Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 15.djvu/317



EMIGRATION FROM IOWA TO OREGON IN 1843 297

cloth, 2 blankets, and to every five men a tent the same size and form of the infantry tents in the regular army; they should be made of cotton drilling or dark cloth. To every five men there should be a wagon and team sufficient to transport two thousand pounds, hauled by three or four yoke of oxen; they should be shod and spare shoes and nails taken along, and a water keg to contain at least ten gallons to each wagon; each man should have the necessary implements of husbandry to go right to work, and each mechanic should take his tools with him; also in addition, each man ought to have a good poney or a mule to ride, (if he is able,) & that should be well equipped for packing and riding, a Spanish saddle and a picket line to tie your horse when feeding saddles should have cruppers for this service. In addition, every man should take as many cows with him as he can get, they are scarce in Oregon, they might be learnt to work in yoke the same as oxen. With this outfit they ought each to have not less than from $20 to $50 in cash when you go to the country your labor will produce cash everything there commands cash, and common labor is very high. It will be necessary in such a company, that they should be completely organized like a company of regular soldiers; and I would advise that they agree (after choosing their officers) that they, while on their march thither, shall subject themselves to be governed by the rules and articles of war of the United States, so far as they shall apply to that service. I would recommend that to 100 men, they elect one Captain, who should carry a spy glass, four Sergeants, and four Corporals and there ought to be a Bugler to give the signals, and if one cannot be had, there should be a drum and fife. Guides and buffalo hunters will be required who will have to be paid a reasonable sum, as it will not do for every one to go hunting and shooting at pleasure.

Prices at this time. Wheat is nominally worth $1 per bushel, beef 6 cents per pound, pork 10 cents, cows are worth $50, oxen by the pair $60, horses $35, potatoes 25 cents per bushel, common labor is worth $35 per month and boarding,