Daniel Duncan McArthur (1820 - 1908)

Daniel Duncan McArthur (1820 - 1908) Profile

British Missionaries, Liverpool, 1855 - discussed plans to utilize handcarts to bring some Saints to Zion during 1856 season.

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Daniel Duncan McArthur

birth-date-qualifier-birth

Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:336

Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:336.

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971

Appointments

"Appointments", British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971, June 25, 1877.

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971, January 5, 1853, Page 313.

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971.

"Daniel Duncan McArthur" General Epistles, Church History Library

"Daniel Duncan McArthur" General Epistles, Church History Library.

European Missionaries from Zion

European Missionaries from Zion.

Arrived in Liverpool Sep 1846.Departed from Liverpool 5 Jul 1847.Presided over the Preston and Clithero Conferences, England.  (Mill Star 8:121)

Transcript for European Missionaries from Zion, MS 17956, Box 37, Fd. 11

Historical Department journal history of the Church

Historical Department journal history of the Church, August 28, 1852, Page 5.

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 2, Page 42, Line 1649.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 39, Line 1649.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Missionary reports, 1831-1900

Missionary reports, 1831-1900.

Nauvoo Restoration Inc., comp., Nauvoo Seventies list

Nauvoo Restoration Inc., comp., Nauvoo Seventies list, Vol. 2.

Nauvoo Restoration Inc., comp., Nauvoo Seventies list.

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, 977.343/N1 K29c

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, 977.343/N1 K29c, Page 188.

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, 977.343/N1 K29c.

The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 15:58-59

The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 15:58-59.

A Mormon chronicle: the Diaries of John D. Lee, 1848-1876 edited and annotated by Robert Glass Cleland and Juanita Brooks (1955), 1:30-79

A Mormon chronicle: the Diaries of John D. Lee, 1848-1876 edited and annotated by Robert Glass Cleland and Juanita Brooks (1955), 1:30-79.

Daniel Duncan McArthur Emigrating Company journal

Daniel Duncan McArthur Emigrating Company journal, May 1856.

Daniel Duncan McArthur Emigrating Company journal.

Davis, Mary E. Fretwell, Autobiography, 2-3

Davis, Mary E. Fretwell, Autobiography, 2-3.

My companions were Ellen Derrick, and Ellen Hackman and Lizzie Cornell. We were in an upper berth, and Lavinia Triplet and her sister and cousin in the lower one, so there was seven of us and we all kept together till we got to Utah. . . . The captain's name was Daniel D. McArthur, and he had us seven sisters in one wagon. There was plenty of flour, bacon, pkt (packet) of soda, but none of us knew how to make bread and did not know the use of bake kettles having never seen one before, and we made a mess of cooking. So we watched the teamsters to see how they did, and then we could do a little better. While we were at Florence there was a terrible storm; the rain came down in sheets, thundering and lightening. We were shut up in the wagons and thought the end had come, for we had never seen anything like it before.
When they had the wagons all ready, we started on our journey on the 6th day of August, with 75 wagons. We traveled by the Platte River for 5 hundred miles and crossed it many times. We had to wade through it, and sometimes it was up to our waist, then we would camp and dry our clothing. We could get wood and brush to burn, but when we left the river there was nothing to burn, for it was all plains — no trees or brush, so as we walked along we gathered buffalo chips in our aprons to make a fire at night, so we could get our food ready for supper.
When we came to a smooth piece of land, the Utah boys would get out their violins and we would have a dance. The boys had their fun with us. We knew nothing about promenading and dancing in the corner, but we all enjoyed it very much, after walking all day. We were called to order every evening to have a meeting and prayer, and prayers in the morning, that we might have protection through the day.
There was one death on the Plains—a Brother [John Burnside] Farnes. It was sad for the family to have a grave dug and lay their dear father in it, and leave him out on the prairie.
There was one birth on the Plains. Sister [Ellen] Athay gave birth to a baby girl [Alice]. 
When we got in sight of the mountains, the Utah boys gave a great shout, and up went their hats in the air. The mountains and canyons looked wonderful to us. After walking through canyons and over mountains, we came to a mountain that we could see Salt Lake City, and over the Valley. Then I felt very lonesome. I thought of the folks at home and wondered if I should ever see them again. I could not help shedding tears for I felt alone in the world. I knew the girls that I had traveled with would go different ways. We went down into the City and camped.

Transcript for Davis, Mary E. Fretwell, Autobiography, 2-3

Denison, Mary Agnes Braithwaite, Autobiographical sketch, 1-2

Denison, Mary Agnes Braithwaite, Autobiographical sketch, 1-2.

Father and mother with grandmother Braithwaite, three brothers and a sister left England, May 22, 1863 and arrived in Salt Lake City Oct. 3, 1863.
They came across the plains with an ox team company of sixty wagons under Capt. Daniel McArthy [McArthur] and Jim Thaxton [Paxton] of Fillmore, Utah as teamster.
Father was ill most of the way. Mothers’ constant prayer was that he would live at least until they could reach Salt Lake City where they knew they would meet their host of friends. She could not bear to think of having him out on the lonely plains, though such a thing was becoming quite common especially with other companies. Our company loosing only three or four members during the whole journey.

Transcript for Denison, Mary Agnes Braithwaite, Autobiographical sketch, 1-2

DUP Pioneer History Collection

Earl Michael, reminiscences

"Earl Michael, reminiscences", DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Florence, Nebraska, 1036 miles from Salt Lake City. We remained there about ten days outfitting for the Plains. We formed what was called the Dixie Train, Captain Dan McArthur, of St. George, Dixie and crossed up to that date in less time than any ox train had ever done before


and arrived in Salt Lake City on the 3rd October and about 2 P.M. reached the 8th Ward square and there made home at our journeys end.

Transcript for "Earl Michael, reminiscences", DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Naomi Debenham Dowden, reminiscences

"Naomi Debenham Dowden, reminiscences", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 2.

Here [Florence] we rested three weeks, doing patching and mending and preparing for the tedious journey across the plains.


Each individual was assigned to their company and wagon. Captain [Daniel D.] McArthur having charge of the company to which the Dorsans [Dawsons] and I were assigned. Everybody in camp was called to an early breakfast, after which the days journey began. We would travel until noon, when a stop was made for dinner; rest one hour, then resume the journey until sundown. Sometimes the noon meal would be prepared and a sand storm come up, and would blow everything away.


Food was obtained from the Comissary, which consisted of beans, rice, bacon or ham, and brown sugar very sparingly. Baking powder soda bread was prepared.


The distance traveled per day, would vary according to conditions of the roads. The oxen were slow, but sure and steady. All persons enjoying good health and strong bodies, covered the entire distance on foot, most of them walking bare footed, and wading shallow streams. The early evenings, after supper, were spent in singing, dancing and enjoying different sports. Meetings for the entire company were held at least, once a week.


My brother Edgar walked fifteen miles from Salt Lake City to meet us, at this time he was very ill. The company arrived in Salt Lake valley October 2, 1863.

Transcript for "Naomi Debenham Dowden, reminiscences," 2.

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Elijah Larkin diaries, 1854-1867, 470-506

Elijah Larkin diaries, 1854-1867, 470-506.

Farnes, Ebenezer, Reminiscences [ca. 1910], 10-14

Farnes, Ebenezer, Reminiscences [ca. 1910], 10-14.

