HARVEY H. JONES 1864
OREGON TRAIL JOURNAL
HARVEY H. JONES 1864
OREGON TRAIL JOURNAL
[Partial Reconstruction of the]
WAGON TRAINS WITH WHOM THE JONES FAMILY TRAVELED
KINNEY / McKINNEY PARTY
5 wagons (Jones letter 1854 May 19). Possibly only these three families traveling together - no indication of a larger group present.
Coffin Family
From Iowa (Jones, letter 1854 May 19).
JONES OUTFIT
Jones Family
From near Platterville Wisconsin (Jones, letter 1854 Oct 29).
Crossed Missouri River at St. Mary’s, near Council Bluffs, about May
8 (Jones manuscript 1854:1). Not recorded at what point they
joined their party.
2 wagons, a large and a small (Jones manuscript 1854:6; letter 1854
June 9).
Started with 25 head of cattle, one horse (Jones, letter 1854 June 9). Got through with 12 cows, 7 oxen (Jones, letter 1855 July 29).
Carried a guide book (EJJones letter 1854 June 9).
Parted from Kinney/McKinney group July 3 on Sweetwater River (Jones manuscript:5).
Joined J.P.Coats Company (Yantis Party) July 16 on Bear River (Jones 1854 manuscript:8).
Destination Puget Sound area of Washington (Jones manuscript).
Jones, Harvey H.
Son of Chauncey Jones, Sr. and Ursula (Jones,
letter 1854 Oct 29; Lewis letter1865 Feb 16).
Killed Puget Sound Indian War of 1855 (Dykes
1989:8).
Kept journal.
Jones, Eliza Jane
Mother either Mrs. Mary A Hull or Mrs. McClary, Platterville
Wisconsin (Jones, letter 1854 June 15).
Married 1. King [Oldest child apparently named King] (Lewis
letter in Jones file 1865 Feb 16).
2. Harvey H. Jones
Killed Puget Sound Indian War of 1855 (Dykes 1989:8).
King, John - Bub (Jones, letter 1854 June 9).
Apparently son of Eliza Jane and her first husband.
Survived both Indian attack and diptheria outbreak (Lewis
Letter 1865 Feb 16).
Jones, children of Harvey Jones and Eliza Jane:
Survived Indian attack but died of diphtheria in Puget Sound area between 1861 Oct 7 and 1865 Feb 16 (Lewis, letters in Jones file 1861 Oct 7, 1865 Feb 16).
Olive, toddler (Jones, letter 1854 Dec 11).
Percival, infant (Jones, letter 1855 April 15).
Hired hands
Smals, John
Apparently with Jones family when they left Wisconsin (EJJones
letter 1854 May 8).
Joined McKinney family before May 8 (letter to EJJones 1854 May
8).
Ò-two fine faithful young menÓ (Jones letter 1854 June 9).
Joined Jones family before May 8 (EJJones letter 1854 May 8) but
not mentioned later.
Cooper, Enos
Cosand, Thomas
Kinney/McKinney Family
From Wingville [possibly Wisconsin] (Jones, letter 1854 May 19).
Had little girls (Jones letter).
J.P.COATS TRAIN
Coats, J.P. Captain (Mary Perry Frost 1951). Name has not been confirmed, only this one mention found so far. The group was almost always referd to on the Oregon Trail as the Yantis Party although Yantis was not recorded as captain in any journal seen so far. Relationship of the three parties in the Coats Train are not clear. They traveled quite independently, possibly because of scanty feed for cattle, but seemed to have outfitted together. Mary Perry Frost mentions difficulty in buring their dead because the shovels were in the tool wagon with the Big Train.
YANTIS PARTY
Possibly same as The Big Train.
Week ahead of Ebey Company, crossing Snake River ferry near Fort
Hall July 25 (Dykes 1989:14).
This needs to be worked out - it does not agree with Jones Journal.
Ames Family
Going to Willamette Valley (Jones manuscript:13).
Eldest son was main dependence of family (Jones manuscript:13).
Ames, Mrs.
Widow (Jones manuscript:13).
Ames, children:
Eldest son, age 16/17
Member of Cow Recovery Party (Noble in Gregg1950:46).
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
1934:84). Jones doesnÕt mention where he was hit. Since
Jones was the only eyewittness record, where could this
have come form?
Apparently several children, including one or more younger sons (Jones manuscript:13).
JONES OUTFIT
Joined Yantis Party July 16 on Bear River (Jones 1854 manuscript:8) from McKinney Party, above.
Neely, Edward (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
David Neely (Bird 1934:85). Jones doesnÕt mention given name.
Very large stout man (Jones manuscript:15). [In 1854, stout
probably ment muscular]
Member of Cow Recovery Party (Jones manuscript:15; Mary Perry
Frost 1951).
Settled White River, King County Washington (Mary Perry Frost
1951).
Rourk, Rev. (Jones manuscript:19).
