Daniel Webster Jones (1830 - 1915) Profile

The First Expedition into Mexico

Individual

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Daniel Webster Jones

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Daniel W. Jones, Forty Years Among the Indians: A True Yet Thrilling Narrative of the Author's Experiences Among the Natives (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1890

Daniel W. Jones, Forty Years Among the Indians: A True Yet Thrilling Narrative of the Author's Experiences Among the Natives (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1890.

Mexican Mission history, 1874-1977, Church History Library

Mexican Mission history, 1874-1977, Church History Library.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, October 9, 1876, Vol. 2, Page 38, Line 1503.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, August 3, 1874, Vol. 2, Page 31, Line 1215.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, October 9, 1876, Vol. 1, Page 35, Line 1503.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, August 3, 1875, Vol. 1, Page 29, Line 1215.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Missionary reports, 1831-1900, Church History Library

Missionary reports, 1831-1900, Church History Library, June 14, 1886.

Missionary reports, 1831-1900, Church History Library, October 5, 1876.

Missionary reports, 1831-1900, Church History Library.

Trozos selectos del Libro de Mormon (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1875

Trozos selectos del Libro de Mormon (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1875.

"As I Remember," Salt Lake Telegram

"As I Remember," Salt Lake Telegram, August 31, 1926.

She was a pioneer of Utah.  Seventy years of her life had been spent in the Salt Lake valley.  When, as a girl of 19 years, she left her home in England, leaving father, mother and all, that she might come to the promised land, on that long journey she endured hardships that are almost unbelievable, for she was with the lost company of the handcart pioneers under the command of Captain Edward Martin.  Monday she was laid at rest in the City cemetery.  This was Mrs. Annie Hicks Free.  She had aided in every way possible to make the Salt Lake valley and Utah what they are today, and she lived to see the city to which she came as a girl grow from a struggling hamlet to one of the most beautiful cities in the land of her adoption.



The story of the handcart brigade has been told and retold, and yet it can never be told as it was, of the horrors of the long trek of 1300 miles.  The story is pathetic in the extreme.  Take the history of Mrs. Free.  It is similar to others told me by the pioneers.  The company of which she was a member, when it left Florence, Neb., on August 25, 1856, consisted of 576 persons.  They had 146 handcarts and seven wagons.  When the company arrived in Salt Lake City, on November 30, 1856, after more than three months on the journey, it had been reduced to a handful of people, their handcarts had been left scattered along mountain and plain, and many, many graves dotted the prairie and range where a devoted people had joined the great majority in their effort to reach their mecca in the mountains.



Relief parties had been send to meet the several companies of the handcart brigade and the one under Captain Martin, which was afterwards known as the belated company, was reduced by death to a handful.  Daniel W. Jones, who was a member of the relief force sent to the aid of the lost company, in his narrative of the rescue says,:



“Having seen the sufferings of Captain James G. Willie’s handcart company, we more fully realized the danger the others were in.  There were several hundred people with Captain Willie and they had a few teams, but they were too weak to be of much service.  When we came in sight of Edward Martin’s company and the Ben Horgett’s [Hodgett’s] wagon company, which had camped at Red Bluff, the conditions were as bad as those found in the first company we had passed.



“They had given up all hope.  Their provisions were exhausted and most of them sick and worn out.  As we rode into the camp we were declared to be angels from heaven, but I told them that I thought we were better than angels, for this occasion as we were good strong men, come to help them into the valley, and that our company and wagons loaded with provisions were not far away.



“When the company was started for camp, the hand cart company, ascending a long muddy hill was in a condition of distress, such as I had never seen before or since.  The train was strung along for three or four miles.  There were old men pulling and tugging their carts, sometimes loaded with a sick wife or children; women pulling sick husbands, little children, 6 to 8 years old, struggling through mud and snow, and as night came on the mud would freeze on their clothes and feet.  That night several members of the company died.”



And this was what this aged pioneer, who has just passed on, went through in order that she might worship her God as her conscience dictated.  Her memory will always be cherished.

Transcript for "As I Remember," Salt Lake Telegram, 31 August 1926, 8

"As I Remember," Salt Lake Telegram.

Burton, Robert T., to the members of the Hand Cart Association, Handcart Veterans Association

Burton, Robert T., to the members of the Hand Cart Association, Handcart Veterans Association, October 1, 1907.

Now, I desire to accompany this report with a very brief history of that notable event. As appears from the daily journal referred to, this relief company left Salt Lake City on the 7th of October, 1856, for the purpose of aiding the incoming emigrant companies. Our information as to their whereabouts was very meagre indeed. It is hard for the people living now to comprehend the situation fifty years ago, when sometimes we had a monthly mail, and sometimes no mail at all for six months. What information we obtained was from carriers who came to advise President Young of the situation.



