Daniel Spencer (1794 - 1868) Profile

Handcart missionaries, 1855

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Daniel Spencer, Jr.

birth-date-qualifier-birth

Andrew Jenson, "Spencer, Daniel," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia

Andrew Jenson, "Spencer, Daniel," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1.

Andrew Jenson, "Spencer, Daniel," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia.

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City, Page 123.

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City.

Index to the British Mission manuscript history and historical reports

Index to the British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, Page 65-71.

Index to the British Mission manuscript history and historical reports.

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple endowment register

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple endowment register, December 10, 1845.

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple endowment register.

The Joseph Smith Papers

The Joseph Smith Papers.

Benjamin Franklin Cummings reminiscences and diaries, 1842-1879, folder 1

Benjamin Franklin Cummings reminiscences and diaries, 1842-1879, folder 1, Page 8.

Finally, all had arrived and the whole number was organized into subdivisions or companies of ten, fifty and hundred with a President <and> two councilors over the whole and a captain over each Subdivision or company father John Smith Prest I was attached to the first hundred Daniel Spencer Cap second fifty Ira Eldredge Captain third ten Samuel Ensign captain <s>Perrigren</s> Perrigreen [Perrigrine] Sessions being Captain of the first fifty.</and>



I will now mention that B.W. Nowlin from who I got a yoke of oxen to work through my journey was one of the same company he being without any family with him as his wife had deserted him at Winter Quarters returning to Kentucky from &lt;:w&gt;hence they had emigrated, taking three children and two young negro slaves and quite an amount of property in team[,] carriage and dry goods. This she did while he was on a trip down into the State of Missouri for Supplies.



Bro Nowlin and my self entered into an arrangement to unite in our Cooking and eating arrangements as one family, both of us being bachelors. He had &lt;also&gt; a young man, by the name of William Bryant along with him as teamster driving a team he furnish to haul one of the canon had in the company.



My bro Alva also drove a team for Bro Nowlin he having three teams. My sister Mary [Mary Cummings Nowlin] acted as cook and house Keeper and I might as well state now that after we had been on the road a few week (the date I have lost) She became the wife of bro Nowlin being married by father John Smith President of the camp



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">566 wagons</center>



 



26th June we started on our long and tedious journey across the plains having no definite idea of our destination[.] We encountered many difficulties &lt;and hardships&gt; having to make our own roads and bridges, ford rivers to large to bridge lost some of our cattle by their getting poison water and meeting with many annoyances in various ways not necessary for me to mention in this Sketch.



We traveled from the Elkhorn river in a Southwest direction untill we <s>came</s> struck the Platte. Then followed that river up to the junction of the Loup Fork[,] followed up that river some 40 or 50 miles and then forded it and made our way across in a South westerly direction till we again struck the platte[.] Continued up the North Side of that river until old Fort Larime [Laramie] where we ford it. Then made our way westward through the Black Hills to the upper Crossing of the platte and on to the Sweet water where we met president Young and a number of the Pioneers From them we learned of the location that they have made in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, Having laid out a city and named it Great Salt Lake City afterward shortened to Salt Lake City.



I emerged from Emigration Canon and camped at its mouth Sept 21st 1847 the company I was with being the first to arrive in the valley.

Transcript for Benjamin Franklin Cummings reminiscences and diaries, 1842-1879, folder 1, page 8

Benjamin Franklin Cummings reminiscences and diaries, 1842-1879, folder 1.

Deseret News

Arrivals

"Arrivals", Deseret News, October 8, 1856.

ARRIVALS.—Oct. 1, several of the St. Louis company came in, and probably all of them are now here. 
—Oct. 2, Elder Bunker arrived with the 3d handcart company. 
—Oct. 4, Elders Daniel Spencer, John Van Cott, Franklin D. Richards, George. D. Grant, William H. Kimball, Joseph A. Young, James Ferguson, William C. Dunbar, J. D. T. [John Daniel Thompson] McAllister, Cyrus H. Wheeloch [Wheelock], Nathaniel H. Felt, James McGaw and Chauncey G. Webb, returned from their various missions. They left the frontiers on the 4th of September, and report a continuation of lively times in Kansas, and some killing and depredations by the Cheyennes, who had killed Thomas Margetts and child, James Cowdy and wife, and carried off Margetts' wife; they had also killed several persons who were with A. [Almon] W. Babbitt's freight train; and Babbitt and the two men with him were missing. Margetts and Cowdy were on their way back to England by their own counsel.



Some of the companies of Saints will be late in arriving; but we omit particulars, for Elder Ferguson kept a journal of the incidents of travel across the plains, which we trust will be written up in time for the next 'News.'



Br. Feramorz Little returned from prosecuting his trip to the States, his company being deemed too small to travel below Laramie.

Transcript for "Arrivals," Deseret News, 8 October 1856, 245

Journey from Florence to G. S. L. City

"Journey from Florence to G. S. L. City", Deseret News, October 22, 1856.

JOURNEY FROM FLORENCE TO G. S. L. CITY. 
PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG:



DEAR BROTHER:—We left Florence (Winter Quarters) K. T., on the evening of the 3rd Sept., accompanied by Elders C. H. Wheelock, J. Van Cott, G. D. Grant, W. H. Kimball, Joseph A. Young, C. G. Webb, W. C. Dunbar, James McGaw, Dan Jones, J. D. T. McAllister, N. H. Felt and James Ferguson; G. D. Grant being selected as captain of our company.



The rear of our season's emigration had started on the road, with the exception of Elder Wm. [William] Walker with 10 wagons, laden with a portion of P. E. Fund baggage.



Previous to leaving Florence we sent Elder Jos. [Joseph] A. Young back to ascertain, if possible, the whereabouts of Elder Walker. He rode back 50 miles, and, learning that Walker's train was yet some 25 or 30 miles in the rear, returned to join us for the plains.



Elder E. Snow accompanied us to our camp, 3 miles west of Elk Horn, and on the morning of the 5th, having completed his business with us, returned to the States.



We overtook our rear company of wagons, in charge of Captain I. A. [James A.] Hunt, during the forenoon of the 5th, and nooned with them about 10 miles east of the Loup Fork. He has in his company 240 persons, 50 wagons, 297 oxen and cows, 7 horses and mules, and some 4 church wagons. The majority of this company have light loads and good teams, and are generally well provisioned. They would probably ferry the Loup Fork on the 7th.



On the evening of the 7th we overtook Elder Edward Martin, about 40 miles from the Loup Fork, with the rear of our P. E. F. Emigration for this season. He had with him some 576 persons, 146 hand-carts, 7 wagons, 6 mules and horses, and 50 cows and beef cattle; also one wagon mostly loaded with church goods. His company was in most excellent spirits, and though he had the greater proportion of the feeble emigrants, the health of his camp was very good; and he was able to average about 100 miles a week, without fatiguing his company.



Here, from a company of returning Californians met the previous day, we learned of the increased hostility of the Cheyennes, and that they had already made a successful attack upon A. [Almon] W. Babbitt's ox train. Of the four teamsters in that train two were killed and one wounded; and a woman named Wilson (as was presumed from the tracks) was severely wounded and taken prisoner, and her child, about two months old, was murdered. The wagons were plundered, but, as we subsequently learned, most of the property was retaken by Captain Wharton of Fort Kearney.



