Journal entries from oregon trail travelers

The following are actual quotes from people traveling the Oregon or California Trails. They appear exactly how they were written. Education was not as common in those days and spelling was not standard, so some words may be misspelled or the grammar may be incorrect.

James W. Nesmith, 1843
Sunday, September 24 - Trailed ten miles over the roughest county I ever saw, Burnt River being hemmed in by hills on both sides. Encamped in the bottom.

Tuesday, September 26 - Trailed ten miles. Passed another fork of Burnt River, with an Indian village close by. Encamped at a place where the trail leaves Burnt River near the spring.

Esther Hanna, 1852
Wed. 18 (August) Came 19 miles over a rough, dusty road. Came to Powder River Valley. This is a delightful valley, fine grass and good water. Saw the Blue Mtns. in the distance covered with pine.

This evening we had a severe hail storm just before we came to our encampment it had been raining, in the mountains all evening and as we neared them we got our share in ice. It is so cold since that we are all shivering with our thick clothes on. Have nothing for fire but green willow branches.

John Wood, 1850
June 14, 1850: Today we met a large company, homeward bound. Some of our company purchased two milch cows from them. They say we never can get through, because there is no grass ahead, and the cholera is getting worse. Their wagons are crowded with sick men. Now our hearts began to fail us again and when we reflect that we have hardly made an introduction to our journey, the task becomes harder and we almost get weary of life.

July 11, 1850: From 8 oclock in the morning until 4 in the evening there is a strong wind, blowing every day. From the west; this blows the sand and dust in our eyes so bad that we are forced to wear a scarf over our eyes all day.

Mary Jane Smith, 1852
May 23rd: Today we had our first death, that of a small child from whooping cough. Bad Camp. Poor grass and no wood.

May 23rd: Today a division of opinion arose, some wanted to stay here, others to go on to a better place to camp so 6 wagons left including Hunt, Watkins, Craig, and Stroup who get out by themselves.

June 26th: This morning we overtook Mr. Hunt. He was by himself having been left by his company near Laramie. One of his children, Mr. Craig's wife, Mr. Watkins and a young man named Jones and a young man named Garrett had all died of Cholera. Garrett seems to have been traveling west with the Hunts.

Margaret A. Frink, 1850
Monday, July 8: It rained considerably during the night. Mr. Frink was on guard until two o’ clock, when he returned to camp bringing the startling news, that for some unknown cause, the horses had stampeded. We had no means of knowing whether it was the work of Indians or not, but it was useless to look for them in the darkness… (the animals were found the next morning) When we arose, we found the range of mountains covered in new-fallen snow. This is a beautiful valley, and when under settlement and cultivation, will be a delightful region… At half past ten we passed a village of Snake River Indians (Shoshone).

Abigail Jane Scott, 1852
July 17: We came twenty two miles, traveling all day in the Bear River valley. The valley and mountains are covered with grass and the summits of the latter are adorned with splendid groves of fir making the scenery beautiful. We passed a (small) stream every few miles. The water runs very swiftly and is perfectly clear and very cold with a pleasant taste. A horse ran away today causing a train ahead of us to stampede.

J.T. Kerns, 1852
July 18 Traveled up Thomas’ fork of the Bear river, twelve miles to the ford and encamped on the west bank. Country nice and streams full of fish. Some good farms might be made along here, as the valleys are rich and the mountains high enough to preserve an eveness of temperature and supply of sufficiency of timber.
July 19 This day drove 25 miles over a mountainous, picturesque country, possessed of rich valleys, beautiful springs, and streams abounding with fish. Timber is, however, scarce for to supply the demands of a farmer.

Medorem Crawford, 1842
May 16 Left camp at 1 o'clock E. drove 15 mi. and camped at 7 o'c. E. on the Sanafe rout, found water pleanty, wood & pasture scarce. In our company were 16 waggons & 105 persons including children & men over 18 years of age.

May 21 Mrs. Lancaster's only child a daughter 16 months old died 10 o'clock M the Doctor called the disease symptomatick fever accompanied with worms." After burying child we started and drove 6 miles.