The Diary of James Madison Coon and Nancy Iness (Miller) Coon on
the Oregon Trail
from Mercer County, Illinois to Clackamas County, Oregon in 1847
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The original entries to this document were derived from a Transcription by Mrs. Evah (Coon) Smith. Later additions, entries, and corrections are derived from a transcription by Leslie A. Haskin who interviewed Mr. James M. Coon, Jr., the youngest son of James and Nancy Coon. At the time of the Haskin transcription, the original diary was in the possession of the interviewee, James M. Coon, Jr., who was a taylor living at 105 First Street, Albany, Oregon, and was loaned to Leslie Haskin to be transcribed.
This rendition together with supplemental notes and clarifications is respectfully submitted by it's transcriber, Robert Lewis, for the enjoyment and edification of those who delight in the adventure of real American History as it has been recorded by it's participants and preserved for posterity by their descendants.
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Notes taken from Coon and Miller family history records
in the possession of Robert Lewis
James Madison Coon, born Sept. 24th 1813 in Jefferson County, Kentucky, was the second son of a family of eight children - seven boys and one girl - born to Michael Coon, Jr. and Elizabeth (Kelly) Coon who were married on the 6th of April, 1803 in Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia. Michael was the descendant of hardy German immigrant stock who came from the upper Rhine River Valley to York County, Pennsylvania in 1738. Michael's father, Michael Sr. and six of his brothers were members of the "German Regiment" ("Pennsylvania DEUTSCH" not "Dutch") from York County, Pennsylvania during "The War of the Rebellion" (the Revolutionary War). His wife and James' mother, Elizabeth showed her fine Irish heritage with the great surname of Kelly and was the daughter of George Kelly of Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia.
Nancy Iness Miller, born on April 8th, 1827 in Montgomery County, Indiana, was the seventh child and fifth daughter of a family known to consist of at least thirteen children - five boys and eight girls - of John Miller, Sr. and Sarah Smith of Millersburg, Mercer County, Illinois. Nancy died 7 April, 1907 near Halsey, Linn Co., Oregon.
James and Nancy were married February 21 1847 in Mercer County, Illinois and about two months later, on April 11th, 1847 they departed for Oregon. He was 34 and she was 20 years of age.
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Crosed the Planes in 1847
Sugartree Grove, Mercer County, Illinois
James M. and Nancy Coon Started to go to Oregon Aprile 11th - 1847.
Sunday April 11th, 1847
Got to Oquawka. acalf gave out.
Weather pleasant.
Mon. Apr 12th
Went to Henry Creek. (??????) all night.
Pleasant.
Tue. Apr 13th
Went to James Dill's by 11 oclock.
Pleasant.
Note: James S. Dill and his family must have accompanied this wagon train and completed the trip to Oregon as his name appears on a BLM claim map as the holder of Oregon City Land Office Claim # 44, Not. # 2257 for 639.40 acres in Twp 13S, R4W, Willamette Meridian, sec.'s 17, 18, 19, and 20 - close to the present location of Peoria, Linn Co., Oregon. This location is within a mile or two of the claims held by James M. Coon, Jacob L. Coon, and John Miller, Jr. and Sr.
Wed. Apr 14th
Left J. Dills.
Rain.
Thu. Apr 15th
In Carthage all night.
Lite Rain.
Fri Apr 16th
Cold night.
Lite Rain
Sat Apr 17th
Came through Fairfield.
Weather pleasant.
Sun Apr 18th
Sunday. J. Dill turned his waggon over in corporation of Quincy.
His wife got one foot outside time anuf to get it under the
sideboard which held her there, til we collected our forces,
loosed her and let her go, all right. In Quincy.
Cold rain.
Mon Apr 19th
Crosed the
Mississippi River.
Pleasant.
Tue Apr 20th
Near Palmira.
Pleasant.
Wed Apr 21st
6 miles from
Palmira.
Rane.
Thu Apr 22nd
6 miles to
Clinton.
Cold rane.
Fri Apr 23rd
4 miles to Parris.
Pleasant.
Sat Apr 24th
In Madison.
Pleasant.
Sun Apr 25th
Sunday. 3 miles to
Huntsville.
Pleasant.
Mon Apr 26th
Left Huntsville at
twelve o'clock.
Pleasant. Made 11
miles.
Tue Apr 27th
Passed through
Keysville.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Note: This is
probably Keytesville, MO. RPL
Wed Apr 28th
In Brunswick.
Hard Rain. Fourteen
miles.
Note: Brunswick is on the Grand River near its confluence with
the Missouri. To this point they have been following the
drainage of the South fork of the Salt River which flows into the
Mississippi near Palmyra. Much of Mark Twain's stories and life
were involved in this area. (Mark Twain Lake is on the Salt River
South Fork.) RPL
Thu Apr 29th
Crossed Grand
River.
Pleasant. Thirteen
miles.
Fri Apr 30th
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Sat May 1st
Cold and Cloudy.
Fourteen miles.
Sun May 2nd
Sunday. Crossed
Crooked River.
Pleasant. Sixteen
miles.
Mon May 3rd
Passed through
Richmond and Elkhorn.
Pleasant. Twelve
miles.
Tue May 4th
Pleasant. Twelve
miles.
Wed May 5th
Crossed through
Plattsburg.
Pleasant. Thirteen
miles.
Thu May 6th
Crossed the Little
Platte River.
Rain. Sixteen
miles.
Fri May 7th
At Saint Jo.
Pleasant. Twelve
miles.
Sat May 8th
Lost one of our
Oxen. Pleasant.
Sun May 9th
Sunday. Pleasant.
Mon May 10th
Found our Ox.
Rain.
Tue May 11th
Crossed the Missouri
River.
Rain. Two miles.
Wed May 12th
Finished getting our
train acrossed the river.
Pleasant.
Thu May 13th
Camped on a
little ravine called Indian Creek.
Pleasant. Five
miles.
Note: This is
probably Squaw Creek near the present Falls City on the Big Nemaha
River in the south east corner of Nebraska in the vicinity of the
Iowa SAC and FOX Indian Reservation. Many of the westbound wagon
trains followed the north fork of the Big Nemaha to near it's
headwaters, cut over to the Big Blue, and followed it's west fork
to near Grand Island, Nebraska and the Platte River. RPL
Fri May 14th
Still in camp.
