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, [ca. 19--?].

ArchivalResource

Williams, Howard Dana, b. 1839. 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, [ca. 19--?].

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, [ca. 19--?].

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/702171291

Typescript transcript of diary of a journey to California, April 6-August 12, 1859, kept by Howard D. Williams. Williams describes his departure from Viroqua with his brother, Clark D. Williams, and their boat trip down the Mississippi to Hannibal, Mo. Originally destined for Pike's Peak, they decide to head to California after encountering disheartened gold prospectors returning home from Colorado. Williams describes their journey to the Sierra foothills by way of Fort Kearney, Fort Laramie, the Platte River, Chimney Rock, Neb., Salt Lake City, Humboldt Valley, Ragtown, and the Truckee River. His diary documents each day's travelled distance, modes of transportation used by emigrants, cost of goods and supplies, trading with Indians, and encounters with other emigrant parties and government troops. Accompanied by a manuscript note describing diary's provenance.

1 item (38 p.) ; 29 cm.

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library