Appleton M. Harmon diary, 1847 April-July.

April 13, 1847

Tuesday, the 13th Brother Kimball said to me last evening that he wanted me to get readey & go with the pioneers & drive an ox team for him[.] I consulted my Father, left my wife and child in as good circumstances as I could which was but poor at best[.] got my clothes, readey and started at about 4 A.M. in company with Bro. Everett, Jacobs & Stephens & traveled 4 miles and camped in hollow for the night

Wednesday the 14th arose in the morning got our breakfast & was prepairing to Start on our way, when we discoverd 4 Omahaw [Omahas] Indians on the ridge south of us[.] as soon as they discoverd our waggons they came to us & commenced Begging[.] Br. [Addison] Everot [Everett] told them that we was poor & was not able to give our living away[.] we could not for we ware a going whare we could not git eney more, but they did not seem willing to put up with a denial but Stil insisted & threatened to shoot a cow if we did not give them some

I started from Winter Quarters April the 13th 1847 to the Western vales amonghst the mountains or to Some place that I know not of [.] having but 18 hours Notice I Started & drove an ox team for Heber C. Kimball[.] traveled 4 miles & camped, in the morning we ware visited by 4 Omahaws who after endeavouring to frighten us & failing left us we traveled the 14th 21 miles & camped with Presed Young & some 20 others.

The 15th went 4 miles to whare we crosed the horn went to the camp[,] distance 12 miles on the Platte River

16th traveled 5 miles & camped on the Platte Rriver[.] organized the camp & a guard of 52 men ware deetayled to be a constant guard.

17th traveled 8 miles & camped at a cotton wood grove & organized the Camp in to a military capacity with a Br[i]gadier Major[,] Lieutenant Gineral [General,] a Colonel and 2 Majors and a Captain over each ten[.] (I was elected captain over ten)

April the 18th is Sunday[.] the Camp remained whare they ware[.] Some traders past us from the Pawnee nation going to the Bluffs[.] we suppose ourselves to be on the north bend of the Platte river[.] Some laws & regulations ware adopted[.] Sunday evening I was detailed on guard the fore part of the night.

Monday the 19th arose in the morning at 5 o clock at the sound of the Bugle, at 7 o clock got of on our journey in a N of W direction and traveled 13 miles and stopped for dinner by the river Platte whare O P Rockwell overtook us in company with Br [Jesse Carter] Little[,] [Return] J[ackson]. Redding [Redden] & [Nathaniel] Thomas Brown, the Flat here is from 12 to 15 miles wide interspersed with numerous small lakes or slous, the river is full of Isliands with several channels[.] in places, the water is only from 4 to 6 feet loir than the bottom, or flat, Started & traveled 7 miles & camped for the night making 20 miles this day

tusday the 20th traveled 12 miles halted for dinner at a pool of water 3 deer was seen & chased on the open prairie by O. P. R. & T Brown but did not suckseed in catching them[.] after one hours refreshment we started & traveled 8 miles & camped by a small Island from which we obtained our wood[.] John Higby & brown [blank space] for our Horses & cattle[.] Col [Stephen Avon] Markam & John Higby & Some others obtained a quantity of fish so that when we got camped each man had a fish

Wednesday the 21st arose in the morning as usual at a blast of the buguling Horn[.] got up our teams & started on our way and crosed the Looking glass crick about one mile from whare we ware camped and travled about 3 miles when we seen a lone indian aproaching towards us from narrow skirt of timber which seemed to streach it self along the river at our left while on our right the vast plain on which we travled seemed to streach it self of[f] to the Blue line of a distant Bluff which seemed to be 18 or 20 miles distant, at this place, soon after several more Indians immerged from the same wood & on coming up to us seemed to extend the hand of friendship & say how de do. We travled on 9 miles further and camped by the loup fork of the Platt[e] opposite a vilage of the Pawnees. memmy [Many] of the Pawnees waded the river & came to us amonghst which was the Chiefs Chief moland & Sisketuk who was presented with some presents consisting of some Powder lead Salt tobacco &c by our president, which was reluctantly receivd, making sighns that the pile was not big anoughf, but was more passified before we left[.] travled this after noon 8 miles and camped on the lick fork bank[.] thinking ourselves not entirely safe, a strong guard was posted of 50 men at a time

Thursday the 22nd arrose in the morn. at the Sound of the Horn[.] got up our teams & Started[.] travled one mile & crosed Looking glass crick [Creek] 7 miles more & halted for dinner on be[a]ver crick[.] after dinner we forded bever crick which is a bout 30 feet wide & 2 feet deep[.] travled 8 miles and camped at the old Pawnee village or missionary Station whare we found a plenty of hay which was verry exceptable.

Friday the 23rd Started about noon & travled about 5 miles in Search of a fording place and got 4 waggons over with mutch dificulty & then we Camped for the night[.] I was on guard the last part of the night[.] B Youngs horse got choked to death with the halter

Saturday morning the 24th after confabulating for someime what method to persue & building some 2 rafts which was to no purpose inconceyuince of Swift Water & the numerous sand bars, we commenced fording again & soon found that the sand packed So that the Last waggons by doubleing teams that they could go with all thare loads by razing the box to prevent water from running in & by 2 o clock all the waggons ware acrost the Loup fork of the Platt[e] the Loup fork whare we forded was about ½ a mile wide & from dry sand bars to 3 feet deep Quick sand bottom[.] we travled 3 miles up the fork & camped on its bank[.] the surroundding country is as handsone as I ever saw mostly Prairie but very little timber & what thare is, is along the river bank in Spots.

Sunday the 25th rested from our laibours. 8 hunters was selected to hunt on horse back for Buffalo Some 18 or 20 to hunt on foot.

Monday the 26th arose by an alarm jest at day break[.] the allarm was that 6 indians was indeavering to Steal horses, but fortunately disconvered & fired at by the guard, who all ways keep a good look out, we Started on our way, & travled 7 miles and camped on the prairie by a run of water for dinner.

