Christian Wittwer (1823 - 1894) Profile

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Christian Wittwer

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Deseret News

The Immigration

"The Immigration", Deseret News, August 22, 1860.

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The following are the names of persons in the Second Hand-cart company, Capt. Oscar O. Stoddard, which left Florence July 5, 1860:



 



Carl J. [Johan Ellersen] Fjeld and family, Gustav Nilsen and wife, Gunil [Gunild] Larsen, Lorent e Goesh [Lorentz Gvesh], Ingbor Fredericson [Ingeborg Fredericksen], Lars Anderson [Andersen] and wife, Dorthea Petersen, Angette Ukermaur [Ukermann], Neils [Niels] Sorenson and family, Nils Bonderson and family, Jens Jensen, Lars Larser [Larsen], Anders Rasmussen and family, Nella Petersen, Hekael Olsen, and wife, Lars Haborsen [Halvorsen] and family, David Fisher and family, Zebidee [Zebedee] Hallam, William [Henry] Horn and family, Margarett [Margaret] Howard, Samuel Ashton and wife, Henry Jackson and wife, Stephen [King] Taylor and family, Francis Kerby and family Rasmus Rasmussen and family, James Fisher and family, John Hirshi [Hirschi], James Hubler [Hafter], Maria [Anna Maria Dietschweiler] Hess and family, Samuel Stuker [Stucki] and family, Honrad [Konrad] Alder and wife, Michael Roston and wife, Louise Chatloin [Louisa Chatelain], Anders Christensen, Soren Jensen, Rasmus [S.] Moller, Allen Olsen, J. [Johannes] G. Anderson, C. F. Anderson, Ane Chas [Chris] Sorenson, Ann [Ane] Anderson, Moroni Petersen, Ann Petersen, Bent Sorenson, Ane Sorenson, Bengt Bengtsen [Bengtson], Ane C. Olsen, Bent Benson [Bengtson], Christen Christensen, Gatfredine [Gotfredine] M. Jensen, Matt K. Moller, Soren Christensen and family, Peter Sorensen and family, Neils Anderson Dorthea Petersen, Maren [Thomasen] Olsen and family, Anders Petersen.



In the company there were 126 persons, 22 hand-carts, and 6 wagons.



The following are the names of persons in Captain Wm. Budge's Wagon company:



