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[Illustration: J. W. (WATT) GIBSON.]




RECOLLECTIONS

_of a_ PIONEER

BY

J. W. (WATT) GIBSON




Press of Nelson-Hanne Printing Co.
107 South Third Street
St. Joseph, Mo.

[Illustration]




FOREWORD.


The following pages are entirely from memory. I kept no notes or other
record of the events I have attempted to relate, but I am sure my
memory has not often deceived me. My early responsibilities compelled
me to give close attention to the things which transpired about me
and thus fixed them permanently in my mind. In fact, most of the
experiences which I have attempted to relate were of such personal
consequence that I was compelled to be alert and to know what was
passing.

I undertook the present task at the solicitation of many friends and
acquaintances who urged that my recollections of a period, now fast
passing out of personal memory, ought to be preserved. It is probable
that I have made a good many errors, especially, in my attempts to
locate places and to give distances, but it must be remembered that
we had no maps or charts with us on the plains and that but few state
lines or other sub-divisions were in existence. The location of the
places where events occurred with reference to present geographical
lines has been my most difficult task.

          J. W. (WATT) GIBSON.

_St. Joseph, Mo., August 15, 1912._




TABLE OF CONTENTS


CHAPTER                                                 PAGE

     I. Early Days in Buchanan County.                     5

    II. First Trip to California.