Journal By Solon Shedd brother of Captain Frank Shedd
Monday April 12, 1852 I started about seven o clock from home for Oregon and California. I called about two hours at Dr. Farwells My companions upon the journey are Richard Farwell his wife and son a child of three or four years of age. Our train at present consists of one wagon and three horses, I started on horse back crossed Edwards river at Bones saw mill, went to the I.K.Mcbrides where I stayed all night. I called at Mr. Saul Calhoun, The weather was cloudy and windy with a little sprinkles of rain.
Tuesday April 13th 1852 Soon after an early breakfast I started from I.K.Mcbrides. I called at Mr.Berson’s a half hour and he having just returned from California gave me some good advice in relation to the journey. Pursuing my way I reached New Boston about noon there to wait until R. Farwell should arrive with the train, I took driver with J.B. Beadore Esq. Our team came together with H. Farlow his family and John Neifs about the middle of the afternoon. Then we camped and stayed at New Boston all night pleasant weather but bad roads.
Wednesday April 14,1852 We waited at New Boston there being so many teams to cross the river before us that we could not get over. I rode across the bay in a skiff barge a pocket Milton ,pleasant weather. The water in the lows is so high that they have to land three miles above the usual landing place. We may be delayed a number of days.
Thursday April 15th 1852 Still waiting to cross the river I went about two miles up the bay on a flat boat and came down in a skiff. There are about twenty trains to cross pleasant weather
Friday April 16th 1852 Still waiting at New Boston to cross the river. The morning was cloudy and it rained most of the showers in the afternoon. We found that we could not cross the river for three or four days, and H. Farlow his family and myself went to McDoak’s and stayed all night the afternoon was cool and cloudy.
Saturday April 17th 1852 We went out to see if we could kill some game and brought in two ducks. I read in Milton a little took care of my ducks and stayed at McDoak’s cool changeable with a little rain.
Sunday April 18th 1852 I attended church at the Universalism Meeting house Bluff A. Gregg preacher text Psalms 127-3. Lo children are an heritage of the Lord. I called at Deacon Moore’s after the meeting I went home with Alferd Skangler’s took supper at Mr. Beesons stayed all night at Mr. Skangler’s the weather was pleasant and cool.
Monday April 19th 1852 I called a few moments at George Scotts then went to New Boston where I stayed waiting for our opportunity to cross the river the weather was cool I slept in the wagon. I awaken myself reading Milton, Bough and Shakespeare.
Tuesday April 20th 1852 Today we should have crossed the river had not the wind blew so hard consequently we was still in New Boston I did a share of the cooking and amused my self reading slept in the wagon it rained quite hard in the night The weather is cold. We have paid 25cents per bushel for corn 18 and3/4 for oats Wednesday
April 21st 1852 Our wagon and six horses crossed the Mississippi river this morning and I waited with three horses and crossed about noon, I over took the wagon about five miles on the road. We camped for the night about ten miles from the Mississippi in Des Moines Co. Iowa we paid 25cents per bushel for Oats the roads were tolerable better than we expected to find. The country was wet five springs is issued from the bluffs. Weather cloudy but no rain cool.
Thursday April 22nd 1852 We started from camp about seven passed over high wet prairie roads quite muddy and evidence of having been much worse grains very scarce ,corn forty cents per bushel, We passed though Mt. Pleasant. The county seat of Henry County Iowa a very pretty town of about eight hundred inhabitants and camped two or three miles west of the place. The weather was changeable very warm and again cool. Traveled 25 miles.
Friday April 23rd 1852 Left our current camping place about seven AM crossed through (unknown) crossed Skunk river at Pleasantville took driving over the west side in the forenoon we had good roads P.M. quite bad. Weather cloudy rain in the puddles continued to Pleasant Plain where we wished to stop but could not find grain enough in the place to feed our horses went on and in a mud hole the singletree to our wagon broke and left the wagon in the mire .Borrowed dowel and retied and went a mile from the road and found grain and (unknown ) for our horses worked in the (unknown) and slept in our wagons cold. Traveled about 22 miles paid 40cents per bushel for corn and 35 for oats Keokuk County.
Saturday April 24th 1852 Traveled about 26 miles roads good in the forenoon P.M. very bad it commenced to rain about noon and rained all the afternoon and night. Camped for the night in a little grove near Butler P.O. we left Richland to the right in sight of our road, Paid 50 cents per bushel for corn and 15 cents per lb for oats this was in Keokuk county.
Sunday April 25th 1852 Traveled eighteen miles with very good roads over flat wet prairie passed trough a small town Mahaska County called Fremont .Camped two miles east of Oskaloosa in a pleasant grove. Corn 40 cents per bushel oats 25cents hay 37 ½ . In the morning rain foggy and cloudy all day.
Monday April 26th 1852 This morning was cloudy and misty we started from camp late passed through Oskaloosa the county seat of Mahaska county very traveled roads very very bad mud holes went through Pella Marion County a settlement of Hollanders very neat looking village came about two miles west of the place and camped very cold day uncomfortable riding paid forty cents per bushel for corn fifty cents per (unknown) for hay. Traveled 22 miles.