We made as good time as men and animals could make under the circumstances. But I desire to state that at one time while we were traveling down the Sweet Water [Sweetwater] about 300 or 400 miles east of Salt Lake City, the snow was so deep that the axle-trees of our wagons dragged and we were compelled to remain camped at the same place for one or two days in consequence of the severity of the storms, but with no idea other than resuming our journey when the weather would permit, until we found the companies we were sent to relieve.



As will be noticed from the daily journal, we sent our expresses on various occasions, but were unable to locate the parties we were looking for until we were camped at Devil’s gate, near the mouth of the Sweet water, when the express returned and reported them camped on the Platt River. The weather was cold, the snow deep, the people poor and nearly destitute of clothing, and some provisions. These supplies had been donated by the people in Salt Lake, and these people had been very liberal in their donations, (for they were all in straightened circumstances) but had given such articles as they could and such as would aid the suffering imigrants. Most of the supplies were given to Capt. Edward Martin’s Hand cart company, whose sufferings were intense and necessities very great. A strict account was kept of all these disbursements. The lives of the people were too precious to permit of our carrying anything in the wagons which could possibly be dispensed with. We consequently cached, at Devil’s gate, all freight that, in our judgment, could be left, so as to relieve the company.



It will be seen by reference to the Journal that the cold was so intense that it was not deemed advisable to travel at all for several days. During this time we were engaged in caching the goods. At one time, on the 6th of November, the thermometer dropped to 11 degrees below zero. As soon as the weather permitted we pressed on towards Salt Lake City, traveling up the Sweet Water, and taking every advantage possible of roads and conditions to save the people, but in spite of all that we could do many were laid to rest by the wayside. These matters I do not desire to dwell upon. I would rather forget them and look the brighter side, and thank the Lord for his kind providence in saving those whom he did spare.



In traveling up the Sweet Water we began to meet teams sent to our aid, which relieved the situation to such an extent that when we reached the head of the Sweet Water we were able, on the 19th of November, to get most if not all of the emigrants in the wagons and from this time on we made good time.



On arriving at dry Sandy, as will be seen, George D. Grant, Wm. H. Kimball and others left for Salt Lake City, leaving me in charge of the camp. We were then making good progress day by day, although it appeared at times that our road was entirely blocked with snow. However we met with no difficulties that were not easily overcome until we arrived at East Canyon on November 28th. We found the road there sidelong, but were enabled to get all the wagons over safely, thanks to the foresight of president Brigham Young, who had kept ox teams constantly traveling up and down the big mountain to keep the road open for us. We succeeded in getting over that part of our journey without serious difficulty, although the walls of snow on each side were as high as the bows of the wagons, and those who witnessed this sight can never forget it, as those 104 wagons freighted with human beings who had been so miraculously saved, wended their way up this mountain. It was indeed to us a great sight, as we were now near our homes.



I cannot leave this subject without expressing thanks to those brave men who were constantly day and night in their efforts to save the people, and more especially do I wish to remember those who endangered their lives to carry express East and West under the most difficult circumstances: Notable among these were: Jos. A. Young, Steven Taylor, C. H. Wheelock, Abel Garr and Dan Jones, most of whom have passed away. Of course, too much credit cannot be given to the entire company for their indefategable labors night and day, as before stated, to save the people.

Transcript for Burton, Robert T., to the members of the Hand Cart Association, Handcart Veterans Association, 1 October 1907. Handcart Veterans Association, Scrapbook, 1906-1914, folder 4

Burton, Robert T., to the members of the Hand Cart Association, Handcart Veterans Association.

Cooper, John. Statement

Cooper, John. Statement, October 10, 1916.

COOPER, John, called at the Historian's Office, Oct. 10, 1916, and gave some particulars in relation to the brethren who spent the winter of 1856-1857 at Devils Gate with Capt. Dan W. Jones and others. He gives the list of the 20 brethren as follows: Daniel W.Jones, dead; Ben Hampton, living in S.L. City; presidents of party. John Laty, clerk, thinks he is dead. The rest were John Cooper, living at Fillmore, Ut.; John Hardcastle, <s>died</s>; at Sandy; John Shorten,lives at Ogden; John Chappel, dead; John Galbraith, dead; John Ellis, dead; John Whittaker, died at American Fork; Wm.Hand, dead; Wm. Laty, dead; Edwin Summers, lives at Paradise, Cache, Co., Ut.; Geo. Watt, (butcher was disaffected and went back east, having had a quarrel with Jones); Geo. Watts; Geo. Austin, lives either at Payson or Payson, alive in 1914.



