Page:Route of Meek Cut-off, 1845.djvu/7

Rh the level plateau east of Malheur Lake, known now as Crane Prairie. It may well have had the appearance of a valley to the travelers. The next encampment is designated as on Crooked River, an inconsequential stream from the north, entering the lake basin. The 7th brought them to Malheur Lake, and while the printed text does not state which side, the original diary locates the encampment on the northern margin. September 8th, 9th and 10th, travel was along or near Silvies River and to the west of its watershed. On the 12th, probably on the present Silver Creek.

From the last point, Stephen Meek and the train in charge met with difficulties which have been variously attributed to want of knowledge by the pilot, deliberate deceit, or incompetence, with the result of several days' delay, fear of Indians, and much suffering. It would appear from the statement of those versed in the geography of the region that Meek led the course to the south and west, where desert exists, instead of to the northwest, where on the morning of the 17th the headwaters of the now Crooked River were reached after a night advance of 25 miles. The writer is not unmindful that claim is made to the train having gone as far west and south as Wagontire Mountain, and indeed since there were several companies, each under separate command, individual divergence may have been as far as the Wagontire region, but the mileage given by Mr. Harritt does not permit this.

At the encampment made on the morning of the 17th, or that of the night of the same day, was the discovery of the much written and talked of "Blue Bucket" gold mine. The Herren family, later well-known residents of Marion County, carried buckets and other utensils of the trip, painted blue, for ready distinction from other equipment. Some of the younger members of the family were sent for camp water, who noted yellow pebbles in the stream bed, several at least of which were deposited in the buckets and taken to camp. Probabilities of gold were discussed, and upon the statement that if gold the metal would be malleable, some one of the party (possibly James Terwilliger, after whom the Portland boulevard was named, as he was the blacksmith of one company), hammered the nugget