Personal leatherbound trail diary of Terrence Cantwell, a cowboy who rode in the Utah Territory, 3 x 6, dated 1869. Cantwell’s entries are in pencil and touch upon the subjects of hiring men, camping, enduring all kinds of weather, and noting where ‘good grass’ and ‘good water’ is located. On May 10, he witnesses the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory, Utah, “Saw the last rail laid and the gold and silver spikes driven on the completion of the N.P.R.R.,” also listing the names of the engines of the Central Pacific Railroad. Later that month, he writes, “Three cows died last night from the effects of ‘poison weed’. Several more have a slight dose.” He continues describing his travels on June 11, “Passed Fort Ruby and old stage station and went on to springs on top of mountain. No water. Distance 15 miles. Traded calf. Discharged Jim.” A terse entry comes on June 14, “Our cow snake bit. Big storm.” Another intriguing entry comes on September 13, “Sheriff from Humboldt NV arrived last night from Fort Mohave with two prisoners.” On other pages he writes of passing through “Devil's Gate,” heading toward “Eldorado,” and branding a horse. The last several pages are an accounting ledger, where he lists prices for things he bought along the way, including a pistol, a knife, shirts, crutches, apples, a flask, and boots. In very good condition, with heavy wear to the leather covers; inner pages are clean with a tight binding.
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