Christian Christiansen (1824 - 1900) Profile

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Christian Christiansen

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Andrew Jensen's History of the Scandinavian Mission, pages 20-72

Andrew Jensen's History of the Scandinavian Mission, pages 20-72.

First Presidency missionary calls and recommendations 1877-1918

First Presidency missionary calls and recommendations 1877-1918.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 6 September 1855

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 6 September 1855.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1,2, Page 73,79, Line 3112.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1,2, Page 6,7, Line 260.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Scandinavian Mission Manuscript history and historical reports, 1855 - 1920

Scandinavian Mission Manuscript history and historical reports, 1855 - 1920.

A Biographical Sketch of James Jensen by J. M. Tanner (1911), 23-40

A Biographical Sketch of James Jensen by J. M. Tanner (1911), 23-40.

Transcript for A Biographical Sketch of James Jensen by J. M. Tanner (1911), 23-40

C. C. A. Christensen, "By Handcart to Utah: The Account of C. C. A. Christensen," translated by Richard L. Jensen, Nebraska History 66 (1985): 332-48

C. C. A. Christensen, "By Handcart to Utah: The Account of C. C. A. Christensen," translated by Richard L. Jensen, Nebraska History 66 (1985): 332-48.

Transcript for C. C. A. Christensen, "By Handcart to Utah: The Account of C. C. A. Christensen," translated by Richard L. Jensen, Nebraska History 66 (1985): 332-48

Dorius, C. C. N., Autobiography of Carl Christian Nicoli Dorius, 19-21

Dorius, C. C. N., Autobiography of Carl Christian Nicoli Dorius, 19-21.

We were at once shown to our camping ground, which was two or three miles out of Iowa City, by John Taylor and Abrah[a]m Cannon. We pitched our tents in a circle, 18 persons to be accomodated in each tent.



We stayed about one month to get our hand carts and provision in order to make everything ready. The handcarts were in poor condition and they soon became worse as we went over ditches and rough hills and hollows. This was the beginning of our trip across the plains, our goal being Salt Lake City, Utah. It was something to tackle, as the two previous handcart companies the year before had almost perished, so we were warned to start as soon as possible on account of the winter weather. Our first captain of the handcart company was Elder James R. Park, whom the Scandinavians did not understand, and he did not understand them. So a new captain was named. A number did not have enough means to go on and stayed in the valley. Many went by ox team, which was somewhat better, although our company, which was the 7th, made almost as good time.



There were 300 souls, 68 handcarts, 3 wagons, 10 mules. Christian Christianson, the man the saints love so much and who baptized three of my father’s family, became our captain from Florence to Salt Lake City. We were so thankful for this wonderful man to take charge, and then went much better. He divided the company into four divisions under four other captains. I was made captain of one division of 16 handcarts. The other captains also had 16 handcarts to oversee. This helped to make our traveling more unique.



We traveled on one side of the Platt[e] River, while the Johnston Army was traveling also toward Salt Lake City. Little wee knew who were and what their aims were, but the army stayed at Fort Bridger that winter and did not come toward Salt Lake until the next summer. There was joy and sorrow in that trek. When we camped we held meetings. We also danced barefoot and sang when we camped, and all tried to be happy. One tenth of the company died for want of care and nourishment. We had to send to Salt Lake for provisions, which were most too late for help. We also saw that thrilling never-to-be-forgotten experience of a buffalo stampede.



Our shoes were entirely worn out, and the women had to use burlap around their feet, which my wife, Ellen, often spoke of. When we crossed the small streams the thin ice would tear our bleeding feet, and oh! how swollen they would be. But we five couples walked almost all the way. Being young, we soon forgot the hardships we had endured. We pulled and pushed the handcarts, side by side with our wives as true partners of this hectic journey, but no one ever complained. We tried to be pioneers true blue.



Even the Johnson Army came to our rescue, as almost a miracle, just when we were almost without food. One of the captains approached our company and said very kindly that one of his oxen had its foot crushed, and if we could use it and care for it, we could have it. This came as a blessing and kept the trek from starving, as they had been without meat for weeks. This certainly was a real treat. By using the meat sparingly, it lasted until help came from Salt Lake, consisting of food and something special for the sick and those most in need.



We landed in Salt Lake City the 13th of September, 1857.

