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May 11, 1846
We heads out tomorry-first light. The Reeds joined up with the Donners and a few other late wagons. Gonna be 88 men, women & childrun & a whole mess of wagons and livestock. Mr Donner done been elected captain of the train. Not too sure about that Hastins feller. We're t'foller his wagon train cause he's supposed t'know a quicker way t'get there. Shore got misgivins' about Mr Reed's main wagon-way too big an heavy--a reg'lar monster with a side door, a stove, chairs & even beds in a loft-all the comforts o'home. I sees a pile o'work ahead. I ain't had none of them visions lately t'write about, but shore got an anxious feelin' in me belly 'bout this here journey. Should have left mor'n a month ago.
(Illegible pages.)
May 31, 1846
Been rainin' some ever day and muddy, I swear. The Blue River were so high we had to wait a few days fer it t'go down afore we could cross. Poor Mrs Reed's mama done died from consumption, and we buried her here. I hepped make a nice coffin. Them Reed youngins and the Mrs shore miss their gramma.
Might a'knowed I spoke too soon 'bout not havin' nary one of them visions. I swear, when we rolled up to the Blue, I pert' near drove the wagon right into the water, thinkin' there wuz a bridge stretchin' crost there. Weren't no bridge there a'tall. We had t'build rafts an' ferry wagons acrost and haul em up the other side.
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Dawgie, it wuz back-breakin' work. Took a full day. We all beginnin' t'despise that big wagon of the Reeds--the "Prairie Palace". Takes near 'bout every yoke of oxen we got t'git it up the steep places. Shore hope this weather lets up soon.
June 7, 1846
We done broke out of the forest onto the prairies. The road done dried out and is exsullent, ceptin' at the creek crossin's. Everbody's mood has lightened considerble, whut with birds a'singin', purty flowers bloomin' everwhere and good grass fer the stock. Mrs Reed shore fixes up a nice plate o' vittles fer us ever evenin'. Even milks them cows and churns fresh butter fer us onct in a while. I been teachin' young George Donner and little Jimmy Reed how t'fish and set snares. Theys sure proud theys ketch sompthin' fer the cook pot. We still foolin' around too much, losin' precious days. These folks ain't got no notion the miseries they got ahead. I worry for the youngins and their mamas. Shore nice drivin' on these flat prairies when the wind blows the dust away. Ain't seen nary hide of any hostil injuns. Mrs Reed is scart t'death of them.
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THE PLAINS
June 16, 1846
...... pleasant here on the plains, more like a holiday picnic.
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