Antle, Rosy

1840-

MSS SC 919

Diary

Rosy Antle was born 18 July 1849. In 1865, she traveled across the plains to Oregon with her family.

Rosy Antle's diary chronicles her daily experiences of crossing the plains in a wagon train with her family. This diary is thirteen-pages of typescript and begins on 1 May 1865 with daily entries made until 24 October. At times, the transcriber omits phrases and words that are difficult to understand or read. Rosy uses many colloquial expressions that give her writing a unique voice. She chronicles the events that are most interesting to her, giving the reader an intimate look at her perspectives and biases. She often writes about the friends and soldiers she meets along the trek, including one young man who seems to have won her particular interest. Fear of Indians also seems to weigh heavily upon her mind and she writes of the times she sees Indians or hears stories about them. Rosy is very specific about the times and distances they travel each day, the tolls they pay for the passage of the wagons, and the weather conditions. Although many times the journey is dreadful because of bad weather, no water, or constant walking, Rosy seems excited about the new things she sees. For example, she writes, I and several others went up on the biggest mountain I ever was on. I think we was nearer heaven than will ever be again on this earth. Pioneer.

1897-1897