Category Archives: Bidwell-Bartleson Party

June 12, 1841 — Ash Hollow

Saturday, 12th. Left the S. fork, and after a march of 12 miles found ourselves on the N. fork. In the afternoon passed a small ash grove of about 23 trees — timber is so scarce that such a grove … Continue reading

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June 11, 1841 — The Fear of Indians

Friday 11th. The oxen had wandered about 1/2 mile from the camp this morning, when a man was sent to bring them in; he soon came running back in great haste, crying “the Indians are driving the oxen off!!” In … Continue reading

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June 9, 1841 — Fording the Platte

Wednesday, 9th. Spent the day in crossing the S. fork of Platte — a buffalo was killed from a herd that came within 300 yards of the camp. We crossed the river by fording, the water being sufficiently shallow — … Continue reading

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June 8, 1841 — Lament for the Buffalo

Tuesday, 8th. There were 8 or 10 buffalo killed today; but not one-tenth of the meat was used; the rest was left to waste upon the prairie. In the afternoon we passed the confluence of the N. & S. forks … Continue reading

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June 7, 1841

Monday, 7th. Three Indians continued with us. The wind blew very hard towards evening. 3 buffaloes were killed and part of their meat brought to the camp. The company is starting to see the buffalo (American bison) that roamed the … Continue reading

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June 6, 1841

Sunday, 6th. This morning was extremely cool for the season; 25 more of the same Indians came up with us. Only a few days before Bidwell wrote about the oppressive heat. Prairie weather was changeable. The same Cheyenne Indians who … Continue reading

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June 4, 1841 — “Cheyenne” Dawson

Friday, 4th. Half past six this morning saw us on the march. The valley of the [Platte] river was here about 4 miles wide. Antelope were seen in abundance. A young man (Dawson) was out hunting, when suddenly a band … Continue reading

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May 29, 1841

Saturday, 29th. We again started about sunrise and travelled not less than 2 miles. One antelope was killed — saw several elk. They haven’t yet come across herds of buffalo, but other game is plentiful and augments their diet of … Continue reading

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May 25, 1841

Passed the stream without much trouble and made a stretch of about 20 miles when we encamped on the border of a beautiful forest where we found plenty of grass and water. The country over which we passed was similar … Continue reading

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May 24, 1841

Monday, 24th. Travelled about 13 miles today over rolling prairies and arrived at the Big Vermillion, a branch of the Kanzas. Here we were obliged to stop, the water being so high as to render it impossible to cross the … Continue reading

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