Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Ezra Hela Allen

birth-date-qualifier-birth

Addison Pratt autobiography and journals, 1843-1852

Addison Pratt autobiography and journals, 1843-1852.

Transcript for Addison Pratt autobiography and journals, 1843-1852

Azariah Smith autobiographical sketch, 1903, 6-8

Azariah Smith autobiographical sketch, 1903, 6-8.

I made out to get some 500 dollars and with a Co. in the Spring prepared with some wagons, and pack animals to start for Salt Lake. And three of the brethren went to find a pass through the mountains but not soon returning, others were sent, and soon returned having found the place where the first three were killed and buried by the Indians. And on July the 17th we travailed about eight mile to the place where they were killed, and opened the grave, find all three of them there. And we built a wall around them and filled it up with rock inside. And on a tree close by was engraven, Sacred to the Memory of Daniel Browett, Ezra H. Allen, and Henderson Cox, who were supposed to have been murdered and buried by the Indians on the 27th of June, 1848. The two former were married men but Bro. Cox, was single. We fired a cannon, (having two with us) while there, which so frightened the animals, that they ran off, and we could not get all of them again. Bro. Allens purse of Gold was found with blood upon it, and was brought and given to his wife. We had a very hard time to get through the mountains. But I had pack animals, and while helping get the wagons through, my pack mule broke his leg, and I had to leave him, and Sometimes putting my pack in a wagon, and help to drive the Stock, having some cows and calves with us. And we were bothered much by the Indians stealing some and trying to shoot us. But by keeping guard, and watching close, we got along safe but my good riding horse was stolen. But with much trouble crossing mountains, and Rivers, and plains we acomplished our object. And on Sept. the 28th I rode ahead, and about 2 oc I arived at S.L. City, and after riding around some, I found Father, Mother, Sisters and Brother all well, living four mile from the City.

Transcript for Azariah Smith autobiographical sketch, 1903, 6-8

Elijah Elmer diary in "To the Tops of the California Mountains: The 1848 Carson Pass Diary of Elijah Elmer," edited by Will Bagley, Crossroads Newsletter 4, no. 3 (summer 1993): 5-7

Elijah Elmer diary in "To the Tops of the California Mountains: The 1848 Carson Pass Diary of Elijah Elmer," edited by Will Bagley, Crossroads Newsletter 4, no. 3 (summer 1993): 5-7.

July the 1 [1848]—started this morning in good Spirits for the Camp in the mountains[.] after going 2 or 3 miles Brother Pratt Broke out an axletree out of his waggon[.] fix up in a Short time and started againe [but] had not gone far before he Broke a gaine[.] stoped and put in a new one[.] it was not long Before we was on the rode agane[.] got in to Camp about sun down



2—in Camp to day fixing our waggons, seting tires and so forth[.] 4 waggons started on this morning with two Cannon to Break the way[.] good white pine here and oak and good water and good Land[.] We fine [find] it is a good valley[.] this is 40 miles from the top of the California mountains



3—Started out this morning for the top of the mountains[.] traveled 6 miles [crossing] one Bad hill so that we had to double [team.] Camp on the ridge to knight[.] had to go half a mile down in the valley to get water and feed



4—another hill this morning about the same as the other[.] Road good all day but [at] this place[.] Came up with the waggons that had gone a head 2 or 3 days ago[.] the men that went ahead to look out the road have not return[ed.] Camped on the hill againe to knight[.] 4 miles down to feed and water



5—8 men Started out this morning to find a pass over the mountain and to look for those that are gone[.] took 2 weeks rations with them[.] we stay here until they return[.] first rate pine timber and spruce here and balsam fir on this side of the mountain, 4 to 5 feet through and very high



6—in Camp to day



7—Brother [William] Coray came up with us to day



8—Still in Camp[.] Nothing of importance has occurred[.] the Camp got together at knight to take into consideration what way would be best to attend prayrs in messes or in Mass[.] here it has been a thing of Neglect with me and the most or all by their own story[.] it is as much of a cross for me as when I first began or heard about it But it is a thing that is needful for the prosperity of us all on our way home



9—still in Camp[.] this is Sunday



10—monday—went down to the Canyon and built a yard for the Cattle to stay in at knight



11—went to the same place and Built one for the horses



12—Still in Camp awaiting the return of the pioneers[.] 3 of them Started week before last and we have not heard from them yet



13—Still in Camp



14—Still in camp[.] the last pionears that [went] out came back about midknight and report a Road with some work on it so that we can pass through[.] verry bad in some places on account of some rock[.] they have been gone 9 days[.] the first company out has not been heard of as yet[.] Some fear that they are lost and starvd to Death



15—Still in Camp making ready for to start in the morning



16—Left Slys [James C. Sly] Ranch this morning for the top of the mountain[.] traveled 9 miles to day and Camp on the ridge[.] not much fead here and one mile to water down in the vally



17—Started againe this morning[.] Some Stone and a good many in some places[.] Came up to what we call iron hill[.] Had to double teams here for the first time[.] Traveled 6 miles to day and Camp on Camp Creek



18—Some trouble this morning to find our cattle[.] at the start we had a hill about a mile and a half long[.] a good many Brush to Cut to day and an other verry bad hill and verry Steep[.] traveled 10 miles to[day] and camp in Leack Vally[.] it deserves its name from the great Quantity of Leackes that grow in it[.] we had a good supper out of them at knight[.] the first time I have Eat any thing green in so long a time that I cannot remember



