Agnes Caldwell (1847 - 1924) Profile

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Agnes Caldwell

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Caldwell, Thomas, Reminiscence, in Allphin, Jolene, "Tell My Story, Too," 13-14

Caldwell, Thomas, Reminiscence, in Allphin, Jolene, "Tell My Story, Too," 13-14.

After leaving Castle Gardens we reached Iowa City the 26th of June 1856. Here we were outfitted and assigned to our groups and our handcarts. Our handcarts were of poor description. There were 100 to each group and two persons were allotted to draw each cart. I was to help my mother and Christina McNeil, a young girl who had lived with us in Glasgow, Scotland. We left Iowa City the 26th of July 1856. Millen Atwood was the Captain of our group of 100. On the 18th of August we left camp [Florence, Nebraska] and set out in earnest on our journey across the plains.
While in Florence, Nebraska, some old Texan cows were bought to milk. This is where I met with an accident. Some girls were trying to hold and milk one of the Texan cows, which was giving them a great deal of trouble. Thinking I could help them out, I offered to try, but when I took the rope, the cow bolted, catching my foot in the rope. I was thrown to the ground until I could let go of the rope. My collar bone was broken. This of course was very painful, especially after gangrene set in. Some days I could push a little on the cart, but mostly I would feel so ill I could only hang on. When we would come to one of the larger streams that had to be crossed it seemed almost too much for human nature. But as we were requested and as there was no other way, we would boldly enter the stream, helping each other the best we could. I would try my best to help my younger sisters one at a time through to the other side.
There wasn’t much I could really do as the constant pain in my collar bone was almost more than I could bear and seemed to be getting no better. Mother would treat it at night when we camped. I did, however, try to keep my younger sisters encouraged to keep walking. Agnes did alright as she could find friends to walk with. They would figure out some sort of a game or songs to keep their mind[s] occupied and busy. Elizabeth was not as active or sturdy and it was hard to her to keep her feet moving, consequently her feet were frozen.
We finally arrived in Salt Lake Valley the 9th of November 1856. We had endured hardships almost beyond human endurance. My mother was quite fortunate as she came through as well or better than even some of the more sturdy men on the group. We were determined to make the best of it all.

Transcript for Caldwell, Thomas, Reminiscence, in Allphin, Jolene, "Tell My Story, Too," 13-14

DUP Pioneer History Collection

Margaret Ann McFall Caldwell Bennett, reminiscences

"Margaret Ann McFall Caldwell Bennett, reminiscences", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 4-5.

On the 19th of August we left camp and started in real earnest the journey across the plains, traveling about 18 miles a day, including the crossing of the Elk Horn river. On the 8 August we came to a large camp of Omaha Indians who were very friendly. I was on the alert in trading small trinkets for buffalo meat. I found friends where I least expected. The hand carts were frail, the material being too green, they kept breaking so that only a few miles could be made a day. After becoming accustomed to walking it wasn't too bad.


The 4 September we were 265 miles west of Florence, Nebraska. The Cheyennes and Arraphoes [Arapahoes] were doing much damage to small companies on their way to California. We were lucky they left us alone.


Frost came on the 17th day of September.


While in Florence some old Texas cows were bought for the people to milk. Thomas [Caldwell], my 14 year old boy, who should have been a great help in pulling the hand cart, roped one of these cows to hold for a young girl while she milked it, the cow broke and ran catching Thomas' foot in the rope throwing him to the ground and drag[g]ing him quite a distance. When he released the rope the cow turned and stepped on him, which he and I supposed broke his collar bone. This left me with a great deal of pulling to do, Robert [Caldwell] my 17 year old was good but he was needed to help keep the carts in repair. Christene helped. Thomas' collar bone did not heal like it should, gang green set in and I had quite a time clearing it up. Inspite of all these trials my faith was strengthened.


September 28 we met about (100) one hundred saints who had apostatized and were on their way back to the states.


Each day our rations were reduced, starvation seemed inevitable.


September 30 we arrived at Ft. Lar[a]mie.


October 12, rations were fixed at 10½ ounces of flour for men and 9 ounces for the women, 6 oz. for children and 3 oz. for babies. Provisions had all been given out and used, children began crying for bread. For three days we were snowed in with these meager rations. I boiled a small piece of buffalo meat, seasoned it with salt crackers and thickened it with a little flour, then divided it with others desperately in need of food. Two young boys on guard, remembered it for years after as being the best thing they ever ate. I was greatly blessed as my indurance and strength seemed to increase. Elizabeth [Caldwell], my 12 year old, had her toes frozen and because of the continuous walking had to have her toes amputated upon our arrival in Salt Lake. I still had much to be thankful for. There were so many who lost their lives on that perilous journey. The most distasterous day was encountered in crossing the rock[y] ridge, here 15 died of exposure and were placed in a shallow grave.


October 20th wagons came with provisions, flour, onions and clothing. We praised God for our timely deliverance.


More help came the 1st day of November and on the


2th day of Nov. we passed Ft. Bridger and on the


9th day of November we entered Salt Lake Valley.

Transcript for "Margaret Ann McFall Caldwell Bennett, reminiscences," 4-5.

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Marilyn Austin Smith, Faithful Stewards--the Life of James Gray Willie and Elizabeth Ann Pettit, 95-120

Marilyn Austin Smith, Faithful Stewards--the Life of James Gray Willie and Elizabeth Ann Pettit, 95-120.