Tuesday April 27th 1852 I got up at day light and got breakfast waited in camp after our team had left to run some balls and clean my pistol overtook the teams at Rude Rock on the (unknown) mount where we crossed without any delay. Passed through Pleasantville Marion County and camped at the bank of South river in Polk county traveled about 20 miles road and weather pleasant corn 40 cents per bushel eggs 6 ¼ cents per dozen.
Wednesday April 28th 1852 Crossed South river. Passed through Palmyra Polk County took run in Indianola the county seat of Warren county we have had excellent roads today and better country then for the past two days. Corn 70 cents per bushel pleasant traveled 28 miles.
Thursday April 29th 1852 I rode on before the teams to Winterset to get my horse shod took dinner at the Hotel crossed Middle river went three miles beyond Winterset and camped in a fine place near a excellent spring.. Traveled about fifteen miles. Pleasant weather and tolerable good roads. Corn one dollar per bushel.
Friday April 30th 1852 This morning was windy and cloudy. We started late I rode on horse back and followed the Middle river and came to the ford about twelve built a fire and at two the team came in and we located ourselves for the night it rained very hard in the forenoon very windy the clouds had gone away and now it is pleasant. This place is in Adair county Iowa. No corn or hay to be had at this place traveled about twenty miles.
Saturday May 1st 1852 Started early for a days drive of thirty miles of Prairie we have good roads and came to the turberin good season, Corn was 1.25 per bushel but we bought none. Hay one dollar per hundred. Weather very pleasant.
Sunday May 2nd 1852 All high spirits. Very early we started from camp after driving about two miles we spied a loose horse and in waiting at it we saw a horse which was tied behind a wagon so must that he overturned the wagon and broke the coupling tongue and borva and the horses got away. We caught the horses fixed the wagon and in twenty minutes was on our way. Took dinner at Inakiatoo .In the afternoon got two horses down in a mud hole. Which delayed us perhaps twenty minutes. Arrived at a workable after traveling thirty miles. Very heavy showers with hail in the afternoon. Rained very hard in the night paid fifty cents per bushel for corn. Hay 30 cents per hundred.
Monday May 3rd 1852 We had thirty miles to go to reach Kauerville I started at seven o’clock on horse back and got in at two P.M. stayed in town till four and started back to meet the teams Met them about two miles back and camped for the night. We had good roads and a good day to drive cloudy and cool. Paid 30cents for corn and 25 per hundred for hay. In traveling this forenoon I passed 125 teams and got in when of every teams days since started. It rained in the night.
Tuesday May 4th 1852 Today we came into Kamesville with our teams and camped about 80 rods out of town we looked found and towards night bought a wagon very windy in the night the wind came near overturning our wagons. I wrote a letter home.
Wednesday May 5th 1852 To day I laid in our outfit worked all day getting things packed up and did not get it completed rained very hard in the night move our camp this morning and went to a very pretty place with every convenience except water we have to carry a quarter a mile.
Thursday May 6th 1852 Completed laying in our outfit and took it to camp. Wrote letters. Had rain in the forenoon.
Friday May 7th 1852 Finished writing letters fixed wagon cover to the wagon. Pleasant bought a set of harnesses.
Saturday May 8th 1852 Loaded our wagon and about noon started for the Missouri river found very good roads. There were two or three hundred teams at the river and we shall have to wait two or three days. Camped on the bank of the Missouri in a grove of cottonwood. Pleasant weather. Corn in Kanesville is twenty five cents per bushel.
Sunday May 9th 1852 Waiting at the Missouri river for an opportunity to cross Pleasant weather. Hay at 50cents Per hundred corn 30cents per bushel. I read two plays in Shakespeare.
Monday May 10th 1852 Still waiting to cross the Missouri I went to Kanesville to buy sacks for oats bought 20 bushel at 35cents per bushel, Read two plays of Shakespeare had a little rain in the afternoon.
Tuesday May 11th 1852 Waited till night then moved our wagons up to the ferry and about midnight crossed our wagons and two horses. We crossed the river with two wagons and four horses and two mules. Pleasant weather.
Wednesday May 12th 1852 I took the horses up to the ferry at daylight and crossed with the last of them a little before noon. We immediately started went to a small camp and camped good grass and water a little above the river stayed there an hour or two then moved out traveled about twelve miles roads good. It commenced raining and we had a very heavy shower. It was nearly over when we stopped but little water still pleasant rain.
Thursday May 13th 1852 Started from camp late. Crossed the Papre at noon came to the Elk Horn at four O’clock. Got supper and fed our horses then crossed over and camped on the bank roads excellent but very crooked. Watched from ten till half past twelve weather very windy with a little rain. We are in the Pawnees country and there are Indians around. Traveled about 18 miles good roads but crooked.
Friday May 14th 1852 We traveled on the bottom between the Platte& Elk Horn rivers struck the Platte and followed up it sometimes on it and then away from it roads soft and some bad mud holes. Camped ¼ mile from the Platte near small lake timber near. Weather pleasant about 16 miles good grass water from a small lake saw but few Indians.
