Told by the Pioneers - Washington Secretary of State

Told
by the Pioneers
of his into camp, asking Father if he would not let him travel with us
and help as a teamster and stand guard at night. He looked very
very tough, with his long hair, and dressed in buckskin clothing he
looked altogether more tough than the Indians. After consulting with
Mother, Father concluded to let him go with us. His name was "\Villiam
Stone and he proved a good man for our party. He had had years
of experience on the plains; had been out with Kit Carson and with
Fremont on his exploring trips; was one of the party to bring General
Fremont back from California when under arrest for insubordination,
Commodore Stockton claiming to be ranking officer of the military
contingent on the Pacific Coast when Mexico ceded California to the
United States. Stone could tell many interesting experiences of plains
life.
Chimney Rock, North Platte
Chimney Rock, North Platte, was a very interesting sight. The
towering spire, as it were, standing alone in the clear atmosphere, did
not look much larger than a large tree trunk above its base for hundreds
of feet. Laramie Peak was the first lofty, snow capped mountain,
looking so clear and distinct; a lone peak, miles away. I never got
tired looking at it. I forget how far away it ,,-as, but one would think
one could go across the country to it in a short time. Our scout said
it would take all day, hard riding, to get there.
Scotts Bluff was quite a sight for us. I do not know how it would
look after a trip through the Canadian Rockies; not so big as to a boy
from the flat shores of Lake ~1ichigan.
The clear dry atmosphere, bright starlight night and the dry roads
and generally comfortable camping places 'were great things for the
emigrant.
vVe camped one night not far from the Sweet Water lEver, a dry
camp among the grease wood and sage brush. In the morning a lone
traveler, leading a saddle pony, appeared in the road, coming from the
west. He came into camp and made himself known as a sort of express
rider, or volunteer mail carrier. He told Father of prominent men
and army.,
officers for whom he had carried letters out to the settlements
on the Missouri River and have them forwarded to their destinations.
He was part Indian, but spoke good English. Father wrote
a letter, addressed to his folks in England, and gave the man fifty
cents for forwarding same. Some of the teamsters predicted that was
the last of Father's fifty cents. After arriving in Oregon Father received
a reply to this letter.
Sweet lVater, TJ'yomi1lg - 1851
This man ach·ised us not to camp among the thick grease wood and
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