Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 25.djvu/13

Rh The number taking the northern route, by way of Goose Lake, was estimated at from 7,000 to 9,000.

The emigration of 1850 was probably larger even than that of 1849. By July 8, at Fort Laramie, 37,570 men, 825 women, 1,126 children, 9,101 wagons, 31,502 oxen, 22,873 horses, 7,650 mules and 5,754 cows were registered. Some 2,470 persons had hurried by without registering. Langworthy reports, June 21st, at the upper crossing of the Platte, "We are now upon the main road over which all emigrants must pass, whether bound for Oregon or California. It is a nearly continuous, unbroken procession. We pass the ferrying place, leaving it three miles to the left. We learn that seven thousand teams have already crossed the ferry the present season. Thousands have crossed at various points below, and other thousands are now passing who do not cross the river at all. Some 2,000 of the emigrants went to Oregon. The remainder went to California and Utah, the great majority, of course, to the former place.

The emigration to California fell off greatly in 1851, though the Oregon and Utah emigrants were as numerous as before. However, in 1852 the tide rose again and the trail was crowded. Over 23,000 people and 59,000 cattle passed Fort Kearney; probably as many passed on the north side of the river, one emigrant estimated the total at 50,000. J. H. Holeman, Indian agent in Utah, traveling up the Humboldt, passed an average of about 300 wagons a days for a distance of 400 miles. Emigration to Oregon was the highest since 1847.