July 8, 1853

Friday the 8th. This morning while Nelson and one of the others were herding cattle they discovered some fragments of clothes and camping utensils, and upon examination found a gold watch and key in an old pantaloons pocket. From the appearance of things they supposed some one had been murdered, but could find no papers to give any clue to his name. His clothing, camping apparatus, powder-horn etc. were lying scattered about. Laid by all day to-day on account of our cattle’s feet. Started at sunset to travel all night.