Charles F. [Frederick] Jones and family, Enoch Williams, David [W.] Evans, Ann Lewis, Elizabeth Staples, John McComie [McOmie] and family, Joseph Bennett and family, Surah [John] Drakeford and wife [Sarah], John R. Eardley and family, Sarah E. Overd, Elizabeth Armstrong, William Herbert and family, Francis F. [P.] Pascoe and family, Ann Shackelton; Thomas J. Jordon, Isaac [Wilson] Fox and family, Thos. Williams and family, Alexander Eckford and family, Isabella Gibbs and family, Martha Moore, Fanny McCorme [McComie], John Crostan [Croston]and wife, Joseph Colledge and family, James Davis, Isaac Chilton and family, Nephi Johnson, William Budge and family, Eliza Stratford, Eliza Jones, Thomas [Scott] Budge and family, John Hamilton, James Wood, Jane M. Buckley, Amelia A. C. Taylor, John Bourne, Jane [Day] Bourne, John Bourne and family, Joseph Humphrey and family, John Stock and family, Thomas Gurbutt, Thomas [Charles] Shirley and family, Thomas P. [Phillip] White and family, Charles Wood and family, Robert Bodily and family, Thomas Sandall and family, Harry Stringer and family, Clara [Wilhelmina] Huey and family, Samuel N. [Nathaniel] Slaughter, George Prince and family, Nicholas Paul and family, Elizabeth Hold [Kold] and family, Wm. Cooley and family, John Keller and family, James Hafften [Hafter], Maria [Anna] Traber, Gottleb Enz [Gottlieb Ence], Henry Reiser and wife, Mariana Rupp, Ana Muller, Christian Staffer [Stauffer], John Diethelm and family, Joachum Dietshwigler [Joachim Dietschweiler], John Alder and family, Fredrich Kruesi [Fredrick Kruse] and wife, Kathrina Naf, Henry Bar [Heinrich Baer] and family, Anna [Barbara] Abderhalden, Arnold Neesor [Neeser], Christian Wittver [Wittwer] and family, John Reidal, Katherina Stuki [Kathrina Stucki] and family, Peter Pfister and wife, Charles Widerborg and wife, Anna B. [Bolette] Thomussen and wife, Thomas T. [Frederik] Trane, Soren Madson and family, Jens Larsen and wife, Maren Olsen and wife, Neils Larsen and family, Jorgan Mortenson and family, Lars Williamson [Williamsen] and wife, Anders Rasmussen, Kirsten Knudsen, Lars Erickson and family, Stina Nielsen, Jens Nielsen and family, Ola Peterson, Mads Paulson [Paulsen] family, Anna Wardstrom, Lars Larson and family, Peter Frederickson [Fredericksen] and wife, Anna M. Jorgensen, Maria Madsen, Hans Pedersen and wife, Peter Peterson and family, Peter Petersen and wife, Christen Jensen and wife, Karen M. Goretsen [Jorgensen or Sorensen], Jens Larsen and family, Peter [Madsen] Jensen and family, Jens Sorenson, Hans M. Nisson, Jens Knudson and wife, Bodil Rasmussen, Maren Mortensen, Maren Chritensen, Anna Johnson, Ingwart Hansen and family, Anna M. Kraiberg, Soren Christiansen and family, Adolph A. Nickel [Adolph August Nichols] and wife, Johanna Stephenson, Anna [Anne] K. Madsen and wife, Ane [Anne] Hansen, Ingri Borg, Christian Jensen and wife, Hans Jensen and family, Maren Peterson, Elizabeth C. Madsen, Hans P. Madsen and wife, Anna M. Sorenson, Elsa [Else] Madsen and family, Christian Lilholdt, Christian R. [Peter] Larsen, Hans C. Stiselt and wife, Niels Christensen, Jens Petersen and family, Anna [C.] Bentson and wife, Jens P. [Pedersen] Aagaard and family, Susannah Peterson, Swan M. [Sven Monson] Lovendahl and family, Soren [Rasmussen] Moller, Anna Melsdatter [Nielsdatter], Jeppe Olson and wife, Niels Christensen and family, Dorothea C. Johansen, Johan F. [Frederik] Carlson and wife, Anna [Grethe] Gottfredsen [Gotfredsen], Raren [Maren or Karen] Christensen and family, Ols O. [Ole Olsen] Gaarder and family, Lars Larsen, Eric Eliason and wife, Swain [Sven] Carlson and family, Jens Jensen and wife, Elna Grourall [Gronvall], Pear [Pehr] Anderson and family, Andreas Anderson and family, Benta Swanson [Swenson], Elsa Neilsson [Elsa Nielsen].



In the company there were 394 persons, 55 wagons, 215 oxen, and 77 cows.



The following are the names of persons in Captain John Taylor's Wagons company:



John Taylor and family, Sarah Zalkner [Falkner], Mary [Taylor] Maddock and family, John Harris, Stephen Taylor and family, Levi B. Jones and family, William Hall and wife, Joseph Dockerson [Dickerson] and wife, James Camp and wife, John Isaacs, M. [Naomi T.] Brett, William Owen and family, Thomas Fisher and family, George Weaver and family, Charles Cad [Cox], Edw. [Edward] Jefford, Ann Jefford.



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Jens Peter Christensen and family, Hilberg Christensen, Frederick Holst, Bergitti Holst, N. C. [Nils Christian] Holst, Christian Holst, Kristine Holst, Rasmus Rasmusen and family, Line [Sine] Madsen, M. C. [Mads Christian] Andersen and family, Marie Wogn and wife, Soren Wilson and family, Johanne Margrette [Margrethe] Kofort [Kofoed] and wife, Anders Larsen and family, Soren Jenson and family, Stine Larsen, Lars Jacobson and family, Ane Ellsine Kofod [Anna Elsina Kofoed], Marias [Marcus] Jensen and family, Paul Nielson and family, Christian Jensen, Ane Jensen, Hans [Archer] Kofod [Kofoed] and family, Hanne [Hannah Hemmert] Wilhelmsen and family, Christian Peter Nielson and family, Andreas Hammer [Hmer] and family, Jens Hanson Kofod [Kofoed], Jens Svenson [Swenson] and family, Anders Bloomdale [Blumdoll] and family, Kirstine Coombs, Mathilda Blumda [Blumdoll], Ane Staal [Svalle].



In the company there were 123 persons, 23 wagons, 61 oxen and 32 cows.