May 6th
of the 2nd division in front which was my (self) or ten, the bottom is from 8 to 10 mi wide in this place & buffalo grasing theiron in all most everry direction[.] pased several herds not ½ mile distant from the camp[.] antilope in everry direction, killed 2 this fore noon, Buffalo meat is a drug in the camp, ~~travled 4 miles & halted for dinner on the prarie whare~~ the feed is poor being eat down by the emmence herds of buffalo which seems to be free commoners[.] we Saw a drove of Elk, I imagine our selves in a game country, several hair [hare] seen[.] travled 8 mi & halded for dinner on the Prairie about a quarter of a mile from the river[.] feed eat compleetely down by the Buffalo[.] after a Suitable refreshment we moved on to the W of North West 7 miles and camped at the rivers edge in a half circle oposite several Small islands from which we obtained our fuel[.] my judgement is that we have seen 8,000 Buffalo in fact we have not been out of sight of them to day[.] Prest Young lost his Spy glass

Friday May the 7th
a cold N. wind this morning, on the oposite side of the river thare is a tall range of bluffs in all appearance not more than 2 miles from the river[.] the bottom looks green from here & immence herds of buffalo thare the river is between a mi & a mi & ½ wide here[.] about 8 o clock the camp was called togeather by Prest Young who caled upon some of that had lose horses to let one go to draw the canon, he all so in Structed the capptains of tens to Stay by their teams in times of traveling[.] he spoke of the cowdrivers, Saying that the ware neglected yesterday by Erastus Snow who drive or had charge of them a part of the day[.] he justified him Self & was reproved by Prest Young, a guard to be kept over the cattel & horses morning & evening whilest feeding[.] he all so said that thair Should be no more game killed until such these [time] as it should be needed for it was a Sin to waste life & flesh[.] we got up our teams & started a bout 11 a.m. & traveled 7 mi and camped by the river oposite a considerable sized isleand on which some Scatering cottonwoods & willows grew[.] from this isleand we obtained our wood it beeing seperated from the main land by a small chanel only 2 rods wide verry Shalow, now [no] banks atall[.] the wind continuez to blow cold from the north, Buffalo thicker than ever, O. P. R. N. T. B. & I. [Joseph Lazarus] Matthews went back this morning in search of the Prests's Spy Glass[,] jest returned having found it, the companies ware called out by the Colonel & paraded in the circle whare their arms ware inspected by colonel Rockwood[.] the Ginerals aiddecamp [adjutant] the latter being absent.

May Saturday the 8th I arrose earley at the usial signal[.] verry little air stirring[.] a warm plesant day[.] hiched up our teams & got underway, about 9 A.M. our direction N.W. we traveled until no[o]n over a dry pasture & had to drive the buffalo out of the way whare we halted[.] the buffalo semed to form a complete line from the river or solid colume to the bluffs as far as I could se which was at least 4 mi[.] they Stood their ground appurantly amased at us until within 30 rods of the waggons when their line was broken by some taking fright & runing off[.] others to satisfy their curiosity came closer within gun Shot of the camp Snuffing & Shaking their Shaggy heads, but being pursued by the dogs ran off, at this time I could Stand on my waggon & see more than 10,000 Buffalo[.] from the fact that the Plain was purfectly black with them on both sides of the river & on the bluff on our right which slopes off gradualy & presents its south side to our view[.] O. P. Rockwell killed a 2 year old heffer which was good

May 19th 1847 Should be led out of the road & be made to go behind the rest of the day.

Wednesday, the 19th We arose earley got up our teams & started at 5 A.M. & traveled 3¼ miles & halted near the river at 20 minutes past 6 A.M. to git our breakfast having crosed 2 Small cricks just before we halted[.] we got up our teams & started on again at 8 & 45 min. A.M. traveled 1¼ of a mile, ~~halted~~ came to a crick some 20 feet wide which came from the bluff[.] this we foraded & rose the bluff[.] the sand being verry soft it was hard for our teams to ~~travel~~ assend it[;] the sand has drifted in irregular heaps, about ⅔ of the serfase being barron, the ballence covered with grass.[.] we decended the ~~r---y~~ bluff through a gulley or kind of sag to the bottom again makin ¾ of a mile ~~acrost~~ over the bluff[.] here we crosed a small crick & as it was araining we halted & turned out our teams at ½ past 10 A.M. making 6 ms in all, rain continues, we hiched up & started on in the rain[.] traveled 2 ms & camped in a cimecircle at the rivers edge[.] 8 ms this day.

Thursday the 20th Cold and clowdy[.] we started at 8 A.M. traveled ¾ of a mile & crosed a crick 10 feet wide & 2 deep our direction is west & halted for dinner at 11 A.M. having traveled 7¾ miles oposite side the river from our noon camping place ~~r---te M---tis~~ the ~~the~~ place ~~--.~~[.] the oregon road comes to the river through a valley extending back some 4 ms at the mouth of which I could see agrove of ash timber[.] the bluff above & below this presents a bold rockey front along which thare is thickly strued cedar trees and shrubs[.] 4 of the Breathering [Brethren] etc A[masa] Lyman[,] L[uke] Johnson[,] John Brown & orson Pratt crosed the river to ascertain the facts of the oregon Trail coming down the above mentioned valley or revine, I understand that this is called ash hollow by Fremont, & those bluffs cedar bluffs, we started on a gain at 2 P.M. & traveled 3¼ ms to whar we crosed a Tributary to the North Fork of about 6 rods wide[.] we traveled on over a dry sand bottom & ~~crossed~~ past a point of the bluff that came near the river & camped in a circle a bout a ¼ from the river[.] at ½ past 5 P.M. making 8 miles since dinner 15¾ during the day[.] we gethered a plenty of drift wood for fuel a long the beach, which was pine & cedar from our noon camping place etc. ash hollar is 140 ms from Fort Larimie [Laramie] acording to Freemont's account. I was onguard the fore part of the night, the above mentioned Tributary has been named Castle river[,] I have since learned.

Friday the 21st. A pleasant day[.] Wm Claton [Clayton] put up a guide board with the following inscription on it, From Winter Quarters 409 ms, from the junstion of North & south fork 93¼ from Cedar bluffs South Side the North fork of Platt river 36 ms & from Ash hollow south side the river 8 ms[.] Camp of Pioneers May the21st 1847, acording to Fremonts acount we are 132½ ms from Fort Laremie, the bluffs oposite this place are called Castle (Bluffs). We got up our teams and started at 25 to 8 A.M. & traveled in a N. of W. direction 7¾ ms & halted on the Prairie for dinner[.] at 15 past 11 A.M. we got up our teams at the sound of the horn our usial signal & started at ½ past 1 P.M. & traveled 4½ ms & crossed a point off the Bluff ½ a mile wide[.] we then came on to the bottom again & traveled 2¾ ms & camped in a circle a bout a ½ mile from the river at ½ past 5 P.M. making 15½ ms this day. When we first came to this place thare was an indian & squaw here on horse back[.] they ware Sants & Some of the brothering learned from them that thare ware more of them camped on the bottom a bove here & some over the bluff N W of us, but how far we did not assertain.