19—Lay in camp to day to repair some wagons and to go Back after some horses and Cows that was left on the Road yesterday[.] all found and Brought in



20—Set out on our Journy this morning and traveled 6 miles over the stones and worst Road that we have found yet[.] we camp at knight and to our great surprice we opened a place that had been newly dug up and we found 3 of our Brethern very Badly mangled and bruised to death and put here[,] Brothers Browett and Allen and Cox[.] they started out to hunt a pass over the mountain[.] they had been gone something like a month untill we found them[.] we was doubtful [suspected] Some thing had happened to them for it was not but about 50 or 70 miles to where they expected to return[.] we started on from where we all gathered to start and sent out nine men more to look for a pass and to see if they could not find them or where they had gone[.] these last men were gone 9 days and Returned bringing no news from the first [scouts] at all But [reported] that we could pass [over] the mountain[.] Brother [Jonathan Harriman] Holmes Broke down his wagon to day and had to leave it and Came in to Camp and take another and go back after it about 3 mile[.] we Camp By the same springs which is a good one that these men did[.] we called the springs or Camp Tragedy Springs[.] we put an inscri[p]tion on a tree near by there graves saying what was done and by whome[.] we found a purse of money on the ground Supposed to be allens Containing one hundred dollars in gold dust and some silver[.] this is all that we found that Belonged to them[.] we found several arrows on the ground that had blod on them[.] Br allen had his under Jaw cut in two and the gash Crossed his mouth and went up on his upper Jaw an inch or two[.] the other two were buried with there faces down so that we Could not see them[.] this took place the second knight after they left us in Camp [27 June 1848]



21—In Camp to day fixing Br Homes waggon wheel[.] our horses took flight at knight by some thing and have part of them gone that we have not found yet[,] But 11 of the Boys started in search of them and some Cattle have gone two[.] the whole face of the Country here is Rock and the vallys are Covered with large ones so that it is with difficulty that we can get along with our waggons we have to Crook a round so much[.] one oclock and we are ready to start if the Boys were here with the animals[.] they have returned with out them not found



22—a Company Started out this morning to hunt the horses and they Returned with out them about 11 oclock and we got up our teams and Started on our Journy[.] traveled 5 miles in to Rock Vally and camp[.] Roads verry bad[.] one waggon turned over and broke a tongue out of another wagon[.] we organized in to tens on the eighteenth of this month[.] Brother Holmes our leader and Brother Pratt with Br [Samuel Hollister] Rogers his Counselors[.] Brother Samuel Thompson our Capt. of 50 and Br Sly Capt. of ten, Br [Ephraim] Green Capt of 2 ten[,] E[lijah]. Elmer of the 3 ten, B[ro]. Coray of the 4 ten



23—16 men went to work the Road of the mountain to day[.] the road is verry Rockey



24—Still in Camp[.] another party went to finish the Road so that we can g[o] on 12 miles[.] we wrote a letter to leave here for some Indians to find and to take to some white man to read so that the news may get to Capt. Sutter that they may get there punishment[.] all the Indians this side of the mountains work for the Capt Every year and he has the government of them purty much



25—Started out againe this morning and traveled 10 miles[.] the Roads worse than Ever[.] Brother [Samuel Hollister] Rogers turned over twice and Willis [Willes.] Broke out a <s>tongue</s> axel tree and an other one was Broken out[.] Steavens [Alexander Stephens] turned over[.] the wrest of us Came on in to Camp safe or much tired [.] Camp in Lake vally to knight[.] Cold and frosty[.] Some Snow here now



26—Lay still to day to fix up our waggons and to Cut Roads down to the Lake a bout 2½ miles



27—moved on this morning down to the Lake and Camped near the lake in the same vally that we was in last knight[.] Pionears [scouts] started out this afternoon to search a Road in to a vally [on] the other side of the Back bone[.] Broak out an axel tree to day[.] there is the Shugar Pine here[.] the Shugar Runs out like the pitch out of the other pines



28—in Camp to day[.] a company gone to work the Road[.] 15 indians [came into] Camp to day to 30 [of] us[.] they are wild though they appear friendly to us as we under stand them to say



29—Left Camp this morning for the back Bone of the mountain[.] 3½ miles and Camp for the knight[.] this we Called Summit Camp[.] a party went to work the Road down the mountain this afternoon—about 5,000 feet down or a mile



30—Left Summit Camp this morning to Cross the Back Bone[.] all got down safe but one waggon Brother Coxes [John Cox.] he broke both axel trees out of his waggon[.] traveled one mile to day and Camp at the head of Read Lake[.] this Lake is about 2 miles or 2½ long by 9 or 10 Rods wide[.] it is not verry deep



31— Left Camp this morning[.] Roads bad as Ever for 2 miles then purty good for 8 miles making 10 miles we traveled to day and Camp at the mouth of a Canion that is werse than any thing that we have met yet[.] a party gone into the Canion to work so that we can pass



August the /1—Still in Camp and a party in the Canion at work



2—Still in Camp and still at work in the canion[.] this Camp is at the head of the Canion in hope vally at far End of the valley



3—Still in Camp at the mouth of hope valley[.] finished the Road to day through the Canion[.] we had some rain to day with thunder—the first rain that has been [seen] since we have been on the road[.] 14 of our Boys Came up with us to day with packs from the mines <s>with</s> 5 days on the Road that we have been 4 weeks on



4—Went through the Canion to day[.] the most of us got through at sundown—6 miles through

Transcript for Elijah Elmer diary in "To the Tops of the California Mountains: The 1848 Carson Pass Diary of Elijah Elmer," edited by Will Bagley, Crossroads Newsletter 4, no. 3 (summer 1993): 5-7

Ephraim Green journal

Ephraim Green journal, June 1848.

