Short History of Jonathan Wells

History of McHenry County, Illinois, 1885

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Jonathan Wells Diary, July 29 - August 7, 1850

Monday, July 29

Five miles from mornings camp we struck the river and again left it. Camped again where we could not get to the river. Got but little grass and that we were obliged to pack all about 40 rods in mud and water to our hips. We had made 25 miles.

Tuesday, July 30

We left camp at daybreak this morning. Drove 8 miles and stopped to cut hay for the desert. We were obliged to cross the river half a mile from where we could get with our teams and half as far from the river on the other side and back through water and mud to the road. We crossed the grass in a wagon box. The river is very high. Swimming deep.

Wednesday, July 31

We left camp today at 12:00 o'clock with our hay. Drove 15 miles and camped on a slough. Poor grass and bad water.

Thursday, August 1

We continued down the river course through the dry road, sandy and very dusty. Made about 20 miles.

Friday, August 2

The road has been much the same as yesterday. W struck the river at about 5 o'clock and camped. Made 18 miles. Crossed the river for grass.

Saturday, August 3

We left the river this morning and struck the bluffs for 15 miles, then came to a creek or slough with a number of springs. Water very good. Drove 22 miles.

Sunday, August 4

We drove 8 miles down the river and again cut grass for the 50 mile desert.

Monday, August 5

Lay in camp and dry our hay and rest the horses for a hard siege.

Tuesday, August 6

Drove 20 miles. No feed except what we had with us, or water and very salt. We camped on the last slough or water of the Humboldt River, in common seasons but we were told we had two more sloughs to cross.

Wednesday, August 7

We started early this morning and came to the slough spoken of. We found them very bad to cross, the water deep and a muddy bottom. Got our things wet. We baited our teams and started for Salmon River about 0ne o'clock P.M. We drove until six o'clock when we stopped for supper and to feed our horses. Started again at sundown. Drove till one o'clock and again feed until daybreak. Hitched up and drove till 8 o'clock A.M. Stopping for breakfast. We got to the river at about 1:00 P.M. Ourselves and horses almost worn out. Lay by the rest of the day.

 For some reason the journal ends here even though some very rough mountains (Sierra Nevada) had to be crossed. His reference to Salmon River was a stumper for me for a long time. I finally found an atlas containing maps from the 1850's. A map published in 1852 by C. D. Gibbs, Stockton, California answered my question.

The map shows a river draining into Pyramid Lake labeled Salmon Trout River. Jonathan must have left the Trout part off. This is the Truckee River now. Yesterday using Google Search I found out it had been named the Salmon Trout River in 1844 by Fremont and changed to the Truckee later by emigrants.

Jonathan Wells Diary, July 22 - July 28, 1850

Monday, July 22

Made an early start this morning, our horses feeling in good condition. Followed down the river. Road good except clouds of dust. Passed two graves the corpses of which were shot by Indians. Camped on the banks of the river. 25 miles from starting place.

Tuesday, July 23

Our travel still continued down the river until noon, when we left the river bottom ans ascended a high mountainous road, very rough the rest of the way. Came to a small creek and camped. 23 miles drive today.

Wednesday, July 24

Four miles from our morning camp we came in sight of the river again then struggled up. Two miles farther on we came to a good creek of cold water. Then we again took the mountains for eighteen miles up and down. Some of the way very stony, no grass and but little water. We struck the Humboldt again and camped on its banks. We have driven 24 miles. Provisions are getting mighty scarce with the emigrants. It commands almost any price one is a mind to ask. Meat and flour from 50 cents to a dollar a pound.

Thursday, July 25

Started very early. We took the bluffs. Some of the teams crossed the river. About noon we struck the river again. Followed the river and camped back five miles from it. Dug wells for water. Poor grass. Drove 22 miles.

Friday, July 26

Made but one drive today. Sixteen miles. Passed some warm springs. Road very dusty. Camped on the fork of the river. Grass good.

Saturday, July 27

Today we struck the river about noon. And passed quite a number of warm springs. Left the river again. The road very heavy and clouds of dust. Camped on a slough. Cut grass one mile up and brought it in for our horses. Drove 26 miles.

Sunday, July 28

Made a drive today of 8 miles. Camped where the grass was very good. No water but slough.

