Index

Adobe buildings: 85

Agriculture and crops: see livestock, wheat Ajax (steamer): 130

Alexandria (MO): 206, 234, 236, 238

Alkali: 23, 28–29, 68, 106, 137, 140, 165

Allen, Nathan W.: 146, 156–57

Allred, Isaac: 208

American Falls (of Snake R.): 86, 118

Andrews, John and Mary: 184–85

Antelope: 23, 31, 60–62, 74, 109, 166, 264, 268; meat of, 63, 135

Ash Hollow (NE): 105

 

Baker, Benjamin: 205

Baker, Charles West: 204–05, 207

Baker, Elizabeth Ann: 273

Baker, Henry Walter and Eliza Ann: 204, 212–13, 244, 257, 270

Baker, Jean Rio: portrait, fronds.; buys wagons, oxen, provisions, 205; children, 204–05; diary of, 203–81; death, 207; re-marries, 207; son dies at sea, 216

Baker, John Edye: 204, 207, 214

Baker, William George: 204, 278, 281

Balm of Gilead trees: 176; see also cottonwood

Bancroft Library: 17, 99

Baptists: 133, 139, 146

Barnett, James Henry: 196–97, 199

Barrel Creek (ID): 120–21

Bateman, Thomas and Joseph: 208, 217, 261

Bear River (UT/ID): 36, 44, 83, 115, 138

Bear River Mts. (ID/UT): 36

Beaver Dam Creek (ID): 118

Bemhisel, John Milton: 208, 268

Berries and nuts: 41–42; see also chokecherries, currants, strawberries Bigelow, Lucia: 128

Binford, Thomas: 129

Binford & Mort: 129, 149

Birch Creek (OR): 122

Birds: black, 79; whippoorwill, 258

Black Hills (WY): 26, 73, 108, 136, 165

Blacks Fork River (WY): 34

Blacksmithing: 108

Blaine, Kate: 162

Blue Mts. (OR): 92, 123, 144

Boats: on Columbia R., 94

Boiling springs: see hot springs

Boise River (ID): 121, 176

Booth, William: 208, 217, 220–21

Boss, Willis and Dorothy: 208

Bowers, Joe: 55

Bowman, Joshua and Emetine: 190

Boxelder Creek (WY): 44

Brewster, Sue: 19, 23, 34, 38, 41

Bridger, Jim: squaw wives, 35

Bridges: 21, 83, 115, 117, 134, 138, 251, 255–57, 274

Brouillet, Fr. J.B.A.: 93n

Brown, James: 190

Brown, Capt. John: 208, 259, 271

Brown, John and Elizabeth: 190, 199

Brown’s Creek (UT): 38, 274

Buckingham, Harriet Talcott: portrait, frontis.; children, 17; death, 16; diary of, 15–52; with Lockhart party, 151; marries S.A. Clarke, 16; sick, 35

Buffalo (Bison): 66, 69, 166, 262; hunting of, 63, 65; meat of, 109, 191, 262–63; smoked meat, 65, 135

Buffalo chips: 24, 66, 136

Buffalo Creek (NE): 63

Burnt River (OR): 48, 92, 143

Bush, Asahel: 181

Bush-Zieber Archives (Salem, OR): 179

Butter Creek (OR): 125

 

Cache Creek (ID): 118

Cactus: 24, 64, 70

California: emigrants in, 163; overland parties to, 282; road to, 82

Campbell, Elizabeth: grave of, 78

Canoes, Indian: 50, 93, 121

Cañon Creek (UT): 38, 275–76

Carriages: 18–19, 60

Carter, William Davis: 52n

Cascade Mts. (OR/WA): 95–96, 145

Cassia Creek (ID): 86

Castle Rocks (NE): 22–23

Catholic church: 51, 93

Cattle: 65, 99; die, 32, 47, 76, 110, 118, 137, 140, 175; drovers, 19; feed for, passim; lame, 29–30; milk cows, 140, 165, 172, 258; stampede, 171–72, 195, 263; stray off, 23, 27, 135; traded, 35