Pleasant.
Sat May 15th
Elected Whitcomb for
our Captain.
Rain.
Sun May 16th
Sunday. Fifty four
wagons in company.
Cold rain.
Mon May 17th
Camped on Meceto
Creek. 83 wagons in camp.
Pleasant. Six
miles.
Tue May 18th
Camped at the
agency.
Pleasant. Ten
miles.
Wed May 19th
Ninty eight wagons
in company on the Nemahau.
Pleasant. Twenty
miles.
Thu May 20th
One hundred four
wagons in camp on the Nimahau.
Rainy.
Fri May 21st
One hundred fourteen wagons traveling together. Lost our Captain
and are in camp on a branch of the Nimahau in four different
places.
Twenty miles.
Sat May 22nd
Forty five wagons in this company. One company behind and one
before, in camp on the Nimahau.
Pleasant. Twenty two
miles.
Sun May 23rd
Sunday. Fifty
wagons in camp on a branch of the Nimahau.
Pleasant. Twenty
miles.
Mon May 24th
Still in camp. Cold
rain.
Tue May 25th
Eighty nine wagons
camped on Big Blue River.
Chilly. Eighteen
miles.
Wed May 26th
Still in camp on Big Blue River with fifty wagons.
Thu May 27th
Crossed the Big Blue River and passed the forks of the road to
Independence. In camp on a branch of Blue River.
Pleasant. Seventeen
miles.
Fri May 28th
Met with an Independence Company of thirty seven wagons in camp on
a small ravine to the left of the road.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Note: Wagon trains starting the journey from Independence, MO
commonly went into Kansas and followed the Kansas, Big Blue,
and/or Little Blue Rivers West and North-west to either Grand
Island or Kearney Nebraska on the Platte River. The "Coon / Miller"
train has cut across on a much more northerly track to this
point. RPL.
Sat May 29th
Passed 5 companies after night on the Republic fork. Camped on
prairie. No timber or water.
Twenty five miles.
Sun May 30th
Sunday. Passed one
company. Blue Earth River. Saw some Antelope.
Cool. Twenty five
miles.
Mon May 31st
Still on the same
river. Left part of the company. Thirty four wagons in camp with
us.
Pleasant. Twenty
miles.
Tue Jun 1st
Left the Blue Earth River at twelve o'clock. Camped on one of
the branches. Saw some Indians (Pawnees). Grass short.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Wed Jun 2nd
Fifty one wagons
in camp on Platte River.
Cold rain. Twenty
miles.
Note: Judging by their arrival on the Platte this date and at
Grand Island Thursday, this river they have followed for the
past 5 days must be the West fork of the Big Blue. RPL.
Thu Jun 3rd
At the head of Grand Island. Salty Country.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Fri Jun 4th
Laid by. Two companies passed us, One of thirty three and one of
eighteen wagons, and One came up within three or four hundred
yards and camped near us. Church man from Washington County,
Iowa came up, whom we left with a friend of his from the same
place by the name of Scott, who died May 31 on Blue Earth River. We
fished and hunted today, caught nothing, killed two jack
rabbits, and measured the Platte River by wading it with a rope.
Made it one and one quarter miles wide.
Sat Jun 5th
Twenty one wagons
passed us.
Five miles.
Pleasant.
Sun Jun 6th
Forty three wagons
passed us. Laid by.
Hard rain.
Mon Jun 7th
Passed three companies in the evening on a small ravine running
into the Platt, it being too full to camp we had the good luck to
pass One company of forty three wagons scattered for half a mile
on each side of the road, one half of them were fast in the mud. The
poor oxen had to pay the bill or bear the blame. They had two
Roman Catholics in their company. They were stalking around among
the men with their long robes on and their bibles under their arms
praying to God to help them out. He didn't. We passed altogether
ninety four wagons in the low bottom on the Platt, a great many
fast in the mud. Three miles and camped on the prairie. Fifty one
wagons in camp.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Tue Jun 8th
We have plenty of
buffalo meat.
Pleasant. Sixteen
miles.
Wed Jun 9th
Indians got inside
of the guard. Shot at them 3 times. All right. Good camping so
far.
Cool. Eighteen
miles.
Thu Jun 10th
Traveled today.
Pleasant. Seventeen
miles.
Fri Jun 11th
Within eight miles
of a new crossing of the South fork of the Platte.
Fifteen miles.
Pleasant.
Sat Jun 12th
Crossed Platte 25
miles from the mouth. Passed Captain Findley's company.
Warm. Ten miles.
Sun Jun 13th
Camped on a
branch of the Platte branch.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Mon Jun 14th
Buried Turner's son, three years old. Left south fork of the
Platt at 12 o'clock. Camped on the prairie eight miles from the
river. Here we used buffalo chips for fire for the first time.
Cold. Seventeen
miles.
Tue Jun 15th
Came five miles to Ash Hollow. Here we left 37 wagons. Came on
the North Platte and camped.
Pleasant. Six
miles.
Note: Ash Hollow State Historical Park is located on the North
Platte River about 20 miles northwest of Ogallala, NB, near the
town of Lewellen. RPL
Wed Jun 16th
Laid by. Pleasant.
Thu Jun 17th
Laid by. Pleasant.
Fri Jun 18th
Camped at Spring
Creek and Sandy River.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Sat Jun 19th
In camp at Three
Bluff Springs.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Sun Jun 20th
Camped within five
miles of Chimney Rock. Nooned near the Solitary.
Pleasant. Sixteen
miles.
Mon Jun 21st
Camped near Scotts
Bluff.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Tue Jun 22nd
Nooned at a
spring in the bluff. In camp on Horse Creek.
Pleasant. Twenty
miles.
Note: Horse Creek is on the Nebraska/Wyoming border and is shown on
present-day maps as the site of a significant Indian Treaty.
RPL.
Wed Jun 23rd
Camped on Platte
River. Got blacksmith tools from Findley's company.
Pleasant. Three
miles.
Thu Jun 24th
Laid by. Set tires
and shod some horses and oxen. 4 head cattle died.
Pleasant.
Fri Jun 25th
Wood and water
and grass plenty, among the latter is some poison. 2 Oxen
died.
Windy.
Sat Jun 26th
1 cow died.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Sun Jun 27th
Camped at a Sioux Indian town. Quite a trade was got up between
the women and Squaws trading beads and other trinkets for bread and
meat. At Fort Laramie the old Chief told us we had to pay him for
passing through his country. The commander at the Post told us it
was customary to give him something. He spread down his blanket and
each man put on his pay, some flour, some meat, coffee, beans,
peas, dried fruit, etc. He was well pleased.
Pleasant. Twelve
miles.
Mon Jun 28th
Three oxen died. In camp at good springs in ravine. Three
companies here. Nooned at warm springs.
Light rain. Eleven
miles.
Note: Warm Springs are located near the North Platte River and
the present Wyoming town of Guernsey. RPL.
Tue Jun 29th
Divided the
Whitcomb company on Bitter Cottonwood Creek. In camp on Horseshoe
Creek.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Wed Jun 30th
Camped on a large
creek. Grass has been short from the other side of Fort Laramie.
Pleasant. Seventeen
miles.
Thu July 1st
In camp on a small
ravine.
Pleasant. Sixteen
miles.
Fri Jul 2nd
In camp on a
large creek. Wood, water and grass plenty.
Pleasant. Ten
miles.
Sat Jul 3rd
In camp on Platte
river. Met 2 Frenchmen from Fort Hall.
Very high wind.
Light rain.
Sun Jul 4th
Laid by. Saw eight
men from Oregon.
Mon Jul 5th
Plenty wood, water,
and grass.
Light rain. Eight
miles.
Tue Jul 6th
In camp on the
Platte.
Wed Jul 7th
Camped at the
crossing. Plenty of wood, grass and water. Nine wagons in camp.
Pleasant. Ten
miles.
Thu Jul 8th
At Blue Springs.
Crossed Platt. Ninety wagons here. Good company.
Twelve miles.
Fri Jul 9th
At Soap Springs
six miles from Willow Spring. Passed Poison Springs at noon.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Sat Jul 10th
Nooned at Rock Independence. In camp on the Sweet Water. Saw snow at
Horse or Crooked Creek.
Pleasant. Twenty
miles.
Sun Jul 11th
On Sweetwater 2
miles from Devil's Gate. Stopped part of the day. Good camping.
Weather Pleasant.
Ten miles.
Mon Jul 12th
On the Sweetwater.
Broken sandy roads or country. Cold day and nights colder.
Fifteen miles.
Tue Jul 13th
Camped on the North
side of the Sweetwater. Came a short cutoff.
Good camp. Pleasant.
Eighteen miles.
Wed Jul 14th
On Sweetwater.
Camped with a company going to the states, with fourteen men in
it.
Good camping.
Pleasant. Eighteen miles.
Thu Jul 15th
Camped on a ravine on the north side of the Sweetwater. Met
Captain William Findley going to the States.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Fri Jul 16th
Nooned at the
head of the Sweetwater. In camp at the Pacific Spring.
Pleasant. Twenty
five miles.
Sat Jul 17th
On Little Sandy.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Note: The Little and Big Sandy Rivers are tributaries of the
Green River which flows into the Colorado to the south in Utah. Our
travelers are now west of the Continental Divide, and in a few
more miles will be traveling valleys of rivers which flow to the
Columbia River and Pacific Ocean. The Bear and Port Neuf rivers are
tributaries of the Snake. RPL
Sun Jul 18th
On Big Sandy.
Pleasant. Six
miles.
Mon Jul 19th
Left Big Sandy at 3
o'clock p.m. and travelled all night.
Note: Between the Big Sandy and Bear Rivers is a large alkali
desert with essentially no water. Travelling at night would have
reduced the animals need for water. To circum-navigate this
desert following a trail with adequate water would take several
days. RPL
Tue Jul 20th
Came to Green River at twelve o'clock, crossed and camped on the
bank. We traveled twenty seven hours.
Pleasant. Forty
five miles.
Wed Jul 21st
Camped on a creek
five miles from the crossing of the Green River.
Thu Jul 22nd
On a small ravine.
Good camping.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Fri Jul 23rd
Camped at a spring
at the top of mountains, 5 miles west of the fork of Bear River.
Pleasant. Thirteen
miles.
Sat Jul 24th
On Bear River.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Sun Jul 25th
On Bear River.
Pleasant. Six
miles.
Mon Jul 26th
On Port Neuf River.
Good camping.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Note: Bear River
flows into the Port Neuf near the present town of Montpelier, Idaho.
RPL
Tue Jul 27th
At Good springs.
Pleasant. Twenty
miles.
Wed Jul 28th
Nooned at Soda
Springs. Camped at Soda Pool. Seven miles further on.
Pleasant. Seventeen
miles.
Thu Jul 29th
On Port Neuf
River.
Sixteen miles.
Fri Jul 30th
On a ravine running
west.
Good camp. Sixteen
miles.
Sat Jul 31st
On Snake River near
Fort Hall.
Eighteen miles.
Note: Old Fort
Hall was located near the present town of Pocatello, Idaho.
RPL
Sun Aug 1st
Nooned at Fort Hall.
Camped on Port Neuf River.
Twelve miles.
Mon Aug 2nd
American Falls on
the Snake River.
Fourteen miles.
Tue Aug 3rd
On Fall Creek. Good
camping.
Twelve miles.
Wed Aug 4th
On Raft River. Good
camp.
Eight miles.
Note: Raft River is just down stream on the Snake from Massacre
Rocks where a major Indian engagement with a wagon train occurred a
few years later than this trip. RPL
Thu Aug 5th
On Swamp Creek.
Fifteen miles.
Fri Aug 6th
Nooned on Snake River twelve miles from Swamp Creek which is
four miles from the river. Camped on Goose River.
Sixteen Miles.
Weather still Pleasant.
Sat Aug 7th
On Dry branch, water in pools. Good camping. From Goose River to
Snake River is nine miles, then thirteen miles to this
branch.
