Franklin Benjamin Woolley (1834 - 1869) Profile

Individual

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Franklin Benjamin Woolley

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Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849

Brigham Young's 1848 emigration division, First 100, report

"Brigham Young's 1848 emigration division, First 100, report", Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849, June 1848, Page 1-6.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849.

DUP Pioneer History Collection

Brief Biography of Rachel Emma Woolley Simmons

"Brief Biography of Rachel Emma Woolley Simmons", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 11-14.

The time soon passed and then we were gtting ready to go still farther west. We left Winter Quarters the first part of May 1848. We travelled a few miles the first day and camped on what was called Horn or Elk Horn. We had three wagons and a light spring wagon for Mother [Mary Wickersham Woolley] to ride in as her health was rather delicate at that time. Her wagon was fixed very comfortable so she could have her bed made all the time and could lie down if she wished. My Brother Frank[lin Benjamin] was to drive a wagon, he had to drive mother, as one of our teamsters left soon after we started, so then I had to drive. I did so in fear and trembling, as one of the horses was very vicious. She used to kick up dreadful until she would kick the board of the wagon all to pieces, but it made no difference, I had to go at it the next day just the same.


When we got fairly started on our journey, there was a very large company—I think there was two hundred wagons traveling up the Platte River. The wagons were divided into sections as the road ran parallel. President Young headed one section. <s>I don’t know who was the head of the other.</s> That was a dreary part of the journey. For miles and miles, one could see nothing but the unbroken plains. Not a tree or a shrub in sight, nothing but the white dusty road as far as the eye could see. At night when the camp was reached, myself and companions would always make a rush for the river to bathe. It was great enjoyment after the warm dusty day.


How Camps were Formed


While travelling, there was always someone sent ahead on horseback to search out the best place for a camp, then when it was reached, the wagons at the head of each line would stop and the next one would drive just as close as possible to it, then the next and so on until they were all in each row formed into a semicircle with an opening at the beginning and end. These gates or openings were left so the animals could be driven out and in. There was a guard placed both in the corral and out and I often think of the cheery call of the guard when all was quiet in camp. It was in this wise, “Twelve o'clock in the corral and all is well.” Then the next would take up the call each one of the guards had given the hour.


There is one thing I must mention in regard to my bathing in the Platte. I had one of the most indulgent of mothers, but she had told me many times not to go in bathing so often, (my run-away practices clung to me yet) but I was disobedient and went with the girls as usual after the many warnings I had received. We staid longer than usual and the night being dark I lost my way. I suppose I must have passed the wagons and not recognized them. The grass was very high and the dew very heavy. I was wet to my knees, but after what seemed to me a very long time, and after I had repented my disobedience, I found our wagons and also found Father with a rope in his hand waiting to receive me. I received a deserved very warm reception. I think it had the desired effect. I don't remember any more escapades of that kind during the rest of the journey. In consequence of getting so wet that night, I had a crick in my neck the next morning. My head was drawn on one side. I tried to make myself believe it was because Father had whipped me and thought he ought to be sorry, but it didn't seem to strike him that way. I had to lie in bed all day. Mother petted me some, I remember. Disagreeable results always follow disobedience whether in young or old.


Birth of Mary—Mother of J. Reuben Clark


July the fifth we were camped on a small stream called Goose Creek. It was here that my sister Mary [Louisa] was born. The place was not localized at that time, but since the Territories have been recognized, it is in Wyoming Territory. We never laid over a day in consequence of Mother's sickness. The Lord blessed her and fitted her to bear the journey as He did many others at that time. I have heard her say she never got along better in her life. Mary grew so fast, she was one of the finest of Mother's children, even if she was born under difficulties.


We had to burn buffalo chips while coming up the Platte. I used to get out just before camping, take a sack and fill it as our journey progressed.


When we got into the Black Hills our companies were divided into tens, as they were called, because the facilities for camping were not so good for so many in one place.


Landmarks


There are some land marks I remember. We heard so much of Independence Rock long before we got there. They said we should have a dance on top of it, as we had many a dance while on the plains. We thought it would be so nice, but when we got there, the company was so small it was given up. We nooned at this place, but Father staid long enough for us children to go all over it. I went with the boys and with Catherine . It is an immense rock with holes and crevices where the water is dripping cool and sparkling. We saw a great many names of persons that had been cut in the rock, but we were so disappointed in not having a dance. Our company was so small, and we had not a note of music or a musician. I was told afterwards by some of the girls that we had travelled with that they had a party there, but President Young had all the music with him. I think we camped that night on the stream of water called Sweetwater. The companies ahead of us lost a great many animals at this place. The stench was awful, and the wolves were as thick sheep. It seemed as though they had gathered for miles around. There wasn't a wink of sleep that night for any of us. I was staying with Aunt Catherine [Woolley] that night for company as Uncle Sammy [Woolley] was out on guard with the rest of the men to keep the wolves from attacking the animals or stampeding them. They were so bold they would come right into camp and some of them would put their feet on the wagon tongues and sniff in at the end of the wagon. This was my birthday, I was twelve years old. The next day we passed Devil's Gate, another landmark of very high rocks with an opening at the top with water pouring down to a great depth.


The next I remember was crossing what was called Rocky Ridge and I can truly say that the Belview road isn't a circumstance to that road. I was driving as usual, and to make matters worse we had an old pig that was in trouble that day and she had to ride in the buggy, as father was very anxious to save the little pigs, but they all died in consequence of the rough road. I remember I was so glad when we camped that night, because I was so completely tired out with the road and the frisky horse.


Big Mountain


I don't remember anything else of note until we drew near our journey's end. We came to what is called Big Mountain, and it is rightly named. We had to double teams to get up, that is, take all the teams in camp and put them all on two or three wagons, take them up to the top, then go back for others. Then coming down put them on the back of the wagