May
1, 1858
Dear
Diary,
I’m
feeling scared to go.
I’m trying to make a tough decision. Will I regret my
choice? It’s a life-changing question. Should I go or should I stay? I’m
feeling tingly inside as if I’m being pulled in two
different directions! We are now
filling our water casks before we set off. Allison
May
1, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
decided that we won’t buy any new animals. If any of our oxen get tired, we
have my horse who will be walking instead of pulling.
If one of our oxen
get tired of pulling, my horse will fill in! Allison
May
1, 1858
Dear
Diary,
Our
water has bacteria in it so we need to figure out how to clean our kegs. We will
boil it! Allison
May
4, 1858 Dear Diary,
We
aren’t going to climb the big mountain because we could tire out our oxen, and
could get lost along the way. Allison
July
12, 1858
Dear
Diary,
Lucy
is
inviting
the children to go up on the top of
the
mountain and carve our names.
The parents aren’t going to even notice that we’re leaving because they are
too busy doing other things. I decided to go! We could be famous and I need my
respect.
I’m brave! Allison
July
13, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
have to make a decision to either take a shortcut or stay on the trail. We
decided to stick to the trail because we might run into Indians if we take the
shortcut. Allison
July
17, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
decided to pay the toll because if we wait
we could be hit by another storm.
Allison
July
23, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
lost three oxen. Papa’s parents left us a note on the bulletin board saying
that they wish us luck and hope to see us soon. Our axle broke, but thankfully
we brought an extra. We spent two dollars on a shower, but it was worth it.
Allison
July
23, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
tried really hard to keep the animals away from the dangerous water, but some
animals drank it and died. Our plan to keep the animals away from the water was
to circle up the wagons and have some people guard them. Unfortunately, three of
our oxen got away and drank the water and died. We had to spend two hundred
dollars for four oxen. Louise Smith had a baby. She weighed seven pounds
ten ounces and her name is Maddison America Smith. Allison.
July
23, 1858 Dear Diary,
I
feel so clean. That shower made me feel brand new! I am
being taught by the
McMillen wives and it is very exciting. I am really nervous about the new baby
because of us not having a lot of water and the cholera. Hopefully she will
survive. Allison.
July
28, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
were heading up a steep hill and soon started to hear a rumbling noise. The
buffalo were after Morgan and I. Father
grabbed us and ran back to the wagon,
but something awful happened. My father had been crushed.
His leg was hurt but thankfully nothing
worse. We had seen a buffalo stamped. Allison.
July
30, 1858
Dear
Diary,
During
the stampede, some of the men shot buffalo. The Captain said
that some men should go off and dig for ice and the other men should stay with
the women and children. The Captain, Daniel and Robert, are going to dig for
ice. While the men are off digging and the rest of the men are staying with
the women and children, the meat could go bad. Thankfully, they found pure clean
ice. Allison.
July
31, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
are at South Pass! We are in the Rocky Mountains. Suddenly, we see this big
waterfall with tons and tons of water rushing down like lightening. Someone
might trip and fall and could fall into the water rush. What if the wagons slip
and tumble? Well, the McMillens are having trouble with one of their wagons. A
wagon wheel snapped. They lost one of their water casks. They have been drinking
water so they don’t have much left. They can refill their cask from the
spring. Allison.
July
31, 1858
Dear
Diary,
Today
we sang "Oh Susanna" on the trail.
We picked up one yoke of oxen and
two heards of cattle at the fort. Pa didn’t sing because he was too grouchy. He
is happy about the animals. Allison.
August
1, 1858
Dear
Diary,
A
rattlesnake bit Father and many people came up with cures. One of the worst ones
was you had to kill a chick, cut it open, and place its body on the wound. When
the chick turns green, the venom is gone. But we went with the liquor. Allison.
August
1, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We aren’t going to take the shortcut because of the dangers that are out there. We are in heaven! We had a big pot of stew. The Honeyman wife realized this morning that two of her blankets were missing! I am very scared. Allison.
August
8, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
are getting new oxen because ours are shot from the journey. We are getting maps
too. I am afraid that the farther I go, the closer to the Indians we will get!
Allison.
August
8, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
have been on the trail for four months and twenty nine days. Allison.
August
8, 1858
Dear
Diary,
I
just read on the message board "BEWARE INDIAN ATTACKS AT MASSACRE
ROCK". We will be passing there in a day now and I am terrified! What will
happen to the baby and us? Allison.
August
8, 1858
Dear
Diary,
All
the men are making a plan that will help us get through Massacre Rock safely.
Allison.
August
8, 1858
Dear
Diary,
They
decided that they would take two scouts, the Captain, and Robert McMillen. There
the Crow Indians are very very dangerous. Allison.
September
10, 1858
Dear
Diary,
Margaret
Honeyman got burned! Of all the things that we have seen, heard, and run away
from, I feel like the trip is almost over. Allison.
September
10, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
had a big celebration with a big feast! Allison.
September
20, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
passed the Snake River, but lost a cooking kit and blanket. Allison.
September
25, 1858
Dear
Diary,
I’m
so happy we got rid of the Indians. I’m getting worried that something might
happen to my horse because she almost drowned along the Snake River. Morgan said
"how about we get rid of your horse and get a turkey!" But she’s the
only baby and wouldn’t even make a night without me being by her side. I even
have to help her eat because she won’t eat anymore since we started the trail.
I’ve been trying to find out what is wrong. She did eat this morning
thanks to Cecelia McMillen. She put something in her food and she ate it!
Allison.
September
30, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
are all nervous from passing the Snake River that is somewhat like a whirlpool.
When the current was pushing the wagon back and forth I felt a horrible feeling
inside thinking about why we started this dangerous adventure. Allison.
October
12, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
are taking the canoe and going down the river. We are going to pay two Indians.
One is going to take my horse and meet us at the end of the river and the other
is going to lead us down the river. Allison
October
12, 1858
Dear
Diary,
A
canoe flipped over and we have to have two scouts stay and camp.
When we
finish the river an Indian will go back and get them. Samuel MicMillen and John
Honeyman have been chosen, good luck! Allison
October
28, 1858
Dear
Diary,
I
have terrible news.
When the Indian went back to get the two scouts, they were
GONE. There were bear tacks around them and they were never heard of again.
October
28, 1858
Dear
Diary,
We
are having a reunion!!! I am a new Allison May Whitman!!! We’re living with my
grandma. She has a big house and a farm.
She is
great!
She even said that I
could have two foals! Now I have three horses and she has quiet little pigs.
I’m working around the farm and helping mend, cook, and clean. I would like to
go bake to school, and hope to run into the McMillen
teachers
again.
They were the
best!
Maybe John’s dad can teach me about doctor’s? I’ll always stick to that
dream!!! Goodbye diary!! Allison
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Last Updated: 08/28/04