Saturday May 15th 1852 Traveled 20 miles, poor roads got one wagon fast in the mud hole saw some Indians and when we were starting from our camp at noon a skunk crossed our horses were frighten at this and came near running away. It commenced raining some after we started and rained till noon. Camped on the bank of the Platte, very heavy shower after we stopped very rainy and cold with rain in the night willow bushes for fuel grass short.
Sunday May 16th 1852 Started very early after feeding our horses and without our breakfast traveled about eight miles had a very bad mud hole to cross and went to a place protected from the wind by trees and bushes on the south side of the road suffered very much with the cold. Good grass plenty of wood water from a lake. We are about a mile from the ferry on loop fork stayed here all day in the afternoon the sun shone water froze in the night.
Monday May 17th 1852 Waiting at loop fork to cross the ferry I wadded half way across the stream to find a place to ford a few teams forded below the ferry very bad fording quick sand bottom. Pleasant day but cool no Indians about.
Tuesday May 18th 1852 We started from camp at ten o’clock for the upper ford on loop fork having found that we have to wait at the ferry a day longer at least crossed looking glass cook and camped on Beaver river traveled 14 miles very cold night grass short. Wood and water plenty.
Wednesday May 19th 1852 Crossed Beaver river, Plumb and Cedar creeks. Passed two deserted Pawnee villages and came to a new ford of loop fork about 13 miles below upper ford we crossed here raised our wagon beds and things in our wagon and went over without much damage to our possessions water about 3 ½ feet deep silky bottom. Traveled 20 miles weather cold and clear camped on the bank of the river.
Thursday May 20th 1852 Started late traveled 20 miles in the forenoon we had very good roads traveled over the Sandy hills camped among them without wood or water and but little grass. Rain in the afternoon and night we got a little sour milk from train camped near us for supper.
Friday May 21st 1852 When we got up we found six of our horses. Started off in search of them found one about a mile from camp and the others ten miles off. Started from camp at ten had very bad roads. Traveled 20 miles very bad roads crossed Prairie creek. Camped on the Prairie no wood but little water good grass rain all day.
Saturday May 22nd 1852 Started without our breakfast and drove to Wood creek and stopped to get something to eat. Camped in a stand of timber on the Platte river after traveling about 25 miles good grass and timber. Used the Platte water cloudy in the forenoon pleasant in the afternoon. Roads muddy from the recent rain.
Sunday May 23rd 1852 Very pleasant traveled 23 miles muddy roads did not stop at noon. Camped on the Platte saw teams on the south side of the river very good grass used the water of the Platte.
Monday May 24th 1852 Traveled 20 miles stopped early on Buffalo creek it was bad to cross. We traveled on the Platte bottom very good roads. Pleasant day.
Tuesday May 25th 1852 It rained a little when we got up. We traveled 21 miles and camped on the fork of the Platte yesterday we passed opposite fort Kearny used buffalo manure for fuel. Poor grass good roads. Friday May 26th 1852 Traveled 25 miles good roads tolerable good grass. Camped on the Platte got wood from an island in the river teams forded the river a few miles below this. Sprinkled a little in the afternoon warm weather pleasant breeze.
Thursday May 27th 1852 Drove 25 miles good roads except some bands of buffalo to cross followed buffalo to find a grass swamp camped at a pleasant spring of pure cold water at the head of the Pawnee swamp. Weather very warm crossed skunk creek After we stopped I went out hunting and shot at a buffalo.
Friday May 28th 1852 Traveled 17 miles and stopped at half past one found a very good spring R. Farwell and H. Farlow killed a buffalo and we had a feed of buffalo meat cooked with the excrement of buffalo had a shower of rain and hail.
Saturday May 29th 1852 We had about six miles of very heavy roads over land buffalo traveled. 20 miles crossed north Bluff fork quite a strain and camped on Bluff peak had a good sulfur spring weather very warm and the fleas and mosquitoes troubles us and horses in the night.
Sunday May 30th 1852 Crossed several small creeks and stopped for dinner at a very nice sulfur spring camped for the night on Rattle snake creek a few miles of sandy roads. Roads very dusty weather warm.
Monday May 31st 1852 Traveled several small creeks the largest of which was half creek. We had two miles of very sandy roads traveled in the Platte weather very warm and we had fairly good roads used the Platte water. Traveled 25 miles.
Tuesday June 1st 1852 Passed the “lone tree” traveled 27 miles and camped on the Platte crossed Castle creek a wide shallow stream. Had very good roads but very dusty. Warm weather grass poor.
Wednesday June 2nd 1852 We had ten or twelve miles of dusty roads and crossed creek and cobble stone hills. Stopped at noon at fine point bluff rims Some what from their resemblance to the ruins of Asian Cities. I ascended the highest bluff and saw Chimney Rock 33 miles distant camped on the Platte pleasant in the forenoon windy with a little rain at night tolerable good grass. Traveled 28 miles.
Thursday June 3rd 1852 It rained a little when we got up we started late. Cloudy in the forenoon pleasant in the afternoon camped opposite Chimney Rock good grass poor water but little fuel traveled 23 miles.