Transcript for Marilyn Austin Smith, Faithful Stewards--the Life of James Gray Willie and Elizabeth Ann Pettit, 95-120

Perpetual Emigrating Fund, Financial Accounts 1849-1886, Ledger B

Perpetual Emigrating Fund, Financial Accounts 1849-1886, Ledger B, Page 210.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund, Financial Accounts 1849-1886, Ledger B.

Southworth, Agnes Caldwell, [Autobiographical sketch], in Susan Arrington Madsen, I Walked to Zion [1994], 57-59

Southworth, Agnes Caldwell, [Autobiographical sketch], in Susan Arrington Madsen, I Walked to Zion [1994], 57-59.

On the twenty-eighth day of June, 1856, under the company leader of James G. Willie, we landed in the United States of America. Then began the noted tramp across the desert waste. Mother [Margaret Ann McFall Caldwell] had one boy fifteen years of age, upon whom she was depending for the greater share of the pulling; when only a day or two out he was attempting to lasso a wild cow to be milked, his foot became tangled in the rope. He was thrown on his shoulder and dragged quite a distance, sustaining a broken shoulder. This of course threw the heavy pulling upon Mother.
Although only tender years of age, I can yet close my eyes and see everything in panoramic precision before me—the ceaseless walking, walking, ever to remain in my memory. Many times I would become so tired and, childlike, would hang on the cart, only to be gently pushed away. Then I would throw myself by the side of the road and cry. Then realizing they were all passing me by, I would jump to my feet and make an extra run to catch up.
Of the long cold journey, the suffering, and hardships, enough has been told and written, of that terrible night when fifteen were frozen and buried in one grave. My sister Elizabeth Caldwell had her foot frozen. Two of her toes were amputated upon our arrival in the Salt Lake Valley.
I have often marveled of the wonderful integrity of character of my mother's planning and successfully completing such a journey where more able-bodied and stronger—yes, even men—failed miserably.
Winter came in October with eighteen inches of snow, but in spite of this we did not suffer from hunger, due to Mother's careful and frugal planning. In Iowa City Mother sold a quilt and a bedspread for the sum of twenty-four cents. With this she bought food. She had a way with Indians: she traded trinkets for dried meat, which proved to be of great help to us on the journey. Frequently it would be stormy so that a fire could not be built; then mother would allow each of us to have a piece of dried meat on a piece of bread. As food became more and more scarce and the weather colder, she would stew a little of this meat and make a delicious gravy over it. I guess the reason it tasted so good is that we were allowed only a small portion at each meal.
One very cold night, some young men were on guard. Mother prepared some meat broth, thickened with flour, and a little salt; she gave each one of the young men a half pint. They often declared it saved their lives and never before or since had anything tasted so good.
For baking, Mother dug a hole in the ground. The food was placed in a heavy iron kettle with a tight lid on, then set in the hole and covered over with buffalo chips, which were set afire. This produced a nice, even heat, baking the food evenly.
One day we came to a section inhabited by rattlesnakes. Two of us, my friend Mary Hurren and I, would hold hands and jump. It seemed to me we were jumping for more than a mile. Due to the protecting hand of the Lord, we were not harmed.
The 30th of September we stopped at a station in Laramie, Wyoming. Mother, in company with her fifteen-year-old boy and a young lady, Christena McNeil, who was making the trip under Mother's care, visited one of the generals in command at the fort to obtain permission to trade some trinkets and silver spoons for flour and meat. The officer said he himself could not use any of the things but to leave the young lady in his office while mother went to another station, where he assured her she would be able to obtain the things she desired. He seemed very kind, and not wishing to arouse any feeling of ill will, she left Christena and Thomas. During her absence the officer used the time in trying to persuade Christena to stay there, proposing to her and showing her the gold he had, telling her what a fine lady he would make of her. Then he tried discouraging her, pointing out to her how the handcart company would never reach Utah, because of the severe cold, and that they would die of cold and hunger and exposure. Like all noble girls, and true to the cause for which she had left her native Scotland, her family, home, and friends just to be in Utah, she told him in plain language she would take her chances with the others even though it might mean death. She was greatly relieved to have Mother return. The officer, however, seemed to admire her very much for her loyalty to her faith and gave her a large cured him and wished her well in her chosen adventure.
Just before we crossed the mountains, relief wagons reached us, and it certainly was a relief. The infirm and aged were allowed to ride, all able-bodied continuing to walk. When the wagons started out, a number of us children decided to see how long we could keep up with the wagons, in hopes of being asked to ride. At least that is what my great hope was. One by one they all fell out, until I was the last one remaining, so determined was I that I should get a ride. After what seemed the longest run I ever made before or since, the driver, who was Heber [William Henry] Kimball, called to me, "Say, sissy, would you like a ride?" I answered in my very best manner, "Yes sir." At this he reached over, taking my hand, clucking to his horses to make me run, with legs that seemed to me could run no farther. On we went, to what to me seemed miles. What went through my head at that time was that he was the meanest man that ever lived or that I had ever heard of, and other things that would not be a credit nor would it look well coming from one so young. Just at what seemed the breaking point, he stopped. Taking a blanket, he wrapped me up and lay me in the bottom of the wagon, warm and comfortable. Here I had time to change my mind, as I surely did, knowing full well by doing this he saved me from freezing when taken into the wagon.

Transcript for Southworth, Agnes Caldwell, [Autobiographical sketch], in Susan Arrington Madsen, I Walked to Zion [1994], 57-59

Agnes Caldwell

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