Transcript for Dorius, C. C. N., Autobiography of Carl Christian Nicoli Dorius, 19-21

"Excerpts from the Journal of John F. F. Dorius," Church emigration, 1857

"Excerpts from the Journal of John F. F. Dorius," Church emigration, 1857.

Tuesday, June 9. We arrived in Iowa City in the afternoon, and were at once guided to the camp place about two or three miles <distant>, and here we raised our tents which were pitched in a circle like fashion, each tent was <to accommodate=""> <s>intended</s> for 18 persons; each family obtained a handcart from the railroad station. Here I saw, among others, Bro. Christian Christiansen who had brought me into the Church. <s>by baptism and had</s> <he> emigrated to Zion in 1852, and had been sent out from Utah on his mission (two years) to the United States, and <s>he was here</s> to assist in the emigration.</he></to></distant>



Friday, June 12. In the afternoon we broke up our encampment and commenced our journey westward with our handcarts. After traveling 2 miles we camped for the night on an attractive place, where everything was green and beautiful. It was a fine &lt;sight&gt; <s>vision</s> to see the many tents which were placed in a couple of rows and people engaged in cooking and <s>making</s> attending to camp duties. I felt glad <s>over</s> &lt;in enjoying&gt; this free life outdoor <s>in the open</s> &lt;outdoor&gt;, and it was a pleasure to haul green branches, and to listen to the hymns of thanks which arose from the different tents before the occupants retired to their rest for the night. Sunday, June 14. On this day the camp was divided into eight districts, each with its captain. My brother Carl [Dorius] and I were appointed captains over two divisions, consisting of nine handcarts each. <s>The</s> &lt;We spent the&gt; rest of the days of this week <s>passed with us</s> &lt;by&gt; traveling forward, not very fast on account of the many sick among us. So many were sick among us that the four vehicles hauled by mules were often filled to capacity.



Sunday, June 21. An old sister who <s>had</s> died <s>while we were</s> in camp was buried in the woods. We continued our journey thru Iowa westward each day, and the sick continued to delay us, causing us to proceed slower than was intended. The weather was good though warm, but we, as a rule, remained in camp two or three hours in the middle of the day on account of the heat.



Thursday, July 2. We reached <s>the town of</s> Council Bluffs, and made camp nearby that town for the night.



Friday, July 3. We crossed the Missouri River in the morning on a steamboat; passed by a little town called Omaha, where some Saints from Scandinavia were living. They came and greeted us. Our eyes then saw for the first time those people called Indians, or wild men. They were nearly naked. On the same day, we traveled on to Florence, where we arrived about noon and was met by many good Saints from Scandinavia, some of whom were making preparations to go to the Valley, while others lived temporarily here. We made our camp near the town of Florence, in the evening we were visited by brethren from Zion, among whom <s>were</s> &lt;was a son&gt; Brigham Young's <s>brother</s> &lt;who spoke encouragingly to us. &gt; The Indians visited us and we gave them some of our food and drinks.



Sunday, July 5. While we were in camp near Florence our company was re-organized into four divisions. Elder Christian Christiansen from Zion was appointed our leader and captain for the whole company, with <s>and</s> Elder &lt;James P.&gt; Parks and Elder [blank space] Rudd as his assistants. C.C.A. Christensen, Johan F.F. Dorius, Ole C. Olsen and Carl C.N. Dorius were &lt;each&gt;{C}{C}{C} appointed captains <s>over</s> &lt;<s>such</s>&gt; sixteen handcarts, about one hundred persons.



Tuesday, July 7. We left Florence in the afternoon and began our journey with handcarts across the plains or wilderness. We continued our journey each day, and a general good understanding prevailed in the whole company, &lt;for&gt; which a great deal of honor belonged to that good man, Bro. Christian Christiansen, who acted as a father to us. There were, of course, several sick in the company, &lt;but&gt; <s>yet not so many, and</s> only a few deaths occurred among us. <s>which is something that cannot be avoided on so long a journey.</s>



After many trials and exertions we arrived in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Sept. 13, 1857, about 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

Transcript for "Excerpts from the Journal of John F. F. Dorius," Church emigration, 1857

Gottfredson, Peter, Autobiographical sketch [n.d.], 11-12

Gottfredson, Peter, Autobiographical sketch [n.d.], 11-12.

