The quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society, Vol. 4, March, 1903-December, 1903Oregon Historical Society
History
The quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society, Vol. 4, March, 1903-December, 1903
Oregon Historical Society
Oregon -- History -- Periodicals
I will now give you a description of the necessary outfit
each person should have to come to this terrestrial
paradise. Your wagons should be light, yet substantial and
strong, and a plenty of good oxen. Though I wrote while on
the Sweetwater that mule teams were preferable, but after
seeing them thoroughly tried I have become convinced that
oxen are more preferable--they are the least trouble and
stand traveling much the best--are worth a great deal more
when here. Load your wagons light and put one third more
team to them than is necessary to pull the load. Bring
nothing with you except provisions and a plenty of clothes
to do you one year from the time you leave. They can all be
had on as good terms here as in Missouri, and even better;
bring but few bedclothes, for they will be worn out when
they arrive here--they can be had here on good terms. Your
oxen will not require shoeing. Bring a plenty of loose
cattle, cows and heifers particularly, as they are but
little trouble and are worth a great deal. Bring mules to
drive your loose stock. Bring a few good American mares, but
use them very tenderly or you will not get them here.
American horses are worth considerable in this country.
Horses can not get here except they are well used, and you
should have two or three pairs of shoes and nails for them
and your mules. You should bring 200 pounds of flour, 100
pounds of bacon, for every member of the family that can
eat, besides other provisions. Make no calculation on
getting buffalo or other wild meat, for you are only wasting
time and killing horses and mules to get it. Have your wagon
beds made in such a manner that they can be used for boats;
you will find them of great service in crossing
streams--have your wagons well covered, so that they will
not leak, or your provisions and clothes will spoil. Have
your tents made water tight; start as early as possible; let
your teams and stock all be in good order. Start as soon as
your stock can get grass enough to travel on, for the grass
will be getting better every day until you arrive at Fort
Hall; after that you will find the grass bad in places until
you get to the Blue Mountains. You will find plenty of grass
from there to the Willamette Valley. Our cattle are in
better order than they were one month ago. Large flintlock
guns are good to traffic with the Snake Indians. Bring a
plenty of cheap cotton shirts to trade to the Indians on
this side of the mountains. You might start with calves and
kill them on the way, before they get poor, for fresh
eating. You will find some beans, rice, and dried fruit of
great use on the road. You should travel in companies of
forty wagons, and continue together the whole route. You
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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