Cayuse Indians: 144

Cedar Bluffs (NE): 66

Cedar trees and wood: 67

Chandler, Rev. George C.: 146n

Chariton River (IA/MO): 250

Charlottes Creek (ID): 121

Chatterly, John: 209, 259

Chenoweth, Francis A.: 51

Cherries: 37, 265

Cheyenne Indians: 23, 106, 136, 269

Chickens: 19, 47; see also sagehens

Childbirth: 213, 222, 265–66, 273

Chimney Rock (NE): 23–24, 69, 107, 136, 194, 264

Chokecherries: 25

Cholera: 10, 90n

Christian church: 142, 144

Clark Fork (of Yellowstone R.): 86

Clarke, Samuel A.: 16; biography, 17; wife, 151

Clift, Margaret: 203–04n

Clifton, Ezekiel: grave, 64

Coal: 26, 267

Cobble Hills (NE): 68

Cold Spring (ID): 138

Cole, Dr. James C.: 54–55, 89

Columbia (steamship): 52

Columbia River: 92–95, 126

Concordia (river steamer): 205, 228

Condit, Sylvanus: 33, 37

Congregational Church: 130–31

Cooke, Charles P.: 19n, 34, 37

Cooke, Edwin N. and Eliza: 19, 23, 26, 39, 48, 156–57

Cooke, Israel: 34

Cooking: see stoves

Coolidge, Ai and Sarah: 111

Coos Bay (OR): 129

Cordon, Alfred and Emma: 209

Com: for feed, 63

Corvallis (OR): Library, 56

Cottonwood Creek (WY): 108

Cottonwood trees: 26–27, 39, 62, 71; see also Balm of Gilead

Council Bluffs (IA): 18, 151, 206

Court House Rock (NE): 69

Cranston, Ephraim and Rosanna: 99, 115

Cranston, Susan Amelia: death, children, 98; journal of, 97–126; marries

Cranston, 97

Cranston, Warren: 22

Crickets: 47, 84

Crooked Run (WY): 111

Crow Indians: 72

Currants: 41, 82–83, 85, 265

 

Dalles: see The Dalles

Davenport, Dr. Benjamin: 111

Deaths on trails: 122, 131–32, 143, 175, 247, 261, 263, 266

Deer: 31, 64–65, 104, 166

Deer Creek (WY): 109

Denny, John: and family, 87

Derrick, Zacharias and Mary: 209, 212, 214, 222, 243, 270, 273

Des Moines River: 185, 239

Deschutes River (OR): 50, 94, 126

Devil’s Gate (WY): 29, 77–78, 111, 136, 167, 199, 200

Diaries and journals: sources of, 56, 99, 127–28, 161, 181, 203, 282n

Dick: Nez Perce half-breed, 140–41

Diseases: 122, 132; see also cholera, scarlet fever

Doctors: 39

Dogs: 155, 171–72, 174, 195, 264

Drownings: 94, 235

Drury, Clifford M.: 93

Dryer, Thomas J.: 52

Ducks: 280

Duckweed Creek (NE): 66

Duni way, David C.: 161, 178

Dunn, Crandall: 209

Dyer, Sarah A.: 17

 

Echo Creek (UT): 37

“Elephant, seeing the”: 72

Elkhorn River (NE): 59, 190, 259

Emigrants: 9–10, 100; hardships, advantages, 172–73; returning parties, 31, 80, 86

England: 204, 208–11, 255–56

 

Feed for livestock: see com, grass

Felker, Helen Stratton: 128, 130

Fellows, Edwin B.: 131

Ferries: 185, 191; on Columbia R., 126; fees, 82, 110, 114; on Green R., 33, 81, 114; on Mary’s R., 82, 110, 114; on Missouri R., 57, 259; on Platte R., 110; on Snake R., 120

Financier (steamboat): 234

Fireflies: 249

Fish: in trail streams, 36–38, 82, 114, 260, 268; see also salmon

Flathead Indians: 81

Flowers: 22, 24–25, 30–32, 38, 61, 67, 70, 74–75, 136, 201, 248, 254

Fontenelles Fork (WY): 114, 132

Food: Indians supply, 144; see also potatoes, provisions

Fort Boise (ID): 91, 143, 176

Fort Bridger (WY): 35, 273

Fort Hall (ID): 48, 85, 139, 170

Fort Kearney (new, NE, on Platte R.): 63, 103, 262

Fort Laramie (WY): 24–25, 72, 108, 132–33, 135, 165, 195, 197

Fort Loring (ID): 85

Foster, Philip: 96

Frenchmen: 35, 85, 106

Fuel for fires: weeds used, 100; see also buffalo chips, sagebrush, wood

Fur trade: 85

 