Friday June 4th 1852 Pleasant cool breeze. I wrote a letter to send to my parents at noon. Traveled 25 miles passed Scotts Bluff. Camped on spring creek good roads, good water tolerable grass but little fuel. Meet the letter express but did not send my letter.
Saturday June 5th 1852 Started late traveled 17 miles and stopped to shod our horses. Camped on a small creek south of the road excellent spring water good grass. We got wood by going a half mile. I met a team from Salt Lake going to the States. I sent a letter home by them. I commenced writing a letter to town. Heavy rain storm at dark.
Sunday June 6th 1852 Drove 20 miles camped on the Platte eight miles below Fort Laramie poor grass good wood. Cooling. Roads rather sandy crossed Raw Hide creek It rained in the night.
Monday June 7th 1852 Passed fort Laramie did not cross the river. Roads sandy to the fort afterwards good but hilly. Traveled 25 miles camped among the hills at a good spring of water grass pretty good. Good wood plenty. Weather cool and windy. I had a good view of surrounding country from the top of the highest hill near the camp.
Tuesday June 8th 1852 Traveled 30 miles roads hard but hilly saw more teams then any day before. Cool weather good grass. Camped near a small creek at an Indian village.
Wednesday June 9th 1852 Started at half past five. Traveled 25 miles good roads. Crossed two small creeks. Pleasant weather grass thin camped on the Platte. Traveled in company with the Indians where we stayed last night in the forenoon wood plenty.
Thursday June 10th 1852 Traveled 18 miles sandy roads in the forenoon rough and hilly in the afternoon. We stopped early on account of the appearance of a heavy storm. Plenty of timber for wood. Poor grass used the water of the Platte. Our camping place was at the foot of a long high hill. It did not rain but was pleasant afternoon.
Friday June 11th 1852 We had a number of miles of heavy hilly road. The wind blew very hard and made it disagreeable traveling. Came 23 miles camped on the Platte. Tolerable grass wood and water plenty saw team on the south side of the river. I went a hunting after we camped and wounded an antelope. Warm weather sprinkled a very little.
Saturday June 12th 1852 Very heavy sandy roads. Traveled 15 miles and camped at 12 o’clock on the Platte river. Good wood I went out hunting in the afternoon and killed an antelope went out to get it but could not find it. We had excellent grass for out horses.
Sunday June 13th 1852 I went out at sunrise after the antelope which I killed yesterday and brought it to the camp. Started late traveled 25 miles passed the ferry on the Platte left the river at the ferry. Very heavy and hilly good roads in the afternoon. Camped with but little grass and not water except what we brought with us fed oats. Rain in the night.
Monday June 14th 1852 Started without our breakfast saw five buffalo shot six or seven balls into him but did not get him down. To willow springs 15 miles and stopped. Butt little grass excellent water drove ten miles further and camped on a small creek of good water. Poor grass fed oats and corn meal. Very cold night a little rain in the day.
Tuesday June 15th 1852 We started at half past five passed alkali spring and gathered a little salivates. Passed Independence rock. I cut my name on the highest point practicable near a large detached rock on the north side. Took dinner on Sweetwater river. Crossed it the water was four feet deep. We raised the provisions in our wagons and crossed without any difficulty camped a little beyond devils gate a place where the river runs between perpendicular granite rocks 400 feet high about 100 feet wide. Pleasant weather a very light rain tolerable grass cedar wood good water tolerable roads some sand.
Wednesday June 16th 1852 Traveled 28 miles. Had very sandy roads. Camped at the second ford of the Sweetwater. Poor grass no wood weather pleasant.
Thursday June 17th 1852 We started at five o’clock and drove to the ice springs and found very good grass. Saw no ice stayed about two hours we did not cross the river but kept on the south side had very sandy roads to Ice spring after that tolerable good. Camped at the ford no. 5 of the Sweetwater grass poor. Sage brush plenty . Pleasant weather cool nights traveled 26 miles. One of Hiram Farlow’s mares had a colt.
Friday June 18th 1852 Started late traveled slow and stopped early went 14 miles. Stopped at noon at some excellent springs and a delightful place on the Sweetwater. Camped for the night near the top of a high mountain near a spring and snow bank. Water very cold grass very good. Weather pleasant we had very good roads with the exception of some long hills.
Saturday June 19th 1852 Started this morning between eight and nine o’clock very bad stony hills to cross roads hilly. We had camped the last crossing of the Sweetwater. After crossing water a little over three feet deep crossed several creeks very good water. Grass descent pleasant weather. Stopped at four o’clock snow plenty.
Sunday June 20th 1852 Started at seven crossed the summit of the Rocky mountains and camped on water whose course is towards the Pacific. Did not travel in the afternoon. I went out hunting but killed nothing. Had good grass by driving our horses a mile from camp. Good roads down 18 miles pleasant weather.
Monday June 21st 1852 Started about six passed the point where Salt Lake road turns off. Crossed Dry Sandy and Little Sandy also Big Sandy and camped on the side of the latter where commences a descent of forty miles. There is an Indian village of the snake nation at the crossing of the Big Sandy. It rained in the afternoon. Traveled 23 miles. Tolerable roads poor grass good water and plenty of sage brush for fuel.
