Page 8 - Keays Diary with forward 1866 and Cover

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The horses seem to be doing very well, the first day one of them

rubbed its shoulder some and the next morning they did not like to pull,

but now they move right along and hesitate at nothing.

We had a prairie chicken for supper which relished nicely after

our bacon.

Wednesday morning -- We stopped at Nimeba River 25 miles from

S. Creek. The wind blew so all day that we retired into the recesses of our

wagon cover and did not shed the light of our countenances to the outside

air allday, It was very cold all day, the men nearly perished, but they

said it was a beautiful country and I think every one but Mr. Peterson

would be willing to stop here.

The people who live near us have been here two years, have a

nice farm with good cows, horses, etc. The stream where we stopped is

very pretty and the men caught us a nice mess of fish.

We bought corn and shelled here for feed across the plains, but
expect to buy to feed along for a while, paid 40¢ for corn and got some

butter for 25¢.

Wednesday, May 2 -- At 2 o'clock we came to Ash Point, a few

houses on the main track to Atchinson, when we came in sight the road was

filled with return Freighters and every since we have had more or less

company. The road as we came where it was traveled so much was hard as

planked, our horses went on like a top. Where we camped was a stream

25 miles from the last and 100 miles from St. Joseph.

So far we have enjoyed every inch of the way and the weather

splendid.

We have had several little showers, enough to keep the dust down

and cool for the horses. We had some Freighters camp near us last

night, expect after this to have plenty of neighbors.