Drake University - Quax Yearbook (Des Moines, IA)

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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

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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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G River opposite a huge rock on the left of the road-good feed on the opposite bank of the river .................................................... The mountains rise here to the height of 1,000 feet, and upon the highest peaks may be found several natural euriosities, viz.: Franklin's Pool. This is a spring of very cold water, about two feet deep and ten feet across, in the form of a circle. Also, Burns' Cliff of Rocks, and King David's Coffin. These are Curiosities well worthy the traveler's notice. To South Pass between the Rocky Mountains ................... . . Here is the dividing ridge between the Atlantic and the Pacific. You now descend gradually to Pacific Springs and creek ........... . . Ford about two miles-some grass here ................ . . DrySandy ...................... .. .. To Green river ..................................................... The last end of this road is quite stony, with some very long and steep de- scents. Along the river are numerous ponds of strong alkali, which should be avoided. Green river is a very cold and rapid stream, and is considered the most dangerous on the whole route. There are several good ferries in operation. Ferriage S96 per wagon. We swam our stock from a small island about three-fourths of a mile above the ferry .......................... Soda Springs ....................................................... These are observed by the large white mounds formed by the mineral water running over the surface. Along here for several miles, the earth is filled with this mineral water, which, with the addition of a little acid and sugar, makes a fine beverage. Here is a good place to camp. Steamboat Spring, a few miles to the left of the road in the bend of Bear river. . North Branch ...................................................... Emigrants should guard well against alkali and Indians all the way down Humboldt river, as they are the principal products of the countryfl Tragedy Springs .................................................... Here three of the first explorers of this route were killed by lndiansg their graves are to be seen at the foot of the hill, near the spring. About two miles from this spring, north of the road, is a fine clover pasture. A path turns to the right, before descending the hill to the spring, which leads to it. Lick Springs ....................................................... Here wild onions and some grass may be found down the ravine. Road forks -the right hand is the old Hangtown road. We took the left, which is some the farthest, on account of some feed on the route. Cosumne river, where there is some feed ................................. Grizzly Flat. A mining town had just sprung up here, where considerable min- ingisdone ............................................ Wisconsin Bar ..................... ........ . . . Here is a saw-mill, tavern and several stores. Diamond Springs ................................................... This place and Mud Springs are in close proximity, and form quite a town. Sacramento City .................................................... Fine farms and good hotels along the last mentioned distance. 723 823 826 828 836 898 908 1018 1019 1307 1797 1804 1818 1832 1844 1859 1906 You have now reached the great emporium of California 3 and hoping that you have enjoyed a pleasant trip, and seen the Elephant tamed, I bid you adieu. F. M. DRAKE. 18