Saturday the 22nd a fine pleasant morning & we got up our teams & started at 8 A.M. & traveled near a west coarse 5½ miles & crosed a crick about 2 rods wide & very shallow, called Crab crick [Creek.] we continued our corse 1¾ miles & halted for dinner making 7¼ ms this foer noon[.] our halting place is near ¾ of a mile from the river[.] at ½ past 11 A.M. an Indian dog Came to us last evening but he is verry wild & Shy & has traveld with us to day

We got up our teams & started on again at 20 minutes to 2 P.M. & traveled 4¼ ms & crosed the bed of a stream a bout 8 rods wide but no water thare[.] we crosed 3 or 4 of the same discription but smaller previous to this[.] we then turned to the left & wound our way up a revine or valley ~~a ra—d~~ passing be tween the pondrous heaps of rock & gravel until we came to the bed of a river some 10 rods wide which we followed down until we came to the bottom near the river making 2¼ ms through those windings the surface over which we have traveled[.] this after noon preduses but verry little vegatasion, some grass & a kind off herb which mutch resembles worm wood both in looks & smell, & some other herbs, &c. constituted the vegetation[.] we moved on under the bluff 1¾ ms & camped in a circle 150 yards from the river at, ¼ to 6 P.M. making 8¼ ms[.] this after noon, a thunder storm past off to the North of us, jest as we ware camping. it sprinkeled a little whare we ware, a dark heavey cloud hung in N.W. of us un till dark, in fact this after noon has brought to our view quite change of [s]cenery, the bluffs presenting a bold, Craggy, Rockey, broken, apearance, on the oposite side the river[.] thare is a grove of cedar timber extending some 4 ms down the river which is the heav[i]est body of timber I have seen since we left grand Isleand [Island], several petrified bones of enormous size have been found yesturday & today which are supposed to be mammoth bones, several off the brethering have visited the bluffs[.] this evening Gorge [George] R. Grant & Orson K. Whitney found & caught a Young gray Eagle & brought it to camp[.] a great meney rattle snakes have been seen with a few day past of the large kind.

May the 23rd. I arose in the morning & found it to be a pleasant one[,] verry little air stiring the Sun Shone warm[.] I borrowed Wm. Cla[y]tons spy glass & started off to the bluffs after breakfast a bout, ½ past 9 A.M. which was a bout 1 mile distant[.] R… as I came near the foot off the Bluff I gradually assended until I came to the foot of a Piremid [pyramid] & by going around it I found that I could assend it, by Clambering over the fragments of rocks that had broken off from near the top & ley in a confused mass half way down the Side, I succeeded in ascending to its sumit. this is composed off a kind of flint rock on the surface nearer its base it is composed of large gravel & cobble Stones & Sand fast consolodating into Sollid rock[.] the surface of this is nearly level & about 700 feet in circumferance of an oblong ovel[.] 3 sides of this is perpendickular for more than 40 feet, I was here joined by 3 or 4 of the brethering [brethren] who came to visit the same cenerry, in the interior thare is the bed of a stream of considerable Size the bottom of which is sand & gravel, and is ~~the~~ anuelly the Chanel that carries the mighty flo[o]ds to the river that from all appearance pours down in torrents at some seasons of the year[.] a bout a mile & a half to the west of us is rock or piremid some 35 feet high & 10 feet in diameter, standing perpendickular, we left this & went to another larger & higher some 50 or 60 rods to the East off uss, this we assended from the North side passing huge rocks, that have been rolled out of their natural places by the wash off the heavey rains or the convulsive throughs of nature at the crusifixion off our Saveour [Savior], we gained the summit verry easily, the top off this is partially covered with grass & herbs prickelly pairs & 2 kinds off shrubs such as I never saw before. on the brink of this at the east side is a cedar tree the trunk off which is a bout a foot in diametor & 15 high the top spreds out like an umbela [missing text]

As they got onto this Shore they hoisted an American flag, & was responded to by a white flag, from us, they ware 35 in number men wemen & children all on horse back Neatly dressed in their Style, they had come on purpose to visit us having previously discovered us they had french papers with them, which we supposed to be recomenes to Americans but could not tell as we had no inturpeter, John higby [Higbee] traded horses with one of them, Several of the Brethering bought Robes of them, we gave them some Bread & meal which they thankfully received, they camped a bout a ¼ of a mile distant for the night, we kept a diligent guard up during the night, all was quiet & peace the chiefs Name that was with them is Owashtach.

Tuesday the 25th plesant but tolerably cool, we ware again visited by our friends the Sioux[.] Col [Stephen A.] Markam traded a mule for a pony we got up our teams & started at ~~bout~~ 10 past 8 A.M. & traveled 2½ ms & halted to bate our teams[.] oposite side the river thare is a portion of the bluff that looks some like a Castle or court house with the lower part of a dome Something like the following, [illustration] a little to the east is a mass of rock some resembling a the remains off a wall that might once have inclosed the fabrick but in a State off ruing [ruin] now, about 4½ ms distant. After one hours refreshment we moved on again & halted for dinner at ½ past 1 PM[.] we got up our teams/again & started at 3P.M. & traveled 4 ¾ ms over a wet bottom owing to the late heavey rains ~~weare ms from A~~ & camped in a circle probably 1½ ms from the river, we got good water by digging some wells, our course has been N.W. our fuel is principlely pitch pine that has drifted on shore along the river, Chimney rock is in full view off us & is assertained to be 3 ms in an Air line. S. W. by Professor Pratte from the camp he allso by his instruments found it to be 260 feet high[.] 2 antilope killed halted 10 mi to 6 P.M.

Wednesday the 26th fine warm morning we got up our teams & started at 8 A.M. & traveled 4⅝ 8 ms[.] when we ware exactely North of chimney rock & 3 ms distant we halted for dinner at 12. m. having traveled 7¼ ms we started again at 25 past 2 P.M. & traveled 5 ms & camped in a circle by the river at 5 P.M. 4 antilope killed today & destributed through the camp, a tall range of bluffs extends a long the oposite side the river which a pear [appear] verry Broken, on which there is some shrubby cedars, on guard the fore part of the night, Showerry this evening no buffalo been seen for several days, a Sham trial Came of this evening before Judge Whipple[,] the people the plantiff Col Markam defendant[.] the Col was honerably aquited

Thursday the 27th a fine morning[.] the future prospect pleases & nothing to mar the pease that universally prevads[.] we got up our teams & started at 8 A.M. & traveled over a flat level Bottom in a streight line N.W. 8 ms & halted near the river. & ~~nears~~ a little below Scotts bluffs that is on the south Side of the river at 12. M. for dinner 3 antilope killed & brought to camp.

We Started again at 1 P.M. & traveled 5¾ ms in a N. W. direction & camped in a bend of the river near a 1/5 of a mile from the same ~~the~~ in a circle at a 1/5 to 5 P.M. having passed Scoots bluffs a bout 3 ms the river takes a bend of to the North or nearly so[.] 1 antilope killed[.] a heavey North wind, in the evening, feed good, Road level

[illustration] A view of a part of the turmanation of Scotts Bluff[.] 2½ ms N East is whare this view was taken from, this bluff is supposed to be nearly 300 feet above the level of the river, The majority of these bluffs are composed of a kind of yellow clay, a part of which is consolodated in to a kind of Soft rock, chimney Rock is composed of the same materials.

