...rains and a cool and humid atmosphere. Arrived at Fort Osage,(11) we wrote letters, purchased some medicines, and arranged such affairs as we thought...elks which we had wounded the day before, but which had strength sufficient to elude our pursuit. Some other of the company complained of illness about...

...of the future site of Independence. At the fort, Becknell noted, "we wrote letters, purchased some medicines, and arranged such affairs as we thought necessary previous to leaving the confines of civilization."17 Then they headed out across the "high prairie," where, like many who followed in their...

...Fort Osage about eleven miles east of present-day Kansas City where they "wrote letters, purchased medicines and arranged such affairs as we thought...previous to leaving the confines of civilization." It was at Fort Osage that Becknell discussed his plans with George Sibley, the commander. Amid heavy...