Dallas Herald,
July 24, 1861
A train of 20 wagons, with fifteen or twenty families from California, passed through town on Monday bound for this and adjoining counties. They started on the 19th of March, and have traveled every day, having found grass and water very scarce over a great portion of the route. They seem to be very desirable immigrants–men of energy and means, and well pleased with the country, which they think far preferable to California. Among the families we heard the names of Lowrie, Noble, Brown, and Carson–two of the brothers of the celebrated Kit Carson being in the company. In one family there were eleven children. All the company were in good health and spirits, and true Southern men. They report having met several companies of Unionists, bound for California, and abusing Texas. These disaffected persons, they fear, are making a great pecuniary sacrifice for their principles. After a very severe and laborious journey they will arrive strangers in a country where it is far more difficult than in Texas to procure the necessaries of life. Suffering must consequently be the consequence. No Indians were seen on the route, although the company buried several Americans who had been recently killed by them. A large number of immigrants are expected to follow during the season.–S. A. Herald.