Transcript
Transcript for Wride, Barry, Large Journal, June 23-September 13, 1861, in W. Thomas Wride, ed., Barry Wride, 1833-1913, His Family and His Journals (1999), 16-19
Our experience in travelling up the Platte Valley was of some interest twa’s hot and dusty many sand bluffs heavy travelling and hard on our teams[.] Ash Hollow was a place of some note had a holly day being the 24th of July Calld Pioneer Day[.] many of the Camp Crossd the river Platt[e] for Curiosity gathered Some wild Currants to make pies[.] had quite a treat in that line[.] in the evening also had a Concert Singing and dancing in the open air
Nothing of particular or unusual transpired up the Platt River except bathing nearly every day and a pleasant time for travelling[.] the next place of not[e] was Chimney rock on the South of the river[.] we made an effort to go it but found the distance to much to reach there[,] we turned back[,] a small party of us at evening[.] distances were deceiving & further off than appeared to us[.] for instance[,] we started to a bluff or hill for fuel one evening and kept agoing but our objective point Seamed further off as we travelled So we turned back to Camp
August 1861 Laramie was the next point of interest[.] here we Crossd the Platt river from the North side to the South fording the Stream averaging 3 feet deep drivig team holding to the Bow of the Yoke and wading along[.] got through in good shape[.] Campd there on the South and went to the Fort[.] There were a few US Soldiers guarding the Mail route
This was my Birth Day Aug 4 1861 we gathered Some wild Currant and made Cakes and pies and had a feast calld the passover (pass over the Platt) we crossd the river Several times[.] on the 12th we crossd[,] this was at Dear [Deer] Creek[.] Several of the Brothern traded off some flour to the Indians for Buffalo Robes[.] I made a purchase of one for $500[.] it served a goo[d] purpose for several years in winter for bedding[.] we did some repairing of waggons and shoeing Cattle
The next place of note was the Sweetwater and Devil[’s] Gate
Reachd Green River on the 31st[.] Feid [feed] and fuel had been quite an object but here we were well supplied and appreciated a good fire
Ham’s Fork[,] Blacks Fork and Fort Bridger were points of interest[.] there were several Trains of Emigrants passing and repassing East & West[.] Some appeared in a hurry as they passd our train toward the West
On the 10th of Sept we reach the Weber[.] on this day we missd one of our oxen[,] drove with other Cattle toward the East[.] I went back up the Emigration Kanyon 15 miles in search but Could not overtake the Company but Communicated with Some of the party and the Ox was returned to Salt Lake City
11th Sept[.] Started early in the Mourning westward afoot to overtake the train[.] travelled 35 miles had a hard time[,] sore feet[,] tired out[,] overtook train at the foot of the Big Mountain[.] glad to have a rest[.] the crossing of Creeks and streams gave me some trouble[.] (arrival in Salt Lake City) as night overtook me between Weber and the Big Mountain Crossing the Creek Several times.
Campd between Big & little Mountain on the night of the 12th Sept and arrived in Salt Lake City next day[.] we were invited to Stay at C.V. Spencers House and slept there that night