Twenty two miles.
Note: Present day
maps refer to this as Goose Creek. RPL
Sun Aug 8th
On Rock Creek.
Good water but no grass at the crossing.
Pleasant. Ten
miles.
Mon Aug 9th
After leaving
Rock Creek, good country for seven miles.
Pleasant. Seven
miles.
Tue Aug 10th
On a small ravine,
poor camping.
Pleasant. Twenty
miles.
Wed Aug 11th
On Salmon Creek.
Good camping. Four miles after coming down the bluff.
Pleasant. Two
miles.
Note: Flows into
the Snake near present-day Buhl and Wendell, Idaho. RPL
Thu Aug 12th, Fri Aug 13th.
Left the Salmon Falls at 5 P.M. Stranded until two o'clock in
the morning. Started at five and traveled till seven in the
evening Saturday. We then left our wagons two miles from the
river and drove our cattle to it. Some were nearly drowned.
Sat Aug 14th
This morning brought the outfit down to the first crossing of
Snake River forty miles from Salmon Falls.
Pleasant. Forty
miles.
Note: Judging by distance and time from Fort Hall, and the
terrain, this crossing was very probably in the vicinity of
present day Glenn's Ferry, Idaho. RPL.
Sun Aug 15th
Camped at ford.
Pleasant.
Mon Aug 16th
Left the ford to
make road down south side of river.
Pleasant. Six
miles.
Tue Aug 17th
Worked road
grading around a point on the river. Twenty seven hands worked.
Pleasant.
Wed Aug 18th
Illness of Julian
Miller held up the train.
Pleasant.
Thu Aug 19th
Did not break camp.
Pleasant.
Fri Aug 20th
Made the river. Good
camping.
Seven miles.
Sat Aug 21st
Ten miles from the river. Good camping for five miles. At this
point the road leaves the river.
Pleasant. Fifteen miles.
Sun Aug 22nd
Five miles to Indian River. Eight miles further to Snake River.
Good camping at both sites. Pleasant. Thirteen miles.
Mon Aug 23rd
Ten miles to the
river. Camping poor. Grass and Wood scarce.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Tue Aug 24th
Seven miles to a creek with little grass. Two miles to the
river. No grass. Six miles to a creek. Grass on the river for one
mile down the creek, but little.
Pleasant. Sixteen
miles.
Wed Aug 25th
Good camping.
Pleasant. Sixteen
miles.
Thu Aug 26th
On the river or bluff all day. Good camping along the grass on
the island. We passed two hot springs today becoming suddenly
aware of the "HOT" when we laid down to drink.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Fri Aug 27th
Traveled along the river for seven miles, then left it to return
again after eight miles march. Good camping on down the river.
Pleasant. Twenty
miles.
Sat Aug 28th
Followed the course of the river all day. Good camping
throughout the day's journey, with grass on the islands.
Pleasant. Thirteen
miles.
Sun Aug 29th
Reached the Owyhee
river today at twelve o'clock. Good camping.
Pleasant. Eight
miles.
Mon Aug 30th
2 miles to the old road that comes from Fort Boise. John
Miller's wife died today at three o'clock. Camped at the ford of the
Malheur River. Good camping. We stuck our fingers into a hot spring
we discovered here.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Tue Aug 31st
Wed Sep 1st
Buried Louisa Miller at eleven o'clock and left the ford. Let me
explain here that we buried Louisa in the road and the wagon
train drove over her grave in an effort to conceal it from the
prying eyes of the Indians.
Pleasant. Eight
miles.
Note: Information found in the records of Abraham Miller indicate this lady to be the wife of Abraham's brother John Miller. Louisa and John would have been Nancy's Aunt and Uncle RPL.
Thu Sep 2nd
Traveled fifteen miles to a little creek where we found grass.
Camped on the Snake River three miles further on.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Note: This would
have been in the vicinity of Farewell Bend. RPL
Fri Sep 3rd
Drove five miles to Burnt River, and followed it for nine miles.
Leaving the river we traveled four miles and returned to it and
found good camping along its banks.
Pleasant. Eighteen
miles.
Sat Sep 4th
Came four miles. Left the river and went up Burch Creek four
miles. Left Burch Creek and came three miles to Willow Creek.
Then traveled two miles to Burnt River up which we traveled two
miles. Good camping every few miles.
Pleasant. (???)
miles.
Sun Sep 5th
Sunday. On the Burnt River and came up the north side two miles,
then left it for three miles and came on it again after five
miles traveled. Leaving it we traveled two miles and came on it
again and traversed another three miles along the Burnt River road
which is pretty rough. Camped this evening at the head of the North
Branch. Good camping.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Mon Sep 6th
Came into the Powder River Valley traveling thirteen miles
without water. This branch of the Powder River was dry with
water in pools along the river bed. Came down the valley about two
miles.
Windy. Fifteen
miles.
Tue Sep 7th
Came nine miles to Powder River, four miles to crossing, two
miles to a creek and camped. John Miller's child died today.
Good Camp.
Pleasant. Twelve
miles.
Note: Information
found elsewhere in the records of Abraham Miller show this John
Miller to be Nancy (Miller) Coon's Uncle who came to Oregon bringing
two more children, settled on a DLC in Benton County, raised the
other children, and no records indicate that he ever re-married.
RPL
Wed Sep 8th
Encamped at the foot of the hill after coming into Grande Ronde.
Plenty grass, wood, and water.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Thu Sep 9th
At the foot of the hill in Grande Ronde this evening. There are a
good many Indians here with ponies to trade or sell. Good
camp.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Fri Sep 10th
This evening we camped on the Grand Ronde River at the foot of
the Blue Mountains. The grass is short.
Pleasant. Eight
miles.
Sat Sep 11th
On Still branch
camped one mile from the brink of the hill. It is one mile down to
the river.
Pleasant. Twelve
miles.
Sun Sep 12th
Came eight miles to a creek, Louis Camp, and from there came two
miles and made camp. Good camping.
Rain. Ten miles.
Mon Sep 13th
Cold and chilly. Came fifteen miles to the Umatilla River. Came
two miles down it and succeeded in getting peas and potatoes
from the Indians living there.