In the fall of '63 I was asked at a minutes notice if I would take a pony team and go back on the plains alone and meet all of the companies and ask them if they would need any tents and transact other business. I told them I was ready to start that day, so they started me off without any provisions or cook. I took twelve tents, some oats for the horses, some flour and some bacon. I tried to buy some bread but could not get it. I traveled about forty miles a day, rather lonesome, but then I should see my father, mother and my sisters on the way. I met several of the companies of the saints and delivered my instructions to them and left tents for those that wanted tents and got provisions for myself.
One evening I camped at the Pacific Spring. At the South pass at this place there are two springs not forty yards apart, one of them running into the Pacific Ocean and the other empties into the Atlantic Ocean. It is the divide and a cold place at any time. The night I camped there it was colder than usual and I took a cold chill. There I lay in my wagon, shaking and rattling the wagon so bad that I wonder that there was a bolt left in it. The wind blew and the wild animals howled. My horses were restless and I was sick and lonesome indeed. The next morning was welcome to me so I started on again having had no supper or breakfast. In traveling along the side of the road I saw a parcel wrapped in a newspaper and on picking it up, to my surprise, I found a large loaf of warm bread. Who had left it there? I looked for the track of a horse or wagon but could not see the first sign of any. The ground was soft and the small grass and weeds had covered the track of the last team that had gone over the road, but whoever left it there I was very thankful to them for it an after traveling about twenty miles that day I met a man named Rhodes from Weber and he was very good to me. He thought we were on the wrong road as there had been considerable rain and the road had grown green with grass, and it looked as if it had not been traveled since the year before. After leaving the Big Sandy River, about ten miles east, my team became restless and wanted to run.
I was surprised and thought perhaps some of the harnesses were loose. In looking behind me I saw a band of Indians all in their war paint. They rode up on each side of my team and made signs for me to stop, which I did as soon as I could get control of my team, at which time one of the Indians spoke to me in his language, which of course I could not understand, then he spoke in fair English and asked me what was in my wagon and I told him. He asked me who sent me and I told him Brigham Young, and he opened my shirt to see if I had garments on. I had not, so he said: "You chump, you lie". After considerable talk I persuaded them that I had told the truth and after giving them about one third of the provisions I had, they turned back and were soon out of sight.
In 1863 the Indians were on the war path and killed many private companies crossing the plains, but they did not molest the Latter-day Saints, and I found afterward that the eighty Indians who stopped me were Paumese [Pawnees] Indians and were after a band of Sioux Indians to fight them.
I traveled rather nervously afterward, knowing that the Indians were bad and perhaps the next time would not let me off so easily, but I did not meet any more. The next day I expected to meet my folks, but about noon I met two men on horseback. I asked them how far Captain McArthur's train was behind, and they told me about three miles. I asked if a family named Farnes was in the train, to which they replied: "Yes, your father died yesterday", and rode on. The blunt way in which he told me was almost more than I could stand. The contrast between my feelings before and after he answered me is too great to imagine. The joy I hoped to experience upon meeting my father and mother and loved ones soon was dispelled by the knowledge that my father had died the night I cam[p]ed at the South Pass. It broke me down. I stopped my team and could go no further, as I felt my heart would break at meeting the train. I lay beside the road weeping tears from the heart if there is such a thing. After awhile the train came in sight and they passed me, but I could not muster courage enough to meet my mother. After a time I drew myself together, Knowing that they would camp soon, I hitched up my team and turned back and overtook the company, just as they were making camp. I found the wagon they were in and after awhile went there and found my mother in a burning fever; the mountain fever, we call it Typhoid fever. My mother did not know me. She thought it was M. H. and called me her Matthew. My sister Matilda was just getting over the fever while the others, Jane, John S. Farnes and Mary Ann French, were worn out with sickness and the death of father. Father had walked from early morning until 11:00 p.m. and while putting up a tent for the girls, fell down three times and was dead in less than an hour. He died at 12:00 p.m. and was buried at daylight with the dead sweat all over his body, and all this hurry because Captain Andrew McArthur of St. George, wanted to make a record of making the best time and bringing his cattle in the best shape across the plains.
Well, he did it, but how many human beings were caused to suffer for his record? After staying at the camp until the ox teams were ready to continue the journey, I bid good-bye to my mother and sisters, never expecting to see them again, especially my mother. It was hard for me to turn my back on them and go three hundred miles east. A young man volunteered to go back with me and show me the way and where my father was buried. My intentions were to dig up the grave and see if he was dead when they buried him, as one of the men who helped to put him away told me he did not think father was dead, as his shoulders were warm with sweat.
The next day we saw one of the sights of the desert. Near the crossing of the Sweet Water River there had been a large number of cattle die at one time, and they were lying in the center of the road and there were seventy-five or eighty large prairie wolves eating the carcasses, and about one hundred coyotes waiting until the wolves were satisfied.
These wolves were large ones and could easily have eaten my team and both of us in less than an hour. I did not feel afraid of them as they had plenty to eat and they will only attack a man when they are hungry or wounded. Well it was a sight to see with their long hair and bushy tails shining in the sun, with their red mouths open and their teeth snarling at us as we passed through them, some of them not more than twenty-five feet from our team. It was quite a relief when we got passed them and out of sight. Few men have seen such a large number of grey wolves at one time.
That evening we got to the place where father was buried. The grave was all that anyone could ask for under the circumstances. After a few hours rest we journeyed east and soon met another emigrant train, where we stayed all night, left some tents, delivered our message and started on again. At length we met the last company with Captain White, on the Platt[e] River, and we set our faces to the West, traveled with that company a few days and then left to catch up with the next company ahead, which we did, and stayed two days. This company was under Captain [Rosel] Hyde, in which a woman committed suicide, as hereafter related. After being with this company an hour, a sister came up to me and asked to go to a poor Welch woman and try to get her to take something to eat, as she had not been out of the wagon for two days. She and her husband had been quarreling two days before and she was sulky. I went to the wagon and spoke to the woman, but received no answer. I looked closer and could see part of her legs, her body being covered. I put my hand on her and asked her to get up as there was a brother from Salt Lake City who wanted to talk with her, and again received no answer. I told her if she did not get out I would pull her out by the feet. No answer came, so I started to pull her by the ankle and found she was dead. It did not take me long to drag the bed clothes from her and then found that she had smothered to death. Her face was on the bottom of the wagon box and the rest of her body about two feet and a half higher. Her face and neck were black and mortifying. She evidently had put her head at the bottom and pulled the clothes over her body and the teamster not knowing, had thrown his bed clothes on top of her and had been sitting on her head for two days.
We made an investigation to see if there had been any foul play, but could not find anyone to blame but herself, so we dug a grave, wrapped the body in the bed clothes she died in, and put her in the hole, which was deep and the men who buried her had to drop the body the last foot or so and the sound of the thump as the body struck the ground is still sounding in my ears. When we threw the soil on the corps[e] I had to go away as I could not stand the sound. I thought of my poor father and his burial in a similar manner.
Well, we traveled with that company that day and then went ahead again, traveling about thirty miles when we came to the last crossing of the Sweet Water, where we found a small company of United States Soldiers camped. As we drew up the soldiers were lined up on each side of the road and appeared to be drilling, so we turned out to go around them.
They threw out a flank and headed me off, so I went to go around the other way, but they surrounded me and took me a prisoner of war, it being during the rebellion between the North and South. These one hundred and fifty soldiers were sent back on the plains to search the Saints' companies crossing the plains to see if they had any gunpowder, and if so to confiscate it.
There was a company of "Mormon" boys following up on horseback, and as all the Saints had been notified of the soldiers being on the road, they had disposed of all their gunpowder and these boys by a round about way brought the powder to Salt Lake City, Utah. These boys did not travel by the road, but kept in the background so that when the soldiers searched the wagons they did not find any powder. Thinking that I must have been the means of their not getting any powder, they stopped my team as I was coming back home, while they searched the last companies. When the commander told me they would have to hold me a prisoner I told him all right, so long as he fed me and my team and he assured me that I should fare just the same as the rest of the company, and not to feel myself under any restraint and consider myself his guest until his return from searching the last two trains. Soon after the captain left the camp with one hundred of his men, leaving thirteen to guard me, one of the soldiers took the hay from my horses and swore at me for feeding the hay to my horses as there was not enough for their own. So I had to turn my team out to shift for themselves. There not being any feed near by, my horses crossed the river. The next morning as I was crossing the river to feed my horses some oats, one of the guards called to me to turn or he would shoot. As I was on a log covered with ice and near the middle of the stream, this was not an easy task, however I turned and went back but did not fall in the river as he had expected I would do. I admit I was a little nervous. After going back they sent one of the men with me, but he would not cross, so remained until I came back with the horses and told me he would not cross on that log for the whole United States.
That afternoon one of the soldiers that had been left behind his company because he was sick, a small skinny cur, commenced to abuse the Mormons and called them all the blasphemous names he could think of. My patience gave way and I drew my arm back and knocked him down when he slipped back into the cook room and told the cook that he had scared that Mormon. The cook, who had seen and heard all that was going on, replied: "I think that Mormon scared you", and when the men came into supper, the cook told them how things stood and from that time on I was a jolly good fellow with them all. We played all kinds of games, running, jumping, wrestling and had all sorts of fun, and I could hold my own with the best of them, being a pretty good athlete myself.
After staying there four days the rest of the men returned and the Captain told me I could go, and to travel that day until I caught up to the last emigrant train, and to stay with them until we got to Salt Lake, and if I did not I would be arrested and kept a prisoner all winter.
He gave me provisions enough to last me three or four days, as the men at the camp had stolen everything I had that was loose. I started out about noon to make forty miles that day, but I had only gone five miles when my best horse gave out and I could not go any faster than a walk, so I had to tie him back and pull the wagon with one horse. I got to the emigrants about two o'clock in the morning, with one of the horses almost given out. Next morning I borrowed a mule from a doctor who had been traveling with the emigrant train for a few days. Finally the doctor went ahead and my sick horse not being able to go as fast as he did, I remained with the company and at last had to leave my sick horse and wagon near Park City and came to the city on my well horse.