Game, wild: see buffalo, deer, grouse, pheasant, prairie chicken, sagehens

Genealogical Forum (Portland, OR): 99

George W. Bourne (sailing ship): 204–05, 212

Gibson, Elder William: 209, 214, 219

Gold: lumps of, 38, 40; rush for slackens, 10; washers for, 144

Goose Creek (ID/UT): 118

Gooseberries: 251, 255

Grand Island (NE): 63, 103

Grande Ronde River and Valley (OR): 49, 92, 123, 177

Grass: passim; buffalo grass, 65; in plenty, 47, 87, 177; scarcity on trails, 23, 31, 63, 172

Grasshoppers: 169, 263

Graves: on trails, 61–65, 68, 76, 78, 80, 100–17, 132, 264

Greaswood: 30, 77

Greaswood Creek (WY): 77, 111

Green River (WY): 33–34, 81, 114, 131, 137, 271

Grouse: 93

Guidebooks: 177–78

 

Hadley, Amelia: children, 55; death, 56; journal of, 53–96; marries S.B. Hadley, 53; sick, 54, 90–92

Hadley, Melville: 53; recovery, 89–92; shot by Indian, 89

Hadley, Samuel B.: 53, 56

Hagloch, Jennifer: 181

Hail storms: 22, 24, 60–62, 71, 101, 104

Hammond, Charles: 196

Hams Fork River (WY): 83, 115

Hawaiians: 95

Hawk, Margaret: grave, 68

Hawkes, Joshua and Hanna: 209, 254, 264

Hayes, Melvina F.: 55

Hill, William Grandison: 55–56

Horned toads: 29, 64, 167

Horse Creek: 108

Horses: passim; Appaloosa, 49; die, 81; emigrant use, 54, 69, 99, 190; of Indians, 49; Indians steal, 47–48, 139, 143, 175; of Mexicans, 84; stockman Hadley, 55

Horseshoe Creek (WY): 109

Hot springs: 44, 88, 91, 120, 122, 142

Howard, “Brother” and wife: of St. Louis, 231–32

Hyde, Orson: 209, 262

 

Ice Springs (WY): 31, 79, 112

Illinois: 53, 134, 161, 179–80

Illnesses: see cholera, diseases, mountain fever, scarlet fever

Independence Rock (WY): 28–29, 77, 111, 137, 167, 199

Indians: 86, 170–71, 174–75; eat crickets, 84; expect gifts, 20; fear of, 89, 175; friendly, 101, 132; furnish food, 124; graves, 21, 33, 43, 51, 59, 75, 166, 259; horses of, see horses; kill emigrants, 45; removal of, 18; salmon fishing, 50, 92; shoot emigrants, 89, 119, 143; skulls of, 18; steal livestock, 45, 60, 87–88, 143, 260, 269; see also squaw wives; tribal names

Injuries: 174, 249–50, 264; broken bones, 268; gunshot, 54; see also deaths

Iowa: 133, 183–89, 204, 206, 244–58

 

Jackrabbits: see rabbits John Day River (OR): 94, 125, 145

Johnson, Rev. Neill: 145

Jones, Capt. Dan: 210, 254

July Fourth: recognized, 36, 84, 138, 166, 195

 

Kanesville (IA): 57, 140, 189, 206, 255, 258

Kaysville (UT): 208

Keeler: emigrant, 32–33

Kellogg, A.: grave, 61

Kempton (or Kemton), Sister: 210, 261

Kern, J. W. and Ann: 183, 185

Kinney, Rev. Robert Crouch: 133n, 145

Knight, Plutarch Stewart: 131

 

Laramie Peak (WY): 25, 108, 136

Laramie River (WY): 108

Laundering: 104, 192; passim

Laurel Hill (OR): 147

Lebanon (Marion Co., OR): 98

Lewis River (ID): see Snake R.

