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Journal of Western Travel
by John McTurk Gibson
edited by Weldon Hoppe
June 24th, 1859 -- We have now followed the Platte some 710 miles, and found one of the best natural roads in the universe, plenty of grass, water, and wood, at intervals all along the route. True there is considerable alkali distributed over the entire distance; but a little care will in a great measure nullify all that there is. We were in company today with Eg. Holbrook, formerly of Marengo, now from Monona County, Iowa, two of the Talbotts from Powsheik County, and Frank Mosier, whom I visited on the Missouri, during my trip in 1857.
We travelled over a good road today, sighted the Rocky mountains at last, nooned at Willow Springs, could not make out why they are called Willow Springs, no such timber, and none of any kind grows here, little grass, and water thick with mud. We are now camped 21 miles from the Platte, on what is called Fish Creek, and one of my oxen is pretty sick.Powell
Travelled 22 miles. We left the Platt this morning and travelled to the Willow Springs without water, a distance of 15 miles. They are several in number. The road was good. We have two sick oxen to knight. The day has been cool. We came from Willow Springs to a small stream 7 miles.