#virtualoregontrail August 29 - September 4, 1845, Meek has changed his route

The Diary of James Field continues:

Fri., 29.- Went about 12 miles to-day, over mountains to which those we had previously crossed were small hills, camping near a little spring in the mountains which affords sufficient water for the use of camp, but our cattle would have been obliged to do without any had it not been for a storm of rain which came on in the evening, the first storm for months. the mountains are covered with small, black, hard, nine-cornered stones, about the size of those used to macadamize a road, and our cattle cringe at every step.

Sat., 30.- Went about 12 miles to-day, over mountains as high as any yet met with, but some of them were grassy without rocks, whilst others were covered with the big round stones so nice to jounce a wagon over, spoken of back towards Fort Hall. We camped upon a small branch and found grass and water both plenty and good, which was what our cattle stood in much need of, as for several days we have had hard roads and bad camps, which has cut down stock lower than at any time. Three or four oxen have laid down in the road and given out every day for the past few days.

Yoke of Oxen
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/29543/29543-h/29543-h.htm

Sun., 31.- Went about five miles this morning and camped once more on Malheur river near a peak in the Blue Mountains called Fremont's peak, the highest point of land in this part of the country, and easily distinguished at a great distance by a large conical rock upon its summit, having one perpendicular side to it. Found an excellent encampment again here.

Mond., Sept. 1- Went about five miles, camping again on the Malheur. The road to-day for short turns, sideling places, hard pulls and jolting stones was rather ahead of anything we have yet had in the same distance, but the camping is first rate.

Tues., 2.- Traveled about 15 miles to-day, in a direction but little west of south, camping upon a small branch of the Malheur which puts into the South fork. About four miles of our road this morning rather exceeded anything we have passed over yet for rock, they being both large and sharp, lying in a narrow ravine where there was no shunning them. We got through, however, with only one broken axle-tree and two wagon-tongues, together with some other little fixings, which was really a favorable come-off.

Wed., 3.- Went only about six miles to-day, as we were obliged to put in a new axle-tree. Camped upon the South fork of Malheur again. It is now pretty evident that Meek, the pilot who is leading the company this route instead of the old one, does not intend to fall down to the Columbia via the John Day river at all as he told them on leaving Fort Boise, for we are evidently through the Blue Mountains, and still making a south-west course. It is now said that Meek's intention is to take us over onto the head of the Willamette if he can find a place along the Cascades which will admit of the passage of wagons through, and if not we go down the Deschutes river to the Columbia.

The Malheur in Harney County
https://landingaday.wordpress.com/tag/juntura-oregon/

Thurs., 4.- Went about 18 miles, the latter part of the road being rough and rocky. Camped upon the head of a small branch of the South fork of Malheur. The mountains where we first struck them were naked and perfectly destitute of timber. Near Fremont's peak we began to see some timber upon them, and since passing that point the hills have all had more or less timber upon them, it being generally low cedar, and on reaching the top of the last hill before descending into this hollow, tall pines appeared to crown the hill-tops before us.

From “The Diary of James Field” Willamette Farmer (Portland, OR, Fridays: April 18 – August 1, 1879). 

18 Jul 1879 (August 22-September 7) 

https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn85042522/1879-07-18/ed-1/seq-2/ 

#virtualoregontrail August 22-28, 1845, Riggs elected Captain and we vote to follow Meek

Continuing with the diary of James Field:

Fri., 22.- Went about 18 miles, crossing Boise river and camping on it for the last time. It is a stream of fine, clear water, some 40 or 50 yards wide, and abounds with fish, which may be seen playing in its clear waters in many places. This afternoon the road passed close along the brink of the river at a point where there was a place of considerable depth between two riffles, and it was literally alive with fish, many of them very large salmon. This river at the point we first struck it, comes out of a range of mountains between walls of perpendicular rock several hundred feet high. After passing the mountains they gradually recede from the river, leaving a narrow bottom between, and at length die away in the steep bluffs which bound the valley on either hand. The bottom is not very fertile, but still there is very fine grass in patches, and it is cut up by sloughs, apparently washed out by the spring freshets. The banks are lined with cottonwoods and willows.