Transcript for Ephraim Green journal, 1848 June-September and 1849 December

Ephraim Green journal.

Jonathan H. Holmes diary, 1846-1848

Jonathan H. Holmes diary, 1846-1848.

June 22 Thursday June 22 made a start for home in company with J S White[,] A Pratt[,] J Eager[,] A Stevens &amp; J Brown went about 2 miles &amp; Camped



23 Made some preperations in the morning &amp; then made another move[.] went as far as the upper house &amp; Campt



24 Saturday waited all day[.] Brother Eager who went to the mines for oxen.



Laid in Camp[.] Eager returned.



[June] 26 Monday morning started for the camp in the valley[.] traveled 20 miles &amp; campt.



[June] 27 Started again[.] traveled 20 miles &amp; campt.



[June] 28 started again &amp; traveled 10 miles + 6 arrived at the camp[.] Brothers Breniett Cox and Allen had gone to Explore the road. (have had good luck



[June] 29 Laid in camp



[June] 30 Laid in camp



July 1 Saturday laid in camp



[July] 2 company started this morning for the Salt Lake



[July] 3 Monday left the valley[.] went up the Big hill[.] traveled about 4 miles &amp; campt



[July] 4 Started this morning traveled 8 miles &amp; come up 1 with the other company



[July] 5 A company of men started this morning to explore the road &amp; to see what had become of the men that had gone before



..6 Laid in camp



7 Laid in camp



8 waiting for the return of the pioneers



[July] 9 Sunday



[July] 10 Bilt a Corell [corral]



[July] 11 Bilt another Carell [corral]



[July] 12 Washing &amp; giting Balsom



[July] 13 Resting in Camp[.] pioneers returned in the night[.] had no intelegencefrom the 3 first juged [judged] the road possible



[July] 14 had a meeting in the morning &amp; concluded to make a start tomorrow morning



15 Left Slys ranch or pine valey traveled 10 miles &amp; campd



16 Started this morning traveled 6 miles &amp; come to Camp Crick [Creek] &amp; their campt



[July] 17 Left Camp Crick traveled 12 miles &amp; come to Leek Spring &amp; campt[.] roads rather rough



17 Meeting in the evening agreed to stop one day to hunt some lost cattle &amp; horses &amp; to look the road Some went Back &amp; found most of the lost animels &amp; some went ahead &amp; looked the road &amp; found whear the 3 Brethren that went ahead was murdered But did not as[c]ertain for a sertenty



18 Laid in Camp &amp; repaired wagons



19 Started on our way traveled about 6 miles &amp; Camped &amp; found whear those 3 Brethren ware murdered namely Daniel Brennett[,] Ezrah [Ezra] H. Allen &amp; J Henderson Cox[.] supposed they was murdered on the 27 of June at night while they was asleep[.] We fixed the grave as well as we could[.] It was a solem time when it was as[c]ertained that these men had ben murdered in so shocking a maner[.] it was a time of Solemnety &amp; mo[u]rning to think that the man that was to be our leader to Salt Lake was now lying dead, he was like a farther to us &amp; we mo[u]rn his loss



Broke our wagon on the 19 of July



[July] 20 Staid in camp &amp; fixt our wagon &amp; Built a wall round the graves of our Brethren that had ben murdered &amp; etc



[July] 21 Made another move this morning[.] traveled 4 miles &amp; come to Rock Crick valey &amp; campt[.] meeting in the evening[.] concluded to wait one day at this place &amp; explore the road &amp; work it



22 Remained in camp enough to take care of the Animels &amp; the remainder went ahead[.] the pioneers returned &amp; we met in the evening &amp; concluded to wait another day



23 another company went ahead to prepair the road[.] wrote a letter to Capt Sutter stating the murder of our 3 brethren wishing him to search out the murders if posible



24 Made another move traveled 8 miles &amp; camped[.] did not reach the main camp[.] roades bad



25 this morning went into camp Laid by the remainder of the day Campt at one end of Lake maloy



26 Started this morning travled to the other end of Lake valey 2-½ miles &amp; campd[.] a company of 10 men Started after Diner to Explore the road.



