KANSAS RIVER, June 3, 1843.
* * There are over 3,000 and perhaps 5,000 head of cattle,
mules, and horses attached to the company. Captain Applegate
has over 200 head, and others over 100 head. This has been a
bone of contention with some of the emigrants and very
nearly divided the company. Indeed, I am not certain but it
will be the means of a split yet, as there are a number
without cattle who refuse to assist in guarding them. The
dissatisfaction is not quite so violent now, as the cattle
owners have agreed to furnish the company with beef, (in
case of scarcity of buffalo meat,) work cattle and milch
cows, the former at a price to be fixed by the committee,
and the cows and oxen without charge. The company have
agreed to this proposition, and the former law, limiting
each individual to three head of loose cattle, is thereby
repealed. The number of cattle is quite too large. It is
impossible to guard them at night, and the Indians at this
place have already commenced stealing horses and killing
cattle. The company which leaves next spring for Oregon
should keep strict guard on their cattle and horses at the
crossing of this river, as some eight or ten horses and
mules have been stolen in one night from our company. Doctor
Whitman from Walla Walla, who is in our company, advises
that the company divide into three or four parties, for
speed and convenience, as there will be no danger from the
Indians.
[The name of the writer of the above letter is not given.
The letter, however, indicates that he came to the
emigration from Burlington, Iowa, and evidently lived there,
as his letter was printed first in a Burlington paper. He
was chosen a member of the "cabinet advisers" of the
captain--nine persons. Probably these points will serve to
identify him. Was he M. M. McCarver?]