# Chapter 11

### July 17, 1847

I got up this morning and saw that two of the wagons that had been next to mine had moved. When I went to the main fire for our morning meeting there was a space around me, as if people thought I was somehow suddenly different. I talked to several of the men there and had some who answered in short sentences, inviting no further conversation, while some people who had hardly spoken to me before gathered next to me.

When I spoke to one of the people who would speak to me, he told me that I was now regarded as a dangerous man, willing to kill someone for an insult. I was both outraged and at the same time complimented by this. I was outraged that anyone would believe that I would kill over something so small, but complimented since for the first time the men regarded me with some respect. I quickly cut off this line of thought and determined that I would treat everyone like before. I almost lost this determination, when one of the single men asked if I loaned out my wives since I must be a Mormon. I glared at him and his friends quickly dragged him away, talking to him as they left. Surprisingly, this lowered the tension in the main group as they saw I didn't react too strongly to the insult.

I saw my wives getting out of the wagon to prepare breakfast and saw them get swarmed by a group of women. I was afraid there was going to be trouble when I saw the expression on Claire's face, then I heard Elizabeth laughing and saw one woman stomping off with a sour look on her face. I saw Claire's face relax and soon heard the women talking and laughing like normal. I relaxed then and waited for the next shoe to drop. They later told me that they had been asked if I was a Mormon. I do not understand the hatred towards the Mormons that these people show.

As the morning went by, the mood around the camp lightened. By noon, most of the men were talking to me and I found myself thinking that the whole thing should blow over soon. I still needed supplies and Louise still needed new dresses, so Louise and I went to the trading post again. This time there was a space that remained around us during the whole time. Some trappers came in but nobody approached us. We paid for our purchases with some of the remaining gold pieces that Claire had brought and returned to the wagon train with no problem. Frankly, I was holding my breath most of the time thinking that something might happen.

The oxen had been re-shod earlier and I wanted the blacksmith to see if he could re-rim one wheel. Otherwise we were ready to continue our trip. Mr. Bridger came out to see the wagon train today and I used the time he was here to pick his brain about where the best land was in the Willamette Valley. He recommended that we look around the Siuslaw or Umpqua Rivers for the best farmland. If we wanted to ranch he recommended we look around the Klamath River and find a small valley that we could fence in.

We made love and this time didn't worry about either the noise nor who was making it..

### July 18, 1847

We restarted our journey to Oregon, refreshed by the break in the trip and the good water and grass we had enjoyed for the last three days. After about an hour of travel we left the oasis where Fort Bridger was located and returned to the dry tundra of the Great Northern Desert. Soon afterwards we started to enter a landscape that seemed out of a science fiction movie.

The land began to change from scrubby growth to a land dotted by cones, craters, springs, geysers, and waterfalls. The earth changed from soil to lava rock and we could hear the oxen's hoofs tap as they hit the surface. We went by several ponds of various colors, some hot and some cool. One boy tasted the water of one pond and said it reminded him of the taste of beer. Many of the people were eager to leave this unworldly area, but the wagon master told us the area would take at least three days to get through. We finally stopped for the day near a collection of mineral springs. One gusher made a high-pitched whistle when you came near. One man said it reminded him of a steamboat whistle like the riverboats on the Mississippi. Elizabeth, Claire and Louise found an out of the way pond that was warm and demanded we all bathe.

Grabbing clean clothes and towels, we started toward the pond. We decided that since we had the time and hot water that we would wash some clothes as well. We arrived and I placed my pistol under the dirty clothes next to the pond. Leaning back, I relaxed and watched the lovely ladies begin to soap themselves and wash off. I admired the differences between them. Claire, tall and slender with large breasts, Elizabeth, short and also slender with a thin tomboyish figure, and Louise with a full figure with large breasts and a nicely rounded rump.