Transcript for Farnes, Ebenezer, Reminiscences [ca. 1910], 10-14

Ferguson, Phyllis Hardie, [Reminiscences], in Lydia D. Alder, "The First Handcart Company," Improvement Era

Ferguson, Phyllis Hardie, [Reminiscences], in Lydia D. Alder, "The First Handcart Company," Improvement Era, July 1909.

"I was a very delicate girl when I left Edinburgh, whom people thought was going into a decline, but I walked every step of the way from Iowa to Salt Lake, and waded every river, except the Elkhorn and Green, and arrived in sound health.". . .
"When it became quite dark, we reached the top of a high hill, where by Captain McArthur's instructions we left the handcarts, and quietly walked down towards the blazing camp fires. Just before we reached the Ellsworth company, we all began to shout, 'Hurrah for the handcarts.!"
"Captain Ellsworth, thinking it was the overland mail coach, in which was Franklin D. Richards, the returning president of the European mission, and others who were expected, hurriedly called out the band to give them glad welcome. Imagine his chagrin when he discovered that his welcome was given to the Scotch handcart company, who had overtaken him! But he was a good man, and has long years ago ended his life's journey. Peace to his ashes! The English people, though just as good and zealous, had not the endurance that we had, and it was difficult for them to be first. This ended our thirty-two miles' walk.
"At this camp ground the Scotch company rested for two weeks, making ready for the home stretch to the valley, thus giving the English a grand start ahead. What an indomitable will had these handcart people! How zealous for their religion!"

Transcript for Ferguson, Phyllis Hardie, [Reminiscences], in Lydia D. Alder, "The First Handcart Company," Improvement Era, July 1909, 721-23

Ferguson, Phyllis Hardie, [Reminiscences], in Lydia D. Alder, "The First Handcart Company," Improvement Era.

Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914

Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914. Scrapbook Part 7, 1907. Page 11.

Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914.

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, June 29, 1848.

Daniel D. McArthur reminiscences

"Daniel D. McArthur reminiscences", CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, September 26, 1856, Page 2-6.

