Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 7.pdf/356

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350
James W Nesmith.

Grant, manager here for the Hudson's Bay Company. He sells at an exhorbitant price; flour, 25 cents per pint; sugar, 50; coffee, 50; rice, 33⅓. Part of the company went on with pack animals, leaving their wagons. Nothing of importance occurred, with the exception of a Mr. Richardson dying. Was buried August 31 at Fort Hall.

Friday, September 1.—Got under way this morning. Weather very cold and rainy, as it has been for the three days. Trailed down Snake River fifteen miles. Passed some fine mill sites. Camped on Snake River.

Saturday, September 2.—Road very rough to-day. Broke our wagon tongue. Trailed eighteen miles. Camped on a small branch about six miles from the river.

Sunday, September 3.—This morning, Jackson, Cooper's teamster, left and joined Zachary's mess. Trailed sixteen miles without wood, water or grass. Camped on a small branch with excellent grass.

Monday, September 4.—Got an early start this morning. Traveled ten miles to the river. Nooned on the river. Traveled down it and camped on the bank, making twenty miles to-day. The river here assumes a broad, placid, and beautiful appearance, the water being very clear, unlike any of the rivers in the Western states.

Tuesday, September 5.—Traveled twelve miles. Encamped on the bank of a creek, with but little water, and that in holes. Stopped about 2:00 o'clock and lay by in the afternoon, as it was raining. Two lodges of Nez Perees Indians, returning to Walla Walla from Fort Hall.

Wednesday, September 6.—Trailed eight miles and struck Rock Creek. Trailed eight down it. Encamped in the canyon at the crossing, making sixteen miles trailed. Rainy in the evening.

Thursday, September 7.—Left the canyon in the morning and traveled twenty miles over a country destitute of grass. Struck the river ten miles above the Salmon Falls. Encamped for the night. Trailed twenty miles.

Friday, September 8.—Trailed down five miles. Encamped