Diary of Rev. George Gary — III 281 no politician, I am pleased with the result of this election. We are anxiously waiting some arrival in the Columbia with the news from the states; nearly fifteen months since the date of our latest letters from our friends. Not a word concerning general conference. We have no idea who are the new bishops of the Methodist Episcopal church. We have no guess who fills the presidential chair of our dearly beloved country. This want of news of friends, church and country to those who love friends, church and country is no small evil. Wednesday, 11. We are preparing to go ten miles up the Williamette to Mr. Campbell's ; have two or three men exploring the pasture to find the horses all the morning up to eleven o'clock; have not as yet found all we want. We labor under some inconveniences in having so large a pasture; it includes an unknown portion of the planet earth. One o'clock p. m. We start for Hulpum, 14 all on horse back. Company consists of D. Leslie and wife, G. Hines and wife, Mrs. Abernethy and her son, William; Julia Bryant, Lucy Anna Maria Lee, Mrs. Gary and my- self. A delightful ride over hill and dale; the highest richest grass I have seen in the territory. We waded through on our way in places today. Like a most luxur- iant meadow in the state of New York just before mow- ing. In one of these places, we were saluted with the rattle of a rattle snake. One of our company dismounted and killed him. We arrived in due season at Bro. Camp- bell's ; a part of our company put up at Holden's, 15 a near neighbor to Mr. C. Thursday, 12. We ride about four miles to see the place where Mr. Campbell and Mr. H. are preparing to build on a higher part of this beautiful prairie; where they now live, they are exposed to the ravages of high water, as the banks of the Sandyam 16 overflow and con- 14 Chehulpum (Chinook for the place of beaver). 15 Horace Holden; for biography see Vol. I, p. 467, Bancroft's Oregon. 16 Santiam River.
