Monthly Archives: October 2020

October 11, 1841 — Looking for a River

Posted on October 11, 2020 by nancyleek

Monday, 11th. Left the lake this morning, going to the mountains on a S.W. course. Today we left the trail of Capt. B. and having traveled 19 miles, arrived on a stream which flowed rapidly, and afforded more water than … Continue reading →

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October 10, 1841 — Honeydew, Anyone?

Posted on October 10, 2020 by nancyleek

[Sunday, 10th] Large numbers of Indians lived about this place, but few (50 or 60) visited our camp. Crossed Mary’s river — it was here running E. leading from the lake which we saw to the W. of us yesterday, … Continue reading →

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October 9, 1841 — Laborious Travel, Nauseous Water

Posted on October 9, 2020 by nancyleek

Saturday, 9th. Crossed Mary’s river where it led from the swamp into a lake beyond; our pilot led us south on the trail of Capt. B. Crossed a plain which is covered with water the greater part of the year … Continue reading →

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October 8, 1841 — Duck Season

Posted on October 8, 2020 by nancyleek

Friday, 8th. The swamp was clouded with wild geese, ducks &c, which rose from its surface at the report of our guns. We traveled about 6 miles and stopped to kill a couple of oxen that were unable to travel. … Continue reading →

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October 7, 1841 — The Departure of Capt. Bartleson

Posted on October 7, 2020 by nancyleek

Thursday, 7th. Capt. Bartleson, having got enough meat yesterday to last him a day or two, and supposing he would be able to reach the mountains of California in 2 or 3 days, rushed forward with his own mess, consisting … Continue reading →

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October 6, 1841 — “I Was Not in the Best Humor”

Posted on October 6, 2020 by nancyleek

Wednesday, 6th. Company was out of meat and remained till the oxen came up; several Indians came to camp, one of whom we hired to pilot us on. The company did not travel on the 6th. They had to wait … Continue reading →

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October 5, 1841 — Tired Men and Slow Oxen

Posted on October 5, 2020 by nancyleek

Tuesday, 5th. Today was very warm, and the oxen were not able to keep up with the horses. Traveled about 30 miles and stopped on the river about dark — grass plenty, willows — this going so fast was the … Continue reading →

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October 4, 1841 — Dry, Barren, Sandy

Posted on October 4, 2020 by nancyleek

Monday, 4th. Distance 25 miles S.W. Country dry, barren, sandy except on the river. If you have ever driven across Nevada, then you know you would not want to walk it. You can follow the California Trail in photos and … Continue reading →

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October 3, 1841 — Hard Traveling

Posted on October 3, 2020 by nancyleek

Sunday, 3rd. Traveled about 12 miles today, west. And Jimmy John says: 3rd. We traveled about 12 miles today, a southwest course over sandhills and plains of loose sand which made hard traveling. We camped on the bank of the … Continue reading →

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October 2, 1841 — Turning Westward

Posted on October 2, 2020 by nancyleek

Saturday, 2nd.  Having traveled about 5 miles, we all beheld with delight the course of the river change to S. W.  Here was excellent grass–it was 3 or 4 feet high, and stood thick like a meadow, it was a … Continue reading →

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