27 Working the roads &amp; waiting for the return of the pilots[.] pilots returned Safe



28 Made another move[.] traveled about 5 miles &amp; campt at Sumit Camp near the Back Bone



29 Started this morning &amp; went down the Big hill[.] traveled about 2 miles &amp; campt[.] repaired &amp; worked the road



30 Moved again[.] traveled 11 miles &amp; Campt at the loer End of hope valley[.] roads good



[July] 31 About 20 men at work on the road. about 4 miles of Canion [canyon] rather dificult to pass



August 1 Today another party went to work the road



[August] 2 At work on the road



[August] 3 At work on the road today had a Shower of rain[.] the packing Company 14 in number came up



[August] 4 Started this morning &amp; went down the Canion road Bad[.] went about 5 miles &amp; Campt



[August] 5 Made another move this morning[.] traveled 12 miles &amp; campt on pilot river in Shoshone valey



[August] 6 Started this morning again traveled 18 miles &amp; Campt in Rattle Snake valey[.] lost 1 ox &amp; 1 mule &amp; some horses



7 Moved again traveled 20 miles &amp; Campt[.] some Bad aroad[.] campt at Cottonwood valey on pilot river



[August] 8 Started this morning traveled 10 miles &amp; Campt on pilot river



9 Made another move traveled 15 miles &amp; Campt on the pilot river[.] roads good



Pack company left us on the 10th



[August] 10 Laid by to hunt some lost horses that was taken by the Indians[.] found all but one[.] one bow lost on the 9 Belonging to T Wear not found[.] a calf wounded on the 10 By the Indians



[August] 11 Traveled 15 miles &amp; Campt near the river on the packers camp ground[.] cald it packers camp in Holmeses valey[.] arrived[,]discovered to the South[.] cald it Sidneys river[.] Some of the pack company made us a visit &amp; on the 12 left us &amp; went on their way



12 Left Holmes valey &amp; pilot river &amp; started for Truckey river[.] traveled 25 miles &amp; come to the river &amp; found the old road[.] roads rocky



[August] 13 Laid by to rest our animals[.] it Being Sunday had a meeting



[August] 14 Monday morning left to cross the 45 miles desert[.] traveled as far as the hot springs &amp; campt[.] distance 25 dry &amp; desolate[.] rested our teams till about Eleven O clock &amp; started again[.] traveled 20 miles &amp; come to the sink of Marys river about 8 oclock[.] water &amp; grass bad



[August] 15 Remained in Camp this Day[.] A Company of Emigrants met us at this place



[August] 16 Started this morning traveled 20 miles &amp; campt met another Company of Emigrants going to California



[August] 17 Started again this morning traveled 15 miles[.] roads good But verry dusty[.] took 2 Indians prisoners &amp; kept them till morning[.] nothing missing



[August] 18 Made another move[.] traveled 10 miles &amp; Campt[.] grass poor[.] no trouble with Indians



[August] 19 Started this morning traveled 15 miles &amp; campt[.] grass better[.] had a number of horses shot by Indians



[August] 20 Rested in Camp



21 Started this morning traveled 28 miles &amp; campt



[August] 22 Started again traveled 12 miles &amp; Come to grass &amp; campt



[August] 23 Moved again traveled 18 miles &amp; Campt grass &amp; water good



[August] 24 Made another move traveled 20 miles &amp; campt road &amp; grass &amp; water good



[August] 25 Started this morning traveled 15 miles &amp; campt



[August] 26 Started again traveled 15 miles &amp; campt[.] met a Company Emigrants[.] received a Letter from my wife[.] Stopt drinking coffee &amp; tea



27 Laid by it being Sunday had a meeting at 3 o clock a company of packers past us from Salt Lake[.] 18 days from the City of the Salt Lake distance 350 miles



28 Started this morning traveled 23 miles &amp; campt[.] roads good



[August] 29 Moved again traveled 15 miles &amp; campt[.] A Company of Emigrants Campt near us Capt Childes Pilot tried to git some coffe but could not



[August] 30 Started again traveled 18 miles &amp; Campt went through a Canion roads rather rough



[August] 31 Started again traveled 14 miles &amp; Campt



Sept 1 Moved again traveled 19 miles &amp; Campt Cold &amp; windy a little rain roads good



2 Started this morning traveled 10 miles &amp; Campt had some snow &amp; some rain a cold storm



[Sept] 3 Sunday traveled 21 miles &amp; Campt traveled through a Butiful valley[.] Land good[.] indians plenty but friendly



[Sept] 4 Laid in camp warm &amp; plesant



[Sept] 5 Started again traveled 5 miles &amp; campt Pilots went on to explore the road



[Sept] 6 Traveled again went 18 miles &amp; found news from the pilots to Camp &amp; did So[.] water &amp; grass plenty



[Sept] 7 Started again &amp; went through the Canion road not so Bad as we have had[.] rather rough



[Sept] 7 traveled 9 miles &amp; found more pilots &amp; water &amp; grass &amp; camp[.] had a meeting in the Evening &amp; agreed to take Childes Cut off



[Sept] 8 Struck off this morning on Childes Cut off[.] traveled 6 miles &amp; Campt[.] pilots ahead to Explore the road[.] Pilots returned report rather unfavorable[.] had a meeting Desided to return back &amp; give up this rout



[Sept] 9 Turned our Cours[e] Back on to the old road that we was on the 7 &amp; Campt on the grown[.] had a meeting in the Evening



[Sept] 10 Went on this morning traveled 24 miles &amp; found grass &amp; water &amp; Campt[.] road good



[Sept] 11 Started this morning traveld 15 miles &amp; campt[.] road good



12 traveled 20 miles &amp; come to Goos Crick &amp; Campt



[Sept] 13 Started again traveled 15 miles on Goos[e] Crick &amp; Campt



[Sept] 14 Made another move traveled 12 miles &amp; Campt



[Sept] 15 Started this morning traveled 8 miles on the old road &amp; then turned for Hensley Cut off[.] traveled 8 miles on it &amp; come to Casey Crick &amp; Campt



