On The Move!

On The Move!

Journal Written by James Galliard IIIBy: JG

The sun was high in the air today when my good

old friend Stone Sutherland came with some excitin’ news. He gave me a offer I couldn’t refuse. He was asking whether or not I wanted to come with on an amazing adventure to the wild, wild west. I have heard of the gold rush but wasn’t too enthusiastic at first sight, but he did sure convince me. I sprang at the idea of settling a new town, a boomtown even, and getting lots of profit. We had to move quickly so we planned to leave first thing tomorrow morning. It going to take a lot of preparation. I knew it was going to be hard. I got a mixed feeling about this.

Journal Entry #1March 1st, 1850

Me and my good friend Stone Sutherland lassoing up our oxen for our wagon.

Journal Entry #2

Map (#3)

We left from Louisiana through Arizona to Las Vegas and took the Mormon Trail to southern California.

Today we depart from Denham Springs,

Louisiana. I’m a little anxious about the next journey ahead. I can’t wait to see how this will turn out. I was assigned to ride in the wagon with Stone’s wife and daughter and scout ahead at certain times to look for dangers. Today I am eager to travel the awesome trail. We depart today and I’m excited to hit the trail and gain my riches and other fortunes. Mining is going to be tough I know but I think we’ll manage to make it through.

Journal Entry #4March 3rd , 1850

Journal Entry #5

We passed these people on our way out of Denham Springs, Louisiana. I guess everyone wanted to leave!

We left a while back and we just now can see

the border of Louisiana in sight. Man this is thrilling! The trail to the border wasn’t as bad as I thought. We actually passed by a couple of small villages and maybe one town on our trail so far. I wish we could’ve stayed for a while and taken a break, but our journey could not be stopped. We ran on through the country with nothing to stop us. Now that the border is in sight, I feel that our journey will be getting a lot harder as we progress. Only time will tell.

Journal Entry #6March 29th,1850

Journal Entry #7

Trail heading out of Louisiana. We could barely fit through.

We now arrived to the Texas border and we are currently heading out to New Mexico. Our Journey is really starting to get tiring, but I have not lost hope yet. We are still fairly stocked on food, thank goodness, and still have enough to last us for quite some time. Still no dangerous perils yet besides a near engagement with a pack of wolves, but we handled it eventually. Other than those few little hiccups, it has been a good and fun trip for every body. I hope it can stay the same way for the rest of the trip.

Journal Entry #8April 25th, 1850

Journal Entry #9

Some deer we fount on one of the routes in Texas

Well Texas was…odd. We encountered a few towns, some of which, had caught my eye. The citizens, of which had an odd attitude, had a peculiar look to them. They looked like outlaws, every single one of them. I couldn’t put my finger on it but I had a feeling that everyone of them wanted to kill us. I was glad when we escaped that newly born state. Anyways, we were still holding up quite nicely if I do say so myself. We told stories by campfire at night on one of our “off” days.

Journal Entry #10May 1st, 1850

Journal Entry #11

A beautiful view we seen while on the big trail.

We are now in a small village with the most normal people in the state here really, and they have treated us with a fiesta. We ate and drank to our hearts content. Their welcoming gestures really gave me some hope for the trail ahead. Me and Stone planned a bit more for the upcoming trip. Our next stop was to got through Arizona. So now I write ready for whatever may lie ahead. I feel tired now as the food I consumed is starting to take its toll on me. I must sleep to make sure I’m in perfect shape for the next day. We are now just leaving Texas.

Journal Entry #12May 20th,1850

Journal Entry #13

Mexican bandits that we had to sneak past in order to continue on our journey

Finally we have left New Mexico once and for all. That place was starting to creep me out. We are now in Arizona. It seems like just yesterday we left Louisiana to start our journey. I hate to say it but I somewhat wish I could be mining right now instead of being here on the trail with my friends. It almost feels right. Good thing that when we get there, my first task is to start mining for the beautiful gold that’s “supposed” to be there. I’m praying that the place we settle into will be full of the richest ores. I must go to help out pack up the camp.

Journal Entry #14June 4th,1850

Journal Entry #15

A Picture of some pottery the New Mexicans showed us…

We have just now entered the Mormon trail via Las Vegas, Nevada and it’s getting to be REALLY TIRING. Already we have broken legs, been mugged, and we’ve been hunted down. Arizona is hot, hot, HOT! I feel like just dying right now! I hope our “expedition” is going to a close soon because I’m not sure I can handle this anymore. Everyone is starting to take a toll on this trip. We have no energy and everyone is fatigued. Please end soon. Please!

Journal Entry #16June 20th, 1850

Journal Entry #17

We pasted this strange structure while on the trail.

Journal Entry #18

A Picture of some cacti we passed while on the trail through Arizona.

My prayers have been answered. We made it! We found a beautiful area to settle just like a fantasy story book. There was a nearby waterfall and river that’s full of fish. And the best thing was, gold was EVERYWHERE! When I first sifted for gold in the river a glimmer caught my eye. It was gold! It was unbelievable. This trip was worth everything we went through and more. We are already starting construction on the house then the city hall after that to get more people in or new humble town. This will be the last time I write and I must go. Farwell!

Journal Entry #19July 1st,1850

Journal Entry #20

Our beautiful place we chose to settle.

. National Park Service. N.p.. Web. 21 Feb 2013.

<http://www.nps.gov/mopi/index.htm>. . "The Pioneer Story." In-Depth Studies. N.p., 03 February 2013.

Web. 21 Feb 2013. <http://www.lds.org/gospellibrary/pioneer/pioneerstory.htm>.

 "The Mormon Trail." Britanica Online Encyclopedia. N.p.. Web. 21 Feb 2013. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/392521/Mormon-Trail>.

. "Mormon Trails Summary." Mormon Trails. N.p.. Web. 21 Feb 2013. <http://www.mormontrails.org/Trails/Summary/trailsum.htm>.

. "The Mormon Trail." History of Utah. N.p.. Web. 21 Feb 2013. <http://www.utah.com/mormon/pioneer_trail_history.htm>.

Citations

Journal Entry #2 http://www.america101.us/trail/Power.htmlMap https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/File:UT-NV-CA_Trails.pngJournal Entry #5http://merryfarmer.net/2012/08/page/3/Journal Entry #7http://www.heartofohiotrail.org/Journal Entry #9http://texasmountaintrail.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.htmlJournal Entry #11 http://americangallery.wordpress.com/tag/chisholm- trail/Journal Entry #17http://www.nps.gov/mopi/photosmultimedia/Photo-Images-Along-the-Mormon-Trail.htmJournal Entry #15http://www.blueraingallery.com/artists/juanita_fragua/pottery/3921Journal Entry #18http://www.arizonalodgingexperts.com/arizona-rentals-blog/category/wildlife/Journal Entry #20http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/california/hiking-trails

Bibliography for Pictures