They traveled two hundred miles directly west, crossing at old “Bense Fort”. They went over the summit of the Cascade or Raton mountains which was a mile high. Their night in the mountains was anything but pleasant. Overton first saw some young pine trees freshly pealed and was told it was bear work, then he heard a noise like a small log chain rattling, it was a mount rattle snake and that was one time that he stepped pretty carefully. They drove the oxen two miles up canyon and camped for the night, but being scared out of their wits, they let them feed a little, then bunched them and laid down by a gentle old ox for protection.
They heard a tremendous noise coming and could not discern what it was but found it to be 5000 sheep and goats with two Mexican boys and shepherd dogs driving. When asked what they eat they explained by saying they carried their cups in their belts and when hungry “milked goat.” They did not herd them but kept them together and followed where they grazed. A little farther on they saw a Mexican plowing with a small yoke of oxen with brass knobs on their horns.
They reached For Union at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. At 4 o’clock the same day the entire wagons were unloaded and they were ready to start home. Overton’s oxen team were considered among the best so his with one other were selected to be kept there at Fort Union for government service and he came back as night herder. They went but a few miles that evening before camping. The next day they went up the Okatee river and at noon he was told by the wagon boss, John Miller, they would go no farther that day, but would rest until the next morning.
(Estimated date)