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Journal of Western Travel

by John McTurk Gibson
edited by Weldon Hoppe
Gibson
May 9th, 1859 -- Five miles travel brought us to the Big Muddy, which we crossed, and landed in Plattesmouth, a thin scattering village, with only one outfitting store in the whole place. They however do a smashing business, have enormous profits, and sell more goods than any one store I have seen in the west. We bought our outfit here, saw some fine gold specimens from the mines and were altogether more encouraged than we have been since we started. I wrote my first letter home from this point. We went out about a mile, camped, and then returned into town, where most of the boys indulged in a general high, each one imagining he could do as he pleased on leaving the United States. We had a jolly time of it, and every thing was carried on in good humor.

Powell
Travelled seven miles. Crossed the Missouri River at Platts Mouth. Platts Mouth is poorly situated to become a large place on account of the bluffs coming nigh the river, the river here is half a mile wide. We crossed on a steam ferry. We are encamped one mile west of Platts Mouth in Cass County, Nebraska Territory. Fine weather and pretty good grass. We are all tight to knight save one or two. We drank one gallon of lager beer and half a gallon of whisky. We had a good time of it. Mr. Rey's head is far from plumb twenty four hours after.

Copyright © 1997 Weldon Hoppe
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