Transcript for "The Immigration," Deseret News, 22 August 1860, 197

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The following are the names of persons in the Second Hand-cart company, Capt. Oscar O. Stoddard, which left Florence July 5, 1860:



 



Carl J. [Johan Ellersen] Fjeld and family, Gustav Nilsen and wife, Gunil [Gunild] Larsen, Lorent e Goesh [Lorentz Gvesh], Ingbor Fredericson [Ingeborg Fredericksen], Lars Anderson [Andersen] and wife, Dorthea Petersen, Angette Ukermaur [Ukermann], Neils [Niels] Sorenson and family, Nils Bonderson and family, Jens Jensen, Lars Larser [Larsen], Anders Rasmussen and family, Nella Petersen, Hekael Olsen, and wife, Lars Haborsen [Halvorsen] and family, David Fisher and family, Zebidee [Zebedee] Hallam, William [Henry] Horn and family, Margarett [Margaret] Howard, Samuel Ashton and wife, Henry Jackson and wife, Stephen [King] Taylor and family, Francis Kerby and family Rasmus Rasmussen and family, James Fisher and family, John Hirshi [Hirschi], James Hubler [Hafter], Maria [Anna Maria Dietschweiler] Hess and family, Samuel Stuker [Stucki] and family, Honrad [Konrad] Alder and wife, Michael Roston and wife, Louise Chatloin [Louisa Chatelain], Anders Christensen, Soren Jensen, Rasmus [S.] Moller, Allen Olsen, J. [Johannes] G. Anderson, C. F. Anderson, Ane Chas [Chris] Sorenson, Ann [Ane] Anderson, Moroni Petersen, Ann Petersen, Bent Sorenson, Ane Sorenson, Bengt Bengtsen [Bengtson], Ane C. Olsen, Bent Benson [Bengtson], Christen Christensen, Gatfredine [Gotfredine] M. Jensen, Matt K. Moller, Soren Christensen and family, Peter Sorensen and family, Neils Anderson Dorthea Petersen, Maren [Thomasen] Olsen and family, Anders Petersen.



In the company there were 126 persons, 22 hand-carts, and 6 wagons.



The following are the names of persons in Captain Wm. Budge's Wagon company:



