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Pioneers -- West (U.S.) -- Correspondence

 Subject
Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Much esteemed friends

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 114
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and unsigned letter dated 19 May 1850. Item was written by an unidentified member of a wagon train and includes some detail about the author's preparation for the trip to California. The letter describes the overland journey from Saint Joseph, Missouri to the Platte River and ends 80 miles from Fort Laramie, Wyoming. Author mentions dining on buffalo, weather conditions, and cooking on the plains.

Dates: 1850

John H. Purdy correspondence to James L. Purdy

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 862
Scope and Contents Handwritten correspondence from John Purdy to his brother, James, about his overland journey by ox team from Columbus, Ohio, to California in 1849. Purdy is an intelligent and detailed writer. He describes various companies' rules and regulations and his attempts to join a suitable group traveling to California. Purdy's company encountered Native Americans and two of his party were killed. He also mentions his visit to Salt Lake City and how the company made their own road to Los Angeles,...
Dates: 1849-1851