Index
Nebr. Map
Wyo. Map
Utah Map
Cal-Nev Map
Trail Links
Home
Journal of Western Travel
by John McTurk Gibson
edited by Weldon Hoppe
June 22nd, 1859 -- Still at the Ferry, two young fellows got nearly drowned this forenoon attempting to swim the river, one of them was almost exhausted when pulled out, the current is so swift it takes a mighty good swimmer to perform the feat, and besides the water is so cold coming straight from the snowy mountains, one is apt to get chilled clear through before he can get across. I saw one who was said to be as good a swimmer as there was in the country try it, and he was carried down nearly a quarter of a mile, making the passage. Some of the pulleys got broke up, consequently there was little crossing done today, and a good many teams have to cross yet before our turn comes. Went out and hunted a little, only saw one hare, and shot it.Powell
Travelled three miles. We arrived at the ferry this morning, five miles above the bridge. Some boys were swimming the river and two came nigh drowning. They were taken out and doctored. They were very sick. This river is very hard to swim. About thirty teams were ahead of us a the ferry. The mosquetoes are very annoying through the heat of the day, the knights being to cool for them. Snow is visible some eight miles from here.