Friday the 28th dark & lowerry, the breathering ware called together & a vote taken to stay until a beter prospect in the weather which was at 11 A.M. when we got up our teams & Started, and traveled 1 ms when we came to the mouth of a crick which was a bout 10 feet wide Clear & handsome[.] we traveled up this Stream it running nearly parilel with the river apart of the time over a sand bottom which was nearly barron, then crossing a marsh which seams to be the head of the above mentioned crick, bending to the South of West until we came to the river whare we camped in a circle at ¼ to 5 P.M. having came 11½ miles, I saw great school of fish in the above mentioned crick[.] President Young and br [Heber Chase] Kimball has been privately exorting some of the brethering to for Sake [forsake] an excess of mirthfulness & indulging in plays dances Sham trials &c which have been carried to excess for the last few days & would have an attendoncy to cause a neglect of ~~other~~ duties which aught not to be

Saturday the 29th I arose in the morning at the sound of the horn & attended prairs [prayers]; the weather is dark & lowerry a drissiling rain, it broak away about ½ past 10 & the horn blue [blew] to get up the teams[.] after we got all readey to start the whole Camp was called together, when prest Young addressed the brethering in the following manner he first Called on the captains of tenns [tens] to call their respective Companies around them which was done, when Thommas Bullock proceeded to call the rool [roll] and found 2 absent Namely Joseph Hancock & Andrew Gibbins [Gibbons] who ware out a hunting[.] the Prest then sed that his text was that he Should revolt at the idea of going eney further with this Company while they ware in possession of the Spirit which they then possessed[.] from this said he[,] I shall make my discourse[.] he spoke a bout one hour the import of which was that the excess of dancing & frollocking[,] playing cards[,] dice[,] domonoes[,] chequers[,] dice &c some of which have been cairied on excessively for the last few days was leading to worse evils to a neglect of ~~other~~ duties to carlessness[,] recklessness[,] ~~sins of death~~ to quarrells[,]divisions[,] discontions[,] to sin & death, he allso added that civel recreation was no harm if not caried to excess if when they had danced anough they would quit & would go into their waggons & not forgit to thank the Lord that they had the privelage of so doing & to pour out his spirit uppon them & the camp &c, but this had not been done, he spoke many other things that ware to the same import in fact thare was not a man present that did not feel the weight of his remarks, he sed that we ware pioneers to the whole Church of god called to a re Sponsible Station, that we knew not ware we ware agoing, or who was aleading us, & that we aught to be good men praying men & men of integrity he then called for a divission of the camp, the Twelve by them selves their number being 8 the high Priests by them selves[.] their number being 18[.] the Seventies by them selves their number being 7[.] the elders by them selves their number being 8[.] the members by them selves & one or 2 that did not be long to the church when thus arranged[.] he proceeded to ask the Quorum of Twelve if they would covenant to reform ceas[e] levity[,] prey diligent[,] Set good examples[,] cultivate peace & union[,] git the Spirit & try & keepi[,] set good examples & Serve God diligently &c which was unanimously consented to by the uplifted hand[.] the Same was required of the high Priests also the Seventies Elders & members, who seperately, unanimously consented to it he then sed to those that did not belong to the church was not at liberty to introduce eney thing to corrupt or disturb the peace of the camp or to trample on his rights or the rights of the priest hood, but if they wanted to with draw that they now had the privelage, but if they proceded with us they must conform to the rules of the camp & they Should be protectted, for sed [said] he this kingdom Shall reighn over meney Yea thousands that does not belong to the church but they must own that Jesus is the Christ for everry knee shall bow & everry tongue confess[.] and this is the meaning of that Scripture & nothing more, he then with drew to give place to those to speak that [they] wanted to[.] br Kimball arose & aquiesed in all that Prest Young had sed & added that it was a revelation to him & it would be to his breathering if they would take it so & he hoped that the breathering would proffit by what had been Said, Orson Pratt then arose & said that what had been said was good & that thare was a world of knowledge for us to obtain & it was better to imploy our leasure moments in ecquiring it, for said he[,] thare is a great meney books in the camp full of knowledge, & he reckamendded that we Should Spend our leasure moments in the perusal of them in stead of other amusement such as had been previously practised in the camp &c[.] Br [Wilford]Woodruff then made a few remarks 1st Stating that he owned the hand & kissed the rod & that he ment to reform[.] he then advised that those that had cards[,] to burn them[,] dice & chequers like wise[.] Colonel Markam then arose & confessed that he had done wrong that he had indulged in all kinds of amusements & that his mind had been darkened by so doing[.] he asked the forgiveness of his breathering & his God & seemed verry mutch affectted as all so meney of the breathering, Prest Young then returned & sed that he was willing to forgive him & that he knew that Br Markam would do right[.] he then asked god to bless us all & help us to keep our Covenants &c dismissed us & told us that to prepare to go ahead a peace & prepair for a meetting on the morrow[.] he then said that he wanted the bishops to conduct the meetting & advised that we have a fast meetting & prair meetting & protake [partake] of the sacrement while the Quorum of the Twelve went by themselves

we started on at 1 P.M. & traveled 8½ ms over a soft 2ond bottom nearly barron[,] passing between the bluff & the river which came near to gether[,] the latter turning to the South west[.] we went to the edge of this 2ond bottom & camped in a circle at ¼ past 5 P.M. near a crick which ran through a low bottom before us (that is Soouth)[.] quite a rain Storm while camping[.] this day makes me 27 years old on which I received quite a lesson, which I hope will result in mutch good & profit thare by

Sunday the 30th I arose at 12 A.M. and Stood guard until day light when the horn blue for prairs I then returned to my waggon and Called upon the Lord as usial, a dark & clowday day, the brethering ware called together at 7 A.M. for a prair [prayer] meeting, which was truly interesting[.] the brethering all that spoke Confessing & feeling a determanation to proffit by the reproof that was received yesturday, the meeting a journed at 11 A.M. & met again at 12 M when the Sacrament was adminestered and was dismissed at 20 m past 1 P.M. a drizeling rain in sued

Monday the 31st this is a plasant morning, but verry cold we got up our team & Started at ~~¼ to 8~~ a.m. & traveled 9½ ms over a nearly barron plain with the exceptions of the Prickelly Pairs which grew in grat a bundance[.] we halted ~~near an the~~ for dinner, and bated our teams on a low bottom between us & the river[.] dug a well, after a Suit able refreshment we started on & traveled over soft sandy second bottom in a N. W. course 7¼ ms & camped by a crick in 2 lines along its beach at a ¼ to 7 P.M. making 16¾ during the day, thare has been conciderable timber a long the river for the last 20 miles principly Cottonwoods, a fine deer killed to day by John Higby [Higbee] Several elk seen to day[.] bread Stuff Scarce with us, Short allowence, all things goes well peace & union in the camp, the feed is scarce owing to the poor Soft yellow Sanddy Soil whare we are
[text missing]

