Note 17 — JOURNAL OF TRAVELS OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
Reading edition
Little is known of Dr. Presley Welch save as related by Palmer—that he was from Indiana, was chosen captain of the caravan, and was without authority after the formation of the independent companies. H. H. Bancroft (History of Oregon, i, p. 612) notes that he was candidate for governor in 1846. George H. Himes, assistant secretary of the Oregon Historical Society, writes to the Editor: "In all my efforts to make a roll of Pioneers by years, I have not so far been able to find anything about Dr. Welch; hence I conclude he either left the country at an early date or died soon after his arrival here."—Ed.