[Sept] 16 Moved again traveled 12 miles down Casey to the turning off place &amp; campt[.] road good Land good grass &amp; water plenty



[Sept] 17 Moved again traveled 10 miles &amp; found water &amp; grass &amp; campt



[Sept] 18 Started this morning traveled 10 miles &amp; campt



[Sept] 19 Moved again traveled 16 miles &amp; Come to Deep Crick [Creek] &amp; Campt



[Sept] 20 Started this morning traveled 14 miles &amp; found water &amp; a Butiful Camping ground &amp; campt



[Sept] 21 Made another start this morning traveled 12 miles &amp; come to water &amp; campt



[Sept] 22 Started this morning traveled 20 miles &amp; come to Muddy Crick &amp; Campt[.] had some rain



[Sept] 23 We crossed the crick this morning &amp; went on to Bare [Bear] River[.] it is fine river[,] a good ford[.] traveled 6 miles &amp; come to water &amp; campt[.] past through a fine cuntery [country.] Soil good[,] grass good some rain



[Sept] 24 Started again traveled 18 miles &amp; campt[.] a fine valley[.] Sunday

Transcript for Jonathan H. Holmes diary, 1846-1848

Juvenile Instructor

Recollections of the Past

Henele Pikale (Henry W. Bigler), "Recollections of the Past", Juvenile Instructor, December 1, 1886, Page 365-366.

About the 10th of June we left off mining and went below to prepare for going home, as it was believed that most of the snow was gone from off the mountains.



Arriving at the mill below it was thought by the brethren there that it would be a good idea for some of the boys to go ahead and select a place of gathering for all who were intending to go to Salt Lake.



Accordingly, on the morning of the 17th of June, John White, Jacob M. Truman and myself set out on horseback for that purpose, taking our axes, blankets and provisions. We found a nice little valley forty or fifty miles east of Sutter's Fort. Here we cut down timber and built a large corral.



On the 21st, parties began to arrive with loose stock.



The next day wagons began to roll in and continued to arrive more or less every day.



On Sunday morning, the 25th, Brothers Browett, Allen and Cox, being desirous to push forward, said that they would leave camp and go ahead with pack mules and explore and hunt out a route over the mountains while the company was gathering, and return and meet the camp. They were advised not to go, owing to the wild tribes in the mountains , but they thought there was no danger and so left camp.



On the 28th, James Brown and I prospected for gold, when we found a nice little field about two miles north of camp.



The next day I returned and washed out twenty-six dollars' worth; and



on the 30th, I washed out forty dollars. I let one of the brethren have this for a new Spanish saddle.



On Saturday, July 1st, I turned vaquero, as it was my day to herd horses.



On the 3rd, camp broke and moved forward, all except myself and Brother Hatch. Our oxen were missing and it was late before we found them.



The next morning we rolled out, following the trail of the camp, keeping up the divide between the American and Macozamy [Mokelumne] rivers. Just as we stopped to make camp for the night we were suddenly startled for a moment at the roar of cannon ahead of us. We were soon reminded this was the Fourth of July, the birthday of American Independence.



The next morning we overtook the company in camp. They had found a nice little valley down on the Macozamy side, which they called Sly's Park. Here we made corrals, the camp concluding to remain a few days to await the return of the three brethren who had gone ahead and to have a report from them before moving any further. Fears were entrtained that mischief had befallen them. A meeting of the camp was called and it was decided to send out ten men to pioneer the way over the Sierra Nevada, and to see if anything could be learned of the whereabouts of the missing men.



Accordingly, the next morning our pioneers set out and late in the evening of the 14th they returned. The camp was immediately called together and a report made. They had learned nothing of the three men, neither trail nor sign of them could be found after passing a certain point. They had found a pass but the road would have to be worked. It was decided to send four men ahead on the morrow to cut away the brush and roll rocks out of the way, and the camp was to follow after. That day we traveled about eight miles,



and on the 16th we continued our journey. At night we camped on the waters of the Macozamy.



On the 17th, we camped by some springs.



The next day camp lay by while a few men went ahead, myself included, to work and make the road. As we were returning we found where we supposed our three missing men had camped near a spring. Not far away was what we thought to be an Indian grave, as near by was an Indian wickeup. Brother Miller, one of our party, said he was of the belief that our brethren were in it. After returning to camp and making our report we organized (for we had not yet done so). Johanthan Holmes was appointed president, with Samuel H. Rogers and Addison Pratt as his counselors. Lieutenant Samuel Thompson was appointed captain in case there was any fighting to do with redskins.



Our number and outfit consisted of forty-five men and one woman, the wife of Sergeant William Cor[a]y; two small brass cannon—one a four the other a six pounder—besides our muskets; seventeen wagons and about four hundred head of stock, including horses, mules, oxen, cows and calves.



On Wednesday the 19th, the camp reached the spring near which was the supposed Indian grave. The tools from the wagon were soon brought and the grave was at once opened. We were shocked at the sight! There lay our brethren naked, one with his face upwards the others face downwards. To all appearance an ax or a hatchet had been sunk in Brother Browett's face, and a shot had penetrated his eye. A withe was around Allen's neck. They were in a shallow grave. In looking around we found bloody arrows laying about on the ground. Allen's purse of gold dust was found, it was readily known, as many of the boys had see him make it.



