Page 18 - Keays Diary with forward 1866 and Cover

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yesterday noon. One young lady, her father is the leader of the party,

they are going to Oregon to reside, have 13 in their wagon, 9 of their

own family. There is another quite a large family, with a babe that was

but three weeks old when they started; it is getting along. nicely, likes

the motion of the wagon. Then there is a Bride and her husband, with a

nice outfit going to the mines in Oregon; he has been there before, 6

years, and returned now for his wife, has a saddle pony for each of them

and a 1ight wagon to ride in, besides their baggage wagon; they are

from Lockport, N.Y. She seems very pleasant.

Last night we had any amount of singing and all kinds, from

grave to gay, etc., some excellent -- but it kept us awake a good while,

and when one rises at 4, they are apt to like quiet at eve.

Thursday noon. Passed Cottonwood Creek this noon, and feel

as if we are making good time and progress toward Julesburg, Colorado.

Cotton Wood is quite a place, there is a Military station there
and a saw mill; the Platte has more timber along here than we have seen

before.

It is very warm in the middle of the day, but cool in the morn-

ing and evening, so that I still find my thick dress comfortable; think

I was as well fixed, if I had not lost my trunk, as one need ask to be;

tho in many cases a hat is better than a sun bonnet and not so confining;

I expect the bonnet is best for the complexion.

We camped last night, 10 miles from Cotton Wood, had no water

Near, the River is some distance.

This noon we are right on the banks of the Platte. Mrs.

Peterson took a ride on Mrs. C’s pony, enjoyed it very much.