In the spring of 1857 we sailed up the Missouri river to Florence Nebraska. We stayed there a short time untill we started for Utah with the Christian Christiansen's hand cart company. When we had traveled a distance of about a hundred and twenty miles, to Loup Fork river we crossed over and camped on the west side in a cottonwood grove. The river was about a quarter of a mile wide at the ford, with quicksand bottom. If we stopped in the river the handcarts began to sink and was hard to get loose. That night step-mother [Karen Gottfredson] gave premature birth to a girl baby. The baby was blessed and named Platine [Gottfredson], for the Platte river of which the Loup Fork is a tributary. The baby died and was buried there. The company went on and lefy [left] us there. We placed step-mother on the hand-cart and pulled her back over the river and up north about a mile to a small settlement called Genoa. It was located near Beaver Creek where it empties into the Loup Fork river. Genoa had been settled that spring by a few "Mormon" families. There father [Jens Gottfredson] staked off a quarter section ofland joining the settlement. It was prairy [prairie] land, covered with buffalo grass about a foot high with hard stiff stems. In the side of a hill father built a dugout and covered it and left us there, and with the hand-cart went back to Omaha to get work. He had no chance to send us food and we got without. The people raised a little frosted com and some buckwheat which ripened. We got a little of that which we ground in a coffee mill and mixed with wild plums and sour grapes that grew plentiful along the Beaver creek and the Loup Fork river. We did hot see bread for more than a month. Later father sent us a sack of flour and some bacon which tided us over till we could get back to Omaha. In November mother hired a man with an ox team to take us back to Omaha. We were there till spring. There we heard of Johnston's army going to Utah to fight the "Mormons" The neighbors were kind to us and tried to persuade us from going to Utah.

Transcript for Gottfredson, Peter, Autobiographical sketch [n.d.], 11-12

Handcart Veterans Association. Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914, folder 6

Handcart Veterans Association. Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914, folder 6.

John Frantzen reminiscence and journal, 1889-1892, 29-39

John Frantzen reminiscence and journal, 1889-1892, 29-39.

We remained but a short time in Philedelphia and soon started on our journey westward, traveling on Rail Roads from there to Iowa City. Here we stopped several days until arrangements was made to proceed farther, as the mode of traveling was to be performed in a different style. In a few days all were furnished with a hand cart or as many as were necessary from five to seven persons to each cart. The whole company consisted of some upwards of 200 souls divided into four departments of ten carts in each with a captain to take charge of the same. Elder Parkes, one of the returning missionaries was appointed as leader or President of the whole company. Three mule teams, tents, bake Kettles etc. were also furnished, which were all purchased by means collected from the emigrants, those articles being indespensible necessary for their accomodation as they had to camp out every night, bake their own bread etc. Bro. O[la]. N[ilsson]. Liljenquist drove one of the teams and two of the returning missionaries. They would generally start in the morning before the company did, and a great many time we would not see them again before night.