Refreshed by our short interview with Captain [Edward] Martin's company, we drove about 10 miles further and found br. [William B.] Hodgetts' camp. This company is composed of 150 persons, 33 wagons, 84 yoke of oxen, 19 cows and some 250 head of heifers and other loose cattle. This includes br. Thomas Tennant and family, with 4 wagons and 1 carriage. Br. Hodgetts' company, though generally pretty heavily laden, were in good traveling condition and making excellent progress.



On the 9th inst. we met with two brethren from br. J. [James] G. Willie's company of hand-carts, in search of 30 head of cattle that had strayed from their camp about 50 miles in advance.



Accompanied by br. James Ferguson, we this day visited Capt. Wharton at Fort Kearney, and received a confirmation of the news of the attack of the Cheyennes upon Mr. Babbitt's train. The troops had made an attack upon a Cheyenne village and killed 10 warriors. This increased the rage of the Cheyennes, and from that time we were informed that they had divided into war parties for the purpose of attacking small parties of emigrants.



Here we met a returning Californian who had escaped from one of their assaults, with the loss of his wife killed, and his boy, some 3 or 4 years old, taken prisoner.



Capt. Wharton declared himself incompetent to afford any protection to emigrants, and had some doubts of his ability to maintain the post, for want of troops. Mr. Babbitt had left Fort Kearney for Utah a week previous, accompanied by Thomas Sutherland and a driver.



As we were leaving the fort for our camp on the north side of the Platte, a discharged soldier came to Capt. Wharton with the news of another massacre by the Cheyennes. This soldier had accompanied Thomas Margetts and James Cowdy, and their families, from Laramie and on returning from a buffalo hunt, when about 125 miles from Fort Kearney, found the wagon plundered and the murdered remains of his traveling companions.



The soldier's account of the affair, as given to brs. [James G.] Willie and [Millen] Atwood, will give you the particulars and is as follows:—



STATEMENT 
Made to James G. Willie and Millen Atwood, of the Fourth Hand-cart Company; by a man who gave his name as Henry Bauichter, and who came into their camp on the morning of Monday, September 8, 1856:



"I am a discharged soldier from Fort Laramie, which I left on the 29th of August, 1856. After traveling about 30 miles I overtook a wagon with two mules and two horses, one an Indian horse with a white face, the mules alone drawing the wagon, which was accompanied by two men, one of whom gave his name as Thomas Margetts and the other as James Cowdy. The former of these men had a wife, and the latter a wife and child. They came, as they stated, from Great Salt Lake City, and were on their way to the States.



About 70 miles above this point, or 125 miles above Fort Kearney, I and Thomas Margetts went out on horseback in search of buffalo, on the 6th of Sept., and between 1 and 2 p.m. I soon killed a buffalo, upon which Margetts returned to the wagon to fetch some things for carrying away part of the animal, while I staid behind to dress it.



On Margetts' return from the wagon he filled one utensil, principally the tallow, and started again for the wagon, and I remained to fill another utensil which Margetts had brought. This occupied me about half an hour, when I also started in the direction of the wagon, noticing, before reaching it, that the cover had been stripped off, and that neither mules nor horses were to be seen.



On my arrival I discovered on the ground the bodies of Margetts, Cowdy, and Cowdy's wife and child all dead, except that the child was crying and bloody. I could not see any wounds on any of the bodies, but an arrow was sticking in Cowdy's thigh.



The wagons, the hinder part of which was on fire, had been completely ransacked, and all that was of any immediate use taken away.



I looked round for Mrs. Margetts, whom I could not find. The feathers from a bed had been strewn on the ground by the side of the wagon, but I could not see the bedtick.



I saw, at some considerable distance, 12 men or more, apparently riding very fast, who were, as far as I could discover, Indians. None of the bodies were scalped.



The buffalo which I killed was over the bluff, about a mile and a half from the wagons, but I did not hear any report of fire-arms during my absence from it. Not feeling myself safe in the neighborhood of the murders, I escaped with my horse, and with the loss of my discharge and other papers, and about $300, a gold watch and other things, which I had deposited in the wagon, intending to make the best of my way to Fort Kearney and there report the facts as quickly as possible.



The two horses above mentioned were ridden, at intervals during the journey, by Mr. and Mrs. Margetts."



On the 12th we overtook and camped with br. Willie's company, at North Bluff creek, consisting of 404 persons, 6 wagons, 87 hand-carts, 6 yoke of oxen, 32 cows, and 5 mules. They were considerably weakened by the loss of their oxen, which they had failed to recover, but were in good spirits and averaging from 14 to 16 miles a day. Here we forded the Platte to the south side, and were followed by the hand-carts. Never was there a more soul-stirring sight than the happy passage of this company over that river. Several of the carts were drawn entirely by women, and every heart was glad and full of hope.



We spent the afternoon of the 15th inst. with br. A. [Abraham] O. Smoot, about 20 miles west of Ash Hollow. There were in his company 88 souls, 42 wagons, 265 oxen, 6 cows, 15 mules and horses, and 1 carriage. They had provisions for 23 days. Br. Smoot lacked drivers, having only 33 men fit for duty. His oxen were in good condition, but his loads were very heavy. Gilbert and Gerrish's train of 17 wagons was travelling in company with him.



On the 16th inst., 37 miles in advance of br. Smoot, we camped with br. O. [Orrin] P. Rockwell, who had 5 wagons and 11 yoke of oxen in charge, in addition to three families, viz., Grimshaw, Cook and Barnes, whom he had turned back towards Laramie, deeming them too weak to pass in safety, Br. Rockwell accompanied us to Fort Laramie, where we arrived on the morning of the 19th. Col. Huffman received us with much kindness, as also did J. W. Tutt, the sutler. Here we received a small recruit of mules and provisions, and purchased some good buffalo robes for the P. E. Fund passengers in the rear.



On the 23d inst. we parted, at the Platte bridge, with Capt. Dan Jones, who met his brother and remained to recover a cached thrashing machine. Here also we purchased a few more robes for Capt. J. G. Willie's company.



During the forenoon of the 24th, after leaving our camp at Willow Springs, we met Messrs. Hawley, Lambson, Amy and party on their way to the States, and advised them to wait at Laramie for the company of missionaries reported in their rear.



Same day, and near Independence rock, we nooned near Patriarch John Smith and two other brethren, who had come out with flour for the companies. Br. Smith returned with us. The same evening and about 8 miles further on, we camped with Elder P. [Parley] P. Pratt and company, all in good health and most excellent spirits, and promising fair for an honorable and successful mission.



On the 27th, 15 miles east of the Pacific Springs, we nooned with br. Wm. Smith and two other brethren from Farmington, with 2 wagons and flour for the companies. We counseled them to cache their flour and go on to meet br. Willie and his company, which they agreed to do.



On the 28th, 3 miles east of Big Sandy, we camped with br. Talcott, who also had flour for the companies. We gave him the same counsel, to go on with his teams to help br. Willie.



On the 29th we camped with br. [Jacob] Croft's company, consisting of 58 persons, 14 wagons, 80 yoke of oxen, 30 horses, and 130 loose cattle; they are principally from Texas and the Cherokee land. They were healthy and in good spirits, and gave us a most hospitable reception. This was the last company passed by us on the road.



At Bridger, on the 1st of Oct., we were welcomed by Major Burton and a small party of the mountain boys; and on the evening of the 4th were happy to receive your welcome and blessing at home.



Assuring you of our continued exertions to promote the welfare of God's kingdom, and praying that your life may be spared long to God's people, as also the lives of your Council, we remain, sincerely and obediently, yours in the Christ, F. D. RICHARDS, 
DANIEL SPENCER, 
Agents P. E. Fund.

