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Subject: Re: [CA-GOLDRUSH-L] Trail from Independence to CA
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 1999 14:10:33 EST
This is an account of my g.g. grandfather's overland trip to California. His
name was John Hoskins Carpenter, and he left WI and eventually settled in
Modesto, CA.
"Mr. Carpenter continued his business until gold fever seized him, and
settling up his business, by the 21st of March, 1850, he was ready to start
for that then far-off land. He left Council Bluffs (Iowa) on the 24th of May
and crossed the Missouri river nine miles below that point at a place called
Platt Ferry, which was one of the old style, the boat being drawn up the river
several hundred yards and then allowed to drift across guided by the use of
oars. In that way fourteen wagons and twenty-five men were landed and camped
close to the river that night, and on the morrow started on the way. On the
second day the company divided and three wagons of Mr. Carpenter's company
pursued their journey up the Platt River to Fort Kearney, and there met four
wagons of the old party waiting for them. They traveled together to Fort
Laramie, stopping there two days to rest and repair. Between that place and
Independence Rock they encountered a heavy snow-storm, which made it hard on
the animals and not pleasant for any of the party. At this place they
inscribed their names in the rock for others to read.
They traveled on without many incidents until arriving at Salt Lake, where
they remained four days. At Humbolt river there was no means of crossing, and
a wagon-box, corked tightly, answered for a ferry-boat in which all the
provisions were safely transported, while the animals swam over. At the Sink
of the Humbolt they stopped a while and made hay enough to last the animals
across the desert of forty miles. While camped here and old man of sixty or
seventy years, on a very poor horse, inquired for a chance to join the party,
as he was anxious to reach his son in Sacramento. In crossing the desert
waste they stopped three times and fed and watered their horses, and traveling
all night, reached Carson river for breakfast. Here two men applied for
provision as they had nothing to eat but plenty of money; none could be sold
but a breakfast was given them, for which they offered gold-dust in pay.
The party arrived in Sacramento July 23, 1850, completing the trip in ninety
days."
History of Stanislaus County, California 1881
Barbara, I hope this helps.
Jo-Ellen Parsons Litle
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