Rain. Seventeen
miles.
Tue Sep 14th
Left Umatilla after
coming down it eight miles. Went on nine miles and left the road.
Cold. Eighteen
miles.
Wed Sep 15th
Today we came to the river and followed it eight miles, then
crossed it and went on nine miles to a good camp.
Pleasant. Fifteen
miles.
Thu Sep 16th
Lost some oxen and hired the Indians to hunt them. The oxen were
soon returned and the Indians paid with a shirt.
Pleasant.
Fri Sep 17th
Left the Umatilla
River and journeyed to the Columbia. Sandy road with no grass.
Warm. Fifteen
miles.
Sat Sep 18th
Left the river after coming down it four miles. Came seven miles
and left the road, went one mile to the river and camped. Grass and
wood are scarce. I lost two of my oxen, Jack and Jerry. A few
Indians standing around offered to hunt them down for two shirts
but I hunted for them until I got so tired hunting I could go no
further. Then I accepted their offer, whereupon they mounted their
ponies. Presently they returned with the oxen and I finished the
bargain by giving them two shirts. We have been traveling in a
company of twenty five wagons. Since coming to the Columbia River I
have learned that smaller companies have been robbed by the
Indians.
Hot. Eleven miles.
Sun Sep 19th
Traveled along the
river all day. Grass and wood are scarce.
Pleasant. Ten
miles.
Mon Sep 20th
Remained close to
the river all day. We are camped on Willow Creek. Good camping.
Pleasant. Thirteen
miles.
Tue Sep 21st
Came twelve miles to dry hollow. Went two miles to the river for
water. Camped one mile up on the bluff with no wood nor water but
much grass.
Pleasant. Thirteen
miles.
Wed Sep 22nd
Came eight miles to
Rock Creek then down it five miles to camp. Good camping.
Pleasant. Thirteen
miles.
Thu Sep 23rd
Came one mile down Rock Creek to the John Day River, one mile
farther down we crossed and went up a big hill, traveling on
fifteen miles to a dry branch. We came up the branch and camped at
a spring three miles from the mouth. There is no wood here.
Pleasant. Nineteen
miles.
Fri Sep 24th
Came three miles to a pool of water. I got breakfast. Then we
pushed on to where the road leaves the branch. One mile beyond
this is good camping. We camped where there was no wood nor
water. There was good grass.
Cool. Ten miles.
Sat Sep 25th
A good many of the emigrants were sick from the exposure and
hardship of the journey. We descended a steep hill and came upon the
Deschutes River.
Pleasant. Twelve
miles.
Sun Sep 26th
Made a boat of our wagons and stretched a rope across the river
and passed it back and forth by the ripe (??). As the old saying is,
a heap of hands make light work. We took our wagons to pieces
and at dark had them all across in one big pile on the (?????). A
hard place to camp.
Mon Sep 27th
We were all day swimming our cattle across. Two or three were
killed and three or four crippled. It's a very rocky ford and the
water runs very rapidly. We had a good time getting our herds
together on the rocks of the hillside.
Tue Sep 28th
Came up a very long, steep and rocky hill. Came eight miles to
the west fork of the river. Good camping.
Wed Sep 29th
Came three miles and crossed the river. Came two miles, crossed a
creek and came five miles to another creek. Crossed it and
camped.
Ten miles. Weather
hot.
Thu Sep 30th
Came four miles to Barlow's Gate and paid five dollars toll to
cross the Cascade Mountains. We came eight miles to a creek. No
grass. Lost a cow at this camp. (From description, A. Piburn got
her)
Twelve miles.
Pleasant.
Fri Oct 1st
Camped alone on a
small branch. Grass off to the right.
Eleven miles.
Pleasant.
Sat Oct 2nd
We were alone and
upset our wagon today. No grass.
Eight miles. Rain.
Sun Oct 3rd
At the summit of the mountains. We packed our plunder all up the
hill. It stunk with dead cattle. Here we lost five oxen. I buried
an anvil and some log chains to the left of the road at the foot
of the summit. Camped in a small prairie. Little grass.
Six miles. Cloudy.
Mon Oct 4th
At the foot of
Laurel Hill, a poor camp with no grass. We cut down maple for
browse.
Ten miles. Rain.
Tue Oct 5th
In camp on the
Zigzag after crossing it four times. No grass.
Ten miles. Rain.
Wed Oct 6th
In camp at the
fifth crossing. Little grass.
Five miles.
Pleasant.
Thu Oct 7th
In camp at the top of a hill after crossing Sandy. No grass. We
cut young maple for our cattle to browse on.
Seven miles.
Pleasant.
Fri Oct 8th
In camp half a
mile after crossing the Big Sandy. No grass, maple browse again.
Seven miles.
Pleasant.
Sat Oct 9th
In camp on a small ravine. Little grass. We upset our wagon
again today in a big mudhole where the road made a turn around the
end of a log. We spilled all we had, even our sack of gold and
silver in all amounting to five dollars. All said, we had a muddy
fingering getting it all together again.
Six miles.
Cloudy.
Sun Oct 10th
Came two miles to the FIRST HOUSE IN OREGON!!! To the second
house three miles. Some grass. Here we camped.
Five miles.
Pleasant.
I am thankful,
for the Lord has been merciful.
Whole distance traveled from St. Joe on the Missouri River to
the Willamette Valley, one thousand seven hundred and eighty
nine miles.
Days traveled on the road, one hundred forty one.
Days laid by or didn't travel, twenty two.
James Madison and Nancy Iness (Miller) Coon.
================================================================== ======
*********************************************************************
*******************************************
The following additional information was provided by James M. Coon, Jr. in his interview with Leslie Haskin:
My father and mother reached Foster's ranch at the end of the Barlow Pass on Sunday, October 10th, 1847. Thus far it is told in the diary. After reaching the Foster ranch, they spent a few days there to rest their teams. They then went on to the Pudding River where they passed their first winter.
Their first child was born in the winter of 1847. He died at the
same place in 1848. In the spring of 1848, father came to Linn
County and took up his donation land claim near Peoria where
he spent the remainder of his life. In all, father and mother were
the parents of fourteen children.
