| 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. For the "rest
of the story" go to Part II, a little follow up of where
these young men went and what they did in the years to follow the
1864 trip to Montana. |