[June the 2ond]
We went in to the Fort[.] was kindly & genteelly receivd by Mister Bordeaux the maniger or master of the Fort[.] he ~~head~~ invited us in to a room upstairs which look verry mutch like a bar room of an eastern hotel[.] it was ornamented with several drawings Portraits &c a long desk a settee & some chairs constituted the principle furniture of the room[.] it wass neat & comfortable[.] Mr. Bordeaux, answered the meney questions that was asked him by us a bout the country the Natives &c[.] he sed the seasons ware ginerally dry that thare had been no rain for 2 years until within a fiew days[.] he Said that the s[i]oux would not disturb the emegrants but the crows ware verry annoissome[.] that they came & robed them of 25 horses about 10 days ago[.] they crept along under the bank of Larrieme [Laramie] fork until within 80 rods of the fort in the day time[,] then rushed out between the fort & the horses & drove them of in Spite of the guards, (for there ware 2 a herdding them at the time) and had them safe before one horse could reach the Spot from the fort[.] the remainder of their horses ware guarded by 4 men all the time and put in the Fort at night. they had just Sent off 600 packs of robes to fort Pier on the missouri river[,] the distance nearly 300 miles[.] they said that some traders ware thare yesturday that Said that 6 days drive ahead that the Snow midled deep 10 days ago & that it would be dificult to find feed for our teams[.] he Said that thare ware buffalo 2 days drive ahead & some grisseley Bairs [bears] that he expected Some oregon emegrants soon[.] he said that the next fort or trading post we came to was fort Bridgeer the other side the mountains and [blank space] miles from here[.] we went through the fort being conducted by Mr. Bordeaux & viewed its Con Struction[.] I took a Sketch of the fort allso the size which will be given here after[.] Larimie fork runs within 8 or 10 rods of[f] the South east corner[.] this part I understood had been recently named fort John, & is now known by that name[.] Larimie fork is a rappid stream 46 yds wide, Professor Pratt took the lattitude at fort John & found it to be 42 deg 12 m & 13 seconds, Mr Bourdeaux Sead that he had bought out fort Platt[e] some years ago, thare ware 38 men im ployed by the Americon furr company to manage the fort[.] 20 of them ware now absent on buissness for the company[.] we obtained a flat boat of Mr. Bordeaux to fery our teams acrost the Noth [North] fork for which we had to pay $15[.] we all got on board run her down the Larimie fork to the North fork distance about 3 miles then toed her up to the camp which was not more than 80 rods[.] we then prepaired the boat a little & fixid the landding places, we could see snow with the naked eye on Larimie peak from fort John upwards of 50 ms distancte S. W.

Thursday the 3rd the 1st division commenced ferrying[.] Capt [Thomas] grover managed the boat for the 1st division[,] Capt Higby [Higbee] the 2ond, A. Lyman, Roswell Stephens, [Thomas] Wolsey & John Tipits [Tippets] Started for Pueblo to de liver a message to the Soldiers & return to us again with the Soldiers, while we went on a piece & stoped to hunt until they came up[.] a Shower came up a bout noon[.] it was atended with thunder lightning & hail, it ob Structed the ferry a bout one hour, we all got a crosst but 17 waggons this evening, & camped on the oposite Shoar [shore.] Pueblo is 280 miles South of fort Johns[.] I saw whare the 2 of the S[i]oux men ~~ware~~ that ware dead ware deposited[.] they had Set 4 forks in to the ground a bout 7 feet high & placed poles acrost & made a scaffold on which the corps was deposited wrapped in a Skin a pillow under his head ornamented with beads &c

Friday the 4th the brethering finished ferrying a bout 8 P.M. I went with a yoke of oxen & helped to tow the ferry boat up to the fort & ~~paid~~ Col rockwood paid them for the use of it $15, 7 of it in cash[,] 1 peck potatoes for $1.00, 7 dollars was paid by Br. Crow for which the breathering ~~was~~ paid him in flour at 10 cts per lb, meal 6 cts per pound, we returned to the camp got up our teams & started about 12, M. O P Rockwell traded a horse to Mr Bordeaux for 2 cows & calves 1 heiffer 2 pair of mokesons & 2 lariets[.] John pack traded a lame horse for 3 robes, we traveled on 3 ms up the river in a N W course & halted to Bate about 1 hour & then moved on again about the Same direction 5¼ ms & camped for the night near the river in a circle[.] at [blank space] A.M. a hevey bluff on each side the river[.] Con Sider able [Considerable] pine timber on them[.] cottonwood nex the river[.] Br crow & company joined us at noon[.] he forms a company of ten in the 2ond division

Saturday the 5th I Stood guard from ½ past 12 until day light[.] we got up our teams & started at [blank space] P.M. & traveled 4 ms and then rose the bluff in a gradual windding pass & then down a steep ~~bluff~~ hill making ½ mile over, then a up a [illegible] of a stream that is now dry & from all appearance has long since ceased to pay its tribute to the north fork, we traveled up this stream 2 mi & halted for dinner oposite a large Spring after about 1 and a half we Started on again & traveled up to the head of this hollow & rose upon to a high ridge then down in to the bed of another like stream or place for one & traveled up it until we came so near the fountain that it had not lost its Self in the Sand & gravel & we found the grass verry good[.] we camped in a circle on the west side of this crick at a ¼ to 7 A.M. we have passed a verry rough road this day, while we ware halted at noon thare ware a company of Oregon emegrants passed us 10 waggons in number they are camped ½ mile back of us.

Sunday the 6th morning warm but appearance of rain, the order of the day is that we all fast until after the meetings[.] a prair [Prayer] meeting was held at the Sound of the horn a bout 9 oclock P.M. [A.M.][.] the breathering that Spoke all seemed to feel well & I believe that the whole camp feel as mutch of the Spirit of God as ever the Same number of men did under cimelar cir sumStances[.] all is peace & union[.] the meeting was dismissed at ½ past 10 P.M. [A.M.] & preaching to be at ½ past 11 P.M. [A.M.] which was opened only when a shower obstructed its proceedure,[.] a band of emegrants 19 waggons & 2 cariages passed us a bout noon who ware formally connected with those that passed us a bout noon who ware formalley connectted with those that passed us this morning that ware camped ½ a mile back of us last night consisting of 9 waggons[,] 1 cart & 1 carage, we got our dinners[,] hitched up our teams & Started at ½ past 2 A.M. [P.M.] for the purpose of going on a piece so that we can go to the horse Shoe crick [creek] to morrow which is upwards of 20 miles distant[,] the last 15 of which thare is no water, we traveled 5 ms up the crick that we ware camped on frequently crossing it[.] we passed the camp of the latter band of emegrants that passed us about ½ a mile & camped in an oblong circle between the crick & bluff the bottom here being about 8 rods wide[.] at ¼ to 5 A.M.[P.M.] ~~having traveled~~ thare is considerable cotton wood timber along the crick to day[,] some Scattering pines along the bluff on each Side[.] the grass is first rate (in this place 5 years ago a cording to Fremonts Journal was So dry that the grass was all dryed up & they ware obliged to cut the branches off the cotton woods to feed their mules with)[.] this crick is called Bitter crick[.] thare is an herb that grows here verry plentifully called Artimitia or wild Sage[.] br [Burr] frost is doing Some black Smithing for the emegrants from fort John[.] We have put up guide or mile boards once in 10 miles & in tend to the whole route, we are now 80 ms from fort John.