As I looked at them I felt my dick start to rise and by the time they had finished washing each other, it felt like any stimulation would make me explode. Elizabeth noticed this and poking Louise in the side directed her attention to the fact. Louise came over and slowly sat down on my lap in the water. Trading kisses, we began to caress each other's chests and necks. As we became more intimate, I glanced over and saw Claire and Elizabeth getting into a 69 position. Returning my attention to Louise I gradually started licking her nipples until they became hard and the aurora covered half her breast. Picking her up I laid her down on the clothes and began kissing her feet. Sucking on every toe as I came to it, I began licking her inner thighs while gently rubbing her hips and stomach. Ending up at her mons, I paused and suddenly lifting and separating her legs pulled her outer lips apart and admired the view. The pink inside against the brown skin looked like some sort of flower with the distended clitoris as the stamen. Leaning forward, I smelled her sharp but musky odor and using my tongue began to lap. I pushed my tongue into her tunnel and using her juices coated my fingers. I reached forward and began to gently rub her clit. She began to shake and with a loud keen she climaxed.

Letting her come down all the way was not in my plans however. I switched my mouth from her tunnel to suck in her clit and stuck two fingers into her cunt. Curling my fingers I reached toward the pubic bone and felt for her G-spot. Touching it I felt her have another climax and felt her ejaculate fluid. Giving her clit a last lick I began kissing her stomach and ended up at her breasts again. Lifting myself up on my arms, I slid into her bottoming out. As our pelvic bones bumped against each other, I felt myself beginning to swell and began to ejaculate. As Louise felt this she had another climax even greater than before and began to shake. As we came down I felt two bodies pressed up against us patting our backs.

We got back in the pond and soaked afterwards as we talked about where we wanted to go in Oregon. We never did get around to washing those clothes though.

### July 19-20, 1847

Not much to write about for the last two days. We have continued to go through the lava lands headed toward the Snake River. We have begun hearing a low roar from the direction of the river. The guide has said this is a great fall that resembles Niagara Falls. We are not going to be able to cross here but we will be able to see it if we want to as we pass. We are going to be passing over the Snake River at a place where there are two islands to help us get across the treacherous water and a direct route after that to Fort Boise. The wagon master said he expects it to take at least three to four days to reach there. Until then we will be following the Snake River so we should have fresh water available if necessary. The people on the wagon train have become friendlier as we have traveled from Fort Bridger. Some of those who avoided us after the trial have started talking to us again. The oxen are holding up but I hope we get to the crossing without delay, as there is little vegetation on this side for the cattle.

### July 21, 1847

We had another death yesterday. One of the younger children were sightseeing on the cliff at the falls and got too close. He fell and must have died instantly. We were unable to recover the body. After discussing whether to leave a marker, I was detailed to carve this inscription; "Here was lost Michael Thorenson, age 13 who fell from the cliff. May God rest his soul." on the side of the trail going up to the falls.

We have been warned that this river is one of the most dangerous we will be crossing. I can believe it. The power of the falls is amazing. To me it looks even bigger than Niagara Falls. We are unable to reach the river due to the steep walls of the valley it is flowing through. It is frustrating to us to see the lands on the other side and have no way to get there.

We must continue through this landscape from Hell until we are able to cross. I hope the oxen are able to last.

### July 22-23, 1847

Nothing to write about. Still traveling through this hellish landscape. The oxen are beginning to drop. I have seen several piles of bones where others have fallen. The landscape is beginning to flatten at last and we are able to reach the Snake River for water. Still no large amount of vegetation available for fodder. The wagon master has told us we need to hurry to get over the crossing before the water rises. Otherwise we will have at least 5 more days of travel through the barren landscape.

### July 24, 1847

We have arrived at Three Island Crossing today. The water is running about a foot and a half deep, but the current is extremely strong. I placed my hand in the water and felt it go downstream from the force of the current. The wagon master has warned us that any missteps could wash away either the wagon or the people. At least it is crystal clear here so I can see if anything is coming at me underwater. I was worried about the crossing but not as much as my wives. I thought that Elizabeth and Claire were going to have a fit when I told them I was leading the team across the river.