Tuesday June 22nd 1852 We stayed at the Big Sandy till two o’clock left then started across the desert. Traveled 18 miles and camped with but little grass and no water except what we brought with us. It rained and hailed a little in the afternoon. Roads some muddy but tolerable. Very cool weather. So our horses were dry we watched them to prevent them from wandering off.
Wednesday June 23rd 1852 We started this morning at three o’clock drove till six then watered them a little and fed hard meal. Arrived at Green river at one in the afternoon. Crossed over immediately. Paid six dollars per wagon and one dollar per head for horses. Traveled two miles up the river and camped in a very good place. Good roads but hilly and some steep places to descend. Weather cool a little rain we drove our horses over the creek and had excellent grass.
Thursday June 24th 1852 We waited till one o’clock I delivered a board to put at the head of the grave of a young lad by the name of Amos Smith. Drove eight miles camped on a small creek grass thick but feed down. Good water roads hilly.
Friday June25th 1852 Traveled 25 miles roads rough stony and hilly camped at a spring and popular grove. Water and grass good and plenty of fuel weather cool and pleasant.
Saturday June 26th 1852 Very hilly rough roads hills long and steep. Traveled 30 miles came in sight of Bear river good grass.
Sunday June 27th 1852 Started late drove 20 miles crossed a very swift deep creek and a half mile of very bad rocky road. Roads in the afternoon fine excellent grass. Camped on Bear river. Weather pleasant mosquitoes very troublesome.
Monday June 28th 1852 Traveled most of the day in the valley of Bear river crossed two high hills camped on a beautiful mountain stream good grass and water pleasant weather, Traveled 28 miles good roads.
Tuesday June 29th 1852 Traveled 29 miles excellent roads crossed a number of creeks good grass along the road camped near an Indian village and blacksmith shop good grass water and fuel pleasant weather.
Wednesday June 30th 1852 Traveled 28 miles. We crossed the fork of the Oregon and California roads. Passed a beautiful cool spring camped on a small creek excellent grass mainly coble stones in the road with terrain good. Weather pleasant.
Thursday July 1st 1852 Crossed high mountain many beautiful springs camped on a creek grass poor roads rough. Weather pleasant traveled 23 miles.
Friday July 2nd 1852 Traveled 15 miles. The first part of the road was sand the last was muddy. I got a pair of mules down. Camped at the Hudson Bay Company Trading station grass was very good the station is on the Snake river which empties into the Columbia river. Weather pleasant mosquitoes thick and very troublesome.
Saturday July 3rd 1852 We would have stayed and shod one horse had not the mosquitoes so troublesome but we started off and traveled 14 miles crossed a small creek. Then another larger one a branch of the Snake water 4 ½ feet deep got most of our hard bread wet a very bad mud hole on the south bank good grass and water very windy night. At night the wind blew hard causing wagons to be forwarded to the water.
Sunday July 4th 1852 Traveled 10 miles good roads stopped at the falls on Snake river. Caught and made mess of salmon. Then I set two shoes on my mare. I judge there is 40 feet of water under the falls. Cloudy windy weather roads very dusty grass not very good.
Monday July 5th 1852 Cloudy weather a few drops of rain traveled 17 miles very dusty roads grass good but not much camped rains through the night.
Tuesday July 6th 1852 It rained slightly nearly all day traveled 20 miles camped at small creek. Very good grass and water the weather was very cold. I wrapped a blanket around me and road in the wagon in the afternoon.
Wednesday July 7th 1852 Traveled 28 miles and camped (rest of day unreadable)
Thursday July 8th 1852 Started early traveled 27 miles camped at small creek grass little and poor good water and fuel. Pleasant weather A.M. then rough road in the morning afternoon road good.
Friday July 9th 1852 We traveled 21 miles without stopping at noon. Roads very dusty and in many places rocky. Camped on the top of the bank of snake river a mile from the water and 200 feet below us. Grass tolerable good Pleasant weather.
Saturday July 10th 1852 Traveled 20 miles we had a few miles of sandy roads and in some places stony. Camped on Falls creek near Snake river. Grass very good caught a few fish and bought some dried salmon from the Indians. Pleasant weather.
Sunday July 11th 1852 We did not move from camp today but remained on Salmon Falls creek. Caught a large mess of poor fish. Cool cloudy weather.
Monday July 12th 1852 We started at five o’clock drove 20 miles without water and 15 miles farther without grass camped at nine o’clock in the night having drove 35 miles. The roads part of the way was very sandy and all the way dusty very warm day and a shower after dark. Grass where we camped poor. Water from Snake river. We had to unloose our horses from the wagon and drive them down a very steep hill a mile for water. This was the worst days drive we have had. Some very steep hills to descend.
Tuesday July 13th 1852 Started from camp at one o’clock P.M. and drove seven miles over rough and sandy roads along Snake river camped on a very pretty bottom with plenty of tolerable good grass. Warm weather.
