Monthly Archives: July 2011

“Friday, 30th. Traveled about 5 miles and encamped. Guess what took place; another family was created! Widow Gray, who was sister to Mrs. Kelsey, was married to a man who joined our Company at Fort Larimie. His right name I … Continue reading →

“Monday, 26th. Left Green river – moved off in a W. direction – distance 12 miles . . . . Land high, dry, and barren, except upon the streams, which afford grass in abundance; also black currants, which though not … Continue reading →

John Gray (sometimes spelled Grey) was hired by the Englishman W. G. Romaine as a guide for his summer tour of the American West. Gray was  half Scottish and half Iroquois, a St. Regis Mohawk, born around 1795 in upstate … Continue reading →

“Friday, 23rd. Went to Green river–distance 8 miles–spent the remainder of the day trading with the hunters. “Saturday, 24th. Remained at this encampment and continued our traffic with the hunters. Chiles sold his oxen, 2 yoke, and wagon, another also … Continue reading →

“Gray returned this evening having found Trapp’s company, which consisted of about 20 men. They had returned to meet our company, though on their way to hunt buffalo, and were now encamped on Green river about 8 miles distant. Gray … Continue reading →

“Left Sweet Water this morning, course SW. Crossed the divide which separates the water of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and after a travel of 20 miles reached Little Sandy, a branch of Green river – 1 buffalo was killed.” … Continue reading →

“Thursday, 15th. As many of the company had articles of traffic which they wished to dispose of at Green river, a subscription was raised to recompense any who would go and find the trappers. John Gray started in pursuit of … Continue reading →

“Saturday, 10th. Travelled about 14 miles and stopped to kill and dry meat. Buffalo began to grow scarce.” By this time on their journey the company had almost exhausted its supplies of flour and other foodstuffs. Bidwell had laid in … Continue reading →

“Monday, 5th. The hills continued to increase in height. After travelling 16 miles we encamped at a noted place called Independence Rock. This is a huge isolated rock covering an area, perhaps half a square mile, and rising in shape … Continue reading →