We have been picking up items thrown out by previous wagon trains and now have much of the larger farming tools we needed and other items necessary to set up a household. There are many other items we could have picked up. This is an area where overloaded wagons must lighten their loads. This has increased the weight of the wagon until we are at about the same weight as the others, and we have been told that any more weight would not be wise.. Our own oxen remain in good shape although this will not continue if we are unable to reach better grazing.

The guide has crossed the river to check out the crossing and says it is crossable but just barely. The wagon master is making at least half the wagons cross today and the other half tomorrow if necessary. We are double yoking the wagons and hope to have them over the river by tonight. The women and children have been told to remain in the wagons and hang on when it moves.

### July 25, 1847

We managed to cross the Snake River yesterday, but there is no joy in us over the fact. The wagon train has been very fortunate in not loosing too many people so far. Yesterday, our luck ran out. The wagon belonging to Adam Erton was swept away in the current and his wife Zoe and their five young children were lost in the river. Adam was saved but he later committed suicide last night by cutting his wrists. We have recovered the bodies of Zoe and two of her children and they are to be buried today with their husband and father. We have lost both teams and are trying to find enough oxen to allow the other wagon belonging to his brother Jacob to continue on to Oregon. We have four oxen available for this but do not know if he will be able to pull his wagon with everything he currently has. If not, he will be forced to leave some of his items here.

The funeral was well attended by everyone on the train and we listened to a sermon by the wagon captain as we have no clergy with us. The eulogy brought many of the women and not a few of the men to tears. We have been told to be ready to move after the noon meal as we have little time to waste getting to Fort Boise.

We went to bed and just held each other.

### July 26, 1847

We traveled over 15 miles today in much more pleasant surroundings. The grass is thicker here and there is wood for fuel. The area is arid but I cannot call it true desert myself. This is the territory of the Shoshone-Bannock Indian tribe. We have been warned that the Bannock tribe is not friendly to travelers and we can expect to be attacked if we are cut off from the wagon train. We are finally past most of the desert areas and can expect to find more civilization, as we get closer to the ocean. The British claimed this territory and the Hudson Bay Company had the rights to it until it was ceded to the United States. Fort Boise was established in 1834 as a fur trading post and it is now an important stopping point for Oregon emigrants. We are hoping to re-supply after we reach there, as many of the wagons are getting extremely low on flour and other necessities. We also hope to replenish our oxen teams to allow for any losses.

The wagon master told us it should take about 5 more days to get to Fort Boise, as most of the trip is through an open valley. We have been directed to drive side by side to avoid the dust. Everyone let out a cheer for that. Everyone wears bandannas to keep out the dust when we are traveling. We have dust in everything at the end of the day. We change positions so no one eats the trail end dust every day. It's still unpleasant to be stuck in the last half of the wagon train.

The Jensens have offered to sell us their new milk heifer calf when we reach Oregon City. I have accepted the price of 35 dollars that they want and I consider it a bargain. I was worried that we would not be able to find any milk cows after we reached Oregon for any price. After that several people have come up to us to offer to sell some of their animals. They have all expressed fear that they will not have enough money to buy supplies at Fort Boise or to pay for the Mount Hood Toll Road. One man told me in disbelief that the road was charging 5 dollars per wagon and 10 cents per animal.

I talked to my wives and we decided that we would buy as many cattle as we could. After checking our coin we found we had 165 dollars. This would allow us to buy a bull and four heifers. We would need to keep at least 40 dollars for emergencies until we could reach Oregon City, so we would only be able to buy 3 heifers instead of 4. I was disappointed about not being able to buy more cattle, but I agreed with my wives that showing raw gold would not be a wise idea.

"Alex, I'm going to open that last barrel of flour today. Would you like biscuits or bread tomorrow?" Louise asked me as she walked over to the barrel with the ax.

"Biscuits, I think."

She struggled trying to open the barrel top. Claire got up and went to help her take off the top ring. They finally got the top off and started to dip out flour into the flour bag. Claire reached in the cup and stopped after she got down about an inch.

"Alex, there's something hard in here."

