March
19, 1858
Dear
Journal,
Great
news! For working in the town, our family has earned one hundred dollars. Got to
get to work
May 1,
1858
Dear
Journal,
I’m not sure I want to go. I’m sort of scared and nervous. I feel a twinge of regret. I wonder if I’ll get attacked. I’m scared of diseases like cholera, measles, and accidental gunshots. What if I get killed in the night? What if the Crow kill my family? But I have faced the dangers before. I can do this. My family and I have decided to buy three yokes. We’ve also decided to buy more water casks. Bad news. The trip has been postponed. The water in the well is contaminated water. We need to find a new well. And we need to leave a little water in the kegs, boil it, and then sun dry it.
May 2, 1858
We just reached the Blue River. Our family has decided to ford the Blue River. I’m brave and good.
Daniel
July 12, 1858
Dear Journal,
We will not let our daughter go up to register cliff to carve her name. We are afraid she will get left behind or even worse killed.
Daniel
May 7, 1858
Dear Journal,
Indian Braves
I learned a lot about bows and arrows. They were very different from the woodland. They were shorter and they were used for close range. In the book Facing West I learned that you might not get water for two days and when you did you should take little sips to let your body get used to water again. Wild Bill Hickock was a crack shot with the Colt Revolvers. He could just pull them over and shoot them right on target. His birth name was James. When he died, he was playing poker and a guy shot him in the back. His hand (the cards in his hand) was three aces and two eights. Annie Oakley was a famous women sharpshooter. She could shoot a cigarette out of her husband's mouth. (Frank Butler) She is really interesting. When she was just a girl she took her father's rifle and went out hunting. She hunted because food was scarce. This was the start of her shooting career.
Daniel
July 13, 1858
Dear Journal
We’ve reached the solid bridge over a canyon. We will stick to the trail for fear of dying or drowning.
Daniel
Dear Journal,
We’ve reached the north Platt on a stormy day. We’ve decided to pay the toll and cross.
Daniel
July 20, 1858
Dear Journal,
We’ve reached an alkali spring. We decided to tie up the animals to a nearby tree. I will guard them all night until we start going again. We decided to circle up the wagons. We weren’t watching closely and 2 of our oxen drank the water. They died.
Daniel
July 23, 1858
Dear Journal,
We reached Fort Laramie. We bought moccasins, buffalo robes, and oxen. We sold our oxen. (We got shoes.) Bought bacon, flour and sugar. We looked on the board. We saw a message that said “Indians 29 miles along trail. keep watch” We are ready to leave the fort. I got to go help with the water. I took a bath. I’m missing my Lakota family very much. Louise had a baby named Madison America Smith. The trip is going great.
Daniel
July 28, 1858
Dear Journal,
Shoot them! Buffalo stampede. Whitman father hurt his leg trying to save his children. Scattered oxen. Found them after a couple of hours. Lost one day. Shot two buffalo.
Daniel
July 30, 1858
Dear Journal,
We’ve reached the half-way mark. Entrance to Oregon. Rivers are flowing to the Pacific Ocean. The way we’re going is the way the rivers are flowing. The women and some of the men will guard some of the animals. Me, Daniel and Robert will dig.
Daniel
July 31, 1858
Dear Journal,
South Path. We are half-way there and in the Rocky Mountains. The rivers are probably flowing to the Pacific. The water is moving fast. Someone might slip and drown. We might have to cross the river. Animals might die. How do we get the animals across? McMillan wagon wheel broke. It snapped in half. Items fallen from wagon: extra cask of water spilled. Made it through pass. We got two heads of cattle and one yoke of oxen.
Daniel
August 1, 1858
Dear Journal,
Oh no! A rattlesnake bit Mr. Whitman. Luckily Daniel had whisky so he gave it to Mr. Whitman and the pain went away.
Daniel
August 1, 1858
Dear Journal,
I want to go the Fort Bridger route because there is water and grass for the livestock. We found water and we bathed. We had antelope stew for supper. Lavina is missing two blankets.
Daniel
August 8, 1858
Dear Journal,
We are at Fort Bridger. Our family has decided to buy two yokes of oxen, which costs us one hundred dollars. We mended a fence and received fifteen dollars. My family and I are standing in front of the message board. BEWARE! Indian attacks at Massacre Rock. I’m sort of scared for my family. Robert and I will scout the trail. When we go through the trail, armed men and women will be on the sides and front. I feel pressured and I feel responsible for everyone.
Daniel
September 10, 1858
Dear Journal,
Some people in our wagon train got burned. They got too close to the hot springs. We moved on today into hostile Indian Territory. I’m scared for my family.
Daniel
September 30, 1858
Dear Journal,
We are almost there! Most of us are very excited. We are very enthusiastic for new land. I’m looking forward to better hunting and hope to journey back to my Lakota family. We are heading towards the Blue Mountain range. We got 5 dollars from the Whitman’s for finding their grandparent's diary. I forgot to tell you, I remember the cold harsh and unforgetable Snake River. Luckily we thought up how the wagons would move if we chained them up together so the current and oxen would pull us to safety. I’m very glad to look upon the Blue Mountains. There were once unsettled and great hunting places. Now I regret that all the game has been scared away.
Daniel
October 5
Dear Journal,
Our wagon turned over going down the hill, because our animals were hitched to the wagon. Our supplies scattered but other people helped us pick it up. One of our oxen died one got hurt. I'm happy that it didn't get worse than it did. At least we have meat
Daniel
Dear Journal
As I step upon this rocky slope I remember the fall of all passes. This pass, Dead Man's Pass, was the dangerous of all passes. I'm so happy our wagon somersaulted down the last steep hill we passed. If the wagon fell on Dead Man's Pass we would have no wagon. That's why I'm thankful.
Daniel
October 12 Walla Walla county, Washington
Dear Journal,
Almost out of supplies. Not a stop in a while. We have decided to carry all of the following on our back: 5 lbs of sugar, 15 lbs of cornmeal, and a loaf of bred. I'm carrying a powder horn, axe, hatchet, bullets, and the rifles. We gave our wagon and some provisions to the mission. We have decided to canoe down the river. We will rent a canoe for $40 and a guide for $45. The other choices are to take the toll road for $100 or stay at the Whitman mission. I'm worried that I will not make it to Willamette Valley, Oregon. I haven't canoed in a while. We have scouts named Jon Honeyman and Samuel McMillan. I'm afraid they will die.
Daniel
Willamette Valley, October 28th
Dear Journal,
Sadly, when the guides came back they reported the scouts lost. They are dead most likely. We have reached Willamette Valley Oregon. I think I did a good job as a Captain. My family and I have 60 acres of land. It is half forest and half field. Our daughter is being schooled so I have learned the alphabet and how to write a couple of small words. I feel my family and I are happy here. Liz is happy about space and a new place to live. This has been one of the greatest adventures of my life. I'm thinking about going back and leading another wagon train here. After winter, I may go on a hunting trip with Robert to see what kind of furs are about. This is my home. I belong here in the dense wilderness where no things are about. I love the dangers of the wilderness and I will risk my life to save this untamed land. This hereby is the end of Daniel Featherhead Robbin's Journal.
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Last Updated: 08/28/04