The following is a concise statement from the pen of Elder Daniel D. McArthur of the travels of the second handcart company across the plains, of which he was leader. The report was addressed to Elder Wilford Woodruff and dated Jan. 5, 1857:
On the 19th of May, our company, which had crossed the sea with us, were divided, by President Daniel Spencer, into two handcart companies, Brother Edmond Ellsworth to take charge of the first and I, Daniel D. McArthur, to take charge of the second company. Then every move was made to get our carts ready, which job was a tedious one, but by using all our efforts, the first company was enabled to start on the 9th of June, and the second on the 11th, about 11 o'clock. This second company numbered 222 souls and were bound for Florence, and from thence to the Valley, at which place (Florence) we arrived on the 8th of July, distance, 300 miles, or there abouts. 
We had the very best of good luck all the way, although the weather was very hot and sweltering, but let me tell you, the saints were not to be overcome. Our carts, when we started, were in an awful fix. They mowed &lt;moaned &gt; and growled, screeched and squealed, so that a person could hear them for miles. You may think this is stretching things a little too much, but it is a fact, and we had them to eternally patch, mornings, noons and nights. But by our industry we got them all along to Florence, and being obliged to stop at Florence some two weeks to get our outfit for the plains, I and my council, namely, Truman Leonard and Spencer [Spicer] Crandall, went to work and gave our carts a thorough repair throughout, and on the 24th of July, at 12 o'clock, we struck our tents and started for the plains, all in the best of spirits. Nothing but the very best of luck attended us continually. 
Our teams &lt;train&gt; consisted of 12 yoke of oxen, 4 wagons, and 48 carts; we also had 5 beef and 12 cows; flour, 55 lbs. per head, 100 lbs. rice, 550 lbs. sugar, 400 lbs. dried apples, 125 lbs. tea, and 200 lbs. salt for the company. On the 28th of August &lt;arrived&gt; at Laramie, and on the 2nd of September, we met the first provision wagons from the Valley. On Deer Creek &lt;we&gt; got 1000 lbs. of flour, which caused the hearts of the saints to be cheered up greatly. 
On the 14th we camped at Pacific Spring Creek, and there I took in 1000 lbs. of more flour, so as to be sure to have enough to do me until we got into the Valley, for I was told that that would be the last opportunity to get it. 
On the 20th we reached Fort Bridger, and on the 26th of September, we landed &lt;arrived&gt; in this Valley, with only the loss of 8 souls. 7 died, and one, a young man, age 20 years, we never could tell what did become of him. We brought in our 48 carts, 4 wagons, 12 yoke of oxen, save one, which we had left at Fort Bridger, 10 cows, (one cow died and one we left at Fort Bridger,) and the 5 beeves, we ate, of course. We laid still 5 Sundays and three week days all day, besides other short stops while traveling from &lt;the&gt; Missouri River here.
My company was divided into two divisions and Brother Truman Leonard was appointed captain over the first division and Brother Spencer [Spicer] Crandall over the second. We had six tents in each division and a president over each tent, who were strict in seeing that singing and prayer was attended to every morning and night, and that peace prevailed. I must say that a better set of saints to labor with I never saw. They all did the best they could to forward our journey. When we came to a stream, no matter how large it might be, the men would roll up their trousers and into it they would go, and the sisters would follow, if the men were smart enough to get ahead of them, which the men failed many times to do. If the water was high enough to wet the things on the carts, the men would get one before the cart and one behind it and lift it up slick and clean, and carry it across the stream.
I will state a couple of incidents that happened in one day, and one other circumstance that took place. On the 11th of August a man came to camp pretending to be starved nearly to death, and wished me to give him some provisions, for he had had nothing for many days but what he had hunted for. So I gave him bread and meat enough to last him some four or five days and he acted as though he had met with some friends in deed. He said, that he had been robbed by some Californians somewhere near Fort Bridger, with whom he was in company on their way to the States, and on the 16th, while crossing over some sand hills, Sister Mary Bathgate was &lt;badly&gt; bitten by a large rattlesnake, just above the ankle, on the back part of her leg. She was about a half a mile ahead of the camp at the time it happened, as she was the ring leader of the footmen or those who did not pull the handcarts. She was generally accompanied by Sister Isabella Park. They were both old women, over 60 years of age, and neither of them had road &lt;ridden&gt; one inch, since they had left Iowa camp ground. Sister Bathgate sent a little girl back to me as quickly as possible to have me and Brothers Leonard and Crandall come with all haste, and bring the oil with us, for she was bitten badly. As soon as we heard the news, we left all things, and, with the oil, we went post haste. When we got to her she was quite sick, but said that there was power in the Priesthood, and she knew it. So we took a pocket knife and cut the wound larger, squeezed out all the bad blood we could, and there was considerable, for she had forethought enough to tie her garter around her leg above the wound to stop the circulation of the blood. We then took and anointed her leg and head, and laid our hands on her in the name of Jesus and felt to rebuke the influence of the poison, and she felt full of faith. We then told her that she must get into the wagon, so she called witnesses to prove that she did not get into the wagon until she was compelled to by the cursed snake. We started on and traveled about two miles, when we stopped to take some refreshments. Sister Bathgate continued to be quite sick, but was full of faith, and after stopping one and a half hours we hitched up our teams. As the word was given for the teams to start, old Sister Isabella Park ran in before the wagon to see how her companion was. The driver, not seeing her, hallooed at his team and they being quick to mind, Sister Park could not get out of the way, and the fore wheel struck her and threw her down and passed over both her hips. Brother Leonard grabbed hold of her to pull her out of the way, before the hind wheel could catch her. He only got her out part way and the hind wheels passed over her ankles. We all thought that she would be all mashed to pieces, but to the joy of us all, there was not a bone broken, although the wagon had something like two tons burden on it, a load for 4 yoke of oxen. We went right to work and applied the same medicine to her that we did to the sister who was bitten by the rattlesnake, and although quite sore for a few days, Sister Park got better, so that she was on the tramp before we got into this Valley, and Sister Bathgate was right by her side, to cheer her up. Both were as smart as could be long before they got here, and this is what I call good luck, for I know that nothing but the power of God saved the two sisters and they traveled together, they rode together, and suffered together. Sister Bathgate has got married since she arrived in the Valley. 
While we were leading our handcart companies through the States and on the plains, we were called tyrants and slave drivers, and everything else that could be thought of, both by Gentiles and apostates.
<center>	Your humble servant in the Gospel of Christ, 		Daniel D. McArthur</center>

Transcript for McArthur, Daniel D. Reminiscences, in Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 26 Sep. 1856, 3-6

E. L. Sloan letter

"E. L. Sloan letter", CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, September 25, 1863, Page 2-3.

Brother E. L. [Edward Lennox] Sloan wrote the following:


On the morning of the 25th of Sept. 1863, a little before 9 o'clock a party of 21 mounted men, calling themselves United States soldiers from Fort Bridger, rode into our camp and informed Captain Daniel Mc Arthur that he must go with them to the Fort, taking his train with them. We were traveling along the road known as "Muddy", following the river the road being much superior in many respects, for our cattle in the condition in which they were.


Brother Mc Arthur represented this fact to the posse; and as they stated that we must take the oath of allegiance for citizens and neutrality for aliens, also, that the wagons must be searched for freighted ammunition, he offered to string out the wagons on the road that they might be searched, and to march his men from the "crossing of Muddy" to Bridger, a distance of 12 miles, that they might take the oath, if no other place would answer for the purpose; pointing out the injury it would cause to cattle and wagons to force them over 10 miles of the admittedly worst road between the Missouri River and Salt Lake City. He called their attention to the illegality of the act, no order having been published, nor notice posted, where we could learn of this requirement; neither any official stationed at Ham's Fort to notify us that trains traveling West were required to pass Bridger, calling at it.


These reasonable representations were met with a steady declaration by the officer in charge, that his orders were to convey us to the Fort, and to the Fort we must go; while his men gave utterance to a variety of expressions, intimating their strong desire to pitch into the damned Mormons, one fellow saying, "Why the hell dont he give us the order and let us end the matter, without all this damned palavering"?


The Captain inquired what the result would be if he refused to take the train to Bridger, when another replied abruptly, "We'll take it".


Allowing us time to have our breakfasts and yoke up, during which they remained at a short distance dismounted; they then divided one moiety forming an advance guard, the other following in the rear of Jakemen [Jackman] and Shurtliff's freight train, which had camped with us the preceding night; and thus guarded, the trains moved on to the Fort, occupying about nine hours in making the distance, and most of the passengers and teamsters having, at one juncture, to assist in pushing the wagons up a steep incline, while the whole of the road was much calculated to try severely the cattle, already suffering from sore feet.


On arrival at the camping ground, within a mile of the Fort, our guard, which had been renewed on the road left us, having enjoyed the, to them, satisfaction of indulging in a abundance of jeers, coarse jokes and abuse at our expense, especially while the wagons were being assisted up the steep ascent alluded to before.


The officer in charge at Bridger, in the absence of the officer commanding, who had gone to Ham's Fork to meet the following trains, as he should have done with us, affected to look upon us as Secessionists; but, upon the Captain expressing his feelings and intentions in plain and marked language, suddenly became wonderfully civil, took the Captains word for the contents of the wagons, and postponed the ceremony of swearing until the following morning.


Saturday, 26th


The citizens of the Republic were mustered inside the corral this morning, and not at the Fort and had the oath of allegiance administered to them, after which the aliens were sworn to neutrality between the belligerent North and South. This concluded the entire business for which we were dragged across the country, like prisoners taken in arms, and which could have been attended to where we lay camped and previous morning, with equal ease.


We wrote out a protest and demand for $500 compensation for the Captain, which he handed to the officer in charge, who declared his inability to do anything in the matter.