Wednesday July 14th 1852 We traveled 14 miles had very sandy roads camped on Snake river. Poor grass hot weather barren country high steep bluffs.
Thursday July 15th 1852 We had very dusty roads. Many small stones in the track which made it very unpleasant going. Traveled 20 miles camped at noon on Catharine’s river with good grass and water. Camped for the night on Snake river poor grass and little of it. Weather hot.
Friday July 16th 1852 Made 18 miles over very dusty roads. Camped on a small creek with very poor grass. I ascended a high bluff and rock near the road and was well rewarded for my toil. Warm weather sunshine very hot.
Saturday July 17th 1852 We crossed a creek 8 miles after leaving camp then drove 17 miles without grass or water camped on snake river where was a nice spring of cool poor water. We have had very bad steep hills to ascend very dusty roads and hot weather no grass feed close.
Sunday July 18th 1852 We started soon after daylight and drove seven miles to a small creek and tolerable good grass. I read Popes essay on man in the seven miles drive. Traveled all day drove horses 1 ½ miles and had good grass. Weather hot roads rocky and dusty.
Monday July 19th 1852 We drove 30 miles and camped on snake river. Grass plentiful roads tolerable only dusty. Weather pleasant. Some sandy road. I watched half of the night.
Tuesday July 20th 1852 Traveled 25 miles crossed the Whau river and camped on it near the mouth about two miles above the trading post at Boise very good grass . We shot five snake today. This morning we left the company we had been traveling with for a week past. They stopping on account of a sick horse. Watched our horses pleasant day dusty roads.
Wednesday July 21st 1852 Traveled 18 miles two of our wagon tires came off and we stopped and we stopped in the afternoon to soak our wheels. Camped on a large creek. Grass tolerable. Pleasant weather roads good. Had a clam soup for supper. Watched our horses.
Thursday July 22nd 1852 We drove 12 miles and came to a sulfur spring where we had a little poor water but little grass traveled 27 miles camped on snake river poor grass pleasant weather windy weather in the night. Watched our horses.
Friday July 23rd 1852 Today we had very rough hilly roads travel slowed up Burnt river valley. Camped on Burnt river and had good spring water good grass left Snake river this morning and shall see it no more. Windy in the night. Next 18 miles the valley is crooked and narrow and on each side are high steep mountains.
Saturday July 24th 1852 The forenoon we had rough and hilly roads. Afternoon very good roads but dusty. Left Burnt river at noon camped on a small creek Had good day bunch grass. Today we bought some beans paying twenty five cents per pound. Traveled 20 miles. Pleasant weather.
Sunday July 25th 1852 Crossed several small creeks then went 16 miles without water. Camped on a slough. Poor water abundant grass. Cold day roads good but uneven one very bad hill. This land is much better then we have seen for a few weeks past. Our camping place was on Powder river bottom.
Monday July 26th 1852 Crossed Powder river and a number of small springs traveled excellent grass and water. Camped at the cold springs. Good roads rocky in places cold weather some Cayuse Indians traveled 20 miles.
Tuesday July 27th 1852 Traveled 14 miles descended a long steep rock hill into pleasant river valley a beautiful valley 10 or 15 miles in diameter enclosed with high mountains fertile land good water and grass and then mountains covered with pine timber. Camped on a small spring creek at the west end of the valley near the foot of the mountain which we shall cross in the morning. A large company of Indians with numerous ponies camped near us. Pleasant weather. We had a beautiful camping place.
Wednesday July 28th 1852 We started this morning drove after sunrise crossed Grande Ronde river the road was lined with pine timber very hilly and rocky, We drove expected to reach the river again but after driving 32 miles and not seeing it camped. Very good grass good water by digging. Cool pleasant weather.
Thursday July 29th 1852 Started late drove 14 miles part trough timber. Came on to the bottom of Umatilla river. Camped a very good spring grass fed down by the Cayuse ponies roads hilly but better then yesterday weather pleasant.
Friday July 30th 1852 Started between 9 and 10 o’clock passed small village of Cayuse Indians saw numerous ponies. Roads dusty. Drove to the crossing of river very good camping place traveled 15 miles warm weather.
Saturday July 31st 1852 We drove 14 miles without water from the first crossing of the Umatilla to the place where we came to it again. Camped at the Indian agents house on the Umatilla. Poor grass river in places dry roads quite dusty very windy. Plenty of Indians and Indian ponies next 18 miles.
Sunday August 1st 1852 We started late and drove 10 miles and camped for the rest of the day. Left the Umatilla roads sandy weather windy very good grass and cool water.
Monday August 2nd 1852 This day drove 23 miles. 18 to a spring of poor water and a little dry grass then 15 miles to a creek but not running water. Tolerable grass undulating road but dusty. We arrived at the creek a little afore dark. Weather pleasant.
Tuesday August 3rd 1852 We started from the creek at 7 o’clock and traveled 20 miles with out water good roads but very dusty. Camped at a spring of very good water poor grass warm weather.