Charles F. [Frederick] Jones and family, Enoch Williams, David [W.] Evans, Ann Lewis, Elizabeth Staples, John McComie [McOmie] and family, Joseph Bennett and family, Surah [John] Drakeford and wife [Sarah], John R. Eardley and family, Sarah E. Overd, Elizabeth Armstrong, William Herbert and family, Francis F. [P.] Pascoe and family, Ann Shackelton; Thomas J. Jordon, Isaac [Wilson] Fox and family, Thos. Williams and family, Alexander Eckford and family, Isabella Gibbs and family, Martha Moore, Fanny McCorme [McComie], John Crostan [Croston]and wife, Joseph Colledge and family, James Davis, Isaac Chilton and family, Nephi Johnson, William Budge and family, Eliza Stratford, Eliza Jones, Thomas [Scott] Budge and family, John Hamilton, James Wood, Jane M. Buckley, Amelia A. C. Taylor, John Bourne, Jane [Day] Bourne, John Bourne and family, Joseph Humphrey and family, John Stock and family, Thomas Gurbutt, Thomas [Charles] Shirley and family, Thomas P. [Phillip] White and family, Charles Wood and family, Robert Bodily and family, Thomas Sandall and family, Harry Stringer and family, Clara [Wilhelmina] Huey and family, Samuel N. [Nathaniel] Slaughter, George Prince and family, Nicholas Paul and family, Elizabeth Hold [Kold] and family, Wm. Cooley and family, John Keller and family, James Hafften [Hafter], Maria [Anna] Traber, Gottleb Enz [Gottlieb Ence], Henry Reiser and wife, Mariana Rupp, Ana Muller, Christian Staffer [Stauffer], John Diethelm and family, Joachum Dietshwigler [Joachim Dietschweiler], John Alder and family, Fredrich Kruesi [Fredrick Kruse] and wife, Kathrina Naf, Henry Bar [Heinrich Baer] and family, Anna [Barbara] Abderhalden, Arnold Neesor [Neeser], Christian Wittver [Wittwer] and family, John Reidal, Katherina Stuki [Kathrina Stucki] and family, Peter Pfister and wife, Charles Widerborg and wife, Anna B. [Bolette] Thomussen and wife, Thomas T. [Frederik] Trane, Soren Madson and family, Jens Larsen and wife, Maren Olsen and wife, Neils Larsen and family, Jorgan Mortenson and family, Lars Williamson [Williamsen] and wife, Anders Rasmussen, Kirsten Knudsen, Lars Erickson and family, Stina Nielsen, Jens Nielsen and family, Ola Peterson, Mads Paulson [Paulsen] family, Anna Wardstrom, Lars Larson and family, Peter Frederickson [Fredericksen] and wife, Anna M. Jorgensen, Maria Madsen, Hans Pedersen and wife, Peter Peterson and family, Peter Petersen and wife, Christen Jensen and wife, Karen M. Goretsen [Jorgensen or Sorensen], Jens Larsen and family, Peter [Madsen] Jensen and family, Jens Sorenson, Hans M. Nisson, Jens Knudson and wife, Bodil Rasmussen, Maren Mortensen, Maren Chritensen, Anna Johnson, Ingwart Hansen and family, Anna M. Kraiberg, Soren Christiansen and family, Adolph A. Nickel [Adolph August Nichols] and wife, Johanna Stephenson, Anna [Anne] K. Madsen and wife, Ane [Anne] Hansen, Ingri Borg, Christian Jensen and wife, Hans Jensen and family, Maren Peterson, Elizabeth C. Madsen, Hans P. Madsen and wife, Anna M. Sorenson, Elsa [Else] Madsen and family, Christian Lilholdt, Christian R. [Peter] Larsen, Hans C. Stiselt and wife, Niels Christensen, Jens Petersen and family, Anna [C.] Bentson and wife, Jens P. [Pedersen] Aagaard and family, Susannah Peterson, Swan M. [Sven Monson] Lovendahl and family, Soren [Rasmussen] Moller, Anna Melsdatter [Nielsdatter], Jeppe Olson and wife, Niels Christensen and family, Dorothea C. Johansen, Johan F. [Frederik] Carlson and wife, Anna [Margrethe] Gottfredsen [Gotfredsen], Raren [Maren or Karen] Christensen and family, Ols O. [Ole Olsen] Gaarder and family, Lars Larsen, Eric Eliason and wife, Swain [Sven] Carlson and family, Jens Jensen and wife, Elna Grourall [Gronvall], Pear [Pehr] Anderson and family, Andreas Anderson and family, Benta Swanson [Swenson], Elsa Neilsson [Elsa Nielsen].



In the company there were 394 persons, 55 wagons, 215 oxen, and 77 cows.



The following are the names of persons in Captain John Taylor's Wagons company:



John Taylor and family, Sarah Zalkner [Falkner], Mary [Taylor] Maddock and family, John Harris, Stephen Taylor and family, Levi B. Jones and family, William Hall and wife, Joseph Dockerson [Dickerson] and wife, James Camp and wife, John Isaacs, M. [Naomi T.] Brett, William Owen and family, Thomas Fisher and family, George Weaver and family, Charles Cad [Cox], Edw. [Edward] Jefford, Ann Jefford.



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Jens Peter Christensen and family, Hilberg Christensen, Frederick Holst, Bergitti Holst, N. C. [Nils Christian] Holst, Christian Holst, Kristine Holst, Rasmus Rasmusen and family, Line [Sine] Madsen, M. C. [Mads Christian] Andersen and family, Marie Wogn and wife, Soren Wilson and family, Johanne Margrette [Margrethe] Kofort [Kofoed] and wife, Anders Larsen and family, Soren Jenson and family, Stine Larsen, Lars Jacobson and family, Ane Ellsine Kofod [Anna Elsina Kofoed], Marias [Marcus] Jensen and family, Paul Nielson and family, Christian Jensen, Ane Jensen, Hans [Archer] Kofod [Kofoed] and family, Hanne [Hannah Hemmert] Wilhelmsen and family, Christian Peter Nielson and family, Andreas Hammer [Hmer] and family, Jens Hanson Kofod [Kofoed], Jens Svenson [Swenson] and family, Anders Bloomdale [Blumdoll] and family, Kirstine Coombs, Mathilda Blumda [Blumdoll], Ane Staal [Svalle].



In the company there were 123 persons, 23 wagons, 61 oxen and 32 cows.

Deseret News.

Henry Reiser autobiography, circa 1871

Henry Reiser autobiography, circa 1871.

