April 1853
| Diary of Bill Zilhart This is a ledger of my travels from Missouri to California |
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I left Pleasant Gap, Bates County, Missouri, the 21st day of April 1853 for California. In the evening traveled to L. D. Cockrill's place. Camped there until the 25th of April. Then traveled to the Miami Creek in Bates County, Mo. I left the train. Went to Glasses', over took the train at Butler, then to Mulberry the 26th, then went with Olivia Cockrill on a fishing trip, while sitting on the bank fishing, the bullets whistled over our heads. Then we traveled to the West Point and stopped there on the 27th. Then went into West Point and purchased some few things. Then came very near loosing many of our girl. They fell in love with some of the merchants, but we all started from there. Traveled about Sugar Creek, there camped in the open prairie. Then we started on the 28th and camped on Bull Creek 28 miles from West Point. We had bad luck, the women were scared about crossing Wee Wa Creek. The 30th we traveled to Witch Creek, stayed there until next day late on account of rain. Then we traveled on the first of May to a place where there was not any water; but on the second day we went on and camped on a Creek called 102. It was a dismal place. |
train meaning the party in covered wagons.
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