As she said that, I suddenly remembered the box I had found in the slaver's wagon. I had put it in the barrel and completely forgot about it. I went to the barrel and pulled the box out. Looking around I motioned my wives to come closer and told them of finding the box.

Elizabeth reached out to open the box. I handed it to her and said, "I think that it's only fair that the ones who found it should be the ones who open it." With that Louise and Claire grabbed the box and all three women sat down and hovered over the box like children over a box of chocolate. They opened the box and all three squealed with excitement as they saw the money on top. Claire began taking it out and stacking it, when suddenly Louise gasped and reached in to pick up a silver pocket watch. Then she began to cry.

"This belonged to my brother, Lucas. They took it from him when they enslaved us. I never thought I'd see it again." She sat in silence for about five minutes staring into some other place full of pain. Then she began rocking back and forth with tears pouring from her eyes. Claire reached out and held her tightly around her shoulders. I reached out and took her hand while Elizabeth began crying in sympathy.

She began shaking and we laid her down on the bed, where we took turns holding her in our arms. She held the watch like a magic talisman against the feelings of despair that overwhelmed her. Finally she fell asleep and Claire, Elizabeth and I climbed out of the wagon to let her sleep.

I spoke to my wives, "She is going to need to be watched for a few days because I'm worried that she will hurt herself. I want one of us with her at all times."

"Yes", both answered. Elizabeth began to fix dinner and Claire headed toward Corrie Morrett's wagon to ask her advice.

Soon Corrie, a rather plain woman, 5 feet tall, weighing maybe 80 pounds soaking wet and with an iron will came over to the wagon. "I understand we have a problem." she stated.

I began to tell her that we would handle it when she interrupted me.

"No man can understand what she's going through, so just keep out of the way while we handle it in our own fashion." With that she went to the wagon, pulled out some blankets and told me I was sleeping over at her wagon. I started to object when she grabbed my ear and pulled me over there. Some men started to laugh at the sight, but the glares from the women quickly put a stop to that. Corrie's husband came out of the wagon and greeted me.

"I see Corrie decided to take over again."

I looked at him and just nodded rubbing my ear.

"Might as well set up your bed. When she gets like this you can't stop her without tying her down."

For the next two days I was banished from our wagon. Elizabeth or Claire made the meals for the Morrett family and cleaned the clothes every day but I never saw Louise or Corrie. Any attempt at questioning either one about what was going on was met with a look that stopped me dead in my tracks. We continued to move during this time making good progress on the fairly flat valley floor. On the third day, I saw Corrie coming out of our wagon looking drained. Concerned about her I approached.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

She gave me a tired look. "You need to hold your wife tonight and tell her you love her. I can't believe what that woman has suffered." She gave me a hug and headed back to her wagon. Her husband came out of the wagon and just took her in his arms where she began softly crying.

I gathered my blankets and headed toward our wagon. Looking in, I saw Louise sleeping, with Elizabeth cuddling her in her sleep. I looked for Claire and saw her getting dinner ready. I started to approach and she gave me a sad look. I opened my arms and she came over for a hug. Claire spoke to me of Louise's experiences.

"Did you know that Louise's first sexual experience was being raped by all three of the slavers?" she asked. "And after that she was passed on to the slaves to be used as a reward for good behavior. Her brother was whipped to death in front of her after their last escape attempt and she watched as the Indians killed all the men in the wagon." She began to cry in my arms.

"I wish you had left that box in the wagon or just took out the money from it. No one should have to remember those sort of things." I kept silent and just held her until she stopped crying.

### 29 July 1847

We all just huddled together in a group last night. We continually told Louise it wasn't her fault that the bad things happened and that we loved her. We held her until she went to sleep and put her in the middle of a human sandwich, with Louise holding Elizabeth, Claire holding her and me holding everyone I could reach.

The story must have spread about her experiences. We have had women coming over all day bringing small presents and talking to Louise. She seems to be coming out of her depression and I hope to see her smile again. I am more and more determined that slavery shall never take root in Oregon. I no longer care what will happen to the future if, no when, I interfere to keep this from happening.

