October 31, 1852
From Nicholas & Delila Shrum in Oregon
To Abraham and Sinthy Fine in Missouri

Oregon Territory Marion County Oct 31 st A.D. 1852

Very Dear Brother in law & Family, Friends and Relatives

Through this blessing of God we are all in moderate health at present, for which we desire to be thankful for these and all other Blessings, hoping these lines will find you all well. Pardon me for violating a rule I have made myself that is not to write unless written to (You will learn from this as well as other letters, I have written time and again to you all, and have received none in return).

___________ marks out my course, altho I violate rules, to urge all those of your section who wishes to come to this country to start early, say leave the State line by the 20 of April, load light, have good teams, start first and keep foremost, never sleep two nights on the same ground, laying by to rest teams is a disaster, Vantage they travel sluggish _____ fall off faster after resting a few days laying by on the road may prove disastrous. Thousands of stock will get ahead and sweep the grass from the face of the earth and spoil the water in many places and strew the road with dead animals. The filth from the camps and stench from dead animals create camp fever and other mortal disease.

The Platte river valley and many places on this side of the Stony Mountain the earth and some of the springs and small branches is saturated with a poisonous substance it is called alkali or salaratus water. This water should be strictly avoided. There is hundreds of wells or holes dug in Platte River Bottom or valley, all of which is saturated with this poison. The Platte River water and all other large water courses is considered healthy for man and beast. All persons should be very cautious not to use any water only that which is pure and not too large quantities of that at one time.

I would advise all those who intend coming to this country to come next year and strictly follow the advise here laid down or never start at all. The emigrants commenced coming in this year very early. The first wagons that came in had horse and mule teams and arrived into this valley on the 7 th day of July. Ox teams commenced coming in about the 20 th of July. They came in for about one month all in fine health with but little loss. They have been coming in ever since very sickly and have suffered great losses of person and property. The emigrants will not all be in for some time to come.

Jacob Oden and family arrived here about the 15 th of this month. They are all able to travel about. I think they all was sick on the road but not all at once. I went to meet them with fresh team and met them about 60 miles from here and found Benjamin Homesly [or Homesby] very sick he had not been able to travel for several days. He came to Jesse Choats and Stopl, which is about 25 miles from here. I have heard since he is a getting about. Benjamin Homesly lost his wife and youngest child on the road, his wife died of measles. William Green Oden lost his wife and youngest child on the road. Samuel and Briant Thornhill died on the road I think. They all died of dierhea, except Mary Homesly.

Jacob Oden lost 7 head of cattle and one wagon in the Kaskade Mountains besides some cattle he lost before. Benjamin Homesly lost 7 head of cattle in the Kaskade Mountains besides some former losses. Since writing the above I have been informed that Jacob Oden lost 14 head of cattle in all, and Abraham Oden lost one Indian mare that he had bought on the road. When Oden came to the border of the State of Missouri the people told him that there was not a sufficiency of grass on the plain and he had better stop and feed his cattle, and he done so. They wanted his money and they got it. He says there was grass enough on the plains 2 or three weeks earlier than ___started if he had a knew it.

I insist on you sir that if any of your friends intend coming to this country to urge upon them to start early with light loads and good teams and press forward. It is a duty they owe to their families. If I was back in Missouri and knew what I do know I would start next spring for Oregon. I would not be a fearful of being sick on the road as I would be of staying in Missouri. I would have light wagons, light loads, and good teams and plenty of it. I would bring 100 head of from 1 to 2 year old heifers. I would start first and keep foremost almost every person start with too much loading to the wagon and have to throw it away after their teams are broken down.

When I came to this country there was but very little sickness on the road, not as much as there would be in the same number of people in Missouri. When we reached Platte River we discovered that the alkali water which is in ponds and small branches and some springs would sicken our cattle. Therefore we strictly avoided it and used the Platte River water. I never thought at that time that people would be so simple as to drink that poisonous stuff but they have done it and it has killed its thousands. Two of the best doctors in this section says that using of this alkali water is what gives them the dieree which is by some called cholera, the reason of my writing so full on this subject is I have saw the effects of bad management, it would melt a heart of stone to hear of the sufferings that has been on the road this year. The deaths is loosely estimated at about 2500 and the orphan children that is here and continually coming is immense . The old settlers are continually sending out relief companies to bring in those who is not able to travel or those who have lost all their teams.

