Charles
Bishop was a member of the Washington City and California Gold Mining
Association captained by the well-known trails diarist, J. Goldsborough
Bruff. Bishop died of cholera on July 8, 1849, while encamped near the
North Platte River. As with many victims of this disease, Bishop quickly
succumbed. Bruff, who personally carved the head and footstones for Bishop,
organized a solemn and majestic funeral ceremony for the deceased. The
funeral was also attended by the New York Colony Guards, which provided
a military style gun salute. It is believed that Bishop had served in
the Mexican War.
Dr. Henry Austin’s description of death: I was called to a man
who was sick -- about 5 A.M. I found him with symptoms of Cholera of which
he died at one this day - The train started on the march leaving one wagon
in which the sick man was behind. I stayed of course to attend to him
the symptoms continue to be less favorable - the train stopped before
it proceeded far on this road and returned and layed by for the day -
Several of the [men] are preparing for the funeral.
Bruff’s description
of funeral: The messmates of the deceased laid him out, sewed him
up in his blue blanket, and prepared a bier, formed of his tent-poles.
I had a grave dug in a neighboring ridge, on left of the trail, about
400 yards from it. Dry clay and gravel, and coarse white sand-stone on
the next hill, afforded slabs to line it with, making a
perfect vault. (Bruff himself carved the lettering on the head and footstone.)
I then organized a funeral procession, men all in clean clothes and uniforms,
with music (a key-bugle, flute, violin, and accordion) and two and two,
with the Stars & stripes over the body, we marched to the measured
time of the dirge, deposited the body of our comrade in the grave, an
elderly gentleman read the burial service, and we filled up the grave,
erected the stones, and returned to camp.
Ownership
Private.
[Owned by Gary Nickal, Nickal Brothers Farms, 118 Arrowhead Road, Torrington,
WY 82240, (307) 532-4770. Leased to Adam & Teresa Cross, RR2, Box
317A, Torrington, WY 82240, (307) 532-4542.]
Directions
1.8 miles southwest of Henry, NE. Goshen County, Wyoming. T23N/R60W
From the intersection of U.S. 26 and U.S. 85 at Torrington, drive south
on U.S. 85 for 2.4 miles. Turn left on Nebraska 92. In 1.3 miles, turn
left on gravel County Road 126E G5. Drive east 3.8 miles to ranch headquarters
to obtain permission and directions to the William Clary, Charles Bishop,
and Henry Hill graves. Permission is required to visit the graves.
National Park Service
Comprehensive Management Plan
The site has been marked by the Oregon-California Trails Association.
Possible gravel operations pose a potential threat. The site is not listed
on the National Register.
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