Rough road of spurs and gullies runs up a valley 2 miles wide. Well wooded chiefly with cottonwood, and grass abundant. Ranch at Liberty Farm , on the Little Blue. 25 miles, 11 am to 3 pm August 9, 1860
Along the south bank of the Platte. Buffalo chips used for fuel. Sign of buffalo appears. Plum Creek Station on a stream where there is a bad crossing in wet weather 21 miles 9:30 am to 1:15 pm August 10, 1860
Cross hills forming divide of Little Blue River, ascending valley 60 miles long. Little Blue fine stream of clear water falling into Kansas River; every where good supplies and good camping-ground. Along the left bank to Kiowa. 19 miles 6 am to 10 am August 9, 1860
After 19 miles of rough road and mosquitos, cross the Little Sandy, 5 miles E. of Big Sandy, water and trees plentiful. There Big Sandy deep and heavy bed. Big Sandy Station. 23 miles 12 pm to 4 am August 9, 1860
Tuesday, July 30. Arrived at the “Crossing” of the South Platte, alias “Overland City,” alias “Julesburg,” at 11 A. M., 470 miles from St. Joseph. Saw to-day first Cactus. 1:20 P. M. across the South Platte.
July 29.—Saw the first Indians, 75 miles from Kearney, with Buffalo skin wigwams, the hide dressed on both sides, and put up on poles, sugar loaf shape. Here we found Buffalo robes at three to six dollars, beautifully dressed, and some of them wonderfully large. This is the Buffalo region, and robes are higher as you go further, either east or west. Saw an Indian child’s grave on a scaffold about eight feet from the ground, supported by four stakes. Sand Hills and Platte river still in sight. [Orion Clemens]
Store at the crossing very dirty and disorderly. Good water in spring 400 yards N. of the road, wood and grass abundant. Seventeen and a half miles from the Big Blue is Walnut Creek, where emigrants encamp. Thence to West Turkey or Rock Creek in Nebraska Territory, a branch of the Big Blue: its approximate altitude is 1485 feet. 26 Miles 6 pm - 11 pm August 8, 1860
Fourteen miles from Guittard's, Marysville, capital of Washington Co., affords supplies and a blacksmith. Then ford the Big Blue, tributary to Kansas River, clear and swift stream . Twelve miles W. of Marysville is the frontier line between Kansas and Nebraska. Thence to Cottonwood Creek, fields in hollow near the stream. 25 miles, 1 pm to 6 pm August 8, 1860