Old Fort Boise, sketch by William H. Tappan.
http://www.historyglobe.com/ot/ftboise.htm 

Sat., Aug. 23, 1845. - Went four miles this morning, which took us to Fort Boise, which stands on the eastern bank of Snake river, near the mouth of the Boise. It is a small, mean-looking fort, built like the others of sun-dried mud moulded into the shape of bricks, and appears more calculated for the collection of furs from other forts than for trading in its own immediate vicinity, as there is no game there, and the Indians living in this part of the country are very poor, many of them nearly naked and living on fish and roots. It was necessary to re-cross Snake river at this place, which is here fordable, and we all got safely over during the after-noon, camping on the western bank. The Indians assisted us in crossing, showing us the ford and helping us to drive the loose cattle, in return for which a few presents pleased them greatly. The river is near half a mile wide, and so deep as to run over the tops of the wagon sides in places, but as it was generally of uniform depth all the way across, the current was not so rapid as at the other crossing.

Sun., 24. - The story of the murder of two Frenchmen by the Walla Wallas is pronounced a humbug by the people of the fort. They say that the Walla Wallas entertain a hostile feeling towards us, and will probably try to injure us as we pass through their territory, but their numbers or equipments would not render them dangerous to such sized companies as we are at present. Still, the nature of the country is such that if they took advantage of it they could damage us considerably. We had traveled thus far as three companies without any general commander, and previous to our starting this morning it was agreed to choose one. Accordingly, James B. Riggs, our own old captain, was elected captain of the whole by a unanimous vote. A man named Meek has engaged to pilot the leading company, Capt. Owensby's, which is the only one now ahead of us. He was to guide the outfit through to the Dalles of the Columbia river by a new and near route, following the pack trail from Fort Boise and missing the Walla Wallas altogether, leaving Fort Walla Walla on his right and cutting off between 100 and 200 miles' travel. A vote was taken whether we should follow them or keep the old way, and a majority decided upon the new one. We traveled about 16 miles, camping upon Malheur creek, near the forks of the two roads.

Stephen Meek (1807-1889)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Meek

Mond., 25.- ___ about 11 miles across the h___ ___ing on Malheur river again. Since crossing to this side of Snake river again the road has been fearfully dusty. In fact, a person who has never traveled these wormwood barrens can form no idea as to what depth dust may be cut up in them by a few wagons passing. To a person walking in the road it is frequently more than shoe deep, and if the wind happens to blow length-wise with the road, it raises such a fog you cannot see the wagon next in front.

Tues., 26. - Went about ten miles, still keeping up Malheur, crossing and re-crossing it twice, and camping upon it. We were obliged to take to the bluffs to get across several narrow bends of the river, and we there found some as hard road as any we have yet traveled. Indeed, I begin to think wagons can go anywhere.

Wed., 27.- Went about 18 miles to-day. The road, although leading across bluffs which in a country where mountains are a rarity would pass for pretty good sized ones, was tolerably fair, but there is an abundance of small, sharp stones in it, black and hard as iron, and very wearing to the feet of the cattle. We camped upon Carter's fork, from its appearance a branch of Burnt river.

Thurs., 28.- Went about six miles, camping upon the same branch as before. The sharp stones spoken of yesterday we more plentiful to-day, and a few more such days' travel as this will entirely use up our cattles' feet.

From “The Diary of James Field” Willamette Farmer (Portland, OR, Fridays: April 18 – August 1, 1879). 

11 Jul 1879 (August 11-22) 

https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn85042522/1879-07-11/ed-1/seq-6/ 

18 Jul 1879 (August 23-September 7) 

https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn85042522/1879-07-18/ed-1/seq-2/ 

#virtualoregontrail August 15-21, 1845, Hot Springs, a child is born, and "How do?"

Continuing with the diary of James Field:

Fri., 15. - We remained in camp to-day, our oxen being somewhat worn down from the scantiness of the grass along the road, which has also been somewhat heavy.

Sat., 16. - This morning we moved off in one company, 40 wagons strong, McNeary's, Parker's and Rigg's companies joining together as one, but unless I am much mistaken they will not be apt to continue as one very long, for once people find out how much easier it is traveling in small companies, it is not easy work to keep them in a large one. We went about 17 miles, camping on an outlet of a spring near the foot of a range of mountains on our right. About five miles from this camp we passed a hot spring near the foot of the same range, the water of which was nearly at a boiling temperature, so that one could not hold his finger in it, and a dog carelessly stepping across put one foot in and ran off yelping and whining noisily.