Transcript for "Journey from Florence to G. S. L. City," Deseret News, 22 October 1856, 258

Deseret News.

Eldredge, Alma, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1911], 5-8

Eldredge, Alma, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1911], 5-8.

Great caution had to be used in handling the Stock on account of the vast amount of Buffalows Roaming in the country[.] On the 12 of June 1847 a Company of one hundred wagons were orgenized at Winter Quarters and Daniel Spencer was apppointed Captain and on the 13 Started west on the trail of the Pioneer company. After the train crossed Elk Horn River about 25 miles from Winter Quarters the Company halted for a couple of days for this purpose of completing the Organization[.] the main company was divided in to two Divisions and Ira Eldredge was appointed Captain of the first Division of 50 wagons and Perry Green [Perrigrine] Sessions, was appointed Captain of the Second Division of 50 wagons[.] then their were appointed Captains for each 10 wagons in order that all incidents and details could be looked after[.] they traveled with in a mile of each other[.] During the first 500 miles we were kept advised of the movements and condition of the Pioneer company by written information placed on Buffalow Skulls set up by the side of the Pioneer trail & by like means information of our proceedings were left for those who were to follow in days to come. 
On the 3 of September 1847 when we were crossing Big Sandy 16 miles <s>of</s> East of Green River we met President Brigham Young and a large number of other members of the Pioneer Company on their Return to Winter Quart[r]es &amp; with them a number of the Mormon Battallion Soldiers on their Return to their families and friends[.] We Learned from President Brigham Young that the Great-Salt-Lake Valley had been Selected for a Resting Place for the Saints 
On the 18 of September 1847 we camped at the West Base of the Big Mountain on the North Fork of Parley's Canyon[.] Ephrahem [Ephraim] Hanks a member of the Battallion who had returned from California by the way of the Great-Salt-Lake went with the Returning Pioneer Company, until He met Fathers Company &amp; he being a Single man and a Cousin of Fathers, took up his abode with Fathers family and returned to Great Salt Lake Valley. He told the People about the Great-Salt-Lake and the valley could be seen when we emerged from the mount of Emigration Canyon. On the East side of the Valley. 
The morning of the 19 of September 1847 Father arranged for me to go on a Poney with Cousin Eprhem [Ephraim] Hanks and thus procure an early Sight of the Great-Salt-Lake Valley. We reached the mouth of the Canyon about 10 oclock, when we reached the mouth of the Canyon we raised slightly to the north for about two hundred feet to raise out of the Ravine which continued West, and when we reached that point we could see a large portion of the Valley and also a large portion of the Great Lake at the Spot where we Stopped. Mr. Hanks said "Brothers here is the Spot where the Buggy in which President Young was ridding Stopped for him to look over the Valley and after he looked for a few minutes He said "This is the Place, drive on" and thus a decission [decision] was reached for the Saints to multiply and increase. 
 The Company emerged from the mouth of the Canyon about 4 oclock in the afternoon and passed down the Sloping Platteu [plateau] and camped near the Bank of a Small Stream Since named City Creek

Transcript for Eldredge, Alma, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1911], 5-8

Eldredge, Alma. Reminiscences and diary, 1857-1898, 17-21

Eldredge, Alma. Reminiscences and diary, 1857-1898, 17-21.

On the 12
th
 day of June 1847, a company of One Hundred Wagons was Organized at Winter Quarters, and Daniel Spencer was appointed Captain and on the 13
th
 Started west on the Trail of the Pioneer Company. After the Train crossed Elk Horn River, ab[o]ut 25 miles from Winter Quarters, the Company haulted [halted] for a couple of days, for the purpose of completing the Organization. The main Company was devided in to Two Devissions [divisions], and Ira Eldredge was appointed Captain & the first Devission of 50 Wagons and Perry Green [Perrigrine] Sessions was appointed Captain of the Second Devission [division] & 50 wagons. Then there were appointed Captains for each Ten Wagons, in order that all incidents and details could be looked after.
During the time the Companies were travelling through the Country occupied by the Sioux Indians, they traveled within a mile of each other in order to be better prepared for defence in case the trains Should be at&lt;t&gt;acked by the Indians. Great Caution had to be used in handling the stock on account of the vast amount of Buffalow roaming in the Country. For Miles and Miles the land would be dot[t]ed with those animals, as far as the eye could reach, and on the most distant Hills the animals would be constantly appearing and disappearing the entire days.
During the first 500 Miles we were kept advised of the moovements [movements] and Condition of the Pioneer Company by written information placed on Buffalow skulls sett up by the side of the Pioneer trail, and by like means information of our proceedings were left for those who were to follow in days to come.
On the 3rd of September, when crossing Big Sandy, 16 Miles East of Green River, we met President Brigham Young, and a large number of the other members of the Pioneer Company on their return to Winter Quarters, and there with them a number of the Mormon Battallion Soldiers on their return to their families and friends.
We learnt from President Young that the Great Salt Lake Valley had been Selected for a resting place for the Saints.
 On the 18th day of September 1847 we camped at the West Base of the Big Mountain, on the North Fork of Parl[e]y's Canyon, Epraham [Ephraim] Hanks a member of the Mormon Battallion, who had returned from California, by the way of the Great Salt Lake Valley, went East with the returning Pioneer Company, untill he met Father's Company, and he being a Single man, and a cousin of Father's, took up his abode with Father's Family and returned to Salt Lake Valley. He told the People about the Great Salt Lake Vall[e]y, and the Valley and the Great Salt Lake could be Seen when emerged from the Mouth of Emigration Canyon, on the East side of the Valley.
The Morning of the 19th the night hearders [herders] arranged with Mr. Hanks, to go on horse back with them and thus procure an early Sight of the Great Salt Lake Valley. As soon as the Train was ready to moove [move] this party Started on and I went with them on a Poney. We reached the Mouth of the Canyon about Ten Oclock, in the morning, when we emerged from the Mouth of the Canyon, we raesed [raised] slightley to the North for about two hundred feet, to raise out of the Revain [ravine] which continued west, and when we reached that point we could See a large portion of the valley, and also a large portion of the Lake. 
 At the Spoot [spot] where we Stoped Mr. Hanks, Said, Brethren, here is the Spot where the Buggy, in which President Young was riding Stoped for him to look over the Valley, and after he looked for a few moments, he said "This is the Place," drive on, and thus a decission was reached for the Saints to multiply and increase in.
My curiosity was grattified when I reached the elevated spot at the mouth of the Canyon, looked over the broad Space between the two ranges of the Mountains no Houses or Trees in Sight and the dark blue Salt Lake in the West 
The Company emerged from the Mouth of the Canyon, about Four Oclock this after noon, and passed down the sloping platteau and camped near the banks of a small Stream, Since named "City Creek["]

Transcript for Eldredge, Alma. Reminiscences and diary, 1857-1898, 17-21

Goodale, Isaac Newton, Journals, 1839-1863

Goodale, Isaac Newton, Journals, 1839-1863, Vol. 1.