Wednesday August 4th 1852 Started before breakfast and drove 6 miles to John Day river and staid till 10 o’clock then drove 24 miles with out water. Camped at a small sulfur spring we were three hours in watering our stock and then they did not get enough. Grass very good but burnt off near the spring. Cool cloudy day. Here we left one wagon. We bought flour and sugar at a trading post on John Day river. Flour $20.00 per hundred sugar 25 cents per pound.
Thursday August 5th 1852 We started from the spring before breakfast and drove to the Columbia river where we staid till afternoon. Good grass there crossed the Deschutes river ferriage $5.00 per wagon and 50 cents per head for horses. Camped on a small creek at Celery’s ranch. Grass fed down on the bottom but good on the hills a little rain in the morning traveled 12 miles.
Friday August 6th 1852 Drove 9 miles and camped on the Columbia within 3 miles of The Dalles grass fed off walked down to the Dalles post office pleasant weather.
Saturday August 7th 1852 We shipped our wagon at the Dalles. Then drove out 3 miles and camped. Good grass and water hilly roads. Traveled 6 miles weather pleasant.
Sunday August 8th 1852 Started late traveled over hilly rough roads 6 miles to a fine creek with fine grass and camped for the rest of the day fine weather. Paid $15.00 per hundred for flour at the Dalles & 20 cents pet pound for pork.
Monday August 9th 1852 Started late drove four miles to a creek where was the fork of the road. Then drove 15 miles and camped on a fork of the Deschutes at an Indian village. Grass fed down roads rough and are very steep here to descend. Weather fine.
Tuesday August 10th1852 This morning when we got up we saw an Indian riding one of our horses off. We followed him and found the horse. We had a steep hill to descend down 3 miles and camped on a small creek the rest of the day. Grass very good. We met George and Miller Farlow this morning in search of us. Pleasant weather.
Wednesday August 11th1852 It rained this morning and we waited till late traveled 10 miles camped at the Toll Gate on a small creek. Good grass by driving the stock a mile from the creek.
Thursday August 12th 1852 We passed the gate and commenced crossing the Cascades mountains. Paid $5.00 per wagon and 25 cents per head for live stock traveled 15 miles and camped on little sandy bad grass though good weather.
Friday August 13th 1852 Traveled 18 miles road very rocky and a number of steep hills. Fair weather. Camped on a fine creek and plenty of swamp grass. Cold night pleasant day. Thick timber.
Saturday August 14th 1852 Today our road was rocky hilly mountains we camped in big valley good grass good weather. We had a few miles of sandy road traveled 18 miles.
Sunday August 15th 1852 We traveled 25 miles and camped in Willamette valley. About a half mile from Phillip Fosters. Roads tolerable but very hilly. Weather fine but not very good grass.
Monday August 16th 1852 We arrived in the valley without any provisions and bought for our super last evening. Today bought provisions for the rest of our journey. Flour 8 cents per pound, beef 12 ½ , potatoes one dollar per bushel. Traveled 15 miles road hilly crossed the Clackamas river camped after sundown but little grass.
Tuesday August 17th 1852 We lost two of our horses last night but found one of them. Drove down a few miles and camped till the last horse came up. Traveled tem miles crossed the Molalla and camped at a saw mill. Grass short bought butter 5 cents per pound. Rain.
Wednesday August 18th 1852 Rain little all day. Traveled but half the day about 8 miles camped at a spring good grass.
Thursday August 19th 1852 Drove 18 miles crossed a number of springs and the North Santiam camped near a house very good grass. Cloudy with rain roads good.
Friday August 20th 1852 We were delayed this morning in finding our horses. Drove 18 miles and arrived at our destination place in the Willamette valley Oregon Territory staid at Miller Farlow’s crossed the Santiam at Santiam City and we camped. Good roads and beautiful country cloudy but no rain. Good grass for our horses.
Saturday August 21st 1852 I cost up our expenses and made a settlement staid at M. Farlow’s pleasant weather. Commenced to write a letter home.
Sunday August 22nd 1852 Called at Mr. George Millers. Finished one letter and commenced another good weather staid at Mr, Farlow’s.
Monday August 23rd 1852 Wrote a little next to Santiam and staid a good share of the day. I staid at Mr. Farlow’s pleasant.
Tuesday August 24th 1852 I went out hunting and killed two grouse those with me killed a deer. I went to Santiam slept with Len’s Farlow in his house. Pleasant.
Wednesday August 25th 1852 Wrote letter next to Abraham Miller and put a rivet in my knife staid at Mr. Farlow warm pleasant weather.
Thursday August 26th 1852 I traded my horse for an Indian pony and about 3 o’clock P.M. started for Shasta City California. Crossed the Willamette at Albany staid at Mr. Stewarts Polk County. Pleasant day rode 14 miles expenses included ferriage 112 ½ .
Friday August 27th 1852 Passed trough Marysville crossed Mary’s river camped at noon traveled 30 miles good roads staid at Mr. (unknown) good grass expenses $1.00.
Saturday August 28th 1852 Started tolerable early. Yesterday I got in camping with a Frenchman Maurice Bartteli going to Rouge river. We got our super at the foot of the Calapooia mountains then crossed them sleep under and oak tree in a small prairie. Good grass road very good except the mountains rode 40 miles expenses $1.75.
