oadometer belonging to Dr. Reed's
Pennsylvania train, was 41 miles, but I was told that a road turned off
25 miles from the Sandy which shortened the distance to Green River, to
30 miles. It was but little traveled, owing to which we missed it,
being in the night when we passed it. Five miles from the river we had
a bluff to descend which was 300 feet high, and almost perpendicular,
but we got down without accident by locking both hind wheels and
sliding. Last year the emigrants were obliged to take their wagons to
pieces and let them down with ropes. We had a beautiful moonlight last
night for traveling. Our road led in sight of the snow mantled peaks of
the Rocky Mountains, which looked with the moon beaming upon them, like
mountains of molten silver. It was one of the most magnificent views
that I have ever witnessed, and richly repaid me for the loss of rest
in crossing the desert in the night to attain it. We brought a packer
across the desert in our wagon who was unable to travel on horse back,
from sickness; he was so much better when we reached Green River that
he concluded to try his horse again. Our company is peculiarly
fortunate, for we not only escape sickness ourselves, but are often
able to relieve others who are suffering. We crossed Green River in a
ferry boat and drove seven miles, passing a creek six miles from the
river, and camped for the night. Found the grass poor, but good water.
We paid $5 a wagon for crossing, and swam our stock. Green River is
about 15 rods wide at the ferry, with a very swift current, and
generally deep. Some few ford above the ferry, but it is attended with
great danger. One wagon went rolling down the stream, while we were
there. One horse belonging to it was drowned, but the men were saved by
the ferry boat. One went down yesterday in the same manner. I
understand that 14 men have been drowned here this season in crossing.
Flour is worth here $50 per hundred lbs. Green River presents the most
romantic scenery in the world; it is deep set in the midst of bluffs
that take the shapes of towers, castles, cities, and of every
imaginable work of art. The bottom is smooth at intervals, looking like
a lawn with the stream, as viewed from the summit of the bluffs
meandering through it, looking like a silver thread winding through a
green landscape, while at a distance on one side may be seen the peaks
of the Rocky Mountains covered with snow, from their bases to their
summits, reari