Lime: kilns, 108

Linfield College: 146

Linn City (OR): 200

Liquor and temperance: 56

Livestock: 18, 43; see also cattle, mules, oxen, sheep

Lizards: 263

Lockhart, Esther M. (Mrs. Freeman): 129, 133; her journey account, 149–59

Lockhart, Freeman Goodwin: 133, 139

Lockley, Fred: 55

Locusts: 75

Log buildings: 57

Lone Cedar Tree (NE): 135

Los Gatos (CA): 207

Loup Fork River (NE): 59–60

 

McAlexander, Andrew and Violinder: 101 McCabbe, Miss J. M.: 164 Mail: carriers, 33, 72, 84, 86, 102, 133

Maine: 53

Malheur River (OR): 91, 121

Margetts, Thomas and Alice: 210, 215, 249, 253, 268, 271

Marsh, Susan Amelia: 97

Marvin, Albert M.: 31n, 34

Maryland: 180

Merrick, Maria Susanna: 211

Mervin, Kate: 30n, 38

Methodists: 51, 55–56, 146n, 162–63

Mexicans: 84

Midwives: 161

Mileages: 71, 81, 91–92

Military: at forts, 72; trail guards, 87

Mills: saw, 72

Milwaukie (OR): 128, 147

Mining: see coal, gold

Minor, John: 197

Mississippi River: 237

Missouri: 230–36

Missouri River: 206; crossing of, 18, 57, 99

Moccasins: 71

Monmouth (OR): history of college at, 142

Mormons: in Baker party, 208–11; as diarists, 34, 39, 157, 203, 205; emigrant numbers, 9; at Green R., 138; in Salt Lake Valley, 40; Winter Quarters, 58; see also polygamy

Morse, Rev. William B.: 161–63

Mosquitoes: 38, 251, 253, 256, 259

Mount Hood (OR): 93, 145

Mount Pisgah (IA): 252, 256

Mountain fever: 33, 90–91

Mountain sheep: 29, 79

Muddy Fork River (WY): 35–36, 273

Mules: 18, 140

Mushrooms: 61

Mustard, wild: 30

 

Nauvoo (IL): 281

Nettle Creek (WY): 82

New Orleans (LA): 204–05, 223–27

Newsom, David and Mary: 177

Nez Perce Indians: 49, 141

Nishnabotna River (IA): 256

Noland, Joshua: 185

Noland Creek (ID): 44

Norton, John and Doriatha: 210; daughter’s leg broken, 268

 

Oatmeal: 212

Oats: wild, 37

Ogden (UT): 207, 280–81; fort, 43

Ohio: 19n, 53, 97–98, 128, 133, 150

Olney, Cyrus and Sarah: 133, 135, 156

Omaha Indians: 20, 57, 134

Oregon: land claims, 10; newspapers of, 180–81; overland parties to, 15, 53, 96, 127, 161, 179

Oregon City (OR): 95, 148, 199

Oregon Historical Society: 16, 161

Oregon State Library: 128; Archives, 163

Oregonian: newspaper, 52

Organization of emigrant parties: 100

Outfit for journeys: 18

Overlanders: speed to OR, 54

Owyhee River (OR): 91

Oxen: 99, 103; abandoned, 115; death of, 69, 167, 262, 265, 268, 272–73, 275; price of, 239, 262, 265; for sale, 114

 

Pacific Creek (WY): 32, 270

Pacific Spring (WY): 32, 80, 113, 137, 168

Palmer, Luna: 190–92, 194, 196–98

Patton, Thomas McFadden: 19, 21, 23, 34

Pawnee Indians: 61, 70, 134, 260

Peaches: 96, 251

Pearce, Edward: 207, 261

Pearce, Mrs. Joseph: 210, 259

Pennsylvania: 179–80

Peoria (IL): newspaper, 161, 165; mentioned, 179

Perkins, John N. and Deressa: 176, 194, 196

Pheasants: 176

Phelps, Morris: 210, 263

Platte River (NE/WY): 21–28, 59–70, 102–05, 136, 154–55, 167, 198, 259, 265–66; valley of, 102; North, 71–77, 105–11; South Fork, 105

