Kate and Jennie Smith Diaries of 1879: Overland ... - Oregon Pioneers

June 17 [Kate]Tuesday: Left Fort Halleck early and traveled fifteen miles to Pass Creek where we remained the remainderof the day. Jennie and mother both had a chill and I had all the work to do. Oh how discouraging it is tohave them all sick. There is snow that dont look as though it far from here but it is called twenty miles fromhere. The Mo. train overtook us today and are camping near.June 17 [Jennie]Tuesday. Left camp early and traveled fifteen miles remained there the rest of the day I took a chill aboutnoon and chilled all afternoon camped on pass Creek but I dont know what the camping place looked likeMother had a chill at the same timeJune 18 [Kate]Wednesday: Left Pass Creek quite early and traveled eighteen miles to the North Platte River we there tookdinner on the East bank. After dinner crossed the river had a very good ford the water ran in our wagon bedsome but had no trouble in crossing from there we traveled about fifteen miles and camped we arrive here atabout seven O’clock without water or grass the stock in very much need of both have traveled through alkalidust all after noon and have to pitch our tent right on it without one bit of grass to cover itJune 18 [Jennie]Wednesday. Left Pass Creek early and traveled eighteen miles to the North Platte River took dinner on theeast side of the river about fifty wagons in all crossed after dinner water ran into the waggon but no harmdone traveled about fifteen miles after dinner got to camp at dark had no grass water but white with alkalyWasnt fit to use feeling weakJune 19 [Kate]Thursday: Left camp about seven O’clock and traveled about six miles to Pine Grove where we had plentywater wood and grass some alkali in the water but not enough to hurt the stock. Mother Jennie and Harry allhad a chill today and left me mistress again. We have camped in a very pretty place snow not very fardistant and there is five hundred Indians about four miles from here but they are harmless and are heard butlittle. The Mo. train have camped on the same camping ground with us.June 19 [Jennie]Thursday. Left our bed of alkaly dust early traveled about six miles and stoped at Pine Grove near a ranch Isa very pretty place and have lots of wood and water grass Harry Mother and myself chilled today did notchill so hard to day but had fever all afternoon five hundred Indians 4 miles [from] us