That night while at prayers something gave our stock a dreadful fright, causing at once a stampede. It was thought to be either grizzly bears or Indians. At once Captain Thompson gave orders to "limber up a cannon and let her speak." This was promptly done. The report and noise of our running stock was like an earthquake, fairly shaking the mountains.



Men were busy all the next day gathering up stock, a few of which were never found.



In the afternoon of the following day we enclosed the grave for our brethren with rocks so as to prevent wild beasts from disturbing them, as well as to mark their last resting place.



On Friday the 21st, having found all the stock except one or two mules, we moved four miles and camped in what we called Rock Valley. Clover and wild flax were found growing in this valley.



The next day a number of us worked and made a road six miles and the camp moved three miles. There were ponds near the tops of the mountains with no outlets, said by the boys who visited them to be filled with trout. In places we could gather flowers with one hand and snow with the other at the same time. I had never witnessed such a thing done before. In the pine timber were plenty of mountain chickens.



On Sunday the 23rd camp lay by and, like good boys, we kept the Sabbath day.

Transcript for Henele Pikale (Henry W. Bigler), "Recollections of the Past," Juvenile Instructor, 1 December 1886, 365-66

In Early Days. My Introduction to Mormonism

F. A. Hammond, "In Early Days. My Introduction to Mormonism", Juvenile Instructor, August 15, 1894, Page 517-518.

After resting a few days at the place appointed for our gathering, those who were to compose the company having mostly gathered in, we made a start, having first sent a few brethren ahead as pioneers to blaze the trees through the timber and mark out the trail for the wagons to follow. This company was composed of Saints who came to California in the ship Brooklyn, and members of the Mormon Battalion.



In starting out with the wagon company I had some experience which was quite new to me, that was, managing and driving four yoke of oxen.



The first day out I managed to upset the whole load of goods from my wagon, while passing a dug-way on a side hill. This accident caused me to doubt my ability as a teamster, and I supposed "the voyage was up," as we sailors usually think the voyage about ended when the ship is capsized. However, the boys came to my assistance, and with their experience and strong arms soon had my wagon righted up and the goods replaced, and not much damage was done. This mishap tended to lessen my self-confidence in managing a team, and I made arrangements with Timothy Hoit [Hoyt] to buy my wagon and oxen, and haul my goods for me, and I rigged up some pack animals and joined the pack company. So I parted with the wagon company and took the trail ahead of them. We had not traveled but a day or two on the trail marked out by our pioneer brethren when we met some Indians dressed in some of the clothing belonging to the brethren who were ahead looking out the road. We soon came to the spot where our three pioneers had been murdered by the Indians. It was near a beautiful little spring in the midst of a heavy growth of fine timber. Signs of a fearful struggle were apparent where the brethren fought for their lives. The Indians must have crept upon them while they were asleep, and attacked them perhaps with their own arms. A buckskin purse well filled with gold was found lying on the ground. We buried the bodies as decently as circumstances would permit, and a rude inscription was placed on the spot to tell the sad tale. This sad accident caused a deep gloom to rest upon our whole camp; it served to make us more than ever watchful and vigilant.



We traveled on pioneering our own road the rest of the way over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I remember we traveled a goodly portion of one day on snow as we made the summit. We finally made the pass and descended down into Carson Valley and on to Truckee River, where we rested ourselves and animals a short time, for we now had a stretch of country of ninety miles across to the Humbol[d]t River, a desert without water and but very little feed. While resting here we saw a few Indians lurking round in sight of our camp, but did not venture in. We filled our water canteens and about 3 p.m. left our camp on Truckee River and took the trail for Humbolt. About midnight we came to where our trail led through a rocky pass, and as we reached about midway of the pass there came a shower of arrows from both sides of the trail. The Indians had preceded us and ambushed here in this spot where we were obliged to pass, with the intention of robbing us of animals and outfit. We put spurs in our horses and rushed the pack animals and loose horses ahead of us with all the speed possible at our command, while the arrows flew into our train as thick as hail, and continued till we were out of reach . One large horse belonging to W[illia]m. [Smith] Muir was killed, and a few others were slightly wounded. This was all the harm we received. Not a man was touched by an arrow. We felt to thank the Lord for our deliverance from what seemed imminent danger.



We rode on without any further molestation during the night, and about 10 o'clock next morning we reached running water on Humbolt River. Our poor animals were so thirsty that we could not keep them from rushing into the river with their packs on, so eager were they to quench their thirst.



We had been so much longer on our journey than expected that our provisions were running very short. We were reduced to hard, dried, "jerked" beef, with a little gravy made with flour and water.



One day, late in the afternoon, while traveling up the Humbolt, I was ahead of the train looking out for a camping place, when I came upon an old camp ground. Here I espied a wolf. He ran off a few yards and turned round to look at me. I drew up my old U.S. Yauger rifle and fired at his wolfship. He was wounded in his shoulder. I left my horse and ran for him, and as I came up with him he turned upon his haunches and snarled at me. I took my gun and clubbed him on the head, and broke the stock of my gun. I returned to camp dragging my game by the tail as proud as a Nimrod over my achievement; but oh how the boys laughed at me when they learned I had broken my gun stock! They said I should have re-loaded, and finished my game with another shot. This was the first game ever killed by my shooting. The wolf was soon skinned and dressed, and we were so hungry for fresh meat that he was soon disposed of by broiling or roasting him on the coals. I have eaten a great many different kinds of animals, but of all that I ever have tried that wolf was far the worst. I can almost taste him yet as I think of it.



