Approaching
Three Island Crossing (of the Snake River) meant the emigrants
had a difficult choice. They could make a dangerous river
crossing here for a direct route to Ft.
Boise or stay on the south side of the Snake and follow
the river around the bend. About half made the decision
to cross using the three islands in the Snake as stepping
stones. It would not be easy.
Emigrant
Narcissa Whitman:
"Husband had considerable difficulty crossing the
cart. Both the cart and the mules were capsized in the water
and the mules entangled in the harness. They would have
drowned, but for a desperate struggle to get them ashore.
Then after putting two of the strongest horses before the
cart and two men swimming behind to steady it, they succeeded
in getting it over."
Emigrant
Samuel Hancock:
"We lost 2 of our men, Ayres and Stringer. Ayres
got into trouble with his mules in crossing the stream.
Stringer, who was about thirty, went to his relief, and
both were drowned in sight of their women folks. The bodies
were never recovered."
Three
Island Crossing
Official site of the Idaho State Park