This short video by Visit Idaho gives a glimpse of the landscape James Field is describing.

https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/scenic-byways-backcountry-drives/main-oregon-trail-backcountry-byway/

Sun., 17. - Went about eight miles, camping on Barrel creek. [Actually Canyon Creek, but immigrants called it Barrel creek because of the barrel shape of the valley in which it was found.] A small company of six or seven men and two women passed us to-day, having left their wagons at Fort Hall and taken pack horses. The road this day was one of the most stony we have yet passed over, being the same iron-like stone spoken of before crossing Snake river.

Mond., 18. - Went about 16 miles, camping on Charlotte's fork. The first four miles of road were very stony, keeping the wagons on a continual bounce, the remainder a succession of grassy hills, and although it was ascending or descending there all the time, yet it seemed pleasant to be out of the wormwood once more, even for half a day.

Tues., 19. - Went about 17 miles, camping upon Boise river, a stream of considerable size, with its banks more heavily timbered than any stream we have found this side of the branches of Kansas river.

Wed., 20. - Last night another member was added to our company by the birth of a child. Mother and child are doing well, we were ready to go on at the usual starting time. Nothing like enterprise to get along here. Went about 14 miles to-day, keeping down Boise river, and camping upon it again. The waters of this stream are very clear, abounding with fine fish, which the Indians take in large numbers. A party of Snakes and Shoshones visited camp this evening with a number of fine salmon to sell, which were much fatter and better than those taken at Salmon falls.

Snake Indians
Image from https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-oregontrailaccount/6/

Thurs., 21. - Went about 14 miles to-day, still keeping down the river and passing a number of Indian camps, the Indians of all sizes, sexes, and conditions coming out to the roadside and standing in motley groups to see us pass, some of them holding up fish and crying out "swap!" "swap!" There were squaws with pappooses slung to their backs, young chaps 14 or 15 years old standing in the primitive simplicity of Father Adam, and some full-grown men making a very near approach to it. Some few old men whose hair was nearly white with age holding up their hands and saying "How do?"

From “The Diary of James Field” Willamette Farmer (Portland, OR, Fridays: April 18 – August 1, 1879). 

11 Jul 1879 (August 11-22) 

https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn85042522/1879-07-11/ed-1/seq-6/ 

#virtualoregontrail August 8-14, 1845, Salmon and the Walla Walla Indian threat

Continuing with the diary of James Field:

Fri., 8. - Went about eight miles to-day, camping at the Rocky Fork of Snake, which proves to be only a small stream.

Sat., 9. - This morning our camp was visited by a large band of Indians, who brought with them a mare belonging to a person in one of the forward companies and gave her up, receiving a few presents as a reward for their honesty. Contrast this with the conduct of the owner of the mare, who is reported to have robbed a Sioux grave a little this side of Larimie of several buffalo robes and other articles which it is their custom to deposit with their dead. But thanks be to goodness, the emigrant companies are not all composed of such shadows of men, for before our big company split, he was considered the meanest one in it or on the road. Went about 16 miles to-day, camping again upon the Rocky Fork, or not precisely upon it, for the bluffs are so steep as to oblige us to camp in the wormwood and drive our cattle down loose over the rocks. About 4 miles from our present encampment, crossed the Rocky Forks and the bluffs there were very difficult both of descent and ascent. In fact it has wound through a deep narrow glen with its sides a wall of perpendicular rocks, nearly all the way from our last encampment.

Sun., 10. - Went about 20 miles, camping late in the evening upon a small branch just at its entrance into Snake river. Had a very naked camp of it, there only being a patch of tall rushes and cane grass for our cattle to feed upon.

