Posted on: VanBuren Co. Ia Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/VanBuren/11351 Surname: BONER, WALKER, BECK, BOOTH, HINDS, KECK, LOOMIS, STARR, WILSON ------------------------- The above names were all mentioned in the book, PLATTE RIVER ROAD NARRATIVES by Merrill J. Mattes, University of Illinois Press, 1988. These men left Van Buren County over a period of several months in 1850 for the Gold Fields of California. They crossed the Missouri River at Kanesville (Council Bluffs, IA). All kept journals of their trip (except the unfortunate Mr. Boner). Their names as listed in the book are: David Boner (died enroute by drowning in a creek), David was the friend of Joseph A. Keck, Zachariah Walker, Morris H. Beck, Caleb Booth, Rev. T. W. Hinds, Leander V. Loomis, J. R. Starr, and William Wilson. This book can be obtained through inter-library loan if your library does not have a copy. It retails for $95.00. I am not related to any of these men. I am interested in this subject because my 3rd great grandfather, George Miner, and two of his brother-in-laws, Luther and Alonzo Sargeant left in 1850 for the gold fields. They traveled across land going to California and returned by boat. They walked across the Isthmus of Panama, got on another boat and went up the Mississippi River, returning to Van Buren County in 1852.