.

OCTA CA-NV Chapter Trails History
Updated on December 13, 2005

Yahoo Overland_Trails Discussion List
Lassen Thread Message # 34

date December 12, 2005
author Stafford Hazelett
subject Silva on the Tyrrell diary

Richard Silva has provided a summary of information about the Tyrell Diary which was mentioned in an earlier post. Again, I have done a very little editing for clarity.

Stafford

>From: "Richard Silva"
>Subject: Tyrrell
>Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 09:10:07 -0800
>
>Hi
>
>1860 Allen J. Tyrrell followed the Nobles Pass Trail to its termination in
>the Sacramento Valley, Tyrrell and some of his company continued to
>Hydesville (a little south of Eureka on the coast).
>
>The original journal "A Journal of Plains by A. J. Tyrrell, A Trip across
>the Plains from Wisconsin to California", is held by Corby Dale, a
>Great-grandson of Allen Tyrell. According to Dale, Allen kept a shorthand
>account of his travel to California. Allen in 1875 wrote his journal in
>very clear handwriting. Corby Dale made a 72 page transcription of the
>exact wording, spelling and punctuation.
>
>"Small train, 4 wagons drawn by from 3 to 4 yoke of oxen & 2 light wagons >each drawn by team of horses, 25 people."
>
>This journal is very good. Allen will describe many points of interest.
>His mileage is very good.
>
>June 8. "....Soon after starting we met a party of Mormons going to
>Florence on the Missouri as they said after dry goods groceries &
>machinery. They were of course from Salt Lake....They numbered about 62
>persons with 32 wagons & 200 oxen....It is said one of Brigham Young's son
>was with them. They were a bearded rough looking set of fellows but well
>dressed for travelers."
>
>July 13, camped 1/2 mile west of Fort Bridger. Fording Black's Fork, "near
>this ford number of buildings belonging to Majors Waddel and Russel....
>place is called Millersville...." (Describes how the buildings were
>constructed.)
>
>Reaching Fort Bridger, " The Quarter-master had given the Company use of
>the shop tools and what iron is needed to make the shoes of...."
>
>Allen describes the buildings, cost of goods.
>
>July 14. " I sent some time to-day as well as yesterday looking about the
>Fort....30 buildings....Nothing remained when the army reached it except
>stone fortifications. (describes) The place was previously to the entrance
>of the U. S. Army occupied by the Mormons who it is said set fire to the
>buildings and fled at the approach of the army...."
>
>Allen describes the route to Salt Lake Bear River, Yellow Creek, Tar
>Springs, Echo Creek, Cache cave, "placed his name", Pratts Pass
>etc. Describes the breastworks, passes trading stations etc. I believe a
>good description of the areas.
>
>July 24. "camping near the foot of the mountain 7 miles North of Salt Lake
>City. We stopped in the city about 5 hours....I spent about an hour in the
>jewelers shop getting my watch repaired as I supposed but it turns to be
>in worse condition that before the rascal of a Jeweler had hold of it and
>I am minus at least $1 by the operation. 13 years ago today the Mormon
>Pioneers first entered the Valley of the Great Salt Lake and the
>inhabitants are celebrating the anniversary of the event in the mountains
>30 miles from the city...."
>
>Allen describes the area and gives costs of goods etc. Continuing on Allen
>writes ".....We passed through two villages. One was called Sessions
>settlement, the other Farmington...."
>
>This Journal on the Nobles Pass Trail will give how Lost Camp got its
>name, cost of goods etc.
> ...
> For permission to use or quote from the Tyrrell journal contact.
>
>Corby Dale
>455 West "D" St.
>Lemore, CA 93245
>559-924-5611
>
>I called and got his permission to use the journal and he sent me a
>complete copy. ...
>
>Richard

Previous Page
Next Page
Return to Table of Contents
Return to Lassen Thread Intro
Return to CA-NV Chapter Homepage