Author Archives: nancyleek

“Wednesday, 11th. Having traveled about 6 miles this morning the Company came to a halt–the Oregon Company were now going to leave the Bear river for Ft. Hall . . .  Many who purposed in setting out to go immediately … Continue reading →

“Sunday, 8th. Started about noon and went ten miles; scenery of the country was grand.” For the last few days Bidwell’s entries had been of this type. The two companies (Bidwell’s and De Smet’s) were still traveling together, but not … Continue reading →

“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 →