...and started <with him> on the 9 for the Mountains and went 4 miles 	
on the 10 went to the Horn 	
the 11 crossed the Horn and stai&lt;d&gt; [stayed] there till the 19th 	
I left for the Platt[e.] staid their till 	
22 than left and went to Diman&lt;Island&gt; 	
the 23 went to&lt;3 miles beyond&gt; Shell Crick 	
the 24/went to/camped by a slew the 24 camped by the fishing slew 	
the 25 camped by the Loup fork 	
the 26 camped by the Be[a]ver Crick 	
the 27 was Sunday[.] crossed Be[a]ver crick/the[n]/and staid over night 	
the 28 Moved on to to the Mission&lt;ary&gt; Station and staid over night 
the 29 crossed the river above the Pawnee and went 4 miles and &lt;camped&gt; 	
the 30 moved to the Loup fork 	
the 1 of July croossed [crossed] the Loup fork 	
the 2 camped on the Prairie about 10 miles fro&lt;m&gt; the Platt[e]	
the 3 moved on to the Platt[e]	
the 4 was Sunday[.] staid at the same place 	
the 5 staid on the Platt[e] 	
the 6 staid on the Platt[e.] Nearly at the head of Grand Island 	
the 7 staid at a slew 	
/b/8 staid at the Platt[e]	
the 9 staid at the Platt[e]	
the 11 was Sund&lt;ay&gt;	
the 12 staid on the platt[e]	
the 13 staid near the sand hol&lt;e&gt;	
the 14 went 5 miles and kille[d] some Buffalo 	
the 15 went to/ camped allone [along] on the Platt[e]	
the 16 went and camped on the North for&lt;k&gt; of the Platt[e]	
the 17 camped on the no&lt;rth&gt;[.] Brother [George] Boies [Boyce] got married 
f/rk [?] the 18 staid in the same place &lt;a Sunday&gt;	
the 19 canped [camped] &lt;in the same place&gt; 	
on the 20 camped on th[e] platt[e] 	
the 21 camped by the sulfur &lt;spring&gt;	
the 22 camped by the platt[.] and saw Some Indians 	
the 23 staid in the Same place &lt;waiting for Grants company&gt; 	
the 24 went on and camped by a &lt;same&gt; small crick 	
the 25 &lt;[was sunday sta [staid]&gt;
Monday the 26 camped 
Sunday the 25 the Pioneers came up with us which was Sunday[.] we moved 4 miles 
the 26 went 20 miles[.] saw a co of Indians 
on the 27 camped on the Platt[e]
the 28 saw a company of Origon [Oregon] retu&lt;urning&gt; the company&lt;e&gt;s came up with us 
the 29 camped near chimney Rock 
the 30 camped on the Platt[e]
31 camp&lt;ed&gt; near red banch/Hook Bluff 
the first of August camped at the same place 
the 2 camped by a slew 	
the 3 camped on the platt[e.] plenty of wood 	
the 4 camped 6 miles from Ft Laramia [Laramie]	
the 5 cross&lt;d&gt; over and went 4 miles up the river and camped 	
the 6 staid at the &lt;same place&gt; 	
the 7 moved up the river 10 miles 	
the 8 camped on &lt;Cold spring&gt; /Horse shoe crick 	
the 9 camp on fir crick/ &lt;Horse Shoe Crick&gt;	
the 10 camped on a [Josela ?] River 	
the 11 camped on a small &lt;crick&gt;	
the 12 camped on A la Pienre river 	
the 13 camped on River &lt;Boises&gt; Vaudy 	
the 24 camped at deer crick 	
the 15 camped at muddy crick 	
the 16 camped at the ford of the Platt[e.] staid thare [there] 17, 18 
the 19 came 4 miles camp&lt;ed&gt; by a small pond 	
the 20 camped by a spring crick 	
the 21 camped by a crick 
Sunday the 22 camped by Indipendance[Independence] Rock[.] had a dance on top of it 
the 23 staid /at/ on Sweat wa&lt;ter&gt; [Sweet Water]
the 24 staid on Sweat Water [Sweet Water] 
the 25 camped on Sweat Water 
the 26 on Sweat Water 
the 27 camped on Sweat water 
the 28 camped on a branch of Sweat Water 
the 30 camped on Sweat Water 
the 31 staid at the same place 
the 1 passed the deviding [dividing] ridge and camped 4 miles 
the 2 camped at little sandy 
the 3 camped on big Sandy the 4 also 
the 5 camped on Green river 
the 6 camped by a small crick[.] left the co.
the 7 camped by a &lt;crick&gt;
the 8 staid at a crick 
the 9 staid at Bridgers 
the 10 camped by a crick 
the 11 camped in a valley by a spring 
the 12 camped on Bear river 
the 13 camped at the cave 
the 14 camped on Echo crick 
the 15 camped on Wever [Weber] River 
the 16 camped on Canyon crick 
the 17 also 
the 18 camped on a small crick &lt;willow spring&gt; crick 
the 19 we arrived at the vally of the great salt lake

Transcript for Goodale, Isaac Newton, Journals, 1839-1863, vol. 1

Goodale, Isaac Newton, Journals, 1839-1863.

Haight, Isaac Chauncey, Journal

Haight, Isaac Chauncey, Journal, June 1842.

Transcript for Haight, Isaac Chauncey, Journal 1842 June-1850 Apr

Haight, Isaac Chauncey, Journal.

Historical Department journal history of the Church

Historical Department journal history of the Church, June 21, 1847, Page 23.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, September 1, 1856, Page 1-2.

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, October 28, 1856, Page 1-2.

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

Lambson, Alfred Boaz, [Letter], in Donnette Smith Kesler, Reminiscences by Donnette Smith Kesler: The Wife of Alonzo Pratt Kesler, [1952], 102-5

Lambson, Alfred Boaz, [Letter], in Donnette Smith Kesler, Reminiscences by Donnette Smith Kesler: The Wife of Alonzo Pratt Kesler, [1952], 102-5.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Salt Lake City,Utah 			 April, 1897 </center>
Hon. O. S. Clawson
Prest. Semi-Centennial Celebration Com.
Dear Sir:—
I crossed the plains, from the Missouri River to this Valley in 1847. My family, who accompanied me, consisted of my wife, Melissa J. Lambson, daughter of Mark and Susannah Bigler, and our infant daughter Melissa J. who is now the wife of Bishop Albert W. Davis, of the firm of Davis, Howe and Co. of this city.
We left the camp, at Winter Quarters, on the Missouri River June 4th, and arrived in Salt Lake Valley Sept. 25, 1847.
We travelled in Capt. H. K. Fuller's ten, Perigrine Session's being the Captain of Fifty and Daniel Spencer the Captain of Hundred. I was the Blacksmith of Perigrine Session's Company of "Fifty", which really consisted of about Sixty Wagons.
I think I passed through most—if not all of the perplexing experiences, and trying circumstances incident to my occupation, throughout all that long, dreary and toilsome journey of three months and 21 days. I had provided myself with a bellows of my own make, improvised for the occasion, which I carried on a platform attached to the end-gate of my wagon. It was constructed out of a headless barrel, or bottomless tub, tapering from bottom to top, so that the whoops could be driven down from time to time to keep it air tight, with a wooden diaphragm and valve in the middle. To the top and bottom were attached leather or cow-hide expansions, with the necessary air valve, and bellow's handle and leather hose to be joined to the Tuyere and furnace for the blast. It was a complete success in every particular. Altho' in comparison with the improvements of these days, it might present a somewhat ungainly appearance. For small, incidental repairs, I would set my anvil on the ground, dig a pit by the side of it to a convenient depth, to stand in, put up my bellows and go to work in almost less time than it takes to tell it. For heavy work, tyre setting and the like, we would make an anvil block out of a tree stump, or the body of it prepared and set in the ground for the purpose. On one occasion with the organized help of the camp, and one or two skilled assistants, under my direction, we measured, cut, welded and set eighty-five tires in one day. This occurred a short distance west of old Fort Larimie [Laramie], before entering the Beach [Black] hills.
There is one incident which occurred near the Elk Horn River, that would make a thrilling though very brief chapter in the history of my life, and pioneer journey, to which I will allude, as I do not know that any record was ever made of it. I was in company with Jacob Weatherby travelling with an ox team and wagon from the Elk Horn toward Winter Quarters. When near the Papeo [Papillion Creek] we were attacked by Indians stripped to the bare skin, but armed with guns, while we were unarmed.
Before they could shoot I grappled with an antagonist and a death struggle ensued.
My companion was shot and killed by the savages, while I was miraculously delivered.
His body was taken back to the Elk Horn and buried near its banks. I reached the camp in safety tho' exhausted by excitement fatigue and hunger just before the report came to my wife, that I had been slain by Indians. At the moment however, this word came to her, I was asleep in the wagon under her care.