He states that the account given by Dan W. Jones is mainly correct.

Transcript for Cooper, John. Statement, 10 October 1916

Cooper, John. Statement.

"Daniel W. Jones Is Called to Last Rest," Deseret Evening News

"Daniel W. Jones Is Called to Last Rest," Deseret Evening News, April 29, 1915.

"Daniel W. Jones Is Called to Last Rest," Deseret Evening News.

Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914

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

Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914.

Handcart Veterans Association. Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914, folder 4

Handcart Veterans Association. Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914, folder 4.

Jaques, John, [Minutes of meeting at Devil's Gate

Jaques, John, [Minutes of meeting at Devil's Gate, November 9, 1856.

“Devil’s Gate, November 9, 1856: Minutes of a meeting of the Elders called at the request of Captin Grant to appoint men to remain in charge of goods left for storage at this place by captain Hodgett’s &amp; Captain Hunt’s wagon companies. Meeting opened by singing and prayer by Elder Danl W Jones after which the following persons were appointed to remain—viz., Danl W. Jones, Thos M. Alexander, Benj Hampton, John Cooper, George Watts, Elisha Manning, George Allen, George Austin, William Hansley [Handy], John H. Latey, William Latey, John Shorten, John Wittaker, Edwin Summers, John Hardcastle, Henry Jackman [Jakeman], Rosser Jenkins and Elijah L. Chapple.



“On motion of Elder Cyrus H. Wheelock, Elder Danl W. Jones was appointed <s>Captain</s> Prest of the company remaining and Thos M Alexander and Benjn Hampton his councillors and John H Latey be clerk after which the following instructions were given.



Capt Grant addressed the meeting saying that we were met together to arrange matters relating to the safe keeping of the luggage left here. It was a great trust reposed in those men appointed to remain, and he wanted them to guard and care for it more so than if it belonged to them individually. He wanted no half or chicken hearted men to remain but men with large souls, men of integrity, men of God who would not do a wrong thing, would not steal one from another if any[.] if any such were among them, he wanted them to be passed through the Devils Gate and he did not want any grumblers or fault finders, and he did not want one of the company to be the butt of the others because he may not be so smart[.] He wanted them to agree together and be obedient to the brethren who have come from the valleys and were called to preside over them for they were good men[,] had been cradled in Mormonism and had the spirit of Zion burning within them. He believed the men remaining were good men and would not go to do anything wrong—Whished them to improve their time that they might come up to Zion in the spring with the spirit of God increased in them[,] wished them to attend to their prayers not only night and morning but on the mountain tops to remember to call on the Lord mightily that his mind might be revealed to them and that they might be blessed. anticipated they would have hard times but they need have no fear of starving[.] they could kill Buffalo and Antelope etc[.] He wanted the twenty left here to sleep with one eye open and one leg out of bed for there were devils, mountaineers and Indians round about here and a guard would be necessary if only one man at a time and if Indians were prowling about two men would be necessary and the guards he wanted to be vigilant and not to sleep on their posts for the lives of their brethren were in their hands[,] and if they were killed the blood would be on their garments[.] wanted them to be careful of fire and look sharp that their enemies did not put a torch to the buildings[.] wanted them to have water in their vessels at all times, wanted these old shanties to be repaired and made comfotable and good, the guns also to be kept in good order and loaded and not lying all in a pile but every man knowing where to put his hand on his own gun and if Indians were prowling about[,] did not want them to fool with them. Word would be sent from the Valley before the spring and the provisions here he wanted to <have> rationed out and take care of the flour in portion[.] Wished them to be obedient to the counsels of Prest Jones and he wanted Prest Jones to maintain the dignity of his calling and not joke too much or suffer himself to be joked with for he knew where a man in office joked with those under him so sure was he to lose his influence[. ] Did not wish any families to remain here for if women and children remained there would be the devil to pay and there was not much prospect of anything for them to eat but meat, wanted those remaining to see that each other did not get lost and frozen to death. Wanted care taken of the wagons and cattle and not use the latter in hauling firewood but use the handcarts—expected the heifers left would improve in condition. </have>



Elder Cyrus H Wheelock exorted those remaining to be obedient to the counsel of Prest Jones and his councilors[;] spoke also on the necessity of leaving joking alone and of Pres. Jones maintaining the dignity of his calling and keeping his place as President and Captn of this [illegible] company[;] did not wish one to be a butt for the others to make jokes and fun of and if any was more dilatory than the others he wanted them to be chastised[.] he wanted the men remaining to busy themselves all winter, hunt buffalo, draw logs and build up these old shanties and that cheerfully and if they would not do it he would say put them through the devils gate