[Pages 6-7 transcribed]



In the morning of July 1st, at 3 oclock, we reached Florence. Brother Heinrich Fischer from Zuerich died on the way and was burried in Florence. In Florence houses were assigned to us, so that we didnt have to wait long for a living place.



On the 8th of July the handcarts started, along with 10 oxwagons.



On the 7th we had to drawn lots for the wagons, I got No. 1.— During this time a girl of Brother [Christian] Wittwer from Bern died, also a child of Brother [Heinrich] Baers from Zuerich. Then we received our provisions and prepared everything for our departure.



On the 14th the captains of the companies went to the camp 2 miles from Florence;



on the 18th the swiss wagons had to go there too because the oxens were not yet drawn lots on. My wagon weighted 34 hundredweights and 30 pounds, the wagon itself 1046 pounds, that would leave 23 hundredweight and 84 pounds. I paid 71 Dollars for foodstuff. There were 6 persons in my wagon, Christian Staufer, and



on the 20th Sister Theurer from St. Joseph came in, and John Stucky [Stucki] and sister Theurer and Sister [Anna Gugger] Staufer I had to take in my wagon. Bro. [John] Alder, Bro. [John] Diethelm, Bro. [Heinrich] Baer and myself purchased two oxen conjointly because we had too much weight to carry on, for we could only figure 15-18 hundredweights for two pair of oxen. On the 20th we had to draw lots for the oxen; I had to pay 84 dollars for two pairs and 86 dollars for the wagon, afterwhich only 20 dollars were left.



Right from the first day after our departure I got sick and for an entire month I had to laydown in the wagon. On the very first day after our departure Bro. Diethelms had bad luck, the axle-tree of his wagon broke. 200 miles from Florence sister [Kathrina] Naed [Naef] died.—I too lost three oxen on the plains, so I had to buy another pair for 90 dollars; to paybthat [pay that]I had to borrow 60 dollars from bro. Keller out of the heritage of sister Katharina Naef. 350 miles from Salt Lake Father [Henry] Keller died. Mother [Elizabeth] Keller also got very sick; she fell and a wagonwheel injured her keg [leg] badly.



On October the 5th we arrived in Salt Lake City.

Transcript for Henry Reiser autobiography, circa 1871

Historical Department journal history of the Church

Historical Department journal history of the Church. Supplement after 31 December 1860: Page 52.

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company financial accounts, 1849-1886

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company financial accounts, 1849-1886.

Robert Bodily journal, Library of Congress collection of Mormon diaries, 1935-1938

Robert Bodily journal, Library of Congress collection of Mormon diaries, 1935-1938.

{Pages 14-17}



In 1864 I was called to go to the Missouri River for Emigrants[.] three teams were sent from Kaysville[.] John Blocksom [Bloxham,] Thomas Harris and myself[.] Chris Burton herder drove the teams[,] 4 yoke of oxen to the team[.] Bearlake [Bear Lake,] County[,] Cach[e] County and Davis County furnished the teams in our train[.] Bp Wm Preston was our Captain[.] we went up Weber Can[y]on a pretty rough road at that time[.] we forded the river 3 times and the river was getting quite high[.] it would be up to the wagon boxes but everything went along all right untill we got to the Devils gate on the sweetwater Creek[.] the Cattle had been brought into the coral[.] the Coral is formed by drawin[g] the wagons in two half circles[,] ½ the wagons on one side of the Circle and the other half on the other side[.] on the right hand side of the circle the cattle would be on the inside of the coral with the front wheel 3 feet from the hind wheel of the wagon ahead of it and a chain would tie the two wheels together on the left hand side of the circle[.] the cattle would be on the outside of the caral with the wheels placed the same as the other side[.] well the Cattle had just been brought and some of the Oxen had been yoked when like a flash of lightning they stampeeded and went out at on[e] end of the Coral and turned a wagon or two over on each side of the Gaps and hurting Several but no deaths[.] after the Cattle had been headed and brought back we finished yokeing the oxen, and as we proceeded all went well untill we arived at the plat[te] river[.] the Rivers were all high now and the Plat being no exception for it was very high but we found a place to ford but in crossing the forse of the water Kept crowding the teams down untill they were away below the ford and the water much deeper[.] it floated some of the wagon boxes off and turned some of the wheels backward and four of the wheels were lost[.] the burs turned backward and came off letting the wheels off[.] the Captain sent a lot of us into the River holding each others hands to try and find them with our feet but none could we find so we had to put the parts that were left into other wagons and get new ones at the Missouri River[.] so things went about as before[,] Yoke up in the morning unyoke at noon[.] yoke up again and unyoke again at night untill we arived at the River[.] the date I have forgotten[.] we camped at a place called Florence on the Missouri River[.] there we laid over for some time as part of the Saints to go with us had not arived and some more new Wagons and other mds. [merchandise] &amp; ct had not came[.] while we laid at Florence some of us boys went down the river to Nebraska City to see the place and oh what a City compared with S L City[.] little narrow streets running everywhere in general and nowhere in particula[r.] houses they were so high and the streets so narrow that should one of the buildings collaps on one side of the street it would fall completely accross the street[.] finally the Saints and other things we had been waiting for arived and we began loading some with one thing and some another[.] I had iron bars about 30 or 40 hundred pounds and 11 passengers[,] 4 or 5 males and 6 or 7 females and their luggage



