Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 25.djvu/163

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Journal of a Trip Across the Plains, 1851
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follows a ridge towards Laramie's peak. We traveled the ridge 15 miles and struck the Mormon trails, then followed the road about five miles over very rough road, down to LeBonty creek [LeBonte], a beautiful stream.

June 11.—This morning our course was northeast for about six miles to Marble creek, a small creek. Here is a great abundance of beautiful white marble. The hills around here are very red. For the next five miles the road was very rough. Along here we find a strata of good grindstone grit. We traveled 20 miles today and camped on Mike's Head creek. This evening a man in our company killed two buffalo, which furnished a glorious repast for the company.

June 12.—This day we traveled 17 miles, over tolerable good road, struck the river five miles below Deer creek, drove to Deer creek and encamped. Here we found good camping on a nice running stream, full of fish, of which we succeeded in catching all we desired, which with our buffalo meat was a great treat.

June 13.—This day lay at Deer creek till noon, afternoon traveled nine miles, found good camping on river bank, plenty of good wood, water and grass.

June 14.—This day we traveled up to the ferry, 15 miles. Here paid three dollars per wagon and crossed over to the north side of North Platte.

June 15.—This day traveled two miles through deep sand. Found good grass. Here we lay till 5 o'clock in the evening, when we again started across a 30-mile desert to Willow Springs, which took us all night this night. I suffered intensely with sick headache. Reached Willow Springs early in the morning. Here found grass.

June 16.—We rested at Willow Springs till 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when we again traveled five miles to a beautiful place, where we found plenty of water and extra good grass.

June 17.—This morning we left camp at 8 A. M., traveled seven miles and came to Greasewood creek, a small stream of clear running water with a greasy looking