Elder John A Hunt felt that what had been said had been dictated by the spirit of God and felt that those remaining could have a good time, hoped none would [illegible] the counsels of Prest Jones and his councilors or the commandments of God, and not fall back in the faith or in other words go through the devils gate[.] hoped to see them come up to the vallies in the spring like young lions[.] did not want to leave anyone here who would not stand up to the rack, hay or no hay, flour or no flour[.] wanted them to attend to what Captn Grant had said. Keep themselves clean and pure and attend to prayers that they may go to the Lord with confidence and offer up a prayer that will be heard and answered[,] if they did not do so fear would seize upon them in the day of trouble[.] wanted them to be ready at all calls day or night and at short notice, to improve themselves in leisure hours, would use his influence in leaving all he could for their comfort and sustenance. Wished them to pray for and uphold Prest Jones &amp; his councilors that they may have wisdom and discernment to see through those who may come about these shanties



Elder Burton would like before meeting closed to have minutes of same read and letter of instructions before they (the Elders) left, given to Prest Jones -- spoke on the necessity of guarding against Indians and especially white Indians and also against fire[;] wished Prest Jones or one of his councilors to be at all times about the buildings[.] also to attend to daubing the walls to preserve the goods left from wet[.] thought the counsels about joking excellent for when a man in office begins joking with those under him so sure was he to lose his influence. spoke on the necessity of attending prayers. Knew that those who stayed did so from a desire to do good and money would have no influence in inducing them to stay[.] Capt Grant had expressed his feelings about families remaining in this place.



Elder Webb thought plenty of instructions had been given and wished them to profit by it[.] felt to indorse what had been said by Cap Grant &amp; Brs Wheelock, Burton &amp; others and if they acted up to it[,] they would go up to Zion with their heads up and not be ashamed[.] urged the necessity of the guards being vigilant for the lives of their brethren were in their hands and to sleep was a capital offense and if through their negligence[,] their brethren were killed the blood would be upon their skirts



Prest Jones wanted everyone remaining to provide themselves with soap and combs to keep themselves clean for anything like filth was an abomination to him and if those remaining with him were not cleanly they would chance to get duncked under the ice[.] down here he wanted them to be obedient to him as he had been to Cap Grant on this trip



Motion by Elder C H Wheelock that minutes be received and copy taken which was carried unanimously



Meeting closed by prayer by Elder C G Webb.—



[Taken from hand penned copy of John Jaques.]

Transcript for Jaques, John, [Minutes of meeting at Devil's Gate, 9 November 1856], in John Jaques, Collection, 1846-1920

Jaques, John, [Minutes of meeting at Devil's Gate.

Jones, Daniel W., Forty Years Among the Indians (1890

Jones, Daniel W., Forty Years Among the Indians (1890, Page 62-114.

Jones, Daniel W., Forty Years Among the Indians (1890.

"Life Sketch of Pioneer, D. W. Jones, Deceased," Deseret Evening News

"Life Sketch of Pioneer, D. W. Jones, Deceased," Deseret Evening News, May 6, 1915.

"Life Sketch of Pioneer, D. W. Jones, Deceased," Deseret Evening News.

Robert T. Burton diaries, 1856-1907; Record book, circa

Robert T. Burton diaries, 1856-1907; Record book, circa, October 1856.

Transcript for Robert T. Burton diaries, 1856-1907; Record book, circa 1856 October-November

Robert T. Burton diaries, 1856-1907; Record book, circa.

Salt Lake Herald

Martin's Handcart Company, 1856 [No. 10]

Rogerson, Josiah, "Martin's Handcart Company, 1856 [No. 10]", Salt Lake Herald, December 8, 1907, Page 28.