Corrie came by this afternoon and told me that Louise might want to tell me about what happened to her, but not to ask her any questions. She said that these things would take time and to be patient until she became the way she was before. "I know that you love her and it's hard for you to see her hurting so much, but you've got to give her time to heal", she said. I knew that she was a wise woman and I also remembered that one of my sisters had volunteered at a Rape Crisis Center and she had said basically the same thing.

She still seems sad and walks around with a melancholy air, but the women on the train never let her be alone. They come up to her, singly or in small groups, and either talk to her quietly or just be with her and say nothing. This is leading to friendships being formed between her and the other women, which I am glad to see. She had been isolated before due to the manner in which she came to the train as well as her race.

Louise just wanted to be held by one of the other wives when me made love last night. Claire had me mount her doggy fashion last night, the first time she has wanted to be in any position other than the missionary. I think being pregnant has increased her sex drive, as she seems more aggressive in her demands. Elizabeth played with her breasts while we were having sex but Louise just laid next to us. I miss her involvement in our life.

### 30 July 1847

We have arrived at Fort Boise. I am surprised at how much traffic there is around here. This seems to be a bustling place. We have been welcomed by the chief trade factor, John McLoughlin, who is an imposing man. Six feet four inches tall, his abundant hair brilliantly white he offered to treat any settlers who were suffering medical problems. He was surprised to learn that I was treating the people on the wagon train and tried to engage me in a medical discussion. I again repeated that I was not a doctor. We did talk about how I was treating the people and I explained proper hygiene, frequent hand washing and boiling all drinking water were the key to keeping people well. He was surprisingly open to the concepts I spoke of, telling me that he remembered reading about Ignaz Semmelweis'es demonstration that hand washing prevented child birth fever and would recommend everything except boiling drinking water to his own patients. We argued good-naturedly about germs, but he could not believe that unseen things caused disease. We finally agreed to disagree and he moved on to other subjects.

When I spoke of how several of the people were concerned about not having enough money to buy enough provisions for the rest of the trip, he offered to loan them the goods on credit. I don't think I have ever met a more generous man. He is willing to give aid to anyone who needs it. His kindness has had an effect on all of us. Arriving here seems to have helped Louise; she seems happier and more animated. I just hope this is a permanent effect.

I was so impressed with this man, I took him into my confidence about the gold we had found in Wyoming and asked his advice about it. He offered to take some of the gold in exchange for British pounds or American gold coins, but told me that I would get a better exchange rate in Oregon City. After talking to my wives, I offered him 5 pounds of gold and received over a thousand dollars in return.

He told the wagon train that the Provisional Government led by Governor Simpson was the ruling authority in the Oregon Territory where we were headed and all land claims needed to be confirmed by his office. We were surprised to learn that each married couple would be able to claim 640 acres rather than the 164 we had been told. When we told him of our intention of taking the Mount Hood Toll Road, he warned us of a slope on the trail that was so steep that we would need to use extra care to avoid disaster. He urged us to buy as much strong rope as we could afford for this purpose.

I offered to buy all the cattle that was offered for sale by the people in the wagon train if they didn't want to purchase things on credit and ended up with two bulls and twenty heifers of mixed beef and milk cattle. With the money from the slaver's wagon we had $1390 left afterwards to buy provisions and other supplies for the remainder of the trip. I hired one of the Morrett boys for $20 to drive the cattle until we got to Oregon City.

I have begun to think about what I can do to stop the institution of slavery from becoming established in Oregon. As the vast majority of slaves are used in farm work, I have decided that I would concentrate on improving farming equipment to eliminate the need of large numbers of farm workers. I decided that I would first introduce the disc plow and a mechanical reaper. I have begun drawing up the plans and will be looking for a blacksmith in Oregon City to make them after we arrive.

This evening Louise asked me to hold her after I made love to Elizabeth. She fell asleep in my arms while being cuddled by Claire and myself. I whispered to Elizabeth about being sorry not holding her after making love to her.

"Just be there for her like you would for me." she replied, holding my hand in a tight grip.