Wednesday, 31 Oct. 1838 Diary of William Polke “Left encampment this morning at half after seven o’clock—the company under Capt. Hull being attached to the emigration—and at 12 o’clock passed Independence. At one we reached our present encampment two miles south of Independence, and ten miles from the camp of yesterday.” “After reaching camp in Read More »
Saturday, 27 Oct. 1838 Diary of William Polke “At sunrise the ferry boats were busily plying from shore to shore. As fast as the emigrants reached the southern bank they were hurried on their journey. At two o’clock the party were all over the river, and hastened to join the front of the emigration. At Read More »
Monday, 29 Oct. 1838 Diary of William Polke “At eight o’clock we resumed our journey—the morning being delightful and fine for travelling. At 12 we reached Prairie Creek, 10 miles from Schuy Creek. Subsistence flour, corn-meal, beef and pork and game of every kind. Forage, corn, hay and fodder.” “About five o’clock Capt. Hull arrived Read More »
Saturday, 27 Oct. 1838 Diary of William Polke “At sunrise the ferry boats were busily plying from shore to shore. As fast as the emigrants reached the southern bank they were hurried on their journey. At two o’clock the party were all over the river, and hastened to join the front of the emigration. At Read More »
Wednesday, 24 October 1838 Diary of William Polke “This morning before leaving camp a quantity of shoes were distributed among the indigent and barefooted Indians, the weather being too severe for marching without a covering to the feet.” “At eight o’clock we left Thomas’ encampment, and at 12 reached Carrollton, near which place we are Read More »
Monday, 22 October 1838 Diary of William Polke “At an early hour this morning we left our encampment, and passing through Keatsville (Keytesville), journeyed towards the Missouri River. At two o’clock p.m. we reached Grand River, preparations for the ferriage of which had before been made, and immediately commenced its crossing.” “By dark all the Read More »
Saturday, 20 October Diary of William Polke “Left Chariton Encampment at eight o’clock this morning. The road was quite muddy and the air very cold. At 12 we reached our present Encampment on Grand Chariton, two miles from Keatsville.” “Tomorrow being the Sabbath we shall remain in camp. The health of the Indians is almost Read More »
Wednesday, 10 Oct. 1838 Diary of William Polke “The settlement of yesterday was concluded today, and every person engaged in the service, save the officers of the emigration, was paid up to the thirtieth. In order to allow the wagoners an opportunity of repairing their wagons, shoeing their horses and making other repairs necessary for Read More »
Diary of William Polke Monday, 8 Oct. 1838 “In order to reach Quincy and forward the ferriage of the river as much as possible, parties of the emigration were detached and sent a-head at seven o’clock. At 10, a great portion of the emigrants had reached the river, seven miles from the camp of last Read More »
Diary of William Polke Saturday, 6 Oct. 1838 “At a little before eight in the morning we left the encampment of last night. During the night we were visited by a fall of rain which rendered the travelling today unusually pleasant. The dust has been completely allayed, and the air much cooled. Water on the Read More »