I will here remark that we were all strangers in a strange land, and as our leaders and guide generally traveled with more ease and rapidity than [we] could with our carts, [they] were so far in advance so as to be out of our sight, hence it sometimes happened we took a wrong road, which were [was] greatly to our inconvience[.] The hand carts were very light built so as to be as easy to pull as possible, hence the amount of weight to be put upon them had to be correspondingly. Before we left Iowa City, of necessity, the amount of freight allowed each person was 17 pounds, including provisions, bedding and everything to last us till we arrived at Florence, a small town on the Missouri river. Some of course had money so as to be able to buy a little provision occasionally, as we went through many towns and villages. On account of the little freight allowed, many of the emigrants was under the necessity to leave a great many valuable articles including feather beds etc. before they left the camping ground, a little distance from Iowa City. This was quite a trial to some of the Saints. We had not traveled many days until it was thought best to reduce the freight to 13 lbs. to each individual, little infants excepted, which was accordingly done. Besides the three mule teams which I have previously mentioned there was also an ox team driven by C[arl].C[hristian].A[nthon]. Christensen. This was principally for the accommodations of the old infirm, sick and unable to walk from morning until night. During the journey from Iowa City to Florence, a distance of 300 miles, a great many of the emigrants took sick, quite a number of whom were left along the road side during the day until we camped for night, when a sufficient number of young man was sent back to bring them to the night quarters, and a few died. I was generally fortunate enough to be well and able to perform this duty and mostly called on for that purpose every time, and this occurred nearly every day. Although young, full of vigor and life, I was sometimes tired after pulling the hand cart all day. I am thankful however that I never refused whenever called upon. I[n] passing through the many settlements and town[s] on our way westward, sometimes the people would come out in mass to look at this [these] wonderful pilgrims, consisting of men, women and children, old and young, blind and cripples, pulling their hand carts and bound for the rocky mountains, called Zion, and many comments were made concerning us, as they invariably would find out that we were of the so called “Mormons.” One thing I think was a great advantage to our people, we never came into any conversation with them, which they so much desired and if nothing else prevented us from so doing, it was this one very important item, we could not understand them nor they us, scarcely any of us could understand less talk the English language, hence we went along first rate so far as this was concerned. After a long and tedious Journey we finally reached Florence, some almost worn out, and it seemed as though it required considerable faith on the part of many to undertake the long journey ahead of us a distance of 1000 miles to reach the place of destination. We remained at Florence or Winter quarters for several days. While staying there we learned the sad news that apostle Parley P. Pratt had been assassinated in the United States while traveling as a missionary. Winter quarters is the place where the Mormon people located after being driven from their happy houses in Nauvoo in the State of Illinois, and staying there in the winter previous to the pioneers starting for the rocky mountains. One most important incident in the history of this so much persecuted people occurred while they were staying there. The United States government was at this time on unfriendly terms with the government of Mexico. In less than one year ago Latter day Saints had been robbed of nearly all their property and driven by an unscrupulous mob from their homes, hence their means and supplies for the undertaking of a long journey in the condition they seemingly to all human appearance well placed was anything but favorable. They had always been accused of being disloyal to the government of the United States and in opposition to the laws, rules and regulations of [the] country and nation of which they formed a part. This however was interly false and without any foundation whatsoever. It will be very evident to every reasonable and unpredudized [prejudiced] person, who will [read] the history of the people belonging to the religious denomination known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that the desire and intentions of the American government has been to blot out of existence these so called Mormon people. I will just refer to on single instance, while hundreds could be mentioned to substantiate this fact. While this handful of people were camped at Winter quarters, preparing for journeying westward, Knowing not where, were called upon by this government to furnish 500 men to enter into active service as soldiers to take part in the war with Mexico. Notwithstanding this would appear to the natural man, if complied with, to defeat the saints in their contemplated journey, the requisition made upon them even in the circumstances they were then placed, were strictly complied with infactely showing their loyalty to their country. The men thus called, and performed a long and tedious journey from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe in California is Known as the “Mormon Batalion.” Many of them left wife and children in Winter quarters, comparatively helpless, trusting in the Lord for the[ir] return when honorably discharged from the army. They started in pursuit for their families and friends, and reached them in the fall of 1847, located in the valleys of the mountains. I must now go back to the travels of emigrant company who had arrived at Florence with their hand carts. When they arrived at this point they were all tired and weary after traveling for the distance of 300 miles, and a little rest seemed to by [be] quite necessary. We had the privilege at this place to meet with apostle Erastis Snow. While remaining in Florence the necessary arrangements for journeying across the plains were made. A certain amount of provisions were distributed to all the emigrants, calculated to last them until they reached Salt Lake City if possible. All this were put on the hand carts according to the number of persons belonging to each. From this it can readily be understood that the quantity of provisions was not very large. I do not remember the amount of each kind, but I think that we (five in number) received ten pounds pork. How much flour and other articles I cannot recollect. Before we started on our long journey, which was early in July, the company was reorganized by apostle E. Snow and Elder Christian Christensen [Christiansen] appointed as leader and captain for the company, which appointment met with the hearty approval of all concerned. On our travel we had to cross on foot, with the hand carts behind, all streams both large and small. The first of any consequence was Loupe Fork, the largest on the whole route, unless it should be green river. It was just about all we could do to cross this stream[,] the water being quite deep and the currant strong, but the whole company got across without any loss of life. We camped in a grove close by the river that night, and I never witnessed such lighting and thunder in my life before and the rain came down in torrents, so much so that the clothes of everybody was wet through in the morning, on which account we started rather late. Our captain always took the lead of the company from morning till night and was liked and respected by all. He was returning from a mission to the States to his family and friends in the valley. He was danish by birth, and consequently could speak the danish language, which was a great comfort and satisfaction to the emigrants, as most of them were Scandinavians. In crossing the long prairies we often would [see] Indians, but they never troubled us any. It must be remembered that this was a very important year to all the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, not on account of this company of emigrants crossing the plains with hand carts, but this was the year when the government of the United States fitted out the best army pertaining to provisions, implements of war and in fact everything else necessary to accomplish the object for which the[y] were sent. It is Known as the Buchanan army, he being President of the United States at that time. The government not being satisfied after they had driven the Latter day Saints from their midst into the wilderness, this army was sent for the express purpose of over powering them and as they pretended to claim, bring the Mormons into subjection to the laws of the U. States. At the same time this was no more or less than a barefaced falsehood. But after being utterly disappointed &amp; entire destruction of these people, as the[y] most assuredly anticipated to be accomplished by wild bears and the red men of the forrest or by starvation, they reserved their attack on the Saints with the same results they had previously met. This army was ahead of the Mormon emigrants on the plains, of which we however were not aware off, and as one day we were passing as we supposed a large number of Indians, away of[f] in the distance, lo and behold we afterwards learned it was this great army, numbering some 6000 or 7000 men out on the prairie after the Indians, and through this means we passed them without interference. After about 9 weeks [of] arduous toil we reached Salt Lake City on the 13th day of September 1857

