Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/341



CORRESPONDENCE

333

the first train, which he should do by all means, and start as early as he can travel, and take along with him oats and corn to feed his team principally for the first month, before the grass starts much. Drive moderately at first, have plenty of teams so that two horses may travel behind the wagon, and exchange horses each alternate day, and work each pair of horses two days in succession. Let provisions be selected in proportion to the amount of nutrition they contain to the pound. Let him take dried fruit, dried beef and the fattest pork he can find without bone, well cured. Let him take nothing heavy, except clothing, and send his books by water, put up so that they will not get wet. Let him have good In- dia rubber cloths to sleep on and under. Tell him to take special care of his team and, if he comes with horses, never let them go to hunt stray cattle, if he can avoid it and keep peace with the caravan. Tell him to be sure to cross at or near Council Bluffs and keep the north side of the Platte all the way and never touch the old road till he reaches the Sweet Water and he will save several days' travel and avoid all the bad water courses. I speak advisedly on this subject. If he comes with a horse team, he should have mares. He will need much grace, but if he does not take too much care and labor on himself the journey will be pleasant and healthy to himself and family. May God bless him and his and make them a lasting blessing to Oregon.

Yours affectionately,

EZRA FISHER. Received Jan. 25, 1851.

Oregon City, Ore., Jan. 17, 1851. To Rev. Benj. M. Hill,

Cor. Sec. of Am. Bap. Home Mis. Soc. Dear Brother:

Herein I send you my report of labor under the appoint- ment of the Home Mission Society for the quarter ending January 1st, 1851.

I have labored thirteen weeks in the quarter in the work