Gave sermon Sept 3 in Grand Ronde Valley (Jones manuscript:19). May have been member of this party.
Ward, Newton
From Ward Company. Went on to Oregon with Yantis Party (Bird 1934:85).
YANTIS OUTFIT
Yantis Family
From Missouri (Holmes, Goodell and Austin journals 1987 VII:86).
Settled in Thurston County Washington (Mary Perry Frost 1951;
Goodell and Austin journals in Holmes 1987 VII:86).
Yantis, Alexander S. - Alex, Captain
William Yantis (Dykes 1989:7).
Led Cow RecoveryParty of 7 men (Jones journal).
Noble says Yantis was killed in fight with Indians (Noble in Gregg
1950:46) but Mary Perry says Yantis died a few years before 1917
(Mary Perry Frost 1951) and he was recorded several times in
Goodall and Austin journals after Ward Massacre (in Holmes 1988
VII). Noble must be in error.
Yantis, Sarah Green (Goodell and Austin journals in Holmes
1987 VII:86).
Yantis, children of Alexander S. Yantis and Sarah Green:
Anna C. probably (Goodell and Austin journals in Holmes 1988 VII:130).
6 other children (Goodell and Austin journals in Holmes 1987 VII:86).
Marsh, Arnold
From Fondulac County Wisconsin, traveling with Mr. Yantis (Jones manuscript:9).
Young man (Jones manuscript:9).
Died 1854 August 2 on GoodaleÕs Cutoff where the road leaves
Jordan [Big Lost] River. Said to have been poisoned when
he opened an ox that had died suddenly (Jones manuscript
:9).
Quack doctor (Jones manuscript:16).
WARD PARTY
26 miles behind Yantis Company and 31 miles ahead of Ebey Company at time of massacre (Dykes 1989:13-4). Not accurate according to Jones journal. This needs to be worked out.
Ward had small band of cattle and some horses besides draft oxen (Masterson in Barton 1990:96).
Masterson says 15 were killed (Barton 1990:96). 18 have been found in literature and Goodall says 18 were reported killed (in Holmes 1988 VII:). Butler (recollections after 42 years, in Gregg 1950:46) said they buried 23.18 are named on DAR monument (Ward Memorial Park near Middleton Idaho).
Single men of Ward Party were hired men (Masterson in Barton 1990:96). Use of plural indicates at least two hired men. Ward family had been joined on road by 6 men with 2 wagons (Gregg 1950:43). If both these reports are accurate, then there should be 8 or more non-family, single men with Ward Party Aug 20.
FIRST WAGON - tentative reconstruction
Adams, Charles
Masterson says his name was Tom (Barton 1990:96).
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg 1950:48).
Adams, Dr. (Gregg 1950:48).
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg 1950:48).
Babcock, William
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg 1950:48).
After Ward Massacre and attack in Camas Prairie, soldiers recovered one-half a saddle bag inscribed Dr. B. Babcock, Vermont (Bird 1934:87). It is not clear whether this was recovered in Boise Valley or Camas Prairie, but probably former as among other items was something inscribed in German, and there were said to be two Germans with Ward Party. This may have been property of William Babcock.
French Canadian
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon County Idaho (Gregg 1950:48).
GERMAN OUTFIT
Had a wagon (Bird 1934:83) so possibly part of the 6 men joining
Ward Party on road.
Fredrick, John
[Name indicates this was probably the second German so is placed here]
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg 1950:48).
Schwartz, Adolph/Rudolph
One of the two Germans (Bird 1934:83).
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg 1950:48).
WARD OUTFIT
From Johnson County Missouri, leaving there 1854 March 20 (Ward in Gregg 1950:43).
About 20 persons in all (Masterson in Barton 1990:960.
Masterson Family
Traveled with Yantis Party in fore part of journey (Jones
manuscript:10).
At time of massacre, these 3 people were 4 miles ahead with the
cattle (Barton 1990:97).
Masterson, James Alfred [1850]
Born 1827 Oct 4, Logan County Kentucky, son of Lazarus
Masterson and Elizabeth Givens (Barton 1990:93,222).
Married 1. Vilinda H. Campbell 1854 April 6, Missouri
2. Martha Ann Gay 1871 Aug 27Lane County Oregon
(Barton 1990:222).
Died 1908 Sept 11 Cour dÕAlene Idaho. Buried Forest Cemetary, Cour dÕ Alene (Barton 1990: 222).
Masterson, Vilinda H. Campbell
Born 1837 Aug 10, Lafayette County Missouri, daughter of
Henry Campbell and Nancy W. Ashburn (Barton 1990:222).
Died 1870 Feb 20, Waconda, Marion County Oregon near Salem of
TB. Buried Bell Passi Cemetary Woodburn Oregon (Barton
1990:93,98,222).
Masterson, Robert
Brother of Alfred Masterson, Margaret Masterson Ward and Eliza Masterson White (Barton 1990:93).