Transcript for Lambson, Alfred Boaz, [Letter], in Donnette Smith Kesler, Reminiscences by Donnette Smith Kesler: The Wife of Alonzo Pratt Kesler, [1952], 102-5

Martin, Sophronia Moore, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1915], 1

Martin, Sophronia Moore, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1915], 1.

In the spring of 47 We started our journey to the Mountains. We had to cross a stream of water on a raft, and while crossing the river a young man swore and profaned the name of THE LORD, so that Brother Parley P[arker]. Pratt could not stand it any longer, and told him "you have forfeited your life ever so many times to-day". The next day Brother Alfred [Boaz] Lambson was called to take back a message to Winter Qua[r]ters. He took the young man with him, and as they were riding in their carriage an Indain [Indian] raised up behind a bush and shot and killed him. Brother Lambson whipped up his horses and went on alright after that. He took him to Winter Quarters and he was buried there. You see it does not pay to profane the name of the LORD. That was the only death we had from our company all the way to UTAH.	
 As we traveled along we came to a little Post Office dug in the bank of the Hill. There were two dead wild cats in it, and when they were taken out, there we found a letter from President YOUNG telling us their camp was alright. OH there was such a funny thing happened to-day. A dog jumped at a buffalo and got his teeth caught in its tail and away went the Buffalo and the Dog for the water, now was not that a funny way for a dog to take a buffalo to water?	
 From the time we left NAUVOO untill we arrivied in The Salt Lake Valley, I drove Cows every day we traveled. So you see I did all I could do to get butter and milk into the valleys of the mountains, and I came every step of the way Bare Footed.	
 Brother DANIEL SPENCER was Captain of the Hundred, and PERRY GREEN [PERRIGRINE] SESSIONS was Captain of the fifty, and ELIJAH [KNAPP] FULLER was Captain of the Ten of the Company that I came across the plains with. PARLEY P. PRATT and his family came in the same Company, and also JOHN VAN COTT and his family, and also Uncle JOHN SMITH and Aunt CLARISSA [LYMAN SMITH] as we all called them. The[y] were Uncle GEORGE A. SMITH'S parents.	
 After we arrived in the Salt Lake Valley we lived in a tent....

Transcript for Martin, Sophronia Moore, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1915], 1

Moesser, Joseph Hyrum, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1921], 2-3

Moesser, Joseph Hyrum, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1921], 2-3.

In 1847 we started West for the Salt Lake Valley.
Leaving Winterquarters we traveled about 125 miles to Loop Fork remaining there about three weeks, when we again took up the line of March Westward. I drove our team across to Salt Lake. My brother Henry [Moesser], next older, drove two yoke of oxen and a yoke of cows, for others and received 1 pound of flour per day and boarding himself, making a little over 100 pounds for his summer's work.	
Daniel Spencer was the captain of our company of 100 with Perrigrine Sessions Captain of 50.	
When we were near Grand Island about 235 miles from the Missouri River we saw the first buffalo. The first were seen about 6:30 a.m. being only three. Shortly after this a herd of about 75 were seen and later another herd still larger and our camp became all excited, the chase started and lasted from 1 to 4 p.m., and when all the hunters got in, it was found that 10 buffalo had been killed.	
June 6, 1847: Today we saw thousands of buffalo, also a band of 13 elk and many antelope.	
As we were nearing Chimney Rock, there was a large buffalo coming towards the wagon. Two of the men went out on horses and killed it, supplying the company with meat. When we came to the rock, we all went up to it and wrote our names on it. At one of the camps on the Platte River we heard a great rumbling noise, and looking up saw a large herd of buffalo coming directly towards our camp. They crossed the river opposite and turned to one side and went on without making any disturbance, and we felt the Lord had surely turned them aside as they rarely turn out of their course.	
 In traveling it was found that it would not do to travel single file, they then arranged to travel with the wagons three abreast, so if a herd of buffalo should come in contact with the train, they could not divide the camp.	
At another camp on the Platte river, a band of Indians, came into camp one morning, the men were cleaning their guns, when one was accidently discharged, shooting a woman, but not killing her, which caused great excitement among the Indians. For some time they were up in arms until they found what had happened. Then they quieted down and were very friendly.	
When crossing the river near Fort Bridger I walked in, driving the oxen when of a sudden, my feet were swept from under me. I caught hold of (Bills) the oxen bow and held on until we were through which saved my life, as I would surely have been drowned, had I not done so.	
In many places there was no wood, so we had to gather buffalo chips for a fire. The children would have their sacks ready when they stopped and each go for their share of the chips, and yet there was no quarreling about it.	
We arrived in Salt Lake Valley September 24, 1847.

Transcript for Moesser, Joseph Hyrum, Autobiographical sketch [ca. 1921], 2-3

Sessions, Patty Bartlett, Diaries and account book, 1846-1866; 1880

Sessions, Patty Bartlett, Diaries and account book, 1846-1866; 1880, Vol. 1.

Transcript for Sessions, Patty Bartlett, Diaries and account book, 1846-1866; 1880, vol. 1

Sessions, Patty Bartlett, Diaries and account book, 1846-1866; 1880.

Sheets, Susanna Musser, Journal, in Elijah Funk Sheets, Journals, 1843-1904

Sheets, Susanna Musser, Journal, in Elijah Funk Sheets, Journals, 1843-1904, Vol. 1.

