Daniel McFadzean, Dorothy M. Sprague, Clarence Lillie, and Henry Lawrence - Pioneers of Visalia, California - Transcript.

Abstract

"He got a train together and started in the spring of 1852 and the wagon train had a very difficult time of it. At one place they found Indians lined across the way. It seems by that time the Indians were starting to collect a toll from the settlers. They demanded cattle for the right to pass. Uncle Bas just took his big blacksnake and opened a way through them. The Indians thought he was crazy and stepped aside and after that he was known as 'The Mad Captain.' The party had a difficult time crossing Death Valley. They got into a sandstorm and Uncle Bas had to get down on his hand and knees to locate the trail, the sand was blowing so thick. The party was out of water too and it didn't look like they could go farther when his father walked ahead and found a spring and water. They had a rough time of it but after watering, they got across the desert to Southern California the next day."