Crossing the plains in ’49 : Colonel Mc-…

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Crossing the plains in ’49 : Colonel Mc- Ilhany, of Los Cerrillos, New Mexico, an old friend of the Field and Farm, was an early pathfinder on the plains and tells an interesting story about his trip over the golden shore. He says: “In September 1848, I met Colonel Rus- sell in my father’s house in Maysville, Kentucky. He had just returned overland from California. He was enthusiastic on the bright possibilities of the Pacific slope. The gold discoveries were being heralded over the continent. My youthful ambition was decided to gratify my love of ad- venture. I had a slave freed to cross the plains with me. I left Independence on May 4, ’49, reached Bridger’s fort on July 3. The next day thirty sat down on the grass to a spread that embraced a barbecued beef and numerous dainties including twenty gallons of Kentucky bourbon.