June the 6
th
 1847
 
Winter quarters
 
[
blank space
] we left this place on the 6 for the mountains & on the 8 thay Orgenized Captens of tens[.] on the 9 thay bilt a Raft and on the 10 we crost on the other side Horn [Elkhorn River], & on the 13
th
 we held the first meeting, on the 14
th
 thay Errected a Pole for the sign of Liberty & a Flag was raised also on the same day[.] Br Mellon reached our Camp and on the same day sister Frost Recived a letter from hir Husband 
June the 16th Letter found by a man who was supposed to have bean murderd by the Indians only 12 Miles from our Camp. Mr [Daniel] Spencer found the letter &amp; brought it back to the <s>Camp</s> it was red to the public &amp; then sent back from whens it was sent, 
on the 19th we left the Horn for the Plat[te River] wich was 13 miles,
on the 20th we held a meeting at the Liberty Pole, P[arley] P Pratt[,] J Ta[y]lor [blank space] the instructurs
 June the 20th 1847 O painfull though one Brother shot by the Omahaw [Omaha] Indians; his sufferings was soon over[.] he left tow [two] Sisters in our Camp to lement his loss not only them but the whole Camp
Oh Liberty whare art thy Charms and when will we injoy them,
on the 22 we traveld 13 miles up the Plat river; &amp; on the 23th we traveled 15 miles; we past a grate many Romantic sceans [scenes] &amp; among the rest we past a Indian grave;— 
on the 24 we <s>if</s> traveld 7 miles &amp; then Camped for the night as thare is—wore in the <s>Cap</s> Camp &amp; on the 25 we traveld 12 miles, it is the plesents pplace we have camped since we left the Horn and on the 26th we traveld 18 miles,
on the 27th we did not travel but held a meeting[.] Br Smith &amp; Br.—You[n]g principle instructters[.] Som forded the Be[a]ver Crick [Creek] in the evening
on the 28th we crost Bever Crick &amp; traveled 6 miles; we seen whare the Indians is farming corn,
on the 29th we traveld 01 miles, we crost t[w]o steams one of wich was Quite wide[.] it [is] 1 mile this side of the <s>F</s> first Indian Vilage I hird [heard] since it is willow crick [Creek]
on the 30th we traveld 11 miles &amp; reached Look [Loup] [blank space] Fork—
 July the 1st 1847 we crost the Look Fork; one Child was kild in crossing; the waggon run over it; 
on the 2 we traveled 18 miles over a large paria [prairie] and Capped [camped] in the ev[en]ing 6 miles from wood or water upper[.] the account of W. grate storm we seen Antilope [antelope] in aboundance, 
on the 3 we traveled 16 miles, we Crost. 2 Stream of wich I have hird no <s>[illegible]</s> name but I will say we lost our tar Can; we made a bridg with grass, &amp; reached what they Cald Grand Island &amp; Capped [camped] thare
over the <s>4</s> 4 we held A meeting, Br. Pratt; &amp; Br. Tator, our—instructters;
on the 5 we crost a stream[.] [blank space] mad[e] a crosing, &amp; traveled 16 miles &amp; we Camped near a sine bord that the Pi[o]neers put up;
on the 6 we traveled 18 miles
on the 7 we traveld 18 miles[.] we saw <s>[illegible]</s> a grate many Paria [prairie] Dogs &amp;
on the 8 we trav 12 miles[.] on the sam day 2 Horses was Cau[gh]t[.] one Child run over but not badly hurt,
on the 9 we traveld 11 miles 
on the 10 we traveld 5 miles and Camped for over the Sabbath[.] on the 10 we held meeting in the evinng[.] our fifty shot 5 Buffalow
on the 11 we traveld 12 miles,
on the 12 we traveld 15 miles[.] kild 3 Buffalow &amp; saw 2 Horses—
on the 13 traveld 5 miles then camped till the next day[.] we stoped to feed &amp; rest the Cattle 
4 Buffalows kild on the <s>4</s> 14[.] we traveld 15 miles Camped at a large Spring
on the 15 traveld 12 miles[.] Buffalow git in the hird[.] shot one wounded three
on the 16 traveld 14 miles[.] Buffalow [-] Innumerable kild one at noon
on the 17 &amp; 18 lade still held meeting[.] on the 17 miss Cattal found by Br [Rufus] Beach on the 18 
July the 19th 1847 on the 19 traveled 9 miles &amp; <s>st</s> stoped to provide Cattle for Brother Grant
on the 21 we traveld 10 miles &amp; saw innumerable Buffalow
on the 21 traveld 10 miles[.] about 50 Indians made thar appearence[.] we made them a feast[.] the name of this tribe is the Sues [Sioux]
on the 22 we &lt;did not&gt; traveld[.] we wated for the other Compenys, the Indians Visitted us again[.] we had som music &amp; Dansing[.] the trading was don out of Camp
on the 23 we traveld 11 miles[.] som trading was don[.] left the Indians friendly. 	
on the 24 did not travel[.] held meeting. hird the news from the Bretheren, Pineers	
on the 25 we traveld 20 miles	
on the 26 traveld 18 miles[.] another party of the Sue. [Sioux] Indians viseted us in number about 100[.] thay left us friendly	
on the 27 we traveld 17 miles[.] Crost a large Stream 	
on the 28 traveld 17 miles[.] Crost vary large Sand bluffs	
on the 29 traveld 15 miles past many Dramatic Seans [scenes]; Co[u]rthouse [Court House Rock] among the rest	
30 traveld 15 miles past the Chimely [Chimney Rock]	
on the 31 traveld 51 miles, no grass,
August the 1 1847 on the 1 did not traved[.] tow [two] Cows dide [died.] others sick 	
on the 2 traveld 25 miles no grass	
on the 3 traveled 16 miles <s>on the traveled [-] miles</s>	
on the 4 traveled 7 miles[.] Crosed the Plat[te.] Camped at 12 o clock[.] Indians numerous but friendly[.] we made then [them] a fest	
on the 5 traveled 6 miles[.] Camped but ut Cole [coal], 	
 blacksmithed on the 6	
on the 7 smithed[.] traveled 2 miles in the evning	
on the 8 traveled 15 miles, to wagons brock down[.] forge put up &amp; Smithing don[.] left the right rode[.] was going back to the fort[.] good water short grass	
on the 9 traveled 15 miles	
on the 10 traveled 3 miles crost a hill 2 mile narly purpendicular 	
on the 11 traveled 18 miles	
on the 12 traveld 14 miles[.] broke 3 waggons	
on the 13 Smithed[.] camped near a stream 	
on the 14 held meeting in the evning[.] Mr [Joseph Albert] &amp; Mrs [Mary Ann] Strat[t]on and &amp; our selves took a walk in the woods 	
on the 15 Brother Benson &amp; Rockwell &amp; Burly reached us[.] thay left us &amp; went to see the other Compenys[.] we traveld 12 miles reached the Plat
on the 16 traveled 15 miles
on the 17 traveled 14 miles camped at the old fery[.] no grass
on the 18 layed in[.] camped till noon then traveled 7 miles crost the Plat
on the 19 left the River &amp; traveled 11 miles[.] no grass bad water[.] in the evning Brother Benson came back to our Camp &amp; brought tradings from the other camps[.] bought Cattle [illegible]
on the 21 Bro Pratt kild a Buffalow[.] traveld 13 miles[.] poor grass
on the 22 layed in camped […..] all the cattle sick som dide
on the morning of the 23 left before breckfast &amp; went till we found feed[.] traveld 11 miles, &amp; reached the Sweet water [Sweetwater River.] good grass &amp; seen the Sight of the western world, the Rock of indipendanc [Independence Rock] &amp; eny water of Saliratteris [salaterus] 
on the 24 past through the Devils gate[.] camped 7 miles this side of the gate[.] traveled 12 miles[.] good grass
on the 25 traveled 10 miles[.] camped on Sweet water[.] good grass
on the 26 intelagence from the [illegible] Camps wishing us to halt[.] traveled 21 miles Crost Sweet water 4 times
on the 27 traveled 10 miles[.] Camped on Sweet water 
on the 28 traveled 11 miles
on the 29 traveled 17 miles[.] in the e[ve]ning met with David Sessions[.] some grass
on the 30 traveled 10 &amp; camped
on the 31 traveled 7 miles &amp; camped without wood[,] water or grass or poor—
September the 1 1847 on the 1 traveled 10 miles Camped on the Sweet water[.] good grass	
the morning of the 2 Som Cattle missing detained us Som time[.] traveled 13 miles wich brought us to the Pasiphic [Pacific] Spring[.] Som grass[.] Indians visetted us of the Snake, thay are not as nobl thinking as the Sues [Siouxs] yet well [sentence unfinished]

Transcript for Sheets, Susanna Musser, Journal, in Elijah Funk Sheets, Journals, 1843-1904, vol. 1

Sheets, Susanna Musser, Journal, in Elijah Funk Sheets, Journals, 1843-1904.