We continued our journey without anything worthy of note till about the 1st of September, 1848, when we arrived at Ogden. Here we obtained some fresh provisions from Captain James Brown and a mountaineer by the name of Goodyear. From Ogden we followed an Indian trail which led us in a direct route from Haight's Point to the Hot Springs. The Great Salt Lake now covers miles of the route we traveled.



On the 6th day of September, 1848, we arrived in Great Salt Lake City.

Transcript for F. A. Hammond, "In Early Days. My Introduction to Mormonism," Juvenile Instructor,15 August 1894, 517-518

Juvenile Instructor.

Melissa Burton Coray Kimball in "Utah Woman's 2,000-Mile March Fifty-five Years Ago," Salt Lake Herald

Melissa Burton Coray Kimball in "Utah Woman's 2,000-Mile March Fifty-five Years Ago," Salt Lake Herald, May 26, 1901.

We started on east to come to Salt Lake. Other members of the Mormon battalion had preceded us as far as Sutter's mills. And when we got there, they had found gold. We saw them washing out the gold with pans, but we did not stop there long. We were anxious to come on to Salt Lake.



. . . The worst night I ever spent was in Nevada. . . .We had sent ahead an advance guard of five men. They were to go on and find the best route, and then send back word to us. We kept going on and did not hear from them. We thought it strange that they did not send us any word, but we kept going on, picking our way as best we could. One night, just at dusk, we came upon the bodies of the five men who had been sent out as our guides. They had been killed by the Indians, and the bodies had been thrown in a gulch and partially covered by underbrush. I do not know why they took the trouble to halfway bury the bodies. Perhaps they thought they would catch us off our guard and kill us, too. The five men had evidently been surprised, and had made a hard fight, but, the Indians had been too many for them. They were killed by poisoned arrows.



We camped on that place that night near the bodies: which we buried. We had bought a small cannon at San Diego, and were bringing it with us. We were afraid of an attack that night and so the cannon was fired off every little while to scare off the Indians. I lay there that night and listened to the cannon, and expected every minute to hear the Indians. It was the worst night I ever spent. The firing of the cannon may have kept the Indians away, but it did us more harm than good, for it frightened our horses so that they stampeded. We had a hard time getting them back, and some of them neevr came back.



We were in danger from the Indians on all our trip, but we arrived in Salt Lake valley safely in December of 1848, and we were glad to get here, I can tell you.

Transcript for Melissa Burton Coray Kimball in "Utah Woman's 2,000-Mile March Fifty-five Years Ago," Salt Lake Herald, 26 May 1901, 2

Melissa Burton Coray Kimball in "Utah Woman's 2,000-Mile March Fifty-five Years Ago," Salt Lake Herald.

Robert Pixton, Autobiography, circa 1870, 30-31, in Robert Pixton papers, circa 1870

Robert Pixton, Autobiography, circa 1870, 30-31, in Robert Pixton papers, circa 1870.

Mr. Suter let me see the first gold they found before sending it to San Francisco to get it tested. In May 1848 some of the Brethren and myself made a trip in the mountains to try and find a road over. (instead of going down Truckee River as we had to cross it about 27 times) but when we got in the mountains we found so much snow we had to return, and on the way back I stopped at what we called the Mormon Island where there was some of the Brethren at work getting gold. Bro. Sidney Wells and his Brother, also Bro. Hudson. I staid here for a short time and got some gold.



In June we called a council of Brethren together and concluded to start on our journey home We gathered to a place in the mountains called Pleasant Valley; we stoped here while all had gathered, and we choose Bro. Daniel Browett as President of the Company.



Bro. Browett thought it best that someone should go ahead and look out a road, himself, Bro. Allen, &amp; John Cox started, each riding a horse, and leading one pack mule.



I asked Bro. Browett if he had his garments on, he said no, I advised him to put them on but he took no notice of it, we waited for them to come back and began to feel uneasy as some of the brethren said they had seen an Indian pass through the timber with a red shirt on, after waiting until we thought they had time to come back we started with our wagons and stock &lt;out&gt; on the 27th of June. we stopped and camped on the divide, to see if we could find the brethren, <s>who</s> we had two small Cannon that we had bought from Mr. Sutter Two of the brethren and myself loaded them and fired them off but to no use as they did not come, we sent some more of the brethren on ahead to look out a road, and a little way ahead of us they found some new-made graves. Several of us uncovered them and found our brethren side by side with their clothes taken off them. they was badly <s>abu</s> mutilated, and had been shot full of arrows. We called the place Tradgedy Spring.



We continued on our Journey looking out our road one day and traveling it the next—until we arrived at Carson Valley.



We now crossed the 40 mile desert to the sink of Mary's River. we got there at night. Here was some hot springs which one of our dogs <s>An</s> drunk at, and got his tongue scalded. we travelled up Mary's River. The Indians attacked us and killed one of our horses nothing more of note transpired until we met some <s>traders</s> packers who told us they had come by the way of Salt Lake City, around the north end of the Lake struck the Fort Hall road at Goose creek mountains.