APPENDIX:
=====================================================================
===
Notes taken from Coon and Miller family history records
in the possession of Robert Lewis
================================================================== ======
To provide the reader with a more concise and complete story, the following notes are appended here to give further insight into the activities of these pioneer families:
Several of James Madison Coon's brothers and many members of the Miller family travelled the trail to Oregon at various times. Family records indicate that apparently Rev. Jacob L. Coon, the third of the seven brothers, had gone some two years earlier, in 1845, and probably sent stories home about "This wonderful land called OREGON" enticing other family members to join him in the trek west.
I: George Kelly Coon: Born 7 Jun 1805 in Natural Bridge, Rockbridge Co., Virginia. Married Catherine Morgan 21 Aug 1839 in Ohio. Other family records show the marriage took place in Missouri. Started to Oregon in 1850. Stopped in western Missouri for thirteen years. Went on to Oregon in 1863 and died in Marion County, Oregon 11 Mar. 1896.
II: James Madison Coon: The subject of this composition, born 24 Sept., 1813 in Jefferson Co., Kentucky. To Oregon in 1847, and died at Peoria, Linn Co., Oregon 30 May 1890. He was buried in the Coon/Miller Cemetary at Peoria.
III: Rev. Jacob L. Coon: Born 3 Oct 1819 near Louisville in Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Public records indicate that he was the first of the family to go to Oregon. His obituary, published in the February 24th, 1904 issue of the "Albany Democrat" newspaper states that he arrived in Oregon in 1845 when he would have been age 26 years. He married Sarah Miller, sister of Nancy Iness, Born 6 May 1824 in Montgomery County, Indiana, on 27 Nov, 1851 at Peoria Precinct, Linn County, Oregon. Their Donation Land Claim - #661 for 640.00 acres in Twp 13S, R4W Willamette Meridian, Linn County, Oregon, adjoined his father-in-law's - #660 and that of his brother, James Madison Coon, near the present towns of Shedd and Peoria.
IV: Washington Landis Coon: Born 10 Mar 1825 near Louisville in Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Went to Missouri and then to Oregon in 1850. Returned east via South America in 1864 and then later returned to Oregon again. Is listed as a minor child in custody papers in his fathers estate in 1839 signed by George Kelly Coon.
V: Mary Jane Coon: Married as his second wife Nicholas Miller, brother of Nancy Iness (Miller) Coon on 25 Oct. 1849 in Rock Island County, Illinois. Nicholas was born 15 Jan 1816 in Wayne County, Indiana and died 16 Apr 1889 in Linn County, Oregon. He is listed as the holder of Oregon City DLC (Donation Land Claim) nr. 654 in Linn County, Oregon. No known dates or information about when this couple came west but presumed to be about 1850 to 1852. Mary does not appear on her father's estate papers as a dependent minor. She may have been older than most of the other children.
VI: L.E.V. (Lincoln) Coon: Family records show his children living in Idaho near the turn of the century.
VII: William Abner Coon: No records.
VIII: Charles Harrison Coon: No known dates. He is listed in 1839 as a minor child in the custody papers signed by his older brother, George Kelly Coon, found among his father Michael's estate records in Warren Co., Illinois.
Other family records indicate that most if not all of Nancy (Miller) Coon's parents and siblings were among the members of this wagon train. Note the Burial of Louisa Miller, the wife of John Miller, probably a brother of Abraham Miller., on September 1st. and the death of "John Miller's child" on September 7th, near the Powder River in eastern Oregon.
Oregon land records show that John Miller, Sr's "DLC" - Donation Land Claim (Oregon City DLC # 660) - Jacob Landis Coon's (Oregon City DLC #661), that of James Madison Coon (Oregon City DLC # 329 645.8 Acres TWP 13S R4W Sec. 4,5,8,9), and Nicholas and Mary Jane (Coon) Miller's (Oregon City DLC # 654 TWP 13S R4W Sec. 23) adjoined each other near Peoria in Linn County, Oregon.
Nancy's family is known to have consisted of at least the following family members. There may have been others (I have heard thirteen in all), but they are unknown to the compiler at this time:
Father: John Miller Sr. Born 15 Dec. 1792 in Carter County, Tennessee, lived in Millersburg, Mercer Co, Illinois prior to the 1847 trip to Oregon. Family tradition claims that these people founded both towns of Millersburg, Illinois and Millersburg, Oregon.
Mother: Sarah Smith. Born 9 July 1790 and Died 27 July 1853 in
Linn Co., Oregon. She is buried in the Coon/Miller Cemetary at
Peoria, Linn Co., Oregon but there are no dates or places listed on
her gravestone. No further known information.
I: Isaac Miller: Born 19 July 1813 in Carter Co., Tennessee.
Married Mary Gingles 20 Oct., 1842 in Mercer Co., Illinois, and died
19 June 1893 in Linn County, Oregon, and is buried in the Coon/Miller
Cemetary, Peoria, Linn County, Oregon. He would have been 34 years
old during the 1847 trip to Oregon. Isaac and Mary held DLC # 3116 in
Benton County, Oregon.
II: Nicholas Miller: Born 15 January 1816 in Wayne Co., Indiana. He was 31 years of age on the 1847 trip to Oregon. He died 16 Apr 1889 in Linn County, Oregon. Buried Pine Grove Cemetary, Shedd, Linn Co., Oregon. Married as his second wife Mary Jane Coon, sister of James Madison Coon 25 Oct. 1849 in Rock Island County, Illinois. No dates or information as to when this couple came west but assumed to be about 1850 to 1852 considering their marriage and DLC dates and locations. They are listed by the Oregon BLM as the holders of Donation Land Claim (Patent) # 654 in Twp 13S R4W Section 23, Linn County, Oregon.
III: Mary Miller: Born 18 July 1818 in Indiana. She married James King - no date or place known - Died 30 Aug. 1838 at the age of 20, probably in Illinois. No further information known at this writing.
IV: Susanna Miller: Born 20 January 1820 in Indiana. She married Noah King on 30 Sept., 1838. She married Wair Long some time in 1847. No known places for either marriage. She would have been 27 years old on the 1847 trip to Oregon and is known to have died in Oregon and probably is buried in the Coon/Miller Cemetary at Peoria, Linn Co., Oregon but no dates are known.
