Saturday, September 1.
In the forenoon we traveled over a barren plain, ten miles in extent, when we found a spring. Traveled seven miles in the afternoon and intersected a tributary of Mary’s River, or Humboldt River, and camped.
Sunday, September 2.
We did not move our camp today. Grass good. All in good health.
Monday, September 3.
Traveled down the Humboldt valley 11 miles in the forenoon and dined on the river, which at this point is a small stream of clear water.
The valley is broad with a fertile soil which produces a good quality of grass. At this time it is parched with drouth. We traveled down the valley 12 miles over a level road, and camped where we found plenty of grass, four or five feet high, very thick and of fine quality. The land in this vicinity is fertile, but is entirely destitute of timber, with the exception of some small willows near the streams. The Mormon whom we met on Bear River told us that the grass on Mary’s River had been entirely consumed by fire which had been set by the Digger tribe of Indians for the purpose of preventing the immigrants from passing through to California, and that in his opinion it was an impossibility to travel over that portion of the route with teams of horses or cattle. And further, that authentic reports had reached Salt Lake City that men, women and children were traveling barefooted and destitute of provisions, and that many were dying daily of starvation and exposure. However, his very pitiful tale was not credited to any great extent by our company. His motive, probably, was to induce us to go by the way of the Mormon settlement and sell them a portion of our stock at whatever price they might feel willing to pay. Captain Thing sold him a cow, much against the will of a majority of the company.
They have agents along the road to decoy immigrants through their settlements and then make as much out of them as possible. (Traveled 23 miles.)
Tuesday, September 4.
Started in good season this morning and in seven miles of travel we crossed a fork of Mary’s River—coming from the north—after which we traveled 16 miles and camped on the river, where we found good grass.