Transcript for John Frantzen reminiscence and journal, 1889-1892, 29-39

Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, September 13, 1857.

Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Liljenquist, Ola Nilsson, Reminiscences

Liljenquist, Ola Nilsson, Reminiscences.

. . . here [Iowa City] I was appointed to go with the hand cart company to Florence and my family to go with the wagon company. From Florence, I had the privilege of going with my family to Salt Lake City. Where we arrived Sept. 13th passing Buchanan's army on the plains, they traveling on the south side of the platt[e] and we on the north. We did not see them, but on the plains we met Joseph W. Young on his way to Europe, calling all the missioneries home. Myself, wife and four children arrived all right and well in Zion, according to the prediction of F.D. Richards.

Transcript for Liljenquist, Ola Nilsson, Reminiscences

Manuscript history of the John E. Forsgren Emigrating Company, circa 1930, 18-35

Manuscript history of the John E. Forsgren Emigrating Company, circa 1930, 18-35.

Transcript for Manuscript history of the John E. Forsgren Emigrating Company, circa 1930, 18-35

Richards, S. W. and Briant Stringam

Richards, S. W. and Briant Stringam, August 18, 1857.

<center>Dear Creek Station Augt 18th 1857</center>
Prest. Brigham Young
Dear Brother.
We take pleasure in availing ourselves of this opportunity to write you a few lines, that you may be posted of our where-abouts, the intelligence we have thus far obtained upon the road &amp;c. &amp;c.	
We reached this place this A.M. and found all things well and an excellent spirit prevailing with the bretheren. 	
In relation to our Emigration, concerning which we know your anxiety, we haste to inform you, that we met Bros Evans, Martin, and Ashby with their companies of Handcarts &amp; wagons about 4 miles East of Independence Rock on the morning of the 17th inst, all well and cheerful, and travelling at a rapid rate. Just at evening of the same day we met Bro. Moody with a part of the Texan Company about 4 miles East of the Willow Springs, with good teams, and able to travel at a rapid rate. About 6 miles back of this company and about 3 miles from where they leave the Platte, we met the first company of Government Wagons loaded with Freight &lt;designed&gt; for the Troops. This company consisted of 26 wagons with 6 yokes of cattle to each wagon, and a few head of extra cattle. There were only two or three extra men with the train in charge, and everything appeared very civil and quiet. The same evening we passed the 2nd Government train in camp, about 4 miles above the crossing of the platte, and judged them to be of about the same size and character as the first company. At the upper crossing of the platte, Elders [Matthias] Cowley, [Christian] Christensen [Christiansen], and [James P.] Parkes with their companies of Handcarts and Wagons were camped and staid last night. We conversed with Elders Cowley and Parkes, and found that they were moving along very comfortably, and teams had been doing well. These last named Companys of Hand carts were depending upon the station at Devils Gate for their entire breadstuff to last them from that point into the Valley. They were about 380 persons, &amp; Elder parks judged they would require about 600 lb per day.	
About 3 miles below the upper crossing we met Elder Homer Duncan, with the remaining portion of the Texan company and their Herd of Stock, moving as freely along as the large herd they had would allow. Elders [Jacob] Hoffheins [Hofheins] &amp; &lt;Harts&gt; companies have passed here today. They are rather weak for team having lost nearly fifty head of cattle in stampedes. They succeeded in buying a few yoke of a trader near here which enables them to move along with tolerable speed.	
Elders Young &amp; Little have not yet arrived at this point with the remainder of the Emigration but are supposed to be only about two days behind.	
Elder Walker's team with passengers' Luggage we passed on the 16th about 40 miles above Devils Gate, and Stewart's train of goods at same place. Every thing we can learn relative to the Emigration is as prosperous as could be expected.	
We leave here early in the morning for Horse shoe Creek, and will look after the rear companies of our Emigration and forward them with all possible speed. We shall also endeavour to learn all that we can about the Troops and report as often as expedient.	