Sunday August 29th 1852 Rode 32 miles roads good a few high hills crossed the North Unpqua at Winchester sleep under a birch tree 2 miles from the river. Pleasant good grass.
Monday August 30th 1853 Rode 28 miles and crossed South Unpqua and cow creek and stopped one mile from the mouth of the canyon hilly roads a beautiful valley on South Unpqua grass good Pleasant expenses $1.25.
Tuesday August 31st 1852 Rode to the canyon and took breakfast in the canyon we crossed Canyon creek 93 times and the creek running south 8 times besides traveling in Canyon creek two or three miles. Very rocky hilly road. Traveled 32 miles stopped on Lost creek pleasant weather expenses $1.37 ½ .
Wednesday September 1st 1852 Started at sunrise rode five miles for breakfast here my companion and myself parted he going down the Rouge river. I then forded the river at Eagle where I stopped all night tolerable roads good grass. Rode 25 miles. Expenses $1.75. Pleasant weather.
Thursday September 2nd 1852 Rode to Canyonville and hunted up (unknown and unknown) did not find them (unknown) and staid all night good grass pleasant expense $1.00.
Friday September 3rd 1852 Staid at Canyonville all day. Pleasant very shady met Eli B, Moore at his ranch.
Saturday September 4th 1852 Started with Eli B. Moore and C. Landrith traveled 33 miles good roads till we got to the Siskiyou mountains staid at a ranch at the south foot of the mountain. Pleasant weather expenses $1.50.
Sunday September 5th 1852 Rode into Yreka and put up with Landwith good roads very windy crossed the Klamath and Shasta rivers rode 28 miles.
Monday September 6th 1852 I staid at Yreka waiting for company to Shasta City read the (mat???) weather cool.
Tuesday September 7th 1852 Started from Yreka late rode 30 miles crossed one mountain and traveled up Scott’s Valley stopped 10 miles from Backbone mountain. Good roads and grass pleasant cold night.
Wednesday September 8th 1852 Traveled 25 miles very stony road did not reach a house.
Thursday September 9th 1852 Rode 18 miles in company with the expenses. Staid at Mary’s ranch pleasant, Rough roads.
Friday September 10th 1852 Rode 33 miles took dinner at Focueh Gulch. Staid at the Free Bridge house on Clear creek. Very warm hilly rough road.
Farwell Suplies
April 22nd corn------------------------------------------.75
April 22nd 2 ---------------------------------------------.30
April 23rd 2 ½ doz. Eggs---------------------------------.15
April 23rd pulling shoes off pony -------------------------.10
April 23rd ½ doz. Spoons --------------------------------.05
April 24th oats corn and --------------------------------2.20
April 24th 3 bushels of oats -----------------------------1.50
April 24th 3 cubes of butter------------------------------.45
April 25th ½ bushel of corn------------------------------.25
April 25th bread-----------------------------------------.32
April 25th box of black powder---------------------------.25
April 25th -----------------------------------------------.04
April 25th shoeing pony----------------------------------175
April 27th 2 bushel corn----------------------------------.80
April 27th 50 eggs----------------------------------------.25
April 27th corn -------------------------------------------.30
Total-----------------------------------------------------9.46
April 28th one bushel corn---------------------------------.70
April 29th shoeing zack------------------------------------.85
May 2nd Crackers and Cheese----------------------------1.05
May 4th one bushel corn-----------------------------------.30
May 5th 25 feet ropes-------------------------------------5.00
May 5th cakes----------------------------------------------.05
May 5th bake kettle----------------------------------------.80
May 6th fish oil---------------------------------------------.25
May 7th rawhide--------------------------------------------.35
May 8th tin water can---------------------------------------.90
May 8th 3 quarts pickles------------------------------------1.25
May 8th ropes----------------------------------------------2.20
May 8th bag of sugar-----------------------------------------.50
May 8th 2 bushels of corn------------------------------------.60
May 9th 2 bushels of corn------------------------------------.60
May 10th 1 bushel of corn------------------------------------.30
Total-------------------------------------------------------15.70
June 23 Jar of pickles---------------------------------------1.50
July 1 Cooking Bridge---------------------------------------1.00
“ 12 Salt------------------------------------------------------.10
August 4th 6 lbs Sugar--------------------------------------2.00
“ 10 lbs Flour-----------------------------------------------2.00
“ 5th Ferriage at the Deshutes-----------------------------20.50
” 6th Bottle of Whisky---------------------------------------1.00
“ 7th 50 lbs Flower------------------------------------------7.50
“ 3 lbs Salt Pork---------------------------------------------1.00
“ 15th Flour Beef Whisky------------------------------------3.30
“ 19th Onions-------------------------------------------------.25
Total------------------------------------------------------$40.15
Westward Ho many pioneers came to Oregon in wagons such as this enduring many long days and nights of hardship on their journey. All their worldly possessions had to be carefully packed for the bumpy and difficult trail. Life supporting food and water had to be rationed for the months of dusty travel. Always on the alert for trouble from raiding Indians and wild animals. 