Transcript for E. L. Sloan letter, 25 September 1863, 2-3.

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, September 2, 1868, Page 3-22.

Hobson, John Henry. "Autobiography," in Nora Crystal Hall Lund Biographies Collection, circa 1950-1983, Nora Crystal Hall Lund (4 reels, Microfilm; 4 boxes, Typescript), reel 2, 2

Hobson, John Henry. "Autobiography," in Nora Crystal Hall Lund Biographies Collection, circa 1950-1983, Nora Crystal Hall Lund (4 reels, Microfilm; 4 boxes, Typescript), reel 2, 2.

We landed in New York July 28, 1868. We went from there to Benton, Wyoming on the railway some of the time riding in box and open cars. The remainder of the journey by ox team, with Daniel McArthur as captain of the company. There were sixty two wagons and over six hundred passengers, there were twelve persons in our wagon besides the driver and our luggage. When we made our first camp on the plains after the oxen had been turned out to feed a young man about 20 years of age had been carr[y]ing a double barreled shotgun, as he was getting in the wagon he caught the trigger on the wagon tongue and accidently killed himself. After a few days travel a woman di[e]d and was buried by the roadside.



a few days later two men with a mule team was passing our train of ox teams, I was riding with the captain of our company on his horse. He stopped the two men and talked with them. He told them we were in a dangerous country and that if they camped alone the Indians would attack and kill them. They went on, not heeding the warning and the following day one of the men was found dead, killed by the Indians.



We made our first camp on the Weber River where the Echo reservoir dam now is. George and Anthony Heiner, tow [two] men from Morgan heard of the company being camped on the river and came to see if they could get men to work on the railroad.

Transcript for Hobson, John Henry. "Autobiography," in Nora Crystal Hall Lund Biographies Collection, circa 1950-1983, Nora Crystal Hall Lund (4 reels, Microfilm; 4 boxes, Typescript), reel 2, 2

Jenson, Andrew, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia [1971], 1:335-336

Jenson, Andrew, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia [1971], 1:335-336.

John Oakley journal excerpt

John Oakley journal excerpt, June 1856.

John Oakley journal excerpt.

John Parry reminiscences and diary, 1857 March-1867 September

John Parry reminiscences and diary, 1857 March-1867 September, March 1857.

We Camped in Ioway [Iowa] for three weeks to wait for Wagons, And for hand Carts. This was the first time for hand Carts to be used to go acros the Plains.
The first Company went a few days before us, Edmond El[l]sworth being Captain, 
Another Company started before us a few MacArthur [Daniel D. McArthur] days being Captain.
Thirdly the Welsh was organised as a Company Edward Bunker being head Captain, and David Grant, Myself, and George Davies, being Captains of hundreds, After we traveled the first Day and put up our tents, it began Thunder &amp; Lightening, and we had the aufulest Storm that I ever witnessed in my life.
(I omited to mention one of my conexion [connection] who came with us from Wales, Thomas Parry son of Robert Parry Newmarket, who we left at Ioway [Iowa] being engaged to drive a Team to Dan Jones over the Plains, But he got wet, and caught a Cold, and Died, in the neibourhood of Newton, Ioway [Iowa].)
After we got Dry the folowing day we started again and Traveled hard, our ration of food was half a pound of flour a day, and a little Tea and shugar and a very little of any thing else[.] we had a hard task to stand the Journey from Ioway [Iowa] to counsel [Council] Bluffs. Distance of about 300 miles, When at Newton we stopt over sunday, &lt;till&gt; and many of our Camp, on account of shortness of rations, Made their minds up to stop at this Place, and engaged with some of the Gentiles to work for them, And on Monday morning, several of the croude [crowd] turned one side with their Hand Carts, by going through the above Town, I went after them, while the Camp went a head, to puswade [persuade] them to come along, at last I prevaled on them, then we started after the Camp, which was far a head, and when I was aboute the midle of Newton, I was imediately Surrounded by a large croude of mobs, who was very mad, because I perswaded those that had promised to work for them, to come along[.] after a little talk the[y] did send several from the crowde to get Tar &amp; Feathers, to put on me, while I was surounded Brother [John] McDonald came, that had been in some store, and asked why did they stop me on the high way; and while they turned their atention to him, I slipt through the crowd and made my escape, by turning round a corner I turned my head and saw many coming after me[.] Then I took to run, and before I came to the Camp I was overcome by two rufians, who began to take hold of my colar, but I spoke very harch [harsh] and independant to them, and got from them, after a while I reached the camp and when Traveling along, Great many mobs came after us some on horses and others on foot, with Revolvers, Clubs &amp;c 
To try to perswade some of either men or Women to turn back, that they would get good situations or Farmes to them, &amp;c, &amp;c, But not one of them went, after a while they went back, they did not know me, as I did change my close [clothes],
then we traveled on from day to day until we at last came to Florence, where we had a fit oute to cross the Plains, (a few did stay on the way.) 
I laboured very hard to help some Widows and Fatherless, and the weak, to pull their Carts up hilly pleases [places], &amp;c, beside puling my own along with my Wife [Harriet] and my sisters Young Daughter, Elizabeth, 
We stopped at this Place aboute a week. James McGaw, had the charge of the starting of the emigration over the Plians [Plains],
In the begin[n]ing of August [blank space] 1856 We started over the Plians, Buried sister Emma Brooks, from N[ea]r Newmarket Wales, the Day before we started, her Death was caused by diarrhoea,
We had more food, now, than before, 7 lbs a week to cross the plians, and some few things beside, Yet not near enough, as we were working so hard in pulling our little Trinkets &amp; food only 17 lbs each was alowd beside our food, and we had an ox Team, to every hundred, to help us,
After traveling a few days, we saw tens of thousands of Buffalos, we killed a few to eat, We did wade the rivers, little Children 6 years of age did use to walk 26 miles p[er] day, one evening one old Brother was mised oute of my hundred, aboute 120 miles west of Laramie; it was ten o Clock when I found oute that he was missing. Then I and 2 more went to look for him, after we traveled 8 miles we met the old Brother coming along slowly, had been sleeping on the way, untill some wolfs came And Barked at him, then we did put him on our hand Cart and took him to camp,
Several died on the way, And only one little sick child that never was well, died oute of my Company, or hundred, all the way from Ioway [Iowa] to Great, Salt, Lake, City.
Somewere in the neighborhood of the uper crossing of the Platt[e] River, Teams From G, S, L, City, came to meet us with flour, which we was in much need, though not oute of flour, but not near enough to reach the Valley,
On a sunday at the pasific [Pacific] Springs, we met Parley, P, Pratt, the Twelve, and others going to the states, we also Met Patriarch John Smith, going to meet his sister, he gived us some, Salt, 
Indians met us some times, and helped us to pull our Carts, which was a great fun for them, we had no trouble of any kind in crosing the plians [Plains], only Fatigue, I, worked my self down, I did pull Samuel Brookss boy, Frank, for some hundreds of miles, as he was an Invaleed [Invalid], 
Hard pull up the Big Mountain, when we came in-site of the City, our hearts was overwhelmed with Joy, and thanksgiving to the Lord, that our lives was spared, through such a Journey, and traveling in such a maner, that history has no comparison.
When near the City My Father Met us on horse back, Tears of Joy filled my ey[e]s when met him, and we kissed one another,
We arrived in the City on the 3rd of October, and had a glance at President B Young [at] the time we entered the City, 
We camped on the Union Square.