I finished our chapter, No. 9, Sunday, Dec. 1 with the arrival of the majority of the members of our handcart company, in Main street, and around and in the tithing yard. That scores of friends and relatives, and I know of fathers of families, had been waiting for weeks with the most intense solicitude and anxiety for the arrival of our train, is a matter of history, past half the decade, and the expressions of fear and doubt as to the existence of the sought for were written on many countenances. 
<center>Dead in the Wagons.</center>
The wagon I rode in this morning from the head of Emigration canyon was driven by Elder Joel Parrish, of Sessions, or Centerville, settlement in Davis county, and as we stopped for a few minutes near the block since then of the Walker brothers' residences, a lady asked. "Please where is Father Waugh?" and my mother, knowing of his death the day before, pointed to the next wagon north, where she could find the veteran. She was there instantly, and found her father, wrapped in a sheet, and dead. I shall not tell of her grief and the scene that followed. The aged Scotch worthy had braved and weathered the storms of the Rocky mountains from the Platte bridge, and when within eighteen to twenty miles from the valley, and the Zion he worshiped, and to which he was returning after a three or four years' mission to Scotland (his native land), succumbed to the hardships of the journey, between the Big and Little mountains, and was brought into the city for interment. 
One more instance of this kind will suffice—but I could record a dozen, and then I shall hasten to the conclusion of my narrative, for it has been anything but a pleasant task for several weeks past. 
An old English farm hand, coming to Utah in the early 50's went down to Iron county, Utah, and as he worded it, "wrought" for two or three years in the building of the works of and the experimenting in treating iron ores in that county. The wife of his youth, four daughters and two sons, still back in Lancashire, England, in the fall of '55 or spring of '56, the father walked, with sis [his] sack of provisions on his back, nearly every mile of the 275 miles to Salt Lake City, and striding into President Brigham Young's office and showing his iron work scrip for his labor performed, entreated that he would receive that as pay and send for his family to come out that season. They were sent for, sailed, and the six came through safe and sound, the stalwart sire meeting them the Sunday morning of our arrival. His sons and daughters are located near Parowan, and in the settlements of Arizona, and his name was James Williamson. The majority of our company were taken in and cared for in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber and Utah counties that winter, and when I think of all this and the mountain of service rendered by the rescuing and relief party without one dime of remuneration, in what class of humanity do you place the Mormon people?
But little has been written in these annals as to the sayings and doings of President Brigham Young, when he learned, about the 4th of October, 1856, from President Franklin D. Richards and others of the returning missionaries, how far back the handcart and wagon companies were at that date on the plains, and I will not close without a few more paragraphs on this important point in this history. 
Church Historian Jensen, having thumbed the pages of the Deseret News for that year, and nearly every document in his archives bearing on that subject, will be good authority and interesting. 
In the "Contributor" of March, 1893, as to the church emigrations of 1856, Historian Jensen says: "Relief trains—On Saturday, Oct. 4, 1856, Apostle Franklin D. Richards and his company of missionaries arrived in Salt Lake City. They reported to President Young the progress of the different companies towards reaching the valley, and that they were more or less in danger of snowstorms in the mountains before they could reach the city, as it was getting so late in the season. 
"The mere thought that the handcart companies might be exposed to the cold blasts of a mountain storm was enough to arouse the brethren in the valley to immediate action. 
"In the general assembly of the Saints in Salt Lake City, the next day, which was Sunday, Oct. 5, President Brigham Young called upon the bishops and people generally to raise immediately sixty mule and horse teams, twelve tons of flour and forty extra teamsters, to help in the immigrating trains, some of which were being handled by inexperienced men, and even some by women and children. Also a quantity of vegetables was called for, together with bedding, clothing and wearing apparel of all descriptions to clothe and keep warm the emigrants. 
The general conference convened in Salt Lake City on Monday, the 6th. After the opening exercises, President Young stated that the first business that must be attended to was to send assistance forthwith to the emigrants back on the road. He then called those who were willing to go, or send teams, to come to the stand and report, saying that if a sufficient number of teams, teamsters, etc., did not volunteer, he would close the conference and, together with Brother Kimball, start back to help the companies, and President Kimball then requested the blacksmiths in the congregation to retire, as they were wanted to shoe the horses and repair the wagons of the brethren who were preparing to start out to help the emigration. 
"The hearty response to this call for teams, men and provisions, clothing, etc., is characteristic of that brotherly love and warmth of feeling which distinguishes those who love their fellow men. 
"It must be born in mind that at this time it was not known in the valley that the companies on the road were in any immediate danger, but this timely call for teams to send back was a precautionary measure to guard against possible calamities. 
"Most of the teams called for got ready and started on the 7th of October in charge of George D. Grant, one of the brethren who, three days previously, had returned from a foreign mission. 
"The (relief) company had no snow to contend with till they got to the Sweetwater. There, on the 19th and 20th of October, they encountered a severe snowstorm. 
"When they met Captain Willie's handcart company on the 21st, the snow was from six to eight inches deep, and the emigrants were truly in a bad condition, but the relief brethren rendered them all the assistance in their power. 
"Brother William H. Kimball and other brethren from the valley were selected to return with them, and assist them with counsel and work; and previous to this Captain Grant had sent an express (east) to ascertain, if possible, the situation and whereabouts of the emigrant companies farther back and report to him, but thinking it unsafe for them to go farther than Independence rock, he advised them to wait there for the main company. When the main company overtook the express at Independent rock, the brethren composing it had heard nothing from the rear companies, but had themselves traveled through snow from eight to twelve inches deep all the way from Willow creek to Devil's Gate. 
As the brethren had only a little feed for the animals, the horses were now ‘running down' very fast, and not hearing anything from the companies, Captain Grant and the brethren with him began to think that perhaps they had taken up quarters for the winter: consequently, he dispatched Joseph A. Young, Daniel W. Jones and Abe Garr as an express farther east in search of them. 
"These brethren traveled on till the 28th of October, when they met Captain Martin's handcart company sixteen miles above the Platte bridge; Captain Hunt's company was encamped ten miles below Martin's handcart company. Captain Martin informed the brethren that fifty-six had died on the journey up to that date. The express then pushed on to meet the wagon companies."
Passing Stenhouse's brief narrative as to our company in his "Rocky Mountain Saints," and which was not furnished him by one of our members, but by one of the members of the two wagon companies, we find a paragraph even there that has the ring of sterling truth in defense and praise of President Young as to his unceasing energy and anxiety for our rescue. He says: "When the news reached Brigham Young, as already stated, he did all that man could do to save the remnants and relieve the sufferers. Never in his whole career did he shine so glorious in the eyes of the people. There was nothing spared that he could contribute or command. In the tabernacle he was "the lion of the Lord," and his fierce language was kindled against those whom he supposed were the cause of the calamity."
And the Deseret News says, in its pages of Dec. 3, 1856: 
"Never have we witnessed such alacrity in answering to the calls of the first presidency in turning out at such a time of the year, with animals, provisions and clothing in abundance to rescue brethren and sisters whom the most of those who went forth to save had never seen."
On Dec. 2, '56, after Martin's company had come in, sixty relief horse and mule teams left Salt Lake City with two span to a wagon with supplies and provisions to help bring in the remainder of Hodgett's and Hunt's companies, and by Dec. 16 all the members of the two wagon companies and relief party were in Salt Lake City, and that year's emigration finished.