I will quit this heart rending subject and give you the price currant of this country. Cows is worth from $50 to $75, a good yoke cattle from $140 to $150. American horses from $100 to $200. Indian horses from $40 to $75. Spanish or California horses from $50 to $100. Beef from 8 to 10 dollars pr. cwt. Pork from 10 to 12. Wheat $3 to $4 pr bushel. Flower from $10 to $12 pr. cwt. And butter from $50 to $62½ pr hundred pounds. Chickens from 75 cnts to $1. Fresh eggs 50 cnts a doz. Day labour from $1 to $1.50 cts per day. Good claims is rating very high in this neighborhood say from five to ten thousand dollars the consequence of it being near Salem the seat of the government which is a very _______ place [can't read the next words] high next summer in consequence of the State House and Court House will soon be lots for building besides other public works in the territory.

You will discover a great difference in the price of the same article, this is in the locality and quality. I have nothing more to write at present only to request you all to write. We would be glad at all times to hear from you all. At any rate write once more and let us know the reason why you do not write.

September 2, 1856

O.T. Marion County Sept 2 nd , 1856

Very dear Brother & Sister & Family,

We write you a few lines once more to let you know that we are all in usual health, for which we desire to be thankful to the Author of all good. Hoping these lines will find you all well and doing well. Jacob Oden and family were all well the first of June last. All your acquaintances are well as far as I know.

I supposed you have heard of the Indian wars in this country, therefore to well suffice the necessity of giving particulars. Suffice it to say that sometime last October the Indians commenced hostilities simultaneously from California extending along our south to Easter Boundaries and extending through Washington Territory to up Whitbys Stand in Puget Sound at or near the Straits of Juan De Fuca, a distance of over 500 miles. The Indians on the Pacific are in small tribes none of them numbering over 1000 warriors. It was believed by the most of people that they never could unite in a general war against the whites, this belief was suddenly dispelled by the crack of the rifle and the Demonic yell of the Indian with the groans of the dying and shrieks of the wounded and affrightened _______ ________ along our extended frontier settlements almost at the same time.

At the first onset some once flourishing infant settlements were laid waste and their inhabitants cruelly murdered or escaping to places of more security. In a short time 1500 men were mustered into service. They soon drove the indians back and carried the war into the Indian country. The war has been carried on with varied success ever since. Sometimes the volunteers would get worsted but never defeated but more commonly victorious. Our volunteers deserve well of their country. Some of them lost their lives in our defense and others made cripples for life. Our volunteers learned that when the indians commenced yelling if they would commence yelling too and at the same time charge upon them with fury that the indians became so frightened that they could not shoot with certainty and would always run like turkeys.

Henry & Thomas Shrum, Enoch Wimberly, Abraham & Virgil Oden & John Cannon volunteered and served out their time of enlistment in the Southern Army. Thomas Shrum was in the hardest fought battle since the war commended. They all returned home in safety.

There was one instance of heroine nobleness I will relate. The Indians attacked the house of a Mr. Harris in Southern Oregon. At the first fire Mr. Harris fell mortally wounded. Mrs. Harris barricaded the door and commenced the defense of herself and dying husband and also her little daughter who also was wounded in the arm. She knew nothing about loading a gun or pistol, one of each being in the house. When she had discharged one of them at the indians through a crack in the house her dying husband rose as from the slumbers of death and directed her how to reload that trusty rifle and then fell lifeless to the floor. She kept up a spirited resistance for several hours and when her lead was exhausted she fired powder guns at them. This had the desired effect to keep them off until night put an end to the combat. She then made her escape with her little daughter with its arm broken to a thicket nearby. How many Indians she killed was never known, as the indians always carry of their dead. From appearances it was thought that she had killed several.

The next day a company of volunteers made their appearance and gave chase to those demons killing six on the jump before they could recover their fastness in the mountains. I think the war in this country are nearly ended for the present. Several of the hostile tribes have came in for peace declaring that they are sick of war and that their hearts are now very good. Their hearts will be good as long as they are kept in fear and no longer.

There are about 1500 regular soldiers in Oregon and Washington Territories and they have done but very little towards protecting the country. There are yet a few Indians prowling a round. Some of the weakest settlements doing mischief.

Will quit writing on this heart sickening subject and request you to write to me on the receipt of this. I would be very much obliged to you if you would send in your next letter the author or title of a Methodist book that Mr. Ad______ loaned to me. I have forgotten the author or title of it. I supposed he can give you this information. If I could learn the author or title, I think I could get it here in some book store. I will send you a newspaper of recent date this will give you an account of the last battles with the Indians and also a small pamphlet containing some questions asked a Methodist Preacher and his answers thereto. I will _____ for the present expressing our sincere affection for you and all our relatives there.

Nicholas & Delila Shrum

To Abraham & Sintha Fine

N.B. Please send the age of Delila in your next letter.