Transcript for Parry, John, Reminiscences and diary, 1857 Mar.-1867 Sept., 55-60

John Parry reminiscences and diary, 1857 March-1867 September.

Martha Reese Alexander, Biographical information relating to Mormon pioneer overland travel database, 2003-2017

Martha Reese Alexander, Biographical information relating to Mormon pioneer overland travel database, 2003-2017.

I am the daughter of Henry Thomas Reese and Elizabeth Powell Reese. I was born in the town of Pontypool, in South Wales, July 9, 1844. With my sister, Johanna, 2 years older than I, I left the old country on the 4 of May 1863 to come to Utah, setting sail on May 6th on the old ship Amazon. We were 7 weeks on the sea. When we were about half way across, an awful storm struck us, lasting for 2 days and 1 night, and we all thought that we were going to be drowned. The captain came to our Mission President, Elder Richard Palmer, and said, "I understand that you are a religious company and now if you folks have any power with God almighty, it is up to you to save this ship from going down. I have done everything I can, but we are going to sink." So our President ordered all the elders in the company to pray and sing. That is what everyone did, but we had been praying ever since the storm had come up. We never saw the sun for 2 days, but God, our Heavenly Father, came to our aid and we were saved. But we were sure seasick!



Then we landed in New York and were there 2 days passing the examination of the Immigration Authorities. We were 3 months crossing the plains to Utah. We were in Captain Daniel D. MacArthur's company. I was delighted with my trip across the plains. I had the best time of my life. Capt. MacArthur was such a dear, good man and my main companion was a dear sister from our branch called Mary Lewis. She and I were very good singers, and when all was in readiness he would say, "come, girls, let's go", and we used to sing "off, off, to the mountains and away." And he would sing with us. We never thought we were tired. My, how I loved that trip! That is where I learned to dance. It was wonderful to me and I loved to dance.



We arrived in Salt Lake on the 4th day of October, when the people were coming in to conference.

Transcript for Martha Reese Alexander, Biographical information relating to Mormon pioneer overland travel database, 2003-2017

Mary B. Crandal "Autobiography of a Noble Woman," Young Woman's Journal

Mary B. Crandal "Autobiography of a Noble Woman," Young Woman's Journal, June 1895.

Mary B. Crandal "Autobiography of a Noble Woman," Young Woman's Journal, May 1895.

Mary B. Crandal "Autobiography of a Noble Woman," Young Woman's Journal, March 1895.

Mary B. Crandal "Autobiography of a Noble Woman," Young Woman's Journal, April 1895.

Mary B. Crandal "Autobiography of a Noble Woman," Young Woman's Journal.

Meeks, Mary Jane McCleve, Biography, "Personal Recollections of Mary Jane McCleve Meeks of Her Life 1840-1933," 9-18

Meeks, Mary Jane McCleve, Biography, "Personal Recollections of Mary Jane McCleve Meeks of Her Life 1840-1933," 9-18.

Transcript for Meeks, Mary Jane McCleve, Biography, "Personal Recollections of Mary Jane McCleve Meeks of Her Life 1840-1933," 9-18

Millennial Star

Foreign Correspondence

Daniel Spencer letter to Franklin D. Richards, "Foreign Correspondence", Millennial Star, 18, August 2, 1856, Page 489.

Millennial Star.

MS 14290: Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849

MS 14290: Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849, June 1848.

MS 14290: Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849.

"Pioneer of Dixie Ends Long Career," Inter-Mountain Republican

"Pioneer of Dixie Ends Long Career," Inter-Mountain Republican, June 5, 1908.

"Pioneer of Dixie Ends Long Career," Inter-Mountain Republican.

Rudger M. McArthur, compiler, Daniel Duncan McArthur: Mormon Pioneer (1990), 60-61

Rudger M. McArthur, compiler, Daniel Duncan McArthur: Mormon Pioneer (1990), 60-61.

We left Summer quarters in april and went to Winterquaters [Winter Quarters] and Staid there till the last of may



and then we started for the Mountains or for the Valley of the Great Salt Lake a distance of 1030 miles[.] we traveld the first day abut 10 miles[.] it Rained through the nite[.] in the morning we continued journey and reached the Horn River in the afternoon[.] here we Staid till the fifth of June[.] the Saints Collected at this place daily till there was a large Camp of some two or three hundred Waggons[.] we were organised into Companies of one hunderead Waggons each[.] I was organised in to Bro Alleys teem and Bro. John Harrys [Harvey's] fifty and Bro Brighams Youngs hundread but Bro Alley Chose to go in Bro Frees Teen So we all went into Bro Frees Company of teen making him twenty Waggons in stead of teen[.] Brother Heber C. Kimell [Kimball] hade a Company of one hundread Waggons organised at the same time and hade Companies organised also



Bro Brigham Started from the Horn on the 5th of June 1848[.] we continued our journed in safety without eny exidents all feeling well[.] the Camp Stopt one day in a weak for the Woman to do their washing and Baking[.] hade Meetings on the Sabbath days generally



on the 18th day of August my Wife Bore me a Son, weight—eight pounds and three quarters, we were then fifteen Miles west of the Devills gate on the Sweet Water, we cauld his name Daniel D. McArthur Junior,



On the 19th we resumed our journey and Caroline done first rate[.] Bro Heber C. Kimball Daughter hade a Daughter the same night



we continued our journey all doing firstrate and the Camp landed in the Salt Lake Valley on the 26th of September 1848.

Transcript for Rudger M. McArthur, compiler, Daniel Duncan McArthur: Mormon Pioneer (1990), 60-61

Smith, Andrew, Diaries, 1853-1856, fd. 2

Smith, Andrew, Diaries, 1853-1856, fd. 2.

I think this is the Journal of Brother Andrew Smith, formerly travelling Elder in Liverpool Conference, who came to Iowa City in my Company in 1856, and died on the plains in the Hand Cart Company led by Br. D[Daniel] D[uncan] McArthur[.] Bro. S[picer]. W[ells]. Crandall will know probably.
James Ferguson G. S. L. City 	Sept. 4. 1858
<center>Journalfor 1856</center>
. . . Monday June 8th The 1st division of the Handcart Company. Started under the Presidency of Elders E Ellsworth, Oakely &amp; Butler.

Transcript for Smith, Andrew, Diaries, 1853-1856, fd. 2

The Semi-weekly telegraph

Got In

"Got In", The Semi-weekly telegraph, September 7, 1868.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">WEDNESDAY EVENING, 2.</center>



GOT IN.—Captain S. M. Molen’s train got in this afternoon, with over 300 saints. He brings also a large amount of freight "for Jennings &amp; Co. and others." They have made a quick trip, only twenty-one days en route. One child died on the way, and a little girl, the daughter of Capt. Mallett, was unfortunately run over near Bear River; but we are pleased to learn that she is not fatally injured.



Captain McArthur’s train, with over 400 saints, got in shortly after Captain Molen’s just 20 days from Benton. Five small children died on the way, and a young man named Henry Popple [Pople] accidentally shot and killed himself on August 14th, just as he returned to the camp from a shooting excursion.