V: Elizabeth Miller: Born 27 December 1821 in Indiana. She married James F. Jones on 1 April, 1847 at Mercer Co., Illinois - just 10 days before the family departure to Oregon. She would have been 25 years old when the family came to Oregon in 1847. She and James are listed as the holders of DLC # 4730 in Linn Co., Oregon. The both died in Oregon but no known place or dates at this writing.
VI: Sarah Miller: Born 6 May 1824 in Montgomery County, Indiana. Was 23 years old when the family came to Oregon in 1847. Married Rev. Jacob L. Coon on 27 Nov, 1851 at Peoria Precinct, Linn County, Oregon. Their Donation Land Claim - #661 for 640.00 acres in Twp 13S, R4W Willamette Meridian, Linn County, Oregon, adjoined his father-in-law's - #660 and that of his brother, James Madison Coon, near the present towns of Shedd and Peoria.
VII: Nancy Iness Miller: Born 8 April 1826 in Indiana, married James Madison Coon February 21 1847 in Mercer County, Illinois. She died 7 April, 1907 near Halsey, Linn Co., Oregon. These people show in BLM records as the holders of Oregon City DLC # 50, Not. # 2563 for 640.00 acres in Twp 13S, R4W Willamette Meridian, Linn County, Oregon, near the present towns of Shedd and Peoria. Nancy was 21 years old at the time of the 1847 trip to Oregon.
VIII: John Miller, Jr.: Born 28 February 1828 in Montgomery Co., Indiana. Twin to Katherine Miller. He was 19 years old on the trip to Oregon. He was on the wagon train accompanying James and Nancy (Miller) Coon and we are told by James M. Coon, Jr.'s interview with Leslie Haskin that it was his child who died September 1st, and his wife Louisa who died September 7th "near the Powder River in eastern Oregon" as quoted from the diary. BLM records show him as the holder of Claim # 64, Not. #2538, 160.73 acres in Sec. 3, Twp 13S, R4W, Willamette Meridian, in Linn Co., Oregon near Shedd, adjoining his father's and James M. Coon's claims.
IX: Katherine Miller: Born 28 February 1828 in Montgomery Co., Indiana. Died 14 April, 1830 at the age of two years, Twin to John Miller, Jr. Since the family is known to still be in Indiana at the birth of each of the next four children, it is assumed that she died and was buried in Montgomery Co., Indiana.
X: George Washington Miller: Born 6 April 1830 in Montgomery Co, Indiana. Died 25 Oct., 1914 at Dayton, Golumbia Co., Washington He married Sarah Ping on the 25th of Oct., 1858 at Linn Co., Oregon, and married 2nd Mary J. Watkins - date and place not known. He appears on BLM records as the holder of DLC # 38, Not. #2238, 116.34 acres, and DLC # 65, 44.36 acres, Twp 13S, R4W, Willamette Meridian, Linn County, Oregon. This claim crosses the Twp line into Twp 12S, R4W, sec.'s 33 and 34.
XI: Jacob L. Miller: Born 10 September, 1831 in Montgomery Co., Indiana. He would have been age 15 at the time of the trip to Oregon. He married Amanda Ella Dawson probably in Linn County, Oregon, and was known to be living in Dayton, Columbia Co., Washington in April of 1907 when Nancy (Miller) Coon died. BLM records show him holding DLC # 4758 in Linn Co., Oregon.
XII: Rachel Miller: Born 10 September 1831 in Montgomery Co., Indiana, twin to Jacob L. Miller. She died 4 Aug 1904 and is buried in the Union Point Cemetary at Banks, Washington County, Oregon. No marriage information is known at this writing.
XIII: Eliza Miller: Born 1 April 1834 in Indiana. She would have been 13 years old at the time of the Oregon trip, and must have either stayed in the east or returned there as the records show that she married Jezreel Vanator on 9 Mar, 1851 at Ft. Dearborn, Dearborn Co., Indiana. She was known to be living in Lakeview, Lake County, Oregon in April of 1907 when Nancy (Miller) Coon died. Eliza died in Lakeview and is buried in the IOOF Cemetary, Lakeview, Lake Co., Oregon - no known dates.
================================================================== ======
A second Miller family line is represented in this story by a Samuel W. Miller, the son of Abraham Miller Jr. and Julia Ann (Morgan) Miller. Samuel was married on 29 Nov, 1868 in Linn County, Oregon to Sarah Caroline Coon, the daughter of James Madison and Nancy Iness (Miller) Coon, born 14 Mar, 1849 near Peoria, Linn County, Oregon. Samuel's mother, Julia Ann Morgan, was a sister of Catherine Morgan who married George Kelly Coon, the eldest brother of James Madison Coon, who came to Oregon from western Missouri in 1863 and settled "on Coon Mountain" near the town of Bellfountain in Benton County, Oregon.
Further research into the Miller Family shows that there were at least three John Millers among the travelers on this wagon train, and TWO more arrived in Oregon on other trains the same year.-
Although the diary claims to start at "Sugartree Grove, Illinois", research in the Miller family line indicates that the present-day name for the place in Illinois is "Millersburg" - thus the trip actually commences in Millersburg, Mercer County, Illinois and ends at Millersburg (a present day suburb of Albany), Linn County, Oregon. The Miller family research also indicates that the family were indeed "Millers" - having engaged in flour/grist mill operation at several locations in Indiana, later in Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois and both Millersburgs as well as prior to their immigration to America from Germany (indications are that in Germany, the family name was Mueller - derived from their trade). Ship's passage records for the progenitor immigrant of this Miller line show the spelling Muller where the "u" is an "umlaut" with the dots over the "u". The German heritage of both the Miller and Coon families offers a ready explanation for their group movements together - Virginia to Kentucky and Ohio to Indiana to Illinois and later to Oregon. In fact it is known that the Coons continued to speak German well into the third generation in the new world AND both families had roots in the Pfalz-Zweibruken area of the upper Rhine River Valley near the Allsais Loraine district.
