Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 5.djvu/383

Rh me had gone with pack animals; but it occurred to me that we might be able to make the trip with wagons. I went at once to see Doctor McLoughlin, and asked his opinion of the practicability. Without hesitation lie replied that he thought we could succeed, and recommended old Thomas McKay for pilot. No wagons had ever passed between Oregon and California. Thomas McKay had made the trip several times with pack trains, and knew the general nature of the country, and the courses and distances; but he knew of no practicable wagon route, as he had only traveled with pack animals.

This was about the first of September, 1848. I at once went into the streets of Oregon City, and proposed the immediate organization of a wagon company. The proposition was received with decided favor; and in eight days we had organized a company of one hundred and fifty stout, robust, energetic, sober men, and fifty wagons and ox teams, and were off for the gold mines of California. We had only one family, consisting of the husband, wife, and three or four children. We had fresh teams, strong wagons, an ample supply of provisions for six months, and a good assortment of mining implements. I had two wagons and teams, and two saddle horses; and I took plank in the bottoms of my wagons, with which I constructed a gold rocker after we arrived in the mines.

We were not certain that we could go through with our wagons, and thought we might be caught in the mountains, as were the Donner party in 1840. In case we had been snowed in, we had plenty of provisions to live upon during the winter. Besides, we were apprehensive that there might be a great scarcity of provisions in the mines during the winter of 1848-'49. The only article I purchased in the mines was some molasses, having everything else in the way of provisions.