Monday the 7th a fine clear morning[.] the emegrants that ware camped Just back of us last night Started a little before we did we Started & traveled 7¾ ms[.] ~~1st passing one~~ we left the Bitter crick & struck off to the right bearing nearly a N west cous [course.] we had not traveled far when we came in to the dry bed of a once mighty Stream but it is now dry[.] not with Standing we have had considerable rain for a few days past[.] not onedrot [one drop] of water is to be seen[.] the Soft Sand Seems to have obsorbed it as fast as it fell[.] we frequently crossed this rivers bed and halted on one branch of it for dinner ¼ past 11 P.M. [A.M.] by a Small Spring but whether this Spring will indure through the dry Season or not is a matter of uncertainty[.] from here we can verry plainly Se the snow on Larimie Peak which is probably a bout 18 ms distant, Doctor Richards deposited a letter this morning, thare is a conciderable pine timber a long here[.] 13 waggons more of Oregon emegrants passed us here, after 1½ hours refreshment we started on a gain over a high hill then decending a gain to a cimelar valley as before & followed it down until we came to ~~the~~ horse shoe crick whare we found a plenty of good grass ½ leg high[.] (that is it is the best I have seen since we started) and a beautiful Spring which is called Hebers Spring[.] thare is a concidderable of acluster of timber Consisting of Cotton Wood Willow & box elder, we have made 5¼ miles this afternoon 13 ms during the day[.] Jest as we ware a campping thare came up a Smart Shower[.] 4 antilope killed.

Tuesday the 8th we traveled ~~over~~ on crossing the crick we ware camped on & then rising a hill more than ½ a mile long in which thare was 7 verry Steep pitches[.] while assending it we ware oblige to double teams[.] while up here the wind blows verry cool[.] we again decended through dry revines[.] the road is verry Stoney we halted for dinner having traveled 6¾ ms by a small crick whare the grass was tolerable good[.] after 1½ hours refreshment we started on again traveling over a rough broken country over high hills & through low valleys[.] Some 15 men are im ployed through ing [throwing] the Stone out of the road[.] we reached Labent [La Bonte] river about ½ past 5 A.M. [P.M.] we forded it & camped on the bottom in a circle making 8¾ ms ths after noon[,] 15½ during the day[.] Labent river is a Swift running Stream about 6 rods wide thinly skirted with cotton wood & boxelder[.] the latter with the willows Seem to hang their bending branches over the flowing Stream as if proud of their Statiion[.] we ware here visited by Some traders from fort Bridger who ware a goin to fort John from thare to fort Lookout on the Missouri river with 3 waggon loads of pottry from thare[.] I under Stood that one of them would go to Council bluffs by water[.] thare ware Some letters sent by them.

Wednesday the 9th the bugle Sounded at day light as usial when we proceeded according to private arrangement to git up our teams & Start on for the purpose of gitting better feed[.] we traveled 1 1/4 mile & halted ~~camped~~ & got our breakfast[.] this is the place whare those traders spoken of ware camped[.] they gave us the priveledge of a boat that they had on the North fork of the platte a bout 5 days drive a head to do our ferrying in[.] Several waggons ware sent a head sutch as could travel fast to git possession of the ferry boat if possible before those emegrants that are jest a head of us[.] all so to kill some buffalo for they Say they are plenty on the river[.] I wrote a letter to Elmeda but did not finish it in time to send it, after 1½ hours refreshment we Started on traveling over a rough broken country as before changing our direction everry few minutes to wind around some point or gutter to pass Some crick or confused mass of rocks which ley in fragments or to avoid Some Steep that is to rugged for our teams[.] at one time we ware a going N E when the point we want to make is S of W[.] we came to a valley Some 2 ms wide which was Some what picteresqe[.] along each Side thare ware a high range of hills[.] the Soil in the valley & on the Sides of the hills is a major part of it[,] a dark red when hier upon the sides of these hills & nearer the Summit it is white[.] in the center is a thin cirt of timber marking the path way of a rivulet of conciderable size[.] [illegible] twas at the crossing of this that 3 french men passed us with Several pack horses & mules going beyond the mountains from Pueble 18 days[.] they Sed they Saw our soldiers thare, Capt Brown had gone to Santafee [Santa Fe] & as soon as he returned they expected ether to be disbandid thare or to apart follow our trail & some return to the States[.] we continued to wind our way on for 10 ms & halted an hour for dinner at a Small crick & then moved on again 8 ms further following a crick a part of the time & camped at ¼ past 6 A.M. [P.M.] in a half circle at the edge of a grove of cotton woods that skirt the crick on which we are camped.

Thursday the 10th a fine morning[.] we got up our teams & started at ¼ past 7 & crosed the crick on which we ware camped & traveled 4¼ ms when we came to crick & crossed it[.] traveled on crossing another crick & then halted as we came to the 4th at ½ past 11 P.M. [A.M] for dinner 8¾ ms we got up our teams & Started over a cimelar broken country as before & traveled 4¼ ms when we came to North fork of the platte making 90½ ms from fort Laramie we traveled on up the bottom passing per haps one point of the bluff that came near the river we crossed Deer crick & camped on its banks in a circle a bout 6 P.M. making 9¾ ms[.] Deer crick is a bout 4 rods wide & nearly 3 feet deep & verry Swift & Stoney bottom, a bout a quarter of a mile up the Stream from the road on the east side thare is an extensive coal mine some 10 or 12 feet thick shoing its edge out of the bluff, thare is a conciderable of a cotton wood grove here[,] tall hand some trees[.] quite a quantity of fish ware caught with a hook in the crick[.] I caught 6 of a bout a half pounds weight each[.] the grass is good[.] it is a exelant camping place

