Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 edition. Excerpt: ... in the party, refused to wait. Feeling it was unsafe to go on without their protection, Mr. Spalding wanted to go back; but Mrs. Spalding said: "I have started for the Rocky Mountains and I am going." There were reasons for her husband's reluctance. Already he had been kicked by a cow from the ferryboat into the river, a Kansas cyclone had lifted his tent and blanket and left him prone and uncovered, and his bones were now rent with ague. Nevertheless the six now started out alone. Doctor Whitman drove the four-horse wagon, Mr. Spalding took charge of the light two-horse wagon, and the Indian boys drove the mules and cows. They made a desperate race and in four days caught up with the convoy. From the journals and letters of Mrs. Whitman, Mr. Spalding, and Mr. Gray, we get a vivid account of this journey, on which the first white women and the first wagon crossed the Rocky Mountains--a journey full of significance in the future history of Oregon. "Since we have been here," writes Mrs. Whitman to her family, "we have made our tent. It is made of bed ticking. Is conical in form, and large enough for us all to sleep under, viz.: Mr. Spalding and his wife, Dr. Whitman and wife, Mr. Gray, Richard Tac-i-tu-tas, and John I-tes; quite a little family; raised with a center pole, and fastened down with pegs, making a large circle. Here we shall live, eat and sleep all summer to come, at least, perhaps longer. We spread our India rubber cloth on the ground, then our blankets and encamp for the night. We take plenty of Mackinaw blankets, which answer for our bed and bedding and when we journey place them over our saddles and ride on them. I wish you could see our outfit. "I had made for me in brother Augustus's shoestore in Rushville a pair of...