Transcript for Rogerson, Josiah, "Martin's Handcart Company, 1856 [No. 10]," Salt Lake Herald, 8 Dec. 1907

Salt Lake Herald.

Salt Lake Tribune

Strong Men, Brave Women and Sturdy Children Crossed the Wilderness Afoot

Josiah Rogerson, "Strong Men, Brave Women and Sturdy Children Crossed the Wilderness Afoot", Salt Lake Tribune, January 4, 1914.

Transcript for Josiah Rogerson, "Strong Men, Brave Women and Sturdy Children Crossed the Wilderness Afoot," Salt Lake Tribune, 4 January 1914

Salt Lake Tribune.

William Broomhead diary

William Broomhead diary, October 1856.

October 5 at meeting Brigham called for teamsters and I volunteered to go back to meet the hand carts



went to find out when to start  



[October 6] went to meeting in the morning afternoon got a wagon. 



[October 7] Tuesday morning fixed the wagon. Start from the City at noon, tonight, camp between the mountains, from 10 til 11 onlook on guard.



Wednesday, 8th: Prayer by Br. Beckstead. Started at 7:00 o’clock, going up the big mountain it came stormy and snowed in the evening, on guard from 7 to 11



In the morning of that 12 sunday came to brigger and camped at 4 in the afternoon &lt;preyaer by [illegible, possibly J. Young] Snow thru the night



mondy 13 Started at 8 about 20 miles north met up by [Abraham] Smoot and David James. They stayed with us all night, preyar by C.[Cyrus] H. Welock [Wheelock], singing. 



Started in the morning at 8 tusday 14 went with J Peck to see some anchant looking mountains camped under hams fork at 4 o’clock. went out hunting to be back in the evening, singing and prayer by B.[rother] Smoot and some remarks by him and J. Young. Three [or eight?] more wagons came up and travelled with us



Started Wednesday 15 At 8  J Peck came up and traveld with us. J. Young wile and sum outhers went on ahed to meet the comp. [companies], but we catched them and camped with them that night on Big Sandy at 8. Preyar by C. Welock.