Mon., 11. - A part of our company consisting of 15 wagons, camped last evening where we first struck Snake River, and this morning they took out their cattle so that our company is again divided, - this time we divided even, as we had 20 wagons, five having left ours and joined Stewart's company on Sweetwater. A number of Indians are encamped on the opposite side of the river. Went about 6 miles to-day, camping again upon Snake River near where a large creek puts into it, near which we found an excellent piece of grass. A number of natives passed our encampment in the evening, one of them having a couple of salmon with him which he sold us.  These are the first salmon we have seen, but the Indians being so plenty along the river the last day or two, I think we must be getting in the neighborhood of salmon. There is little or no game at all on road this side. Fort Hall and the Indians are obliged to live on fish. There are no less than four companies piled up here, ours, Parker's, Leggets, and English's. Parker's is the one that broke from Stewart on Sweetwater about the time five wagons joined him from our crowd. Just below our present encampment on the opposite side of the river are a number of as fine springs as ever were seen. They are near the top of the river bluff, which is between 80 and 100 feet high and as the water bubbles down the nearly perpendicular rock it forms a line of beautiful cascades along the dark wall of rocks which here line the opposite shore of the river. If the hills around us were carpeted with grass instead of being covered with wormwood, this would be one of the prettiest spots on the globe for the study of a painter.

Landscape, Fall Creek Falls and Snake River Idaho

Tues., 12. - On passing those springs this morning I take back the last sentence written yesterday and say, leave all as it is, the brown appearance of the barren hillsides contrasting with the bright green fringe of willows and grass which here border the smooth surface of the river, spreading occasionally up the side around the springs, only to render the same more striking, and should I see it transferred to canvas 50 years hence, I would be sure to recognize it, no matter where I found it. About five miles from our late encampment we passed the Salmon falls, the river there falling over a wall of rock in a succession of tumbles, making a descent of about 25 feet. Here were a number of Indian camps with lots of salmon for sale. These fish cannot ascend the falls, and the Indians have a great fishery there. We could plainly see numbers of their traps in the river as we passed along. We traveled about 18 miles and then tied up in the wormwood, as there was no grass anywhere near us, and the river banks were so steep and high it was utterly impossible to descend them with wagons. My patience was this day tried to its utmost by the conduct of English's company, which hurried its wagons into the road this morning, taking the lead of all the companies. They have been racing and crowding other companies all the way since the start, and now their teams are cut up so that they can hardly travel, and we were obliged to wait for them to work their passages up the hills, occasionally an ox or old cow lying down to rest upon it.

Salmon from Flickr Public Domain 

Wed., 13. - Went about 11 miles this morning, which took us to the crossing of Snake river, and crossing to the first island, turned out our cattle. We found the McNearys, the Waymires, and a number of our old company, in all 13 wagons, on the opposite side of the river wishing to join us, they offering to pilot and assist us over. We crossed in the afternoon, they rendering us valuable assistance, as they were well acquainted with the ford, which is not easily followed, as it runs across to two islands and then crooks up stream. The water only ran into the wagons a few inches, and as everything that could wet was raised to the top of the wagon-beds, it did no damage. They told us it ran over the sides of some of the foremost wagons, and upset one. The Walla Walla Indians are reported to have assembled some 75 or 100 miles below here for the purpose of stopping the emigrants passing through their territory, and it is said they have killed two of the Frenchmen who were with us as pilots on Sweetwater. This is the reason of their wishing to join us.

Walla Walla Native Indians
Image from
https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/indian-tribes/walla-walla-tribe.htm

Thurs., 14. - Traveled about ten miles, camping upon a small branch. We had a squally time ascending the bluffs, which are several hundred feet high. We passed from a hill to the side of a bluff, upon a high, narrow ridge of just sufficient width upon the top for the wagon road, the sides descending very steep each way. Just as the wagons were upon this a gale of wind in advance of a thunder shower struck us, and blew with such violence directly across the track that it seemed as if wagons, teams and all would be blown away.

From “The Diary of James Field” Willamette Farmer (Portland, OR, Fridays: April 18 – August 1, 1879). 

4 Jul 1879 (August 4-11) 

https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn85042522/1879-07-04/ed-1/seq-6/ 

 11 Jul 1879 (August 11-22) 

https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn85042522/1879-07-11/ed-1/seq-6/ 

A Birthday, Wedding, Christmas and a baby

Edythe Grace Sisson (1897-1978) and George Rayson Brown (1898-1974) were my husband's great Aunt and Uncle. Edythe, nicknamed Edy in the family, helped raise my mother-in-law (who called her "Mom" and Rayson "Daddy"). My husband called Edy "Grandma Aunt Edy". They remember her with such fondness. 

