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

June 22 [Jennie]Sunday: Left camp late this morning come through the most awful country nothing in the valley butsagebrush the hills are white with alkaly took dinner on a hill had no water and very little grass come toAntilope Springs and camped at night grass good ........June 23 [Kate]Monday:We left Antelope Springs this morning traveled over a very hilly country and stopped after traveling tenmiles at Black Buttes Springs where we found very very good grass but poor water. We remained here theremainder of the day. ( ) ( ) ( ) about four O’clock and it is now very cold Jennie and Mothers chills werelighter today than usual. There is a heard of ( ) here tonight.June 23 [Jennie]It was late this morning when we left camp traveled ten miles over awfull roads stoped at Black Buttes fordinner grass being good staid there the remainder of the day an Idaho man is camping here has two hundredhead of ponies very cold had a light chill Papa was bitten by a tick made him sickJune 24 [Kate]Tuesday:Left Black Buttes and traveled eight miles to Iron Springs plenty water and right good grass From theretraveled sixteen miles to Mud Springs where we camped had plenty but poor water and good grass. Threewagons from the train which we left over took us today. Seen snow to day the first for some time. Had veryhilly roads this afternoonJune 24 [Jennie]It is still cold Papa was very sick all night I was allmost discouraged this morning but am feeling better thisevening had fearfull roads yraveled eight miles stoped for dinner at Iron Springs come fifteen this afternooncamped tonight at Mud Springs grass good water has been miserable yesterday and todayJune 25 [Kate]Wednesday:Left Iron Springs and traveled eight miles to a small stream where we stopped for dinner had plenty ofwater and good grass. After dinner traveled twelve miles to a Spring of good water less alkali that we havebeen having have splendid grass and plenty of wood without sage brush. Harry had a chill today.June 25 [Jennie]Left Mud Springs in good time this morning traveled eight miles and stoped for dinner near a cattle ranchhad lots of water and plenty of good grass traveled fifteen miles after dinner come up some very steep hillscamped in a canyon have nice clear water good grass and wood decided to go by Ogden had a pleasent chatwith Mrs. Smith