20th. Got up into the region of snow to-day, and have passed several
snow banks alongside of the road in the ravines. Road better, but no
grass to speak of. We passed the 10 wagons to-day which left us on the
Platte because we would not drive on Sunday. They had had four days
start of us at Ft. Laramie. When we passed them they had 14 men down
with the mountain fever. Crossed a branch of the Sweet Water and the
Willow Creek, and camped about a mile from the latter. We passed to-day
a grave made yesterday of a man found with his throat cut. He had in
his hand when found, a jack knife, and near him was found a scanty
supply of provisions. He had committed suicide. It was evident that he
was a foot packer, and had probably become depressed by his journey and
the gloomy prospect of his not being able to get through his long
journey with his slender supply of provisions. Poor fellow; he had
become discouraged in prosecuting one long journey, and had entered
upon another longer journey, with, perhaps, less preparation than upon
the first. His name was not known.