Thursdy 16 started at 8, met P.[Porter] Rockwell and his train, camped on Big Sandy at 4 went out to hunt antelope with sum outhers and we kiled one. B.[Brother] Smoot company came up at dark and camped with us killed a beef on gard from 2 till 7 had a dance in the eveng



friday 17 started at 12 smoots company and 18 of our hands went with him and we came to little sandy we met the frieter of gilberts [Gilbert and Garrish freight train] ahead and lerned from him the peticulrs [particulars] of babit [Almon W. Babbitt] and outhers that were kiled By indians



saturday 18 at 9 and came to sweet water [Sweetwater] and it snowd from 11 in the evenig we killed a beef



on sunday morning 19 snowed till 10 started at ½ past 10 left 7 [or 4 or 9?] men and 4 waggons and 4 beef oxen 17 horses and most of the flour  it was very coald we traveled 15 miles and camped on sweetwater  at 1 we met gilberts train of 15 waggons  camped at 4 singin in the evenig and prear by [illegible John B. Welby?]  it snowd in the eveng and it looked like as if we wear going to have a heve [heavy] storm but the clouds Devided to the right and left  it clearde up again about 10 and in the morning thear was about an inch and a half



monday 20 snowed in the morning and the wind was very high and coald  we stayed there all Day  it snowed all Day  in the evning Brother Willey [James G. Willie] and anouther man [Joseph Elder] came from the train and told us that they wer 23 miles from us and that they were out of provisions that night



tusdy 21 started at 8 camped with wiles [Willie's] company at 5 the day was cold and in the evening it snowed. they buried 4 that night and 5 the night before  the capten gave them flour and cl[o]thing and some teams to help them in. w. [William H.] kimbl [Kimball] went back with them. we by hadwood



wednesdy 22 drove 18 miles it was a bitter coald day and snow was from 8 to 12 inch Deep. camped at 6. &lt;on gard from 1 til 8.&gt; Singin, prey by Wm [William] Broomhead. snow that night



thursdy 23 stayed there all Day



friday 24 started at 12 drove to the three crosing  we saw two herds of Buffalow  in the evening gathered round the camp fir and had singing and prear  captain Grant gave us som good instrouctions on prear and said that if we was unighted [united] as one man that the lord would hear and answer our prears  remove the snow so that we could be a help to those on the plains and so he cald [called] on Br wilk [probably Cyrus Wheelock] to be mouth in prear and ask that for thos things that we need  layed hands on two of the Brothers that was sick and restored



saturdy 25 fin morning though the wind blew high, the feed for the anemals was all coverd with snow and it was hard on them as well as on us to gard them wher the snow was so Deep and the roads so bad to travel but the Lord blesd the anemals the waggons our food and us and we had caus to rejoise all the time for we are children of his care and he takes care of his children if they will listen to his word  started at 9 the river was hard to cross the ice was so thick and yet it was not thick anuf [enough] to cross on  we traveled abot 12 mils and camped abot 5 oclock after supper singin prear by captain grant  I sang sum Songs for the boys  had a good time as we had every night  retired abot 9 oclock



sunday 26 fine morning all is well traveled to within 2 miles of the Devils gate and camped  the express was at the gate had been there 4 days and had heard nothing of the carts  they came up to our camp  singin after supper  prayer by J Young  singin



mondy 27th the wind blew very hard  blowed sum of the waggon covers off  the capten sint an expres of 3 men to go as far as the plat[te] brige they started at 9  the camp moved about half a mile nearer the mountins to get out of the wind and to get wood hander  spint that day in cooking and geting wood and fixing ways to break the wind of  Singing after supper prear by Bro [illegible] three of us set up singin and talking till half past 11.  the wind was rathr high all night



tusdy 28 fine morning but [illegible] wind spint that Day in singin  remarks from sum of the Brethrn and getting wood and snowbaling  at Dusk it clouded over and snowed hard and it seemed as if we was going to have a Deep snow  the cap caled the camp togethr and made sum remarks on the goodness of god and that we was in his hands and wished us all to be one and caled on C H Wilock [Wheelock] to be mouth in Prear



wednsdy 29 clouded  the snow that fell in the night soon went  saw a herd of antelope  sum of us went out  t[w]o of the boys kiled one  in the after noon the captin red sum for us  on gard at night from 5 till one  prear by cap grant



thursday 30 fine morning  after Breckfast prear by Jahall [Joel] Parish  E[dwin] Peck and mysilf went on the mountins at Devels gat[e] with the spiglass to see if we could see anething of the Boys or the handcarts coming. But we could not  it was about 4 miles from camp to the top  wether fine  in the evening Joseph [A. Young] and the Boys returned from the compnes an gave thear report  they were on the Plat[te] prear by B [Brother] Ch Wilock [Wheelock]  started next morning at 9 o clock



Saturday 1 of Nov [November] Bro Wilock [Wheelock], D [Daniel W.] Jons [Jones] and myself was ap[po]inted to go to Cap Hogigts [Hodgett] compney and hury them up  we met the company at the Bad Slough  campd with them that night  caled the company together and talked to them  prear By D Jones 



started in the morning on sundy [November 2] C H W [Wheelock] and myself to go to Hunts comp[any]  it snowed and rand from 11 till 12 at night  met them about 7 [miles] from plat[te] river  camped without wood in the snow



