House, Henry Clay (Feb 1, 1842 – Dec 20, 1922) by himself

Henry House Diary written by himself

Henry House born Pike Co. Illinois 1st day of February 1842, parents
George and Mary Davis House. Resided at St Marys Ill. when both parents
died -12 years old when father died. Youngest of eight children, 5
boys, 3 girls. Lived Dr McGuffy family about 3 years bot Cattle and
wagon. Hauled coal from mines at Cloalchester, Ill to railroad cars.
From there went To St Jos. Mo. 1858 Feb. Then to Levanworth, Kansas,
met Bill and Bill Lauelady.

3 hired on pony express. Buffalo Feb 20 – 4 years younger, desegnanted
at different stations. Gov. Agent took House a side whippers to whip up
leaders, followed about 3 month. Big Sandy and Fort Kearney, Neb. Put
on 6 mule overland coach teams. House Atchison, Ka. to big Sandy

Spr 1859
About 3 months. Pike Peak gold excitment and brothers Hyram House and
Adolph House loaded 3 team mules with provisions to Pike Peak. Started
got out 400 miles near Douballs Bluffs in sight of P.P. News came – a
false report "no gold" plains lined with wheelbarrow carts it bound for
Pike Peak saw ox carts "Pike Peak or bust", when news came all turned
back burned sign "Busted by God". Up late at night, Adolph after
buffalo got lost, making bread. Adolph did not come back fired gun and
shot it off, came in daylight. Next day met two boys run away from home
in Iowa. One boy staggered on foot, one had a rifle, wanted something
to eat, feed them. Gave them some to take with them. Those who turned
back out of food and wanted some.

Brother Hyman had been to Cal. Must sell this or they well rob us. Sold
out expect enough To do to get back to Mo. River. Bad hailstorm storms.
Back to Atchison, Kan. Went on Missouri River was engineer on old Black
Hawk mail boat, operated between St. Louise and St Jos. for 2 month
Struck snag boar sank, passenger off.

Then went as assistant pilot on "Emily" passenger boat. 1860 agent and went on plains
Ox team at wagon master, teamster for Irvin Jackman and old time
freighter Leveanwoth, Ka. To Denver. Camped train when union depot is
now in Denver. Sent with 6 of wagons. Cattle Team took quartz mill to
Gregerian Diggins about central city 60 from Denver west.

No wagon roads there took coal ropes and used in letting wagons down
over cliffs of rock with rope nearly sawed tree off. Came back to
Denver empty. Coming back to Mo. River 100 miles west of Nile City,
officer attached train for indebtness. Left team eight men went with
him to Neb. City. Got life boat wen down river to Levenworth, Ka. Boat
shot dead.

Went to work for Gov. driving 6 mules. 1861 At post teams. Sent to Fort
Scott with man named Kerkendolph master of transportation of Ft. Scott.
Made House wagonmaster and gave him mule train.

Hauling frieght to Little Rock and other places. And to Blunt Army.
Followed this Army. order back to Fort Scout driving team to Fort
Worth, Tex. Then frieght master under Captain Huskil to get feed for
aminals.

Met again Bill and Bill Haycock were scout for Blunt Army and Jack
Harvey. Out after feed -mule killed, told Bill about it. Bill Cody got
des from Indian and next day, Bill killed one of southern bushwacker.

Put in charge of 400 wagons supply train at Ray Mills at Ark. Deliverying supplies to
Union Soldier. In saddle day and night without sleep at times doing battle Pine Ridge fight Blues -Gen Heinman of So. Army.

Order to Elm Springs dark and rainy, crossed nl. River with outfit.
Buffalo sick brout him to Ft Scott in hospital, when got well Bill and
Jack House as scout company of soldier to Ft. Gibson. When House was
located. At Platte River before reaching Ft. Gibson. Bill came to House
tent and told going to be attached outfit and got trains moving. runing
fight to get away from So. Army

Sent back to Ft. Leavenworth give train to go out west to Ft Union, New
Mexico. made trips, then Bill joined House with team to Ft. Wallace.
Track lay for Union Pacific 15 miles east of Ft. Wallace. To Kill meat
for hands and recommended Bill and he worked at that for 3 months.
House came to Ft Wallace and order them to train company of scouts and
Col Bankhead sent for Henry House to scout for the fort and ask him to
take charge of scouts at $250 month.

Organized men from wood camp six men from train. got outfit fixed up.
Bill with House started out for Gov. Col. Bankhead wanted men to take
dispatch. to Ft Hayes. House and other men went out on trips. Located
Indians and got corralled by Indains. 18 miles north of Ft. Wallace. 39
men with him Joe Lane with him little food and canteen of water. Sent
Joe to Ft. for help hid in sage brush and sand Indians on high ground.
told to crawl up gulch to top and if Indians shot will come to you. Joe
got to fort 18 miles reported House was corralled.

Took him to Officer gave brandy, help went north Lientin Wheeler in
charge with mule teams to follow. Joe came back with team. Soldiers
came up from behind and as Indians went by them and horses shot.
Calavery came up behind and got Indians.

Buffalo Bill came back to Ft. Wallace. Col Bankhead wanted. send
dispatch to Ft Louis. Scout and went on Ark. River. House and Cody with
Spencer Carbines and six shooter with ammunition. Started evening that
night elected star direction. Rested few hours in night. 100 miles away
among sun knolls found 25 indians at rear. Used carbines House shooting
Bill ahead running fight. Then Cody at rear, Bill did shooting
continued for 15 miles could hear bullet whiz by. Came to military road
20 miles east of Ft Larine, came to deep wash out and was prepared for
them. Killed five pony and four indians. As soon as begin killing pony
indians quit. Delivered message to Ft. Louis. Later House got sick
drinking alkali water, sent back to Leavenworth, Kan.. Bill took charge
of scouts.

At Leavenworth, Kan.

Was with private train,. B.F. Ackers 1864. Thomas Doolittle had failed
to get cattle in yoke. Telegraph to House Ft. Scout and ask to take
charge of train to Denver. Accepted.