When I discovered the letters that Rayson had saved, I knew I wanted to preserve them for my husband and mother-in-law. Though the letters have ended, Edythe and Rayson had a good many years ahead of them together. They had two children, a daughter who was stillborn, and a son, Warren, who passed a few years ago. Warren didn't have children, so there are no direct descendants. 

A card from Edythe to Rayson for his birthday in August of 1923

Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Sisson 

announce the marriage of their daughter

Edythe Grace

to 

Mr. G. Rayson Brown

on Wednesday, October the tenth

One thousand, nine hundred twenty-three

Los Angeles, California

A Christmas card from Rayson to Edythe, 1923

Son Warren's birth announcement, September of 1930

October 30, 1922 - The last letter to Chicago

Addressed to:

Mr. G. Rayson Brown.

1468 East 67th St.,

Chicago,

Illinois.

5009 Whittier Blvd,

Los Angeles, Calif.

From E. G. Sisson.

5009 Whittier Blvd.,

Los Angeles, Calif.

Loftus Land Co.

Los Angeles, Cal.,

October 30 - 1922

Dearest Rayson:

I wanted to write to you yesterday dear, but we had company all day and so I will write this morning. This is a beautiful morning, the sun is shining brightly and so warm and nice.

Friday we had our first rain and it turned so cold. It always does when it rains here and the next morning we could see snow on the mountain tops, fifty miles away. Thats close enough, too I think.

Saturday the gas company laid the pipes for the gas on our street and they will soon start digging. It begins to look as though we might have paving yet before the real rains commence. We will live in hopes anyway.

Yesterday Father and Billy finished the new house all except putting on the plaster board, and Father will do that this week.

We were just getting dinner when the McCaffreys and Mr & Mrs Dick Pyle came. They were on their way to Sante Fe Springs. Mr Pyle has some oil stock invested there. They didn't stay long.

Later in the afternoon the Noack family came and stayed all afternoon. We had just remarked afther they left that we thought everyone we knew had called when who should drive in but the Yost girls and their uncle and cousin. Poor Evelyn was so glad to see us, she is so lonesome and homesick out here.

We told Aunt Mae we would be over one day last week. We planned to go Friday but could not on account of the rain and so we just picked up and went Saturday. We had a nice visit with her but had to leave early in order to get home before dark as we had no tail light. We did some speeding too, made the trip in an hour and five minutes, thats the best we have done yet.

I will look for your mail dearest at the land office and so don't worry at all about that. I imagine there is mail there now as Father didn't call for it Saturday.

I am so sorry dear for the poor fellow at the hospital. It is hard to leave anyone like that too. He will look forward to receiving your letters now for that is all he will have. Yes dear it would be fine of you to write to him, it will only take a few minutes and will make him happy.

Vera and I will go to town this afternoon. She is going to buy dishes for the new house. There is a sale on them at the fifth street store today. We are getting as bad as the Yosts' for running to bargain sales. Sometimes it pays.

The Yosts's sold their place accross the street from ours on Marcy St., to a young couple from Michigan. That young couple will find out later how badly they were taken in.

You remember dear the 'funny hat' I wore home? Well I have improved it a little by putting a little color on it. Two Henna colored pheasant feathers and some yarn to match. Also the hat I wore to the little church on the corner that night, I have managed to make look quite good again. Don't know when I'll wear them though as I just cannot get used to wearing a har. They give me a terrible headache.

Has there been anything more heard from Mr Rice? He seems to keep his distance doesn't he dear? I wish that he would soon put in his appearance for I am so lonesome for you dear and wish that you were here with me.

Chris is laying here on the rug, just had a bowl of milk and has gone to sleep. Thats the best thing he does is sleep. He and the cat next door go tearing across lots and break off the geraniums. It makes Mrs Slowinski wild.

Well dearest lover Vera is hurrying me to get ready and so will close for this time. Mother sends her love to you and hopes you will soon be coming.

Goodbye for this time, write soon dear and take good care of yourself. With all my love for you and you only, I remain,

Lovingly yours,

Edythe.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.