Across The Plains In '62.

WILLIAM SMEDLEY

Publication: Privately printed, 1916, Denver

First edition. 8vo. Boards, with cloth spine, 56 pp., frontispiece, map, and 4 additional plates. This rare account was privately printed for family members and was identified by Edward Eberstadt to be "one of 50 copies." William Smedley spent 5 months traveling the Oregon Trail, by ox-team, from Council Bluffs to Salem, Oregon, in the summer of 1862. Smedley's day-by-day diary is recorded here, with considerable detail. An interesting and rare work. Mintz 427 says "Smedley's interesting day-by-day diary tells of still another instance where the author, quite sickly during his lifetime, develops into a robust pioneer once on the trail. His story of traveling overland to Oregon with a wagon, and usually only one companion, is a strong argument for those who lean toward the belief that small parties fared the best. His two worst enemies were mosquitoes and Indians." Inscribed on half-title, "Fraternally Thine. Wm. Smedley. 6-15-16." Also inscribed on front free-endpaper, "Will. D. Peirce With Kind Regards of Wm. Smedley." Near fine copy.