In Years Gone By: Ninety Years Ago
16 May 1864

Part 1

Most all of the neighbors on Walnut Creek in Fremont County, IA, were gathered at the Chambers' farm, on the West side of Singleton's Grove to bid good-bye to the boys going to the mines in Virginia City, Montana. The small party of nine consisted of: Harlow C Chambers, William A Chambers, Jonathan Welty, John W Singleton, EB Gray, Andrew Johnson, Henry Clem, Samuel Clem, and Israel Clem. Our outfit consisted of 4 wagons, 28 oxen, 2 cows, 1 riding animal, and equipment and supplies for one year. Also guns, revolvers, and ammunition to ensure an equal chance wherever the trail led. Our teams were mostly steers just in the breaking stage. By ten o'clock everything was ready and with tears, and wringing hands, the memorial party with voices of friends and family trembling bid the good wishes for our safe journey, good luck in the mines, and a safe return to our loved ones.

On September 13, 1864 our teams drove into Alder Gulch, our destination was reached in 120 days safe over the long trail. There were at that time about 15,000 people in Alder Gulch - and gold, gold, gold, pans full of gold.

Part 2

Most all of the neighbors on Walnut Creek in Fremont County, IA, were gathered at the Chambers' farm, on the West side of Singleton's Grove to bid good-bye to the boys going to the mines in Virginia City, Montana. The small party of nine consisted of: Harlow C Chambers, William A. Chambers, Jonathan Welty, John W. Singleton, E. B. Gray, Andrew Johnson, Henry Clem, Samuel Clem, and Israel Clem.

THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
Sidney, Iowa.
February 12, 1904

"HENRY CLEM WRITES - An Interesting Letter Concerning Some of the Pioneers of Fremont County."

Ft. Morgan, Colorado
February 2, 1904

Dear Sir:--I herewith enclose a copy of our family reunion which occurred at Missoula, Montana, on the Dec. 29, 1903. At this time all of the family now living met and had out pictures taken in one group, the second time that we had all met in twenty six years.

While we were among the pioneers of Fremont County, Iowa, not one are living there now, having settled on Walnut Creek in 1855 with our parents and lived there to the age of maturity when some moved farther west.

On the 16th of May 1864 Samuel, Israel and myself went to Montana with ox teams in company with some of our neighbors. After two years I returned and made Fremont County my home from 1866 until 1892, when I came to this country and in 1895, I moved my family here which has been our home ever since. Samuel and Israel have been residents of Montana since that time with the exception of a few years they stayed in Iowa. Samuel lives at Sunset Valley and Israel at Missoula and sister, Mrs. Mary E. Lowe, lives at Ovando, Montana. Brother A. D. Clem has been a resident of this-- Morgan County--the past 18 years.

In commemoration of our family reunion when A. D. and myself returned home he brought about 20 pounds of bear meat and all the relation and about sixty-three friends met at the home of A. D. Clem and had a dinner of the old fashioned kind with bear meat at the head. It would be putting it mildly to say that everybody enjoyed themselves in great shape and that 52 continued their pleasures until the small hours of the morning. Brother Samuel furnished the bear meat for our big dinner.

During our visit to Montana we had the pleasure of feasting on venison and elk of which parts of this country abounds in great plenty, but alas, the non-resident is not allowed to take any game without paying a license of twenty five dollars so that cut me out. I didn't have the $25, see.

I will further state for the benefit of friends that we have had the finest winter in Colorado up to now that I ever saw in any country; no snow to speak of so far, roads dusty. In fact it would be better if we had a little more snow than we have had. Every thing is prosperous. Prices low, especially on cattle, stock doing well on the range, not so many sheep are feed as usual. We still get the Herald, twice a week now.

Yours Truly,

HENRY CLEM