Friday the 11th I Stood guard from ½ past 12 until daylight we got up our teams at a ¼ to 8 P.M. [A.M.] & traveled on up the bottom[.] no timber only now & then a few Scattering cotton woods in groops a long the river, at times changing our direction to wind around Some revine that Sat back from the river or some gutters that had been washed by the heavey rains in the Sanddy Soil which was but partially coverd by grass & wild Sage, we halted an hour & a half at Noon for dinner at a Small cotton wood grove having came 9¼ ms, we moved on a gain crossing Some 3 or 4 Small cricks the road tolerable good for 7¾ ms & camped in a circle at the upper end of a cotton wood grove that is nex the river[.] a Short distance a head thare is one of the Small companies of emegrants that past us a crossing the river in a skift that they brought with them, thare is a range off the black hills or mountans extending a long paralel with the river from 2 to 4 ms distant[,] the most part of which is thickly covered with evergreens mostly cedar and at this time is partially coverd with Snow which can bee distinctly seen from the camp[.] one of the emegrants that are camped jest a bove us brought a Snow ball to camp from thare[.] they killed Some 2 or 3 bair [bear] & a buffalo at the foot of the mountains Yesturday or to day[.] our camp have killed 7 antilope to day

Saturday the 12th I arose at the Sound of the horn[.] guarded the horses & cattle until we got ready to Start which was a bout 8 A.M. when we continued our journey[.] bendin to the South west crossed a Small crick a bout 3 ms & another 4¼ from our camping place & halted for dinner at [illegible] making 7¼ ms a bout 12 M. we got up our teams at a bout 2 p.m. and after confabulating for a helf hour a bout whether to cross the river here or to go a bout 4 ms a head whare our brethering that had gone to git possession of the ferry who as we under Stood by Br [Alexander Phillip] Chesley who came back & met us was buisayly engaged in ferreing 2 of the small bands of the Oregon emegrants ~~for~~ 25 waggons in all for which they received a bout 33 dollars in remuneration[.] they took the leading acrost in the Leather Skift & drawed the waggons through the river by means of a rope fastend to the end of the tonge & thus drawing them through they rec in payment flour at $2.50 per bhel[,] Bacon at 6 cts per lb &c we traveled 4 ms & camped in a ½ circle on the bank of the river ½ a mile east of the place whare they ware aferrying, our Hunters had killed 3 buffalo which was verry fat[,] a black Bair [bear] 2 or 3 cubs & Several antilope wears[.] here 124 ms from Fort John & 5—from Winter Quarters

Sunday the 13th
A verry pleasant morning[.] a meeting was held which was opened by Bishop Rownday [Shadrach Roundy.] several of the brethering spoke & praid[.] brother Kimball spoke as also Prest Young & the principle drft of their discourse was on the subject of obeying council. After the meeting was dismissed the officers of the camp ware called together & concluted on what method to per sue to cross the river & finelly concluded to Cross the goods in the lether boat, & try the experryment of lashing 4 waggons together with poes & then halling them through the water by means of a rope, Several teams was sent of to the mountains to git pine poles for that purpose while others built a raft to assist in gitting the loading over all So to assist in crossing the waggons if nessesserry, I stood guard until ½ past 12 M. Some Snow brought from the mountains & exibited in the camp

Monday the 14th commenced ferrying goods several waggons ware draws through the river but ware savierly ingered [severely injured] the bows ware broken &c, the currant being So Strong that the waggons would capsize in the middle of the Stream in Spite of us, some 2 or 3 rafts ware made & several waggons ferryed on them[.] we got my waggon a crost Jest at night. the Skift brought the loading in the evening I worked in the water nearly all day

Tuesday the 15th continued to fery on by Slowly the great disadvantage we had to labour under impeded our progress mutch[.] a larger raft was built[,] the other Smaller ones put together & a larger one made of them, & an Oregon company of 18 waggons commanded by Capt Smith came up[,] Judge Kimsey with him & imployd us to ferry them.

Wednesday the 16th continued our ferrying with some more dispatch a party of men ware sent of to make Some canoes for a ferry boat about 4 ms down the river, a company of ten waggons came up & we engaded to ferry them for $1.50 per waggon the men ~~same,~~ returnd in the evening with the canoos nearly done

Thursday the 17th we got our waggons all a crost about noon but 2[.] we crossed several of the emegrants waggons[.] a team was sent to the mountains for pine timber to make runways &c[.] a company of 9 men ware being Selected to Stay & run the ferry until the rest of our breathering [brethren] shall come up[.] that is the company that it on the way[.] the ferrying was kept up all night by our brethering

Friday the 18th Some more emegrants came up & imployd us to ferry them[.] I worked on the ferry boat & got her lanched about 1 A.M. & crosed a loaded waggon on it, it works well it is buil[t] of 2 dugouts 23 feet long & ties a crost they being placed 6 feet apart and run plank lengthwise. It was decided that I should be one that should Stay here to run the ferry until the next company Should come up[.] up to this date I have had the amount of 75 lbs of bread Stuff of Heber C Kimball consisting of flour meal & beans[,] 7½ lbs of which was beans 10½ lbs pork, a pair of half Soles[,] 5 lbs of Salt and a piece of Soat[.] the ferry run all the after noon with good success those that ware appointed to Stay with the ferry were called to gether by Prest Young[,] Namely Capt Thomas Grover[,] John Higbee[,] Appleton M. Harmon[,] Wm Empey[,] Luke Johnson[,] El[l]sworth[,] F[rancis] M[artin] Pumeroy[Pomeroy][,] James Devenport[Davenport][,] & Benjamin F. Stewart and receivd some verbal Instructions as all so any inStrument [instrument] of writing which confirmed the following in which was read to us & we Sanctoned or a greed to it.

North fork of the Platte river upper ferry June 18 1847[,] 125 miles west of fort Laramie or John

InStructions to Thomas grover John S. Higbee [,] Wm Empy[,] Appleton M. Harmon[,] Edmund Elsworth[,] Luke Johnson[,] Francis M. Pumeroy[,] James Devnport[Davenport][,] and Benjamin F Stewart[.] Breathering as you are about to stop at this place for a little Season for the purpose of Passing Emegrants over the river and assisting the Saints, we have thought fit to appoint Thomas grover Superintendant of the ferry and of your ~~fear~~ Company which if you aprove of, we want you to agree that you will follow his council implisitly and with out gain Saying, and we desire that you Should be agreed in all your operations acting in concrt[,] keeping to gether continually and not Scatter to hunt &c and at your leasure moments put you up a comfortable room that will afford your Selves & horses protection against the Indians Should a war party passe this way, but first of all See that your boats is propperly Secured by fastining raw hides over the tops of the canoos or some better process compleete the landings, and be careful of the lives & property of all you labor for remembering ~~you~~ that you are responsible for all accidents through your carelessness or negligence and that you retain not that which belongeth to the Travelor

For one waggon family &c you will charge $1.50 cts ~~[illegible]~~ payment in flour & provisions at State prices or $3.00 in cash but you had better take Young stock at a fair valuation in Stead of cash & a team if you shall want the same to remove

Should general Emegration cease before our breathering arive[,] Cash your effects & re turn to Laramie and wait their arrival, and come on with them to the place of locations, and we promis you that the Superintendant of the ferry Shall never lack wisdom or knowledge to devise & council you in righteousness and for your best good, if you will all ways bee agreed and in all humilety watch & pray with out ceasing

When our Emegration Companies arive if the river is not fordable ferry them and let them who are able pay a reasonable sum the council of their camp will decide who are able to pay.

