The History of United States Coinage As Illustrated by the Garrett Collection

From that point the route went across mountainous country to the Rocky Mountains, continuing to the beginning of the Pacific Slope at Green River. Next came Fort Hall, at the junction of the Oregon Trail. Beginning in this area hardships increased. Grass to feed the animals became scarce or nonexistent, and water often was tainted. Many people gave up the journey to return back along the trail toward the east. Others stayed with the Mormon community at Great Salt Lake.

One group of travelers comprised a wagon train drawn by mules, with the planned trip from St. Louis to California to take 60 days. The group had paid $200 each in advance to entrepreneurs who had organized the caravan as a business venture, with departures along the route planned at regular intervals. After Fort Hall the mules could go no further. As the belongings and the equipment being hauled in the wagons could not be transported beyond that point, everything was distributed among the passengers. Most of it had to be left behind. A few obtained stray mules which enabled them to go ahead. Most had to be content with a knapsack containing a small amount of food, some blankets, and a few other necessities.

As the journey proceeded westward Indians became more of a threat. In the Klamath region six immigrants in a party of seven were killed. Often the Indians would steal cattle.

More and more things were abandoned as the journey continued. Countless wagons were left behind and the passengers continued on foot. In other instances horses and cows were put together in the same team. Thousands of animals died and were devoured by vultures who hovered overhead, and by coyotes which circled at a distance. The dry alkali plains, desert, and for those who took the southern route, the Death Valley, offered little of the way of food or water for man or beast. The Death Valley route in particular caused much suffering.

There were some amenities. Near the headwaters of the Humboldt River, "a post office and reading room" was set up near a spring shaded by a tree. Newspapers and other reading material were available. Posted nearby was a request to "read and leave them for others."

While many if not most travelers were considerate of their fellow adventurers, some did their best to thwart others. Often when property was discarded due to inability to transport it forward, it would be destroyed so that others could not use it.Flour would be mixed with dirt and salt, turpentine would be poured on sugar, clothing would be torn into shreds, and wagons would be burned.