"crossed the Big Sandy and baited at noon on its banks [ ] then traveled on till dark when we again camped on the bank of the Big Sandy [ ] 23 3/4 miles"
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They are near Farson, Wyoming and following the Big Sandy Creek for a few days.
Nearly 24 miles in one day was a remarkable distance for a wagon train with an average of 12 - 15 miles. As they had to find food and water for the animals, they finally arrived at the banks of the river again at 9:00 that night. Where they stayed at night was determined for the animals if at all possible. This day was the longest day of the trek since leaving Winter Quarters.
Jim Bridger left this morning to go on his way to Fort Laramie and the pioneers made sure he had free passage on the ferry when he got to the Platte crossing where some of the pioneers were still working.
There is a strange sickness starting to go through the camps. As William Clayton describes it, ".....they generally begin with a headache, succeeded by violent fever and some go delirious for a while." They didn't know what it was and began to blame it on various things such as the alkali they picked up back on the trail to bake bread with or dust kicked up by the wagons and animals, maybe the change in climate or even altitude.
What a long day 24 miles must have been for them