Transcript for "Got In," Semi-Weekly Telegraph, 7 September 1868, 2

Immigration of 1868

"Immigration of 1868", The Semi-weekly telegraph, September 28, 1868.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">FRIDAY EVENING, 25.</center>



IMMIGRATION OF 1868.—The following is a summary of this season’s immigration across the plains, with the date of arrival of each train in this city, the captain’s names, number of passengers, wagons, &amp;c., as reported:—



August 19th, J[ohn]. R. Murdock, 600 passengers, and 50 mule teams;



August 20th, J[oseph]. H. Rollins [Rawlins], 300 passengers, and 32 horse and mule teams;



Aug. 20th, Chester Loveland 293 passengers, and 40 teams;



Aug. 24th, Horton D. Haight, 275 passengers, and 46 ox teams;



August 29th, W[illiam]. S. Seeley, 272 passengers, and 39 teams,



September 2nd, D[aniel] McArthur, 405 passengers, and 61 teams;



Sept. 2nd, S[impson]. M. Molen, 300 passengers, and 61 ox teams;



Sept. 15th, J[ohn]. Gillespie, 500 passengers, and 50 ox teams;



Sept. 24th, E[dward]. S. Mumford, 250 passengers, and 28 mule teams; and



Sept. 25th, J[ohn]. G. Holman, 606 passengers, 62 teams, and 40 independent passengers with 8 teams.

Transcript for "Immigration of 1868," Semi-Weekly Telegraph, 28 September 1868, 3

The Semi-weekly telegraph.

Thomas Bullock journals, 1843-1849, Journal

Thomas Bullock journals, 1843-1849, Journal, May 1848.

Thomas Bullock journals, 1843-1849, Journal.

Treasures of Pioneer History

Treasures of Pioneer History, Vol. 5, Page 239.

Treasures of Pioneer History.

Walter Granger temple record, circa 1877-1891

Walter Granger temple record, circa 1877-1891, Page 102.

. . . . landed in Boston on the first day of May 1856[.] then went by Steamboat and Railway to Iwoa [Iowa] City our Randouse preparatery to the Journey accross the Plains. the day after our arrival here my wife give birth to a child which died before they had time to dress it[.] our family then consisted Robert[,] Alexander[,] Catherine[,] Walter &amp; John[.] We were organized into Captain Daniel D McArthurs handcart company[.] of the hardships of that journey I have tryed to forget[;] therefore will not write about it[.] have Ever thankful to god our heavenly [Father] for his protecting for we were all Spared to reach Salt Lake City which we did on the 26 day of September 1856.

Transcript for Walter Granger temple record, circa 1877-1891, 102

Walter Granger temple record, circa 1877-1891.

William Woodward letter to Heber C. Kimball

William Woodward letter to Heber C. Kimball, June 11, 1856.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">L.D.S. Camp Nr. Iowa City, 
Iowa June 11th 1856.</center>



Prest. H[eber]. C[hase]. Kimball: Dear Brother, Thinking you would like to hear of the emigration of the European Saints, &amp; the progress of the "Hand-Cart" companies, I have concluded to write to you from this point, &amp; tell what little I can about the Emigration of the "Mormons" on their way to Great Salt Lake Country. In the first place, our camp ground is about two miles west of Iowa City, on a rising point of land. It is a good location &amp; was selected by bro. D. Spencer.



This place was selected in the early part of May, &amp; several of the Saints came here. James Ferguson's company came on the ground on the 14th of May, numbering about 531 souls. In company with James Ferguson were Edmund Ellsworth, S[picer]. W[ells]. Crandell[,] W.B. Hodyetts, John A. Hunt, J.D.T. McAllister &amp; D[aniel]. D[uncan]. McArthur. Since that time this place, has been an important place for business, such as making "Hand-Carts," "Ox yokes," "Ox-bows" &amp;c.



Dan Jones' company came into camp June 2nd numbering about 500 souls, mostly from Wales. Health of this company tolerable good. Up to this time 16 infants of Bro. Jones company have died, since they left Liverpool, &amp; one adult; total died in Capt. Jones company 17 souls. I came in this company. Riding in the cars was very trying to the infants. Up night &amp; day after crossing the sea is very trying to weak persons.



Bro. Spencer is President of the emigration to Deseret from Europe &amp; is constantly on hand attending to his business. James Ferguson assists him. J.D.T. McAllister is commissary of the "P.E. Fund" store, which is at this place[.] Daniel Tyler is Bishop of the camp—Daniel Spencer &amp; James Ferguson his counsellors. C.G. Webb superintends the making of Hand-Carts. E[dward]. Bunker the making of ox yokes, ox bows &amp; the hauling of timber from the woods some six miles distant from camp. Wm. Walker is going to haul luggage from this place to the Valley at $12.50 pr. hd. lbs. if two thirds of the cash is paid down; if it is paid in Utah when the things arrive there, it is to be $15.00 pr. hd. lbs.



The best of feelings exist in camp. The "Hand-Carts" are thought considerable of by all of us, &amp; the bad feeling if such a thing you can call it is, we wanted to go by the First companies—that is the boys that are left.



The First "Hand cart" company rolled from this place on the 9th of June, in fine spirits. This company has a band with it, &amp; is led by Capt. Edmund Ellsworth—he is assisted by John Oakley &amp; William Butler. This company was greatly cheered by all present as it was leaving the Ground: it numbered 278 souls[.] they had with them 6 yoke of cattle, 3 mules &amp; 1 horse &amp; 3 wagons &amp; 56 hand carts. Five persons to each cart.



The second Hand-Cart company left this point to-day about 11 A.M. led by Capt. D.D. McArthur assisted by S.W. Crandell &amp; T. Lenord. McArthur's company left in fine spirits—they are generally hardy scotch &amp; fine travellers.



The Third company is now fitting up—they are "Cambrian-Americans." We call everybody here, "Americans"!



J. Van Cott, W.H. Kimball &amp; G.D.Grant are purchasing cattle for the company. I guess they are in Missouri.



A Dependent Company of ox teams will start when they get their cattle. The wagons that are here &amp; those that are gone by the two "Cart" companies, came from Chicago and cost from $75.00 to $110.00 dollars. Flour at this point is worth about $3.50 pr. hd. lbs. Bacon about $9.00 pr. hd.



We have heard that another ship load of emigrants have arrived at New York by the ship "Thornton" numbering when they left Liverpool 764 souls. James G. Willie, Miller [Millen] Atwood, &amp; Moses Clough preside over the Thornton's company. We expect them at this point by the 16th or 17th of June.



We have meetings twice on Sundays &amp; occasionally thro' the week. Many strangers attend our meetings on the Sabbath &amp; listen attentively to what is said. We have many "hand cart" sermons preached; &amp; a "hand-cart" song sung, the chorus of which is the following:—"For some must push &amp; some must pull, As we go marching up the hill. Then merrily on the way we'll go, until we reach the Valley."



Seventeen lbs. of luggage is what is allowed to each person with the "Hand-Cart" companies. Much luggage will have to come by Wm. Walker's freight train.



I have but little to say about the difficulties in Kansas, or the nominations for president. Buchanan late ambassador to Gt. Britain &amp; Beckenridge of Kentucky have been nominated by the Democrats of Iowa City, the former for President of the U.S. the latter for vicepresident.



The best of feelings exist amongst us that are left on the camp ground. We are only waiting for the word "Up &amp; go to the Valley".