Plum Creek (NE): 103

Plum Creek (WY): 260

Polygamy: 44

Port Gamble (WA): 162

Port Townsend (WA): 162

Portland (OR): 51, 54, 56, 96, 148

Portneuf River (ID): 85, 117

Potatoes: 124

Potawatami Indians: 58

Powder River (OR): 48, 92, 122–23, 143

Powell, John A. and Savilla: and OR family, 142n

Prairie chickens: 93

Prairie Creek (NE): 61

Prairie dogs: 62, 135

Prairie schooners: see wagons

Pratt, Orson: 210, 262

Presbyterian Church: 145

Prices: of provisions, 170; in OR, 147–48

Prospect Hill (WY): 77

Provisions for the trail: Indians furnish, 124; scarcity of, 270–72; see also potatoes, prices

 

Quicksand: 154

 

Rabbits and jackrabbits: 135, 261

Rain: passim’, 21, 60–61, 99, 102, 246, 265

Rattlesnake Creek (NE): 66

Rattlesnakes: 68, 90

Raw Hide Creek (WY): 24

Recreation: on trails, 59, 153, 192

Red Buttes (WY): 167

Rexford, Rev. John: 139–40

Richards, John and Agnes: 210–11

Richings, Nancy: 203

Richmond, Rev. W.: 51

Rivers and creeks: crossing of, 21, 36, 47, 50, 59–60, 82, 137, 253–54; see also bridges, ferries, river names

Roads: to CA, 116; dusty, 170; in MO, 240–42; muddy, 95–96, 190, 246; rocky, 25, 48, 113, 123; rough, 87–88; sandy, 57, 65, 67, 112; in UT mountains, 275–76

Robins, Alexander and Ann: 211, 259, 261, 264, 268, 270, 272

Rock Avenue (WY):76, 198

Rock Creek (ID): 119, 143

Rose, Aaron: 54, 87

Roseburg (OR): 54

 

Sacramento (CA): 164

Sagebrush: 25, 30, 74–75, 110, 137, 167

Sagehens: 74

St. Joseph (MO): 97

St. Louis (MO): 205; city, churches described, 230–34

Salem (OR): 129–30, 180–81

Saleratus: 77, 111, 137, 142

Salmon: 47, 50, 88, 92–93, 139, 142–43, 174

Salmon Fall Creek (ID): 119

Salmon Falls (ID): 120, 174

Salmon Trout River (WY): 82

Salt Creek (KS): 100

Salt Lake City: 39, 157, 207, 277–81; Valley of, 40

San Francisco (CA): 207

San Pedro (UT): 40

Sand flies: 69

Sanders, John Simpson: 146

Sandy River: Big, 81, 113, 137, 270; Little, 33, 80, 113; in OR, 96; in WY, 157

Sawmills: 72

Scalps: of Indians, 136, 144

Scarlet fever: 132

Scorpions: 64

Scotts Bluff (NE): 24, 70, 107, 136

Seattle (WA): 163

Selover, Laura: 133, 151

Sengstacken, Agnes Ruth: 129, 149

Sharkey, Robert and Emma: 211, 265

Sheep: 267

Shell Creek (NE): 59, 134

Shinn, W. T.: 79

Shoshone Indians: 47, 266, 269

Sioux Indians: 24–25, 67, 70, 135, 195, 265

Siskiyou County (CA): 55

Siverton (OR): 98

Skunk Creek (NE): 192

Slavery: in MO, 243; in New Orleans, 223, 227

Slew springs (WY): 110

Slough, Jacob: 184–85, 190–91, 193

Smith, Hiram and Mary: 19, 31–32, 39, 134, 151, 156–57; Hannah, 16; Mary sick, 33