Bro. N.V. Jones informs us that on the 16th he had conversation with Reshaw who had just arrived from Laramie from whom he learned that word had been passed from Gen. Hearney to the Fort that he had orders to remove our stations from the line, and assured Bro. Jones that he and the bretheren would have to leave &amp; that his information was from a reliable source. Bro. Jones further inquired as to the where abouts of Genl. Hearney, but Reshaw said he could not find out.—that the commander at the Fort knew but would only give him to understand that it was the intention to remove everything from the road and pass over it under a forced march so that no news should go in advance. In the plan of their operations, secretiveness, seems to be a very prominent feature. He thought they would not be along here before the first of September.	
Col. Sumner's Command have now been gone among the Schyennes several days longer than they were rationed for, and have not been heard from. It is already believed by the Mountaineers that he and his party have been "used up" by the indians. The Cheyennes have already succeeded in stealing some 440 head of Beef Cattle from one of the rear Government trains.	
From report we expected to find a company of McGraw's men at Markhams station say about 30 men and very bad at that, but on arriving there we found the full number was only 14 men under Surveyor Lander, that they were very civil, and were waiting McGraw's arrival so that they could proceed on through to California and complete the surveying they have to do on the line. Some two or three Routes are being surveyed through south of this by the soldiers which perhaps accounts for the report that soldiers were in Sweet Water &amp;c. Col. Johnson is said to be out with a Battalion, and also Col. Cooke on different routes.	
We feel that we are realizing the blessings put upon us by the servants of the Lord daily, and ever pray that they may continue.	
Praying for the increasing welfare of Israel and the rulers thereof in Zion, we remain
<center>Yours faithfully in Christ,	</center>
 S.W. Richards 	Briant Stringam

Transcript for Richards, S. W. and Briant Stringam, 18 Aug. 1857, in Brigham Young, Office Files 1832-1878, reel 35, box 25, fd. 23

Richards, S. W. and Briant Stringam.

Utah State History Cemeteries and Burials Database

Utah State History Cemeteries and Burials Database.

Wright, Caroline (Karen Marie) Olsen, Reminiscences, in Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, 4 vols. ([Salt Lake City]: International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1998), 4:3474

Wright, Caroline (Karen Marie) Olsen, Reminiscences, in Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, 4 vols. ([Salt Lake City]: International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1998), 4:3474.

<xhtml:p xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">we took our hand carts and went to Omaha wher we recived our provisons which was 60 pounds flower [flour] to ech person and 4 pounds of meet [meat] . . . we was five girls to one hand cart while we was in Omaha[.] wee give a women a dress for a pan of clapper[.] one evning we tought we would gou and have a bath but when we cane down to the river there was so many sneaks [snakes] that we had to give it up[.] one night whily travling when we cane to camp I was so fread of sneakks that I der not sleepon the ground so I went out and sleep in the hand cart and when I muved in the night the cart tip me out on my head so I dit not sleep any more than night[.] it took us 4 weeks to cross the planes [plains.] when we came to fort larme [Laramie] we had not any more flower[.] we had to walk all day and pule the cart on our one buisket [biscuit] a day but ther at Larme we got some flower[.] we crost the Laplat [Platte] 13 times one day[.] we walked barfooted and ther was ice on the wather[.] the indeans [Indians] was very good to help us cross the Rivers[.] the(y) would trow rops out for us to take hold of and puld us across[.]we came to Salt Lake in sebitember [September] same year </xhtml:p>

Transcript for Wright, Caroline (Karen Marie) Olsen, Reminiscences, in Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, 4 vols. ([Salt Lake City]: International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1998), 4:3474

Christian Christiansen

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