Jonathan Wells Diary, July 14 - July 21, 1850

Monday, July 15

Made 20 miles today. Crossed 3 creeks. Camped on the bank of the third. Grass good. Killed two ducks. Had a pot-pie for supper. Plenty of wild yellow currents on the bank of the creek made excellent sauce.

Tuesday, July 16

Today's travels have been over rough high mountains. For five miles this morning we ascended one mountain. Some of the way very steep, the balance of the way very crooked and winding. One way among the mountains. Camped tonight on Goose Creek. 25 miles driven today. Fed in the company of the Hoveys. They came Subletts Cut Off (spelled Sutetetts in the diary).

Wednesday, July 17

Followed up Goose Creek for 12 miles, thence took a branch of the same into a deep narrow canyon in the mountains for two miles, then over barren mountains for 15 miles, destitute of feed and water into Thousand Spring Valley. Camped where the grass was very poor. Drove 30 miles.

Thursday, July 18

Followed the same valley for 22 miles and camped by a clear cold spring of water. About 40 rods are a number of warm springs, forming quite a brook.

Friday, July 19

We left camp at an early hour this morning. Four miles up a small creek, crossed a mountain, three miles into another valley. Came to a spring of alkali water. All of our horses got poisoned. We gave them vinegar and lard. That cured them. Still it puts them back very much. We drove 24 miles.

Saturday, July 20

We drove only 7 miles, our horses being in bad condition to travel after last nights sickness from their poison. We have good water today.

Sunday, July 21

Drove 8 miles this morning. Grossed the north branch of the Humboldt River four miles from the starting point. Camped to the stream at a good grassy place and lay over the rest of the day.

Jonathan Wells Diary, July 1 - July 14

Monday, July 1

Our road still lay between high mountains, following a small creek, and crossing it every little way. Very bad to cross. Made 22 miles.

Tuesday, July 2

Still followed the same stream till three miles after dinner came to Weeker River. Paid three dollars for our wagons and forded our horses. Made 25 miles in one day.

Wednesday, July 3

Made 23 miles crossing one creek 13 times. Very bad to cross. After leaving the creek about 11:00 o'clock we took another small creek and followed it four miles., all the way up a mountain. Some of the time in the bed of the creek over hard heads, at others crossing it often, making it hard dangerous traveling.

Thursday, July 4, Independence Day

Drove 15 miles which brought us to Salt Lake City. Road very bad. Some of us heard an oration delivered in the afternoon by the head Mormon in this place. We had an Independence Supper this evening.

Friday, July 5

We left this morning. Drove 16 miles. Passed one hot spring 4 miles from town. After that a number of springs and brooks. Good water. Here we lay until Tuesday. Traded away two of our horses. Bought one fat sheep at six dollars.

Tuesday, July 9

Made 21 miles. Crossed the Weber River. Ferried our wagons at three and one half dollars each. Forded our horses and camped on the banks of the river. Good grass.

Wednesday, July 10

Good roads today. Plenty of good water. Passed a number of springs. Drove 22 miles. Camped on the bank of a cold stream of good water.

Thursday, July 11

Made 22 miles to first rate road. Crossed a number of springs and creeks. Ferried the Bear River. Paid five dollars and swam our horses. Two miles from the river we crossed Mud Creek. Paid one dollar at a toll bridge. Good grass and no wood.

Friday, July 12

Drove 32 miles today. No grass. Water scarce. Good roads. Camped on the side of a mountain.

I don't know what happened to Saturday, July 13.

Sunday, July 14

Drove 10 miles today on account of feed and water camped on a small stream. Good grass. Some Indians.

Jonathan Wells Diary, June 23 - June 30

Sunday, June 23

As we were camped in a bad place for grass we thought we would drive a part of the day. We drove 18 miles and camped on a branch of the Sweetwater. Took our horses two miles to grass. There lies a snow bank a few roads from our camp. 30 rods long and from 4 to 6 ft. deep. Comfortably warm. Nights cold.

Monday, June 24

Continental Divide

Made 21 miles today. Seven miles from mornings camp we again crossed the Sweetwater for the last time. Ten miles farther on we came to the summit or dividing ridge of the Rocky Mountains. Camped 3 miles from this on the Spring Creek. Grass 3 miles off. Heavy thunder storm.