well we fineally got started for Utah with a thor[o]ugh organization as before but much larger and a lot more people in it[.] it put me in mind of the time I crossed 4 years before but the drivers were more accustomed to handle the oxen[.] I often regognized our old Camping places of 4 years before but some things had changed[.] the buffalo were not near so numerous as before and there being more people and the wagons loaded with mds. a good many people had walk every foot of the way across those plains both men and women across rivers[.] it made no difference but they did not complain or at least we heard nothing of it but anyone could see how tired they were as with us on our former trip[.] in the start the days were long and plenty of grass and water[.] we could camp allmost anywhere but as we came on the days grew shorter[,] the water dried up in lots of places[,] the grass dry and not much for the cattle[.] it made it very hard on the people[.] some times we would be very late coming into camp and then supper to get and Children put to bed but when we got into camp in any decent time we allways had camp prayers and all would assemble together and sing a hymn and all seemed to enjoy it and forget the days hard work and all seemed to enjoy good health[.] so in due time we arived in S L City Sep. 10th 1864

Transcript for Robert Bodily journal, Library of Congress collection of Mormon diaries, 1935-1938

{Pages 9-11}



—we took the boat to Florence the Outfitting place of the L D S Emegrants[.] here we rested for some time allowing time for more Emigrants to arrive enough to form a Company large enough to be safe against Indians and for the emigrants to gather their outfits such as wagons Cattle Horse Cows &amp; ct[.] by this time some of our Company began to run short of money so much so that some could not proceed farther without assistance[.] So my Father having some money He assisted those that were in need some 5 or 6 familys[.] well the time finally came for us to start so we were Organized with W[illia]m budge as President and A man by the name of Nephi Johnson as Guide and Captain[.] we pulled out to the first watering place when one of our peoples little children [either child of Christian Wittwer or Heinrich Baers] took sick and died[.] there being little chance to get lumber to mak a Coffin so Father took the box Carreing his big bass fiddle and made use of it as a Coffin[.] after all was over we again started on our Journey[.] it sure was a Commicall looking outfit mooring along[.] the oxen were awkward and the drivers seemed to know less than the oxen about that kind of work[.] often you would see a man on each side of the team herding them along, but as a general thing the land was level so we got along pretty well[.] the days were long the feed was good and plenty of water so we would get unto [into] Camp early and just before Camping time you would see people Gathering buffaloe Chips wich was dried cow and buffaloe dung that was in place of wood[.] there was little or now wood along the platt[e] River to make a fire of for Cooking purposes[.] there were a great number of buffaloe[.] you Could see Hundreds of them feeding a short distance from the road[.] there were also plenty of Antilope a small animal a good deal like a dear and when it jumps it would show a white spot on its back, as we travaled along we would see a peice of paper that some earlier train had left telling when they had passed along and sometimes you would see a new made grave where some poor soul had been laid to rest Caused from different Hardships endured while on the way for it surely was a trying time for all <all> especially those having large families to provide and care for and as we went west the days grew shorter and the water and the feed hard to find[.] sometimes we would have to travel much farther than they expected to go on account of no water[.] then the Children had to be fed and put to bed and other things that pertains to a family attended too but for all the suffering the people were joyful through all their suffering and Sundays we always laid over on Sundays and held meetings and all seemed to enjoy it looking anxiously looking for the time when they would arrive in Zion and that finally arived on the 5th day of Oct 1860[.] we Camped on the lot where now stands the City and County Building SL City.</all>

Christian Wittwer

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