TOWN OF INDEPENDENCE. 33 



gation of the Missouri river had considerahly 

 advanced towards the year 1831, and the ad- 

 vantages of some point of debarkation nearer 

 the western frontier were Yeij evident, where- 

 by upwards of a hundred miles of trouble- 

 some land-carriage, over unimproved and 

 often miiy roads, might be avoided, the new 

 town of Independence, but twelve miles from 



Indian border 



of 



the IVIissouri river, being the most ehgible 



point, soon began to take the lead 

 of debarkation, outfit and departure, which, in 

 spite of all opposition, it has ever smce main- 

 tained. It is to this beautiful spot, aheady 

 gro^^^l up to be a thriving tovv^i, that the prairie 

 adventurer, whether in search of wealth. 



health or 



habit 



of repairing, about the first of May, as the 

 caravans usually set out some time diuing that 

 month. Here they purchase their provisions 

 for the road, and many of their mules, oxen, 

 and even some of their wagons — m short, 



f* 



load aU tlieir vehicles, and make their final 

 preparations for a long journey across the 

 prauie wilderness. 



As Independence is a point of convenient 

 access (the Missouri river being navigable at 

 all times from March till November), it has 

 become the general 'port of embarkation 'for 

 every part of the great western and northern 

 * prairie ocean.' Besides the Santa Fe cara- 

 vans, most of the Rocky Mountain traders 

 and trappers, as well as emigrants to Oregon, 



take this town in their route. During the 