The WPA interviewer, Leslie Haskin was unable to read certain areas of the original diary and as such, substituted question marks (?????) for the unreadable information. This practice is carried forward in this rendition.
Robert Lewis
Account of the Journey from Mercer County Illinois to Linn County Oregon, via the Oregon Trail, in Prose,
By Abraham Miller Jr.
This Journey took place in 1847, and he wrote this c.1849.
(presented to Nancy Ann Miller Weiss on October 4, 1885.)
Note: This transcription is from a booklet presented to his only daughter, Nancy Ann Miller Weiss, who reprinted it and gave copies to other family members. This copy is from a booklet in the possession of Lee Edward Blevins.
When in my native land I dwelt,
With friends for whom my Interest felt;
I burst through ties that bind the strong,
And turned my face towards Oregon.
'Twas thus I left my native home-
Through a wild desert land to roam;
And as my team moved slowly on,
My thoughts flew swift to Oregon.
And when we crossed the last state line,
Of well armed men we numbered nine;
Numbers increased the way along-
With young and old five thousand strong.
Whose snow white sheets all in a row,
With crooks and straights made quite a show-
Much like a swan, a passage bird:
(except the lowing of our herds).
Pleasant roads make joyful crew,
Who fancied pleasures always through;
We ate, and drank, and went our way,
Slept sound all night, and moved all day-
Except the sentinel on guard,
Whose fortune here was rather hard;
Just half the night one out of three:
Stand rain or shine was the decree.
The Buffalo looked with surprise-
Whose frightened herds outstripped our eyes-
The Antelope stamped as we gazed;
At such strange site all stood amazed.
Too soon, alas, all pleasure fled,
The wagon was the sick man's bed,
The wilderness our only home,
Where savage men, and wild beasts roam.
Our screaking wheels moved slowly round-
Where sedge and sands so much abound.
The beetle and the gadfly reigns-
Sole monarchs of the sandy plains.
But when we left the sand behind,
Our road with rock or dust was lined;
O'er rapid streams both deep and clear;
Our winding course we had to steer.
Volcanic piles on every hand,
Oft made me think of Sodom's land;
And wonder what unchristian race,
Had brought this region to disgrace?
Where none but reptiles dare to live;
Ad poisoned streams their venom give!
Of fallen man there was no trace-
God's vengeance had removed his race!
God's curse on everything we saw;
Hung like the Mede and Persian law;
The rain forsook the barren ground;
The mountains were turned upside-down.
The boiling springs with curling smoke,
A deep mysterious volume spoke;
Convincing all who stood around,
Of secret mysteries under ground.
When next we met the human race,
Adjacent to this dismal place;
The sight we saw caused all to blush;-
Their clothing was the willow brush.
The cascades blocked the road ahead;
Snow, hail, and rain, with mud to dread:
Fearing our teams could never pass;
We turned aside for better grass.
Columbia's stream we had in view;
It seemed only an avenue-
Through which at last we hoped to gain,
The Promised Land, the long sought plain.
It rained and stormed, and tost our boat,
O'er rocks and sand, and waves afloat:
At length on shallow sands we found,
Our floundering bark had run aground.
The one thing needful now to do:
Was pack ashore the frightened crew;
Kernaccas soon brought us ashore;
And set the boat afloat once more.
And down the stream our boatmen went,
In gaining land some time was spent,
I only thought of saving life;
My greatest care was a sick wife.
O'er brush and logs I had to pack,
Her feeble form upon my back-
While two sick children grasped my coat,
T'was thus at length we reached the boat.
It somewhat calmed and ceased to rain,
Our sick were fed, and dried again;
And with a light and buoyant heart;
All hands got ready for a start.
Soon down the stream with speed we flew,
With full spread sail and joyful crew;
Too soon alas! We danger saw,
The Cascade fall began to draw!
Just as we gave up all for lost,
A mighty wind the current crost,
And drove us to the destined shore-
In safety reached the land once more.
Among the rocks I pitched my tent,
And wandering up and down I went,
To seek some passage around the falls,
Five miles over rock the current rolls.
Three-quarters of a mile or more,
I lugged our package down the shore,
O'er rocky steeps and slippery ground,
The sick, the weak, I carried down.
As winds came howling through the rocks,
The rain increased its heavy drops;
The drenching torrents overhead,
Reached all on foot and all in bed.
Although we'd passed a fearful place,
Fresh dangers hedged our only pass!
The balance of the fearful way,
The angry waves dasht high their spray!
But when we got our all on board,
The tumbling waves like thunder roared;
Three hundred souls witnessed our start:
Dismay had seized the stoutest heart!
The old canoe was now to try,
Whether we live, or whether die!
Lord, in the storm shall we all lie,
Or on the waves our fortune try?
Thou saved us at the rapids head;
Now at the foot we are afraid:
To trust our lives to Thy strong hand,
As safe on water as on land?
Three daring flatheads seated low,
One in the stern, and two in the bow;
With deaf'ning shrieks they snatched the oar-
They waved farewell to all on shore.
Two minutes and a half we spent,
In passing every mile we went;
With speed and safety did we go,
And shipped aboard a boat below.
At length we reached our journey's end;
Our days in Oregon to spend;
With fertile soil and genial clime;
God grant that we redeem our time.
But when I ranged the wilds around,
Few native aborigines I found,
But ancient marks were everywhere,
Like Israel's tribes had once been there.
Thousands of piles of Moss green rock;
Still grace the rugged mountain's top;
To witness covenants unknown,
To us; lie these mysterious stone.
But mouldering bone, sad, sad to tell;
Where many thousands once did dwell;
We thoughtless tread their ashes down;
To cultivate the forest ground.
Who knows but our enlightened race;
In time, to others must give place?
The present age no prophets tell;
Who next upon this land shall dwell.
No antiquarian ever traced;
Mysteries of the ages past-
Mysterious world where none shall know;
What hidden mysteries time shall show.
Oh! slothful muse why fail to tell?
Of who once was, and yet shall dwell?
The past to present may give birth;
And yet, we're strangers in the earth?
Henceforth let us contented be;
With what we learn from what we see,
If more I learn perhaps I'll tell;
But for the present fare you well.