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Overland journeys to the Pacific

 Subject
Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings

Found in 76 Collections and/or Records:

David Chamberlin autobiography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230318104]
Identifier: MSS SC 1917
Scope and Contents

One handwritten autobiography by Chamberlin, one handwritten history of the early discoveries and settlement of California condensed from various authors, and miscellaneous items. Chamberlin talks about his youth, his various travels, and his encounters with Native Americans.

Dates: 1853-1889
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

John Gorham Chandler letter and news article

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230233782]
Identifier: MSS SC 113
Scope and Contents

ALS to his mother in which Chandler tells of troop plans to set out for California during the wars with the Pacific Coast Indians. He describes his clothing, bedding, and tentative itinerary of the journey. The newspaper article announces the departure of the Third Regiment of Artillery for California.

Dates: 1854
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Stillman Churchill diary

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 663
Scope and Contents Handwritten diaries describing the overland journey from Lowell, Massachusetts to Deer Creek, Wyoming in 1849. Volume 2 concludes Churchill's journey to California. Churchill traveled with the Sagamore and California Mining and Trading Company. After its dissolution in late June, it is likely that the author joined the Oskaloosa Company. Churchill wrote detailed entries about company politics and disagreements, and also described other companies and emigrants he met on the trail. Diary...
Dates: 1849
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

John F. Cobbey papers

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 158
Scope and Contents Handwritten journal of Cobbey's overland journey from St. Joseph, Missouri to Cold Springs, California in 1850. Occasionally poetic, Cobbey describes buffalo, Indian villages he visited, and bouts of mountain fever in the company. Diary is very descriptive about the geography and nature of the trail. Cobbey had limited success mining and gives a brief description of conditions in California. Journal includes an essay written by Cobbey in 1852 for Walnut Grove Academy (now Eureka College)....
Dates: 1850-1951
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Gordon C. Cone diary

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 661
Scope and Contents Handwritten diary of Cone's overland journey by ox team from Waukesha, Wisconsin to California in 1849. Cone is a descriptive writer and proud to record "only facts." Diary describes traveling conditions, encounters with Indians, cholera outbreaks, fellow travelers, and government assistance at the end of the trail. Cone also spent time in Salt Lake City and wrote about his unfavorable impressions. After arriving at California, Cone made several trips to Sacramento. Life in California was...
Dates: 1849-1850
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

William Jefferson Cook diary and biography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230234574]
Identifier: MSS SC 150
Scope and Contents

Handwritten diary which describes Cook's journey overland from the Missouri River to California. Also describes the author's return by sea to New York, including a crossing by mule of the Isthmus of Panama. Also includes 4 pages of biographical information concerning Cook written in 1957 by Mary F. Owensby.

Dates: 1850-1852(bulk), 1850-1957 (inclusive)
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Alphonse B. Day diary

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 658
Scope and Contents

Handwritten account of Day's overland journey from the Missouri River to Oregon in 1849. Diary primarily focuses on travelling conditions: grass, water, and condition of horse and ox teams. A number of companions died from cholera and mountain fever. Day intended to travel to California, but "as I think its impossible to go to California with a team," headed to Oregon instead.

Dates: 1849
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

A diary kept by Howard D. Williams containing a record of the events of a journey across the plains, made by himself and Clark D. Williams from Viroqua, Wisconsin, April 6, 1859 to North San Juan, California, August 12, 1859

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230234566]
Identifier: MSS SC 151
Scope and Contents

Typescript of a diary which describes Williams' overland journey from Wisconsin to California, giving daily accounts of weather conditions, miles traveled, and towns visited.

Dates: approximately 1900
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Kate Dunlap diary

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 49
Scope and Contents Handwritten diary of Dunlap's overland journey from Lee, Iowa to Montana by horse team in 1864. Dunlap wrote an introduction to the item, dated 30 January 1865, describing Montana and dedicated it to "My friends." Diary entries are very detailed and describe the geography of the overland route, food and camping conditions, encounters with Indian tribes, and trouble with thieves. Dunlap also mentions meeting several disillusioned Mormons. Dunlap's husband served as captain of the company and...
Dates: 1864-1865
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections
Image of Edwin R. Bird diary
Image of Edwin R. Bird diary

Edwin R. Bird diary

 Digital Record
Identifier: MSS2628_F1
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

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