Page:Route of Meek Cut-off, 1845.djvu/9

Rh able current, is 30 to 40 yards wide, with a depth of more than 20 feet. Samuel Parker of the train, says his wagons were taken down and parts separately pulled over with ropes. October 4th and 5th were spent over the distance to top of Tygh Ridge by way of Butler and Immigrant canyons, the former now traversed by the state highway. The ascent from the Deschutes to the camping place of the 4th on the ranch now owned by E. L. Webb of Tygh Valley north of Sherars bridge, is plainly marked by the ancient furrows. The 6th passed Fifteenmile and on to Eighteenmile Creek, and the 7th to The Dalles.

A notable characteristic of Mr. Harritt’s writing is the complaisant spirit in which it is penned, and want of elaboration. Without other knowledge, one might think it a daily recital in monotonous repetition of ordinary events. Many exciting and hazardous incidents which must have been met with are unrecorded, including the discovery of gold which is not so much as mentioned. There was much sickness and many deaths. It is known that possibly 20 were buried during the period of the diary here given; the mention by the relator was only of those in his own company, which was one of several. Neither is there mention of the desertion by Meek, which occurred about the night of September 15th and before reaching water at the Crooked River. When those of the regular route reached The Dalles and were informed that the Meek people had not arrived, a rescue party was hastily organized, and General Joel Palmer is authority for the statement that Moses Harris, a trapper and mountain man known as "Black" Harris, was placed in charge; other names and the number are not known. These men, certainly well versed in mountain passes and stream crossings of the region, set out for Crooked River, observing at critical points possibilities of wagon travel, and finding the train led its members with skillful vision to their destination.

The whole distance from the Missouri River to the Columbia, which then required six months' time by those courageous home-seekers, now is traversed within short 12 hours by planes of the air.