Tuesday, June 25

Drove 24 miles today. First rate road. Seven miles from our camp we came to where the Salt Lake road leaves the Oregon Road. We took the Salt Lake Road. Camped tonight on the banks of the Little Sandy Creek. Grass poor. Plenty of sage for wood.

Wednesday, June 26

Made 27 miles today. Road good. 17 miles from morning camp crossed Big Sandy Creek. Struck it again at 6:00 o'clock and camped.

Thursday, June 27

Drove 6 miles and came to Green River. Too high to ford. Paid 5 dollars for each of our wagons and one dollar a head for our horses. Hitched up and drove 20 miles before we came to water. Camped on a stream.

Fort Bridger

Friday, June 28

Made a long drive today. 30 miles. Good roads. Camped near Fort Bridger.

Saturday, June 29

Drove 10 miles today. Road very rough. I was too unwell to sit up. My complaint was mountain fever. It takes a person very suddenly. Severe pain from head to foot.

Sunday, June 30

Drove all day over a very rough road. Up and down mountains. Very stony. I thought it would take my life. Made 23 miles.

Jonathan Wells Diary, June 10 - June 23, 1850

Monday, June 10

Left camp today at 2:00 o'clock, on the north side of the Platte. A new road. Drove 8 miles and camped.

Tuesday, June 11

Started this morning into the bluffs road. New and rough, up and down, round mountains and over them.. Grass and wood. Water rather scarce. Made 20 miles and camped.

Wednesday, June 12

Made 20 miles today. Roads rather better than yesterday. One man shot an antelope, which is excellent meat in this desert land.

Thursday, June 13

Lay in camp this morning til noon. Made 12 miles over high bluffs. Crooked roads. Camped on creek. Good grass. Poor water.

Friday, June 14

Made 20 miles today. Road better than the day before. Mostly on the bank of the river. Poor grass. Plenty wood.

Saturday, June 15

18 miles today. Some of the way over high bluffs. Some deep dry creeks. Very sandy. Camped on the bank of the Upper Platte. Poor grass. No wood.

Sunday, June 16

We hitched up this morning on account of it's being poor grass. Drove 3 miles to a pleasant spot of green timber, on the bank of the Platte River, where men from the other side were crossing over. The river is high and bad crossing. We consider ourselves very fortunate that we started on the north side. I have been washing today, and skinned my fingers. Sunday is a busy day with us, although we do not drive. Washing and baking all through the camp. It seem to be very necessary to do this kind of work.

Monday, June 17

This morning we started at 4:00 o'clock. Made 24 miles over very sandy bluffs. Then on the river bottom. Camped tonight on the bank of the Platte River. Heavy traveling. Grass poor.

Tuesday, June 18

Made 36 miles today. Three miles form mornings camp we came to the upper ferry and ford on the Platte River. Thence 17 miles over barren sandy country to an alkali lake, where we took our dinner. Sixteen miles passing willow creek and spring [sic]. Took in water and drove three miles to a muddy slough, where we camped. Little grass. Some of our horses were taken sick. We suppose from drinking alkali water. We went to doctoring them and they soon got better. Some of our horses died. A light fall of snow this morning.

 

Independence Rock

Wednesday, June 19

Last night was very cold. Ice a quarter of an inch thick on our pail. 17 miles brought us to Independence Rock. Country still barren. One mile from this we forded the Sweetwater River. (8 rods wide 2 ft. deep) Five miles farther we camped on the same river near the Devil Gate. The rocks are said to be 400 ft. high The river passes between the rocks. 23 miles today. Grass still poor.

Devils Gate

Thursday, June 20

We lay in camp this morning until ten o'clock after two days hard drivin [sic] with but little grass. Drove 11 miles. The Sweetwater and mountains on our right, and a chain of the Rocky Mountains on our left. Snow plain to be seen on the north side, Still the days are quite warm.

Friday, June 21

Made 22 miles today. Road very sandy. Crossed the Sweetwater three times and camped on its banks. Grass short. This is a barren country indeed. No wood except now and then we get a dry cedar from the mountains.

Saturday, June 22

Made 27 miles today. Some good roads. Some very sandy. Crossed the Sweetwater four times. Took our horses two miles to grass, as the river bottoms are mostly alkali. We have seen a number of dead oxen today.