[November 3] started in the morning at 9 came to willow springs  it was very cold sum of the sisters froze thear feet  camped ahead at large camp fire made and caled the camp together and spoke to the sa[i]nts  i was caled on to speak and i spoke with the spirit  it was as cold a night as i ever seen  that night the saints felt well and promised to do as they wear toald to  prear by wilock [Wheelock] and outhers Spoak   helped them up prospect hill and then started for the Devels gate got thear after dark



tusday 4 fine  in late some of the waggons of Hoggets [Hodgetts] for the hand cart comp  the hand cart camp started that day we[n]t about 3 miles  the last wagon left at sundown  we had a meeting that night  the Brethren spoke well and with the spirit  prear by E. [Edward] martin



wednesday 5 the wind [two or three word illegible] our teems could not face it [two or three words illegible] river  some of the boys came Back from the cart compny and they could not face it  went with H [Harvey] cluff to get sum from the moutin 



Wednesday 5 very coald 11 Degrees Bellow zero  fe[t]ched sum wood from the mountin on a cart  Brouther Hunts compny came up after Dark  we had a meeting at night prear By [illegible]



thursdy 6 the wind blew the snow so that we could not get up the cattle  We had a meting at night of the valey Boys of those that had the [instruments?]  the Brethren spoke well and with the spirit  i was caled on to speak and did so  Prear By C H welek [Wheelock]



fride 7 verey coald and windy  meting at night I was not thear



saturday 8 fine morning  got sum wood on a cart from the mountins  we cam up the river on the ice an loaded up hunts waggons  prear at night By R T Burton



sunday 9 got up the cattle to start  grat many of the cattell frose to Deth it was so coald and stormey  started at 11 Drove B [Brother John] godsalls teem  traveled 5 miles  Saw Som Bufalows



menday 10 fine all Day  Drove to the willowC rick [Willow Creek] and camped  eframe [Ephraim] hanks came to us from the valey and reported that 2 hundred teem had started but he did not no if they had not turned Back on acount of the storm and that c spencer [Claudius Victor Spencer] and van cot [John VanCott] came to our post and scared out and turned back  prear By E hanks



tusdy 11 fine morng but the wind Blew very coald  camped on Bitter cottonwood crick  Prear by c [Charles] Decker



wednesday 12 fine  met the middle of the 3 crossings  a fals alarm By a fire on the mountain  camped at the 3 crossings



thursdy 13 met 3 teems from the valy   fine came to the 16 mile drive   prear By M [Moses] Cluff



friday [14] fine  met 3 more teems  traveled 12 miles  prear By b [illegible wilkins?]  &lt;camp on sweet-water&gt;



Saturday 15 fine  camped on the rockey reges &amp; met sum teems that day



sundy [16]  pased hunts compny camped on strbry creek  prear B [Brother] E [Ephraim] hanks



mendy 17 [this entry should actually read Tuesday 18] met tems all Day  camped by the post  Fergson and kimbel [Kimball] met us [a few words illegible]  prey By J ferguson   snowd that night



tusdy 18- [Wednesday November 19] traveled to Big sandy river [illegible] captin grant and kimbel [Kimall] and fergson started hom on express  met sum oxen goeing to [illegible] wags comp  camped on Big sand[y] [road] &lt;C welock [Wheelock]&gt;



thursday 20 [Friday November 21] fine but cold camped on green river  that was my Barthdy My 23 &lt;prear J Simons [Joseph M. Simmons]&gt;



Friday 21 [Saturday November 22]  very could  i frosted my nose that Day  camped on Blacks fork



saturday 22 [Sunday November 23] it snowed  we came to Brigger [Bridger] had a weding there that night



sunday fine 23 [Monday November 24] camped 11 miles from Briger  met sum teem that night



mondy 24 [Tuesday November 25] camped on Bear river it was very coald



tuesdy 25 [Wednesday November 26]  met Joseph young and outhers   camped in ec[h]o can[y]on  snow 13 [or 15] inches Deep  sister squir[e]s was confined that night  the child lived and boath come in safe



Wednsdy 26 [Thursday November 27] camped on webber [Weber]



thursdy 27 [Friday November 28] camped in est [East] canyon in the cottonwood grove



friday [Saturday November 29]  crosed Boath mountins the snow was from 1 to 23 feet Deep and in kil[l]ians kanoun [canyon] snow 18 inches  



cam into the city about ½ past levan [eleven] on sunday 29 [30] Day of november   i was great hom By my wife and frends with joy



December mondy 1

Daniel Webster Jones

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