Category Archives: Bidwell-Bartleson Party

Thursday, 16th. All hands were busy making pack saddles and getting ready to pack. While thus engaged an Indian, well advanced in years, came down out of the mountains to our camp. He told us by signs that the Great … Continue reading →

Wednesday, 15th. Started very early, day was exceedingly warm, passed through a gap in a ridge of mountains, came into a high dry plain, traveled some distance into it, saw the form of a high mountain through the smoky atmosphere … Continue reading →

Tuesday, 14th. Traveled about 25 miles and stopped about 9 o’clock at night, in the middle of a dry plain, destitute of water. They were able to get water during the day, but couldn’t find any at the end of … Continue reading →

Monday, 13th. Traveled about 15 miles south, between salt plains on the E. and high mts. on the W. It doesn’t look like much, but it’s water. According to the trail guide at scienceviews.com, the Bidwell-Bartleson Party was camped at … Continue reading →

Saturday 11th. Traveled about 15 miles and came to water, course W. They are close to the Utah-Nevada border, but at this time that isn’t even a line in the sand. The spring that they found is today called Owl … Continue reading →

Friday, 10th. Traveled about 15 miles and encamped without water. No grass for the animals either. This is not good. Since they had met up with their scouts Bartleson and Hopper the day before, they felt that they had no … Continue reading →

Thursday, 9th. The part of the Company that remained yesterday went on and overtook the 2 wagons. Capt. Bartleson & Hopper returned, bringing intelligence that they had found the head of Mary’s river — distant about 5 days’ travel. Distance … Continue reading →

Wednesday, 8th. Exceedingly cold; ice in our water buckets. Part of the Company remained on account of the cold — 2 wagons with owners being contrary, went on. James John says that six wagons remained at the camp and two … Continue reading →

Tuesday, 7th. Traveled about 7 miles; antelope appeared to be plenty. James John has a little more to say about this day: On the 7th we traveled 6 miles and encamped at the foot of a mountain near a small … Continue reading →