Son of Lazarus Masterson and Elizabeth Givens (Barton
1990:222).
Single (Barton 1990:93).
The presence of this brother was not mentioned by Jones. If Masterson is accurate in placing him here, then he must have been young enough that Jones passed over mentioning him. Masterson is the only reference to him seen so far.
Ward Family
From Johnson County Missouri (Bird 1934:81).
If the Mastersons traveled with Yantis Party in fore part of journey
(Jones manuscript:10), then Ward family may also have done so.
One ox team of 6 yoke and two teams of 4 yoke.
Ward, Alexander, age 44
Son of David Ward and first wife (IGS #570).
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg 1950:48).
Ward, Margaret Masterson, age 37
Daughter of Lazarus Masterson and Elizabeth Givens (Barton
1990:222).
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg 1950:48).
Ward, children of Alexander Ward and Margaret Masterson:
5 children were killed during massacre, 2 children were taken by Indians and died later and William and Newton survived (Masterson in Barton 1990:98). Six children killed at massacre site (Gregg 1950:48); probably not true.
Mary, age 18
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton,
Canyon County Idaho (Gregg1950:48).
Robert, age 16
Oldest son (Ward in Gregg 1950:43).
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon County Idaho (Gregg1950:48).
Newton - age about 13 (Bird 1934:82).
Shot by arrow (Ward in Gregg 1950:44).Taken to Oregon by
Yantis Party
William M., age 11 (Gregg 1950:430.
Shot by arrow through left lung and side. Made his way to Fort
Boise. After weeks recuperation, went on to Oregon with last
wagon company of 1854 season. Family provided spring wagon
for him for which they charged $1/day. Outraged citizens of
Portland took up collection to pay bill (Gregg 1950:44).
Edward, age 9
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg 1950:48).
Francis, age 7
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg1950:48).
John
Apparently a younger child, taken by the Indians. Never found.
Flora, age 5
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg1950:48).
Susan, age 3
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg1950:48).
White Family
Wagon (Bird 1934:81).
White, Eliza Masterson, age 30 (Gregg 1950:48).
Youngest daughter of Lazarus Masterson and Elizabeth Givens
(Barton 1990:222).
Married William White [] (Bird 1934:81).
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg1950:48).
White, child of William White and Eliza Masterson:
George, age 4 (Gregg 1950:48).
Masterson says he was killed during massacre (Masterson in
Barton 1990:98). Listed as killed on DAR Monument (Gregg
1950:480.
Mulligan, Samuel
Killed 1854 Aug 20 in Ward Massacre near Middleton, Canyon
County Idaho (Gregg 1950:48). I think this was a hired hand with
the Ward Outfit. Needs checking.
Woman of Ward family with The Big Train Aug 20 (Mary Perry Frost 1951). Could this be Vilinda Masterson?
PERRY PARTY
4 wagons, third and last section of J.P.Coats Company (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Probably Aug 18 Perry Party was attacked by Indians in Camas Prairie . Lake and Campbell died and were buried before party caught up with Ebey Party Aug 22 (Goodell and Austin in Holmes 1988 VII:120). Remainder of Perry Party were voted into Ebey Company (Dykes 1989:14) and went to Pudget Sound (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Cantrell, Empson, age about 19
Teamster for Perry family (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Parted from sister and 2 brothers at California Road (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Died Aug 21 (or thereabouts) in Indian attack in Camas Prairie.
Shot in abdomen and lived until next morning (Mary Perry Frost
1951).
Kirkland Family
Possibly [Although it doesnÕt seem to quite fit]:
Settled King County Washington, Oct 1854 (Goodell and Austin journals in Holmes 1987 VII:85).
Kirkland, Moses (Goodell and Austin journals in Holmes 1987 VII:85).
Kirkland, Nancy Piper (Goodell and Austin journals in Holmes 1987 VII:85).
Kirkland, children of Moses Kirkland and Nancy Piper:
Daughter (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Sons (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Cox Family
Son-in-law of Kirkland (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Apparently daughter of Kirkland family.
Lake Family
Remaining members went on to Puget Sound country (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Lake, George
Uncle of Mary Perry (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Died Aug 18 in Indian attack in Camas Prairie. Killed outright
(Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Lake, George Mrs. (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Lake, children of George Lake and wife:
Lake sons were young men (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Arnold (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
2nd son (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Perry Family
From Garden Grove, Apanoose County, Iowa Left 1854 April (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Perry, Walter Gibbon (Evelyn Hoffman)
Shot through lungs in Indian attack in Camas Prairie and lived until evening of fourth day. Buried next day on Boise River (Mary Perry Frost 1951).
Died about midnight Aug 22. Buried Aug 23 (Goodell and Austin in
Holmes 1988 VII:120). Goodell and Austin from trail journals,
Perry probably reminiscences.
The grave is in the borrow pit of Lincoln Road out of Caldwell Idaho, just across the river from Middleton. It has been marked by the Canyon County Historical Society.