Transcript June 5, 1850 - Ash Hollow

James Mason Diary
ASH HOLLOW
NEBRASKA
JUNE 5, 1850
Ash Hollow is a picturesque wooded canyon in
Garden County, Nebraska, three miles southeast of
Lewellen. A branch of the Overland Trail ran
northwest from the Lower California Crossing of the
South Platte River a few miles west of Brule, and
descended at Ash Hollow into the North Platte Valley.
The hollow, named for a growth of ash trees, was
centered by Windlass Hill to the south. Wagons had
to be eased down its steep slope by ropes. Deep,
trough-like remains of the trail are found approaching
the crest of Windlass Hill and down its face.
Diary of James Mason
From Brule, NE
to Lewellen, NE
The decent into Ash
Hollow across the river
to Lewellen, NE
June 5 – traveled 25 m & E.N. left South fork &
traveled over high Prairie to we come to ash hollow
were the Bluffs put in very Steep we let our waggons
down with ropes came down the hollow 3 miles the
Bottom Sandy & the rocks towering on each side to
a great highet [sic] with small Seeders Standing
there rugged Sides like many Sentries here we
came to the north fork of Platt this evening very
tired & _____ out the evening fire 2 Sues (Sioux)
Indians came to our camp A Chief & Squaw
Diary of James Mason
Lewellen
NE
From Brule, NE to Lewellen, NE
Traveled over high Prairie to
the decent into Ash Hollow
across the river to
Lewellen, NE
Dairy says 25 miles
That is right on
Brule
NE
Diary of James Mason
From Brule, NE to Lewellen, NE
Traveled over high prairie
Diary of James Mason
From Brule, NE to Lewellen, NE
More high prairie
Diary of James Mason
From Brule, NE to Lewellen, NE
Even more high prairie
Diary of James Mason
From Brule, NE to Lewellen, NE
Start the decent down Ash Hollow
Diary of James Mason
From Brule, NE to Lewellen, NE
Rough decent down Ash Hollow
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Rocks towering on both
sides with small Seeders
From Brule, NE to Lewellen, NE
Diary of James Mason
Old Adobe house
The decent down Ash Hollow never ends
From Brule, NE to Lewellen, NE
Diary of James Mason
From Brule, NE to Lewellen, NE
Finally we reach the North Fork of the Platt River with the Trading Post in site
Diary of James Mason
From Brule, NE to Lewellen, NE
North Fork of the Platt River
Diary of James Mason
From Brule, NE
to Lewellen, NE
Ash Hollow- across the
river from Lewellen, NE
the descent into Ash
Hollow
Diary of James Mason
Ash Hollow – June 5
California Oregon Trail from Independence, MO - to Hangtown (Placerville, CA)
Diary of James Mason
Ash Hollow- across the river
from Lewellen, NE the descent
into Ash Hollow
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Ash Hollow
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Ash Hollow
END
James Mason Diary
ASH HOLLOW
NEBRASKA
JUNE 5, 1850