Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/515

Rh had twelve brothers and sisters. Henry Helmick was born September 14, 1822, in Germany. Sarah and Henry were married early in April, 1845, at Burlington, Iowa. The next morning after their wedding, leaving behind life-long associations and friends they started across the plains to Oregon. They traveled in a "covered wagon" drawn by four yoke of oxen, in company with about eighty other wagons. There were between 135 and 150 people in the train. Those in the train spoke very highly of Captain McDonald, who they said was a great leader, with the rare faculty of inspiring those under him to greater efforts under trying circumstances. Following the "Oregon Trail" from Council Bluffs their way was beset with trials and troubles common to those pioneer days, and yet through it all they maintained a fortitude and courage which made possible the settlement of the west.

Stephen Meek, a famous scout of that day was their guide part of the time. He tried unavailingly to persuade McDonald to go to California.

Crossing the Snake River was the most difficult point of the journey. The wheels of the wagons were taken off, and they were blocked in such a way as to keep them afloat. Ten yoke of oxen were attached to each wagon. In this way some of the oxen were always on land, and able to keep the rest from being swept down stream. Their train enjoyed the distinction of not losing a single wagon or piece of baggage during the crossing.

A thrilling moment was experienced when an old time scout galloped into camp, so exhausted that he fell from his horse, saying that thousands of Indians were surrounding them. The men in the wagon train wanted to arm. The scout warned them that they could do nothing against so many thousands, in case they were hostile, and that if they were friendly the sight of the guns would make them hostile. When they put their ears to the