stream is about three rods wide, with steep banks. We ferried it at S2 per wagon and team. Bridge creek, a very miry and difficult stream to cross. . . . . . . Platte river ..................................... . . . . Good timber and grass is found here. Four miles further is a small lake, where good grass is found .... . Platte river again ................................................... The road here leaves the river and joins it again in about .................. Before leaving this point the old Pawnee village will be observed on the south side of the river. Shell creek ......................................................... Here the Pawnees are usually troublesome. The creek is bridged, and in the bend on the west side is good camping ground. The road here is good in dry weather, and good camping ground at intervals to South Fork ............ Prairie-dog-town and swamp .............................. . Good ca nping ground on slough, further on, say ......... . Road here runs in sight of the river to two deep ravines ..... . To a creek where there is grass and willows for fuel ..... . Dry creek-usually bad to cross .................. . Elm creek, tolerable camping ground-bad to cross. . . . River opposite Fort Laramie ........................................... 16 28 29 41 45 53 61 63 88 200 203 215 219 225 228 535 Fort Laramie is beautifully situated on the Laramie Fork of Platte river, over which is a toll-bridge. At the Fort there is a good general store and several bakeries. Dry creek ......................................................... You now have the Black Hills to contend with-so called because of the dark appearance they present to the eye of the traveler, being covered with black pine trees. Road very heavy, and hard on cattle. Fish Run .................................... Good grazing all along this creek, and water fine. Lake Alkali .................................... . Saleratus Lake ................................ Independence Rock-a few rods to the left of the road. This name was given to the rock by some emigrants who arrived here on the Fourth of July. It is quite a natural curiosity-about 2,000 feet in length, 120 feet high, and varying in width from 200 to 500 feet-composed of solid granite. First ford on Sweetwater river, usually deep .............................. Devil's Gate ....................................................... A few rods to the right of the road, there is perhaps the greatest curiosity on the route-a great canon in the Rocky Mountains, through which Sweet- water river tumbles with amazing velocity. lt is about 50 rods long and 120 feet wide. The walls on either side rise to the height of 400 feet. To a creek-good camping ground all along the river, but look out for alkali. . . Sage creek ......................................................... 17 539 683 690 693 697 698 705 707 720