Snake Indians: 81–82, 138–39, 141, 169, 272

Snake (or Lewis) River (ID/OR): 47, 85–92, 118–20, 139, 142; crossing of, 74

Snakes: 32, 263; see also rattlesnakes

Snow: 185

Soda Springs (ID): 83–84, 116, 138

South Pass (WY): 32, 80, 137

Spring Creek (NE): 24, 70, 195

Springs: frequency, 173–74; see also hot springs

Squaw wives: 35, 81, 85, 272

Steamboat Springs (ID): 84, 116, 139

Steamboats: 50, 52, 204, 206, 228–30, 234

Stearns, Mr.: 1851 train captain, 196, 198–99

Stoves: 19, 27, 184

Stratton, Milton A.: 130

Strawberries: 82–83

Strawberry Creek (WY): 80

Sturgeon Creek (ID): 91

Sublette’s Cutoff: 81

Sulphur Lake (UT): 279

Sulphur Springs (OR): 91, 122, 125

Sunbonnets: 135, 153–54, 226

Sunday observance: 55, 62, 156–57, 183, 191, 193, 196, 262, 267, 271

Surveying: 97

Sweetwater River (WY): 28–31, 77–80, 111–13, 136–37, 167, 199, 267–68;

Strawberry branch, 113

 

Tar springs (WY): 36

Tents: 19, 39

Tetah Lake (NE): 63

The Dalles (OR): 50, 94

Thomas, Gideaon: 183

Thomas, Hayward: 211, 266

Thomas Fork (Bear R.): 83, 115, 138

Thorn, William: 211; wife, 221

Threshing: x, 161–62

Thunder, lightning: 21, 60, 62, 248–49, 251, 255, 261

Timber: in OR, 95, 144, 177; on plains, 59; in Sierra (CA), 202–03, 293; in WY, 25, 271

Tout, John: 271

Trading posts: 108

Tualatin: road to, 51

 

Umatilla River (OR): 92, 124, 144

Umpqua Valley: 54

Utah: overland parties in, 204

Ute Indians: 42–43

 

Vincent, R.: 196

 

Wagons: abandoned, 27, 73, 85, 167, 265, 276; drivers, 19, 184, 270; numbers of, 18, 58, 99, 132, 255, 259–62; price of, 148; repairs on, 65, 196, 241, 249, 251, 275; upset, 122, 135; wheels locked, 38, 49, 96; see also carriages

Waldo Hills (OR): 98

Walla Walla Indians: 93, 178

Wallace, George B. and Hanna: 211, 267, 277

Warm Spring (ID): 91

Water: passim; alum treatment, 59, 63; poor quality, 59; scarcity on trails, 76, 101, 108

Waterman, John O.: 52n

Watt, George D. and Elizabeth: 211

Weather: cold, 79–82, 113, 137, 145, 187; flood, 155; see also hail, rain, snow, thunder, winds

Weber River (UT): 37, 40–41

Webster, George: 189, 193

Weeping Water Creek (NE): 100

Well Springs (OR): 126

Wheat: 37, 40; wild, 85

Whidby Island (WA): 162

Whitaker, George and Sarah: 211, 263

Whitaker, Isaac and Betsy: 211

Whitman Massacre: 93, 178

Wilhelm, George: 196–97, 199

Willamette River (OR): 200; transport on, 148

Willamette Univ.: Law School, 129

Williams, Elijah: 128, 133, 139, 141, 156

Williams, Joseph: 134, 138, 143

Williams, Lucia Loraine: portrait, frontis.; birth, marriage, 128; children, 128–29; letter of, 127–48; son John dies, 131–32, 149, 158

Willis, John: 211, 259

Willow Creek: in OR, 93, 125; in WY, 28, 31, 80

Willow Spring (WY): 76, 110

Wind River Mts. (WY): 30, 112, 176

Winds: 135, 165–66, 269; see also weather

Winter Quarters (NE): 58, 191

Wolves and coyotes: 60, 76, 80, 252, 269

Women: a cook in CA, 282–83; packer returns, 80; ratio to men emigrants, 9–10; white, 81; see also squaw wives

Wood, Elizabeth: children, 162–63; death, 164; journal of, 161–78; marries Rev. Morse, 162

Wood: lack of, 24, 61, 65, 101, 103, 184, 236, 246; pitch pine, 71; see also cedar, fuel, greasewood, sagebrush

Wood River (NE): 261

Woodward, Luther L. and Elizabeth: 146n

 

Zieber, Albert: 179, 200

Zieber, Eugenia: portrait, frontis.; children, 181; death, 181; family of, 179; journal of, 179–201; marriage to Bush, 181

Zieber, John S. and Eliza S.: 179–80