We travelled on their track or trail and one night we travelled around the point of a mountain and camped at a spring and as the sun went down we saw the Salt Lake for the first time which made our hearts glad and we felt to rejoice that we was so near home. the next day we traveled over a sage plain past a large spring on the Malad River, travelld on and crossed Bear River <s>in September 1848</s>and on the 26th of Sep 1848 we arrived at Haights Creek this was 10 miles from Salt Lake City, Next day we arrived in the City where I met my wife about a mile from the fort after an absence of 2 years 2 months &amp; 11 days, this being the 27th.



My wife arrived on the 20th, with the President She yoked her cattle and drove them across the plains 1000 miles[.] she had passed through a great deal of sickness and all but death

Transcript for Robert Pixton, Autobiography, circa 1870, 30-31, in Robert Pixton papers, circa 1870

Samuel H. Rogers reminiscences and diary, 1841-1886, Folder contents: (1) Reminiscences and journal

Samuel H. Rogers reminiscences and diary, 1841-1886, Folder contents: (1) Reminiscences and journal, June 1841.

Transcript for Samuel H. Rogers reminiscences and diary, 1841-1886, Folder contents: (1) Reminiscences and journal, 1841 June-1855 July, 158-66

Samuel H. Rogers reminiscences and diary, 1841-1886, Folder contents: (1) Reminiscences and journal.

Zadoc K. Judd autobiography, 1903-1907, 33-36

Zadoc K. Judd autobiography, 1903-1907, 33-36.

This man Sutter had two small brass cannon which he proposed to sell. It was proposed that the Battalion boys buy these cannon, and take them to Utah as a present to the authorities there. The cannon were bought, each boy paying a small pinch of gold to make up the price, which was about seventy-five dollars apiece. They were loaded into the wagon ready for transportation when all were ready to go.



It was decided that we would make a wagon road over the California mountains which would shorten the distance a few day's travel on a new route.



None were to go further than a little valley until all were there, for we must travel together in order to help each other work the road and be a protection against the Indians. A few of the boys went there before the others were ready. Two of them became impatient and anxious to be doing some good, concluded that they would go ahead and look up the intended route, saying that they would be back in the course of a few days, but they never returned.



When the company was ready it started, following on their trail. After traveling a day or two, we came to a place where they had camped and near by where their fire had been was a pile of fresh dirt. This looked a little suspicious and a shovel was brought and in digging into this pile of fresh dirt, we found that our companions had been killed and buried by the Indians. We covered them up and put a few stones over their graves and cut their names, Daniel Browelt and John Cox, on a large tree near by. We journeyed on a few miles farther that day and camped. And when all was dark in the night, it was proposed that we load and fire one of the cannon to frighten the Indians, if any were near. We did not know how much it frightened the Indians, but it frightened our stock and they ran and scattered, so it took nearly all of the next day to find them.



After traveling from here, we saw several parties of Indians, some of whom were wearing the cloths our comrades had worn. We did not molest them but traveled on in peace, occasionally stopping to do a little road work. We made good progress on our journey and left behind us a good road, until we got nearly across the mountains. In coming down a canyon we came to large rocks which were impassible with the wagons. They were from eight to ten feet high.



We had no hammers nor drill with which we could do anything with the stone. It seemed almost an impossibility to go further. Finally some one suggested that we build a fire on the rocks, and as there was plenty of dry logs and brush near, there was soon a good fire blazing on each rock that lay in our way. When the fire had died down and cooled off a little, we found that as far as the heat had penetrated, the rocks were all broken in small pieces which were soon removed with pick and shovel and another fire built with the same result.



After building three or four fires, we found that the rocks were not much in our way, and we soon had a good wagon road right over them, and we were a short distance of the old wagon road on Truckee River.



While crossing over the mountains, the wagon that I was interested in broke down and was left by the roadside. We got all of our effects out of the wagon and put them on pack animals.



We now had no more road work to do and concluded that we would divide into two companies, pack animals and wagons. I was with the company of pack animals and we could make better headway than the wagons, so we traveled ahead and left them.



All things went well until we reached near the upper end of the St. Mary's River. One day when camped for noon, one warm pleasant day, some of the boys stripped off their clothes for a bath in the river, I with others. We all had a fine time until I found a hole too deep for me to wade in, and being no swimmer sunk to the bottom. When rising again to the surface, some of the boys saw that I was in trouble, for I soon went to the bottom again. One man, a good swimmer, soon came to my rescue and when I came up again, he gave me a tremendous shove toward the shore. Of course, I sunk again, but he followed me and as soon as I rose he gave me another push for the shore. Down I went again and got another ducking. After a few such plunges I found myself on the shore and my head above water. This was the second time I came near losing my life by drowning. The first time, myself and several of my companions went into the Mississippi River for a swim. I got into the water where it was too deep for me to wade and sank to the bottom two or three times before I was discovered by my playmates; but when they got me out I was entirely unconscious and knew nothing about it, but after a time I came to and was able to walk home. I may have related this first drowning in the other book, but do not remember.



It seems my life was spared for some purpose and I hope will yet not be wasted for naught.



Nothing worthy of note happened on our journey until our arrival in Salt Lake Valley, September, 1848. Here I found my good old stepmother, Jane Stoddard Judd. She, with her family, had arrived the year before. . . .



Later in the season, 1849, my brother, Hyrum Judd, came in from Winter Quarters with his family.

Transcript for Zadoc K. Judd autobiography, 1903-1907, 33-36

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