Jonathan Wells Diary - May 27 - June 2, 1850

Catherine (DeGraoat) Wells, Jonathan's wife.

I tried OCR software from my HP Scan today so I could make this easier. Didn't work. I guess because the typing is erratic. If anyone knows of a really good OCR program let me know. Oh well I suppose it's good for my typing skills.

Sunday, May 26

Lay in camp today. Very warm. Very hard thunder storm at night.

Monday, May 27

Left camp this morning at six o'clock. 9 miles. Crossed Elm Creek. A beautiful place. Crossed a number of other small creeks. Road very bad because of the heavy rain last night. Made 27 miles.

Tuesday, May 28

Made 27 miles today. Crossed two dry creeks today. Passed by Willow Lake. Road very good. Plenty of grass. No wood except buffalo chips. Camped on the Platte.

Wednesday, May 29

Today we had rather hard traveling because of sand. Crossed one bad slough and Skunk Creek. Camped by a good spring of cold water. Traveled 26 miles. Found one horse lame by a bad kick on the shoulder.

Thursday, May 30

Drove 26 miles. Passed some very sandy road, hard bluffs. Crossed a number of creeks. Camped by a spring of cold water.

Friday, May 31

Diggins lost a horse. Made 25 miles. Sandy road. Very warm. Poor grass.

Saturday, June 1

Road for the most of the day very good. Crossed several creeks. Hard shower at 4:00 o'clock. Traveled 20 miles.

Sunday, June 2

Lay in camp to overhaul our loads. Threw away what of our traps we could spare. Cleaned up and made preparations for another week of travel. All in good health.