Let a Strict a count becept [be kept] of every mans labor also of all waggons & teams ferried and of all receipts & ex penditures allowing each man acording to his labour and justice, and if eney one feels agreeved let him not murmer but be patient until you come up and let the council decide it, and the way not to bee agreeved is for every man to love his brother as him self

By order and in behalt of the council we remain your Brothering in Christ
Brigham Young

We the Subscribers whose names are inserted in the foregoing Instructions fully concur tharein and cheerfully agree that we will Implicitly follow the council ~~of the~~ there incontained and that of our Superintendant acording to the best of our abilety relying on our Heavenly Father continually for his assistance, in testimony whare of we have here un to set our hands at the time and place above Spesafied

Thomas, Grover
John. S. Higbee.
Wm. Empy
Appleton M. Harmon
Edmond, Elsworth
Luke, Johnson
Francis, M. Pumary [Pomeroy]
James Devenport
Benjamin F. Stewart

Saturday the 19th the camp ware making Prepperations to Start on their way[.] I got my affects together with 3 days provisions & went to work on the ferry boat[.] the camp Started a bout 9 A.M. we finished ferrying the emegrants that ware thare being 16 to day[.] brother Rockwood took the pay for them yesturday & the camp took it with them, we finished fering about noon & got our dinners with them[.] br Renx, br Debenport [Davenport] is buisely engaged black smith ing for them, A Young man got Drowned 5 ms below here by the name of Wesley Tuston aged 18 years while Swiming a horse[.] he was not found[.] we got our things together & prepaired for the night[.] thare ware 10 of us & we had 3 waggons[,] 3 horses[,] 1 mule, 3 hiefers & one bull that Stuart & glines traded for to day, & 5 dogs, up to the date our people have ferryed 78 waggons of our own & 64 for the oregon emegrants

Sunday the 20eth br [William Adam] Empy [Empey] & Stuart Started with 4 hor[s]es & a waggon after coal back to Deer crick 28 ms acompanied by F. M. Pumeroy & [Eric M.] glines who went to rekanorter [reconnoiter] the ferry below & see if it could be chartered for laramie post[.] they returned Jest at evening & reported that the boat was on the oposite Side the river & 3 men thare with a waggon apearently waiting for another company[.] Luke Johnson, Edmund Elsworth, went down on the north Side ~~in the~~ to make a more close examanation but returned about day light having found it well guarded & a faithful watch dog[.] during the day I made by the assisting of the brethering an ox frame[.] br Dabenport Shod 3 oxen & several horses for the emegrants, who have as yet remained here on a count of a woman being Sick

Monday the 21st I arose early & in company with John Higbee by the request of Capt grover went to down to the lower ferry hunting horses & to see how long those men ware to Stay thare, they Sed that they expected to Stay until acompany of 27 waggons Should bee crossed[,] that they expected they would git thare to night, we got our things together finished blacksmithing got a cow in payment[,] put our things most of them on to the boat Capt Grover my Self J. Higbee, F. M. Pumeroy & J Debenport, Shoved off with the ferry boat & leath er Skift leaving, Luke Johnson & Edmond Elsworth with the 2 waggons & things that remain thair while we floted down the river in quest of a ferrying ground below those above mentioned[.] we Stuck on 2 Sand bars but got of with but verry little dificulty[.] we halted a short time at their ferry[.] Capt grover asked them if they ware willing for us to fery at the Same place with them, and work in concert with them, but they Seemed to choose to run the risk a lone of gitting what they could So we moved on down the river a bout 2 ms & landed on the South Side the river in a grove of Scattering cotton woods close by the road whare the feed is good & ~~the~~ a good Cite for a ferry[.] after a few moments consultation we unanamously agreed that this ~~was~~ should be the Spot[.] we acordingly onloaded our things[.] br debenport put up his black Smith tools &c[.] Herick glines Started with the cattle to drive them down to whare we ware a going, but when we landed we found that he was a head of us, we Set up Some punchaon & bords that we had on the ~~skiff~~ boat to break the wind of from us & made our beds on the ground, we ware called together by capt Grover & returned thanks to the God of Jacob as & retierd to our lodging

Tuesday the 22nd we fixed our landing place made an ox frame &c[.] br Empy & Stuart returned about noon with a load of Stone Coal, they put up an advertisment at Deer crick as follows

Notice

To the ferry 28 ms the ferry good & safe maned by experienced men black Smithing horse & ox Shoing done all so a wheel right

Thomas, Grover,

Br Empy & Stuart went up after the 2 waggons that ware left above & returned Jest at evening with them[.] br Glines returned ~~with~~ having Stayd a bout 7 miles below with br Empy & Stuart, & concluded to go a head & overtake the brethering[.] he seemed to talk that he had done wrong in Staying here contrary to Council & if he Should go and over take the camp & make Confesion to Prest Young that he might ~~over~~ regain his confidence & Standing again

Wednesday the 23d by Glines Started with his mule for the camp[.] we set him acrost the river, Br Debenport Done Some black Smithing for Mr Hill that has remained 2 miles above us with the ferry above mentioned, 4 french men with pack horses arrived jeste at evening they ware a part of the Same that we met on Libent [La Bonte] river on the 8th, & 9th June they enformed us that the Soldiers from Peuble [Pueblo] ware at fort John & would be here in a few days, our Stone coal is not verry good, we burnt a pit

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Friday the 25th [text missing] ferried John Battice & 3 of his compa[ny [text missing] frenchmen & one Squaw they [text missing] horses with them[.] Capt Wm Vaughn & his Company arrived a bout noon & imployd us to ferry him & company not with Standing a man from the upper ferry met them Some 8 ms below here & proffered them the use of their boat grattis,~~A. Lyman~~ we ferryed 5 of their waggons & was obliged to Stop ~~until~~ on account of the winds bloing, Capt Hodge arived with 11 waggons we agreed to ferry them for 50cts a waggon thinking if ~~thay~~ we gave the uper ferry no chance of employment they would not remain long, a bout 5 oclock P. M. br Higby discovered the body of Wesley J. Tustin floting down the river that was drownd June the 19 2½ ms above here at Hills ferry[.] Capt Vaughn went with the boat picked up the corps, he was interd by Capt Vaughns Company near our fery[.] their was found in his posession a picket knife & a dollar and 60 cts in money which a Jentleman Said he would forward to his parents that ware a head

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