I am clerk to the camp; &amp; Postmaster; that is, bring &amp; take letters to &amp; from the Post Office.



Our camp is now rather quiet since the two first companies have left us. Occasionally a Gentile or two visit us enquiring about our strange religion, &amp; the reasons we are moving westward. I have heard thro' Bro Tyler that times are rather hard in the Valley—Bro Tyler has received a letter from his wife bearing date March 28th 1856. When difficulties commence with the Saints what must they be when the[y] reach the Gentiles.



Give my kind love to bros. Brigham &amp; Jedediah &amp; Sister Kimball &amp; all of the family. Tell Lucy that her Bro. Loren from Nauvoo is in camp &amp; is going to the Valley this season. Remember me to the young folks &amp; all enquiring friends. I enjoy tolerable good health &amp; I am in good spirits



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Yours truly, in the Everlasting Covenant, 
William Woodward</center>



 



I have sent a letter to Laura M.H. by the mail that I send this one



June 16th. Our camp is busy turning out the Hand-Carts. Yesterday we had good meetings. The Spirit of the Lord was with us &amp; we felt well. Bro. Spencer is gone to St. Louis on business. James Ferguson has gone out to see how the hand cart companies are getting along. Peace prevails here.



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">W. Woodward</center>

Transcript for William Woodward letter to Heber C. Kimball, 11 June 1856

William Woodward letter to Heber C. Kimball.

Woodward, W., to Albert Jones, Handcart Veterans Association, 12 Sep. 1906. Handcart Veterans Association, Scrapbook, 1906-1914, fd. 2

Woodward, W., to Albert Jones, Handcart Veterans Association, 12 Sep. 1906. Handcart Veterans Association, Scrapbook, 1906-1914, fd. 2.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Franklin, Idaho, Sept. 12 1906</center>



Albert Jones, Dear Bro.



Seeing an announcement in the Deseret News of Sep 3 I was anxious to correspond with you, My paper was mislaid and only last night I found it.



I belonged to the 4th. Hand cart Co. Jas. G. Willie capt. Or rather was called president when our company was organized: Millen Atwood Capt. Of 1st hundred; Levi Savage Capt 2nd hundred; William Woodward Capt. 3rd hundred; John Chislett capt 4th hundred; A H [Johan August] Ahmansen capt of 5th hundred.



Willie &amp; Atwood, are dead, Savage lived in Southern Utah; Chislett and Ahmansen apostatised



I was clerk of camp at Iowa City, and historian, two days after my arrival on the 2nd of June 1856.



Directly after our company arrived the 1st &amp;2nd Hand Cart companies were organized Some of our people were put in the 1st Co. Some in the 2nd Co the balance made the 3rd Co.



Edmund Ellsworth capt of 1st. Company John Oakley and Wm. Butter, aids. McArthur capt. of 2nd company, Spicer W Crandall, &amp; Truman Lenan aids Edward Bunker capt 3rd Company (Welsh) David Grant &amp; John McDonald aids. the 4th company as I have mentioned above. I was present when the 5th and 6th companies were organized, but subsequently they were merged into one.



The Relief Train came to us one night on the Sweetwater. The express met us two days before, composed of C. H. Whetlock[,] J.A. Young, Steve Taylor &amp; a bro Garr. They were away to take comfort to the 5th company and urge them to travel to meet the relief train. Geo D. Grant was in command of the relief train. He left some wagons with our company; W. H. Kimball in charge. Snow came on us the night we met the express about a foot deep. We had given all our flour out at the suggestion of some of the express as the relief train they said would soon be with us. We had lost half of our cattle this side of Fort Kearney, and we were in a poor fix to travel in the snow. So we staid till the relief train came. (two days later)



Some of you tell of hardships; hardships they were truly. We buried 68 . I kept the camp journal as our clerk gave out. Our butcher died, so I became butcher. In crossing the Rocky Ridge, two of our teamsters gave out in a bitter snow storm. Atwood and I had to take their places and we picked up the straglers. Our wagons were full of people, we got to camp away in the night; next day we buried 13 and the 2nd morning 2 more besides them.



We arrived in SL City Nov 9th.



To talk of our experiences is a thrilling theme. I was 8 weeks at Iowa camp. I have lived here more than 46 years. Yours t[ruly] W. Woodward



I approve of the move of Hand Cart veterans meeting. Will be at the meeting in the City if all is well. 



W T Wright &amp; wife of the 2nd hand cart co live here, but ha has left the Church. G. T. Marshall of one 1st company lives here &amp; his sister lives in the next settlement. Jas. [James] [?]ew, than a boy, lives on Bear River some 12 miles away. (A non member) 



G T Marshall was a child at the time of his coming - his mother a widow with some 6 childran.



I would like to see a history of the companies of 1856 published I was a returning missionary at the time 23 years old. W.W.



Albert Jones, I think I saw you once in Franklin

Transcript for Woodward, W., to Albert Jones, Handcart Veterans Association, 12 Sep. 1906. Handcart Veterans Association, Scrapbook, 1906-1914, fd. 2

Young Woman's Journal

Overland Trips Across the American Desert

Sangiovanni, G.G.R., "Overland Trips Across the American Desert", Young Woman's Journal, August 1912, Page 427.

It was the custom every spring to send east five hundred ox teams to the Missouri river after freight and emigration. They were divided into eleven trains, fifty wagons in a company, each company led by a captain and an assistant. That was done by a loan. Every ward in the state had its quota to fill: for instance, A would lend a yoke of oxen, B a wagon, so on until the amount was filled. The drivers filled their position as a mission. I was one of them. We were furnished with food and clothing. Our captains, James Andrus [Andrews] and Dan. McArthur, were fellow-townsmen. We started on our long trip April first. We took down to Omaha ten thousand pounds of Utah cotton for an experiment. It brought market price. I drove a team of four yoke of oxen, as did the rest, from St. George to Florence, Nebraska, and back two thousand seven hundred miles. Returning we had four hundred souls in our company. They were principally English; some Swiss and some Italians from Piedmont. We had two deaths on the trip—one old English woman, one Italian. Burials were very primitive. The corpse was rolled up in quilts or blankets, sewed up neatly and put away to rest with the Mormon ritual. When the women were laying out the corpse of the old woman, her husband refused to let them have any bedding to roll it up in. They reported the trouble to the captain, Dan. McArthur. He told a couple of us to go and take what was needed for burial.
Some seasons the Platte river, which we followed over five hundred miles, dries up. That was one of them. Towards Fort Laramie it was difficult in some places to find enough water for the stock and camp. The water for miles was in holes. There were fish by the thousands—cat-fish, pike, chubs, suckers, and principally improvised tackle was used to catch them. They made spears from butcher knives, forks or bits of iron. Many times they would wade in and catch them with hands. It surely was "manna" for the Saints. One cat-fish weighed seventy pounds. When we got within reach of Fort Bridger we took a trail to the north of the fort on account of grass. The next morning, while we were at breakfast (6 a.m.), there came a command of troops with orders for us to go to the Post and take the oath of allegiance: we went over of course. It kept us out of a day's travel towards home. We arrived at Salt Lake on the first of October. Unloaded and returned to our southern home.

Transcript for Sangiovanni, G.G.R., "Overland Trips Across the American Desert," Young Woman's Journal Aug. 1912), 427

Daniel Duncan McArthur

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