Sheets, Susanna Musser, to Anna Bitner

Sheets, Susanna Musser, to Anna Bitner, June 11, 1847.

Camp for the Travalors Rest June the 11[,] 1847
Dear Mother
we left your Camp on the 6 and traveled 5 miles and then camped for the night, the next day we traveled within 8 miles of the Horn 
&lt;on&gt; the 9 &lt;then&gt; we reached the Horn and built a raft and 
on the 10 we Crost the other side[.] train is @ 3 wagons in Company with us and more Crosing every day; we have not seen any Indians as yet but we keep a guard out day &amp; night[.] the Horn is a long stream our folks is now bilding a bridrg [bridge] making fence &amp; burning Cole the fence is to keep the cattle in [-] after night; we expect to leave hear the 15th for the moutens [mountains.] we have had some very hard rain but our wagon was as drie as eny house[.] we are all well and doing as well as we can. Elijah sends his love to you; this Compeny is Orgonized that is we have Captins of tens &amp; of 50—
Elijah [Sheets] is Capton of ten Parly &amp; others Stratton is—Clunk [Clerk] of our ten I must stop.
yours with Respect
S[usanna]. Sheetz [Sheets]

Transcript for Sheets, Susanna Musser, to Anna Bitner, 11 June 1847, in Musser family, Letters 1847-1849; 1877

Sheets, Susanna Musser, to Anna Bitner.

Smith, John, Journal

Smith, John, Journal, February 1846, Page 40-52.

Transcript for Smith, John, Journal, 1846 Feb-1854 May, fd. 4, in Papers 1833-1854, 40-52

Smith, John, Journal.

Spencer, Daniel, Diaries 1845-1857

Spencer, Daniel, Diaries 1845-1857, Vol. 2.

Transcript for Spencer, Daniel, Diaries 1845-1857, vol. 2

Spencer, Daniel, Diaries 1845-1857.

Spencer, Daniel, Letter, Salt Lake City [Utah] to Brother Grove

Spencer, Daniel, Letter, Salt Lake City [Utah] to Brother Grove, October 1848.

Great Salt Lake Valley, Salt Lake City, Oct. 5, 1848
Brother Grove:
It having been some time since I have heard anything from you and having spent about one year in this valley I think that a few lines from me may be somewhat interesting. As you have probably heard from us since our departure from Nauvoo, I shall not be as particular as I otherwise should. I will say, however, that we started on the 14th day of February, 1846 from Nauvoo by compulsion as it were, <s>as it were</s>, as we had orders not to be seen at that place after the first of May following: The consequences of our staying if we had done so has been demonstrated by the conduct of the mobs toward our brethren who were not able to remove until that time. Immediately after we started from our homes, which were quite comfortable, the weather was quite cold and a heavy snow storm came on, th<s>at</s>&lt;e&gt; snow falling deep. We all had to camp out, some with, and some without tents, and having to cook in the rain and snow, and to lodge on the damp ground or in our wagons which leaked much. You will see that we were much exposed, in consequence of which Catharine, Orson's wife lost her life, as did Mary Spencer, and D. Hendrix' wife; many others suffering much then, and death and disease being fastened upon others which showed when we arrived at Council Bluffs, or what we called Winter Quarters, for our people died by hundreds during the next winter. When we left we had not time to dispose of our land or property, and as our means to start with was small, we concluded to return and dispose of our houses and land for something to aid us on our journey. Accordingly brother Hiram and Claudius went back to sell our farms and houses, and they succeeded in getting an offer for a small part of their value principally in cattle, and they some hundreds of miles from Nauvoo. They went in pursuit of them in the month<s>s</s> of July. They had about 100 head quite wild, and after they started them they found our enemies were determined to steal them. As you know, that brother Hiram is quite cautious and persevering, he attempted to escape them, and did so by driving night and day and misguiding those that pursued them in the way they were going. Thus by fatigue, and want of sleep, he lost his life; and Claudius' was despaired of for many days. Thus have many of our relatives suffered martyrdom by the hands of mobocrats who were sustained <s>by the hands of mobocrats who were sustained</s> by the authorities of the State in which it has been done. And for what? What has Hiram's or Orson's or Daniel Spencer's family done contrary to the laws of our country? Or what have we in any way upheld others in doing? I leave that question to you, who are well acquainted with us all, to answer. After suffering much we at length arrived at the Bluffs, where we spent the winter, spending most of our time in waiting upon the sick and dead. We lost some 30 or 40 head of cattle at this place by Indians and other causes. 
On the 18th of June, 1847, we started for the Rocky Mountains, in company with about 600 wagons, all that could fit out that season. Brother Hirams' family and our own had about 60 head of cattle and horses; 7 wagons with calculated provisions for one year. We took a westerly course up the Platte river, traveling on a level bottom from one to ten miles in width, plenty of feed, but little wood; and most of the country abounding in antelope and buffalo. The later quite numerous so much so, that many times the herds of them would extend farther than your eyes could behold. Being quite tame they served us for meat of the best kind. We continued up this river about 450 miles to what is called Fort John or Laramie on the Laramie river. Our travel was upon the northside of the Platte, being a new route most of the way and very good. After we arrived at the Fort we left the Platte and came into the mountainous country; feed and timber were scarce, as were also buffalo. We continued a westerly course until we arrived at what is called Fort Bridger, passing over the Rocky Mountains and deep ravines and canyons about 450 miles farther. This is an Indian trading house occupied by a man by the name of Bridger, who says he has been here about 18 years; has many Indians about him and pretends to have much power over them. From there we left what is called the California trail and bore more to the south, traveled about 100 miles and arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake all in good health and spirits. 
Having spent about four months on the way, arrived the 23rd September, not losing a hoof of cattle or horses during our journey; but this was not the case with many others; many cattle were lost on our journey. This valley is about 25 by 50 miles; climate last winter much like Massachusetts; the soil quite rich, as it is all made ground from the wash of the hills, which are quite high on all sides and covered with perpetual snow, it is extremely well watered with good water and plenty of mill sites. About two miles from this place is a warm spring bursting up from beneath a mountain, the water as warm as common dish water. About two miles from this Spring is another much hotter, so much so that a person cannot hold his finger in it longer than to count thirty, it means instant death for any live thing that gets into it. These waters are sulphuric and within a few rods of the hottest one there is a cold spring of beautiful cold water quite pleasant to drink. Twenty miles distant is a Salt lake which will yield about one gallon of salt to five of water. On its shores there is plenty of coarse salt, good for all purposes except table use; that we have to boil. The wild grass &lt;that grows&gt; here is rather coarse on the worst of the land, the upland more fine. It has been said by travelers that there never was rain in this valley, but since we have been here it has been tolerably plenty, but not so much so but that we have had to irrigate our land in order to raise our grain. Last winter our herds lived by running at large. Between our mountains in our canyons there is plenty of timber, stone etc. We have not been able as yet to find iron or coal, but we have found gold. We have raised about 100 bushels of wheat, and some 300 bushels of corn this season with other crops common to other countries sufficient for the inhabitants of the valley. The climate is very healthy, the most so of any I was ever in, not excepting old Massachusetts. We have all been well since we came here. Bro. Orson left us and his family for England in the fall of 1846. His family are here in good health. We are here surrounded by Indians, many of the tribes quite numerous and powerful, but all have called upon us, and we have smoked the pipe of peace with them, they expressing much pleasure in our homing here. The ground we occupy is disputed ground by them, but they all appear willing that we should remain here in peace. We have just received a visit from the Ute tribe, who brought about 500 horses for sale; many we purchased for one blanket, some for a gun a piece, &lt;they were&gt; very good horses. Last week a company of the Mormon Battalion arrived from California, who have discovered near Francisco bay a gold mine, from which they procured several thousand dollars in a few days; getting from $2 to $20.00, per day; common wages worth $50.00 per day. This mine is no doubt the richest in North America, or almost anywhere else, I have written but a small part of what I wish, but as my paper is all but occupied I must close by wishing you to write me on the receipt of this. Direct your letter to Great Salt Lake Valley, Salt Lake City, by way of Austin's Post Office, Atchison country near Hunsaker's Ferry, Missouri. If you have anything from Gunnison country since the death of Electa write us as we have nothing since. My best wishes to your wife and all the little ones. I should be pleased to see you at this place, but I do not expect it as you could not visit us at Nauvoo I shall not expect it here.				
(signed) 						Daniel Spencer.