Sunday, June 23

As we were camped in a bad place for grass we thought we would drive a part of the day. We drove 18 miles and camped on a branch of the Sweetwater. Took our horses two miles to grass. There lies a snow bank a few roads from our camp. 30 rods long and from 4 to 6 ft. deep. Comfortably warm. Nights cold.

Jonathan Wells Diary, June 3 - June 9, 1850

Monday, June 2

Left camp this morning at six o'clock. Very warm. Much thunder and lightening all around us through the day. About 4:00 o'clock a cloud came up in the west which made us round to. It commenced raining and kept it up until dark. It grew very cold. We had rather a bad night, but for all we had made 29 miles.

Tuesday, June 4

Drove 26 miles today. Road very heavy. Passed a number of creeks and some sand bluffs, and camped on the Platte. Cold, heavy wind through the day.

Wednesday, June 5

Made 25 miles today. Did not start until 2:00 o'clock on account of it being rainy. Roads very good. Plenty of grass.

Thursday, June 6

Hitched up this morning at six o'clock. Made 25 miles. Some of the way very heavy traveling. Camped tonight on the Platte. Opposite to Sweet Bluffs. Good grass.

Friday, June 7

Made 30 miles today. Good roads. Four miles from our morning came to a creek of good cold water. Some trout in it.

Saturday, June 8

Made 24 miles today. Very good roads. Came to timber 7 miles from our morning camp, the first we had seen fro 200 miles except for one short cedar tree called Lone Tree. Camped about two miles from Ft. Laramie.

Sunday, June 9

Lay in camp today. Overhauled our load. Cut off one wagon box. Threw away some articles we could spare.

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.

Jonathan Wells Diary 1850, May 20 - May 26

Monday, May 20

Drove 5 miles and came to Loup River. Ferried our wagons and forded our horses. Paid one dollar per wagon. Drove 8 miles. Good grass and camped.

Tuesday, May 21

Made 26 miles up the Raccoon River over a beautiful plain, as rich a soil as any in Illinois. No timber except on the streams.

Wednesday, May 22

Made 30 miles. Twenty miles up the Loup River. Good roads. Then left the Loup and struck south for the Platte road. Very sandy. Camped without wood. Water very poor.

Thursday, May 23

Found ourselves wet as rats this morning, as we had a violent thunder storm in the night. Killed one buffalo. Had some for supper. We called it as good as any beef. Camped about 2:00 o'clock to dry our traps that were wet last night.

Friday, May24

Made 17 miles today, over beautiful road. Good grass. Camped at 3:00 o'clock.

Saturday, May 25

Left camp half past six this morning. Rained a little. Very foggy. Made 27 miles. Road first rate. Crossed three dry creeks and camped.

Sunday, May 26

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

I am not sure if there is a mix-up between the Loup River and the Raccoon River on May 22. I Google mapped this area and the rivers squiggle all over the place in that flat country, so maybe they came back to the Loup after traveling up the  Raccoon a ways.

Jonathan Wells Diary 1850, of Crossing the Country for Gold, May 14 - May 19

I was given this typed copy of Jonathan Wells' diary by my grandmother, Charlotte (Cronk) Craddick. The top says: "Copy of Great Grandfather Wells Diary or Log." Unfortunately I do not know who typed it or where the original is.


I will post in installments of a week or two, starting Monday, May 14, 1850 to Wednesday, August 7, 1850, when it is done.


Monday, May 14, 1850.
Formed a company of 13 wagons.


Tuesday, May 14 (I know, one of them is wrong)
Crossed the Missouri-Drove one mile and camped.


Wednesday, May 15
Made some relations and took in wagons so that our company amounted to 22 wagons, 69 men, 1 woman, and 80 horses. Drove 14 miles and camped.


Thursday, May 16
Hitched up at an early hour. Drove ten miles. Crossed the Elkhorn River. Forded our horses. Paid 65 cents for each wagon by ferry. Drove 5 miles and camped.


Friday, May 17
Drove 30 miles on the banks of the Platte River. Very level. Some sandy. camped on it's banks.


Saturday, May 18
Drove 24 miles. Good roads and grass. Camped early and made preparations to lay over.


Sunday, May 19
Lay in camp and cleaned up our clothes and other fixins. Caught some fish.