Transcript for Spencer, Daniel, Letter, Salt Lake City [Utah] to Brother Grove, 1848 Oct. 5

Spencer, Daniel, Letter, Salt Lake City [Utah] to Brother Grove.

Spencer, Daniel, "On the Plains," in Heart Throbs of the West, 12 vols. [1939-51], 4:347-48

Spencer, Daniel, "On the Plains," in Heart Throbs of the West, 12 vols. [1939-51], 4:347-48.

Spencer, Hiram Theron, "Sketch of Life and Experiences of Patriarch and Mrs. H. T. Spencer, Who Pioneered Magna and Vicinity," [1925?], 3

Spencer, Hiram Theron, "Sketch of Life and Experiences of Patriarch and Mrs. H. T. Spencer, Who Pioneered Magna and Vicinity," [1925?], 3.

The next spring when the people could get cattle and horses enough to pull their wagons they started westward.
A great many could not come because they did not have the means to buy cattle, so they had to lay over at Winter Quarters that season.
My uncle and his family and also our family were able to start west.
President Brigham Young and some of the saints had gone on ahead of the rest of us.
Some other boys and myself had to drive loose cattle, walking most of the time behind the train of wagons.
When we got up on the Platte River about fifty miles from Winter Quarters the buffalo were so thick that it was necessary to drive the teams, three and four abreast between the river and the bluffs where it was wide enough, so the train would not be scattered out so far that the buffalo could run through or stampede the horses and cattle. 
We taveled westward all of that summer and arrived here in the Salt Lake valley, about September 20, 1847.
Daniel Spencer was captain of the hundred and Horace [Ira] Eldredge was captain of the fifty in the company we were traveling with.
There was between seventy-five and one hundred families altogether.
When we reached the valley the men set to work building more houses in the fort.

Transcript for Spencer, Hiram Theron, "Sketch of Life and Experiences of Patriarch and Mrs. H. T. Spencer, Who Pioneered Magna and Vicinity," [1925?], 3

Terry, Thomas Searles, Autobiography [ca. 1856], 15-16

Terry, Thomas Searles, Autobiography [ca. 1856], 15-16.

We got ready to Start and our wagons left Winter quarters on the Ninth of June 1847[.] we traviled out 28 miles to the Elk Horn River, 
<s xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">we</s>
 here we waited till All of the wagons had come up.
on the Eighteenth of June, there was 656 wagons on the Ground, and was all Organized into Companys of tens, and tens into fiftys and fiftys into Hundreds[.] Our wagons was in the first ten and first fifty and the &lt;first&gt; Hundred, our fifty left next Morning for the Mountains in the command of Perrygreen [Perrigrine] Sessions and Elijah F[unk] Sheets Captain of the first ten And Daniel Spencer Captain of the hundred 
we left the Elk Horn River June 19, 1847[.] We were on the road three months and Six days, We was Pilgrims inceach [in search] of A Home, we was Banished by a ruthless Mob, who was Sancioned by the Authorites of our <s>Goverm</s> Goverment, from our homes and the land of our Birth to Seek an <s>Asyl</s> Asylum in the far distant West among Savages, and the wild Beast of the Mountains, but the noble Band of Pioneers who was lead [led] by President Brigham Young, who was the Prophet of God; They had Started in the Spring, we followed their trail as much as possible[.] it was Some times difficult to follow, as the heavy rains and the high Grass, had covered it all up, our journey was Toilsome And fetaugeing [fatiguing] yet we had Many Senes [Scenes] of Pleasure and of joye, while on the Plaines[.] I enjoyed myself first reat [rate], on the Plaines it was A new life to me, and which Suited well, I enjoyed good health, And the time pass a way Pleasant, 
After a journey of one Thousand and thirty Miles which took us three months and 6 days, we arrived on the 25th of September in the valley of the Great Salt Leake [Lake], where the Pioniers had Arrived on the 24th of July, 1847 and which place they had selected a home for the Saints,

Transcript for Terry, Thomas Searles, Autobiography [ca. 1856], 15-16

Utah Journal

William C. Lewis

"William C. Lewis", Utah Journal, July 17, 1897, Page 3.

“During the winter of 1846[-]7, I was camped at a place called Puneau [Ponca] about 150 miles up the Missouri river from Winter Quarters, and although at times it seemed likely that we might either starve or be killed by Indians, yet we survived and moved down in time to join the emmigration that followed the first company of pioneers that started in April 1847. We were organized into companies on the west bank of the Elkhorn river, about 30 Miles from Winter Quarters. June 11th, 1847, is the date of our breaking camp if I recollect correctly. There were C48 [76] wagons divided into companies of tens, fifties and hundreds.



”Elisha [Erastus] Bingham was captain of our ten; Ira Eldredge of our fifty, and Daniel Spencer of our 100. Captain Eldredge was a hustler, so we gradually got in advance of the large moving mass of teams. At Fort Bridger, I think it was, Capt Eldredge thought to make better time by dividing his fifty into two companies. Bingham’s company was in the advance. Eldredge following with the remainder of his fifty. This advance portion of Eldredge’s company was in the lead of the entire emigration from Winter Quarters that followed President Young’s company and we arrived in Salt Lake Valley Sept. 19th, 1847. The remainder of Eldredge’s company were two or three days behind us.



The order in which this part of the company came into the valley is, so far as I recollect, as follows:--Sanford Bingham and his wife [Martha] (my sister), and Thomas Bingham on horseback; my uncle, Beason Lewis and wife [Elizabeth] with horse team; Captain Bingham, ox team; myself, ox team; then followed John M. Lewis and William C. Staines with ox teams. This is as far as I remember the order of teams.

Transcript for "William C. Lewis," Utah Journal, 17 July 1897, 3

Utah Journal.

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West Stockbridge, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States

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Joseph Smith asked for volunteers to explore Oregon and California. They were also to preach wherever they went. The purpose of the expedition was to locate a suitable place for the Saints to dwell. Due to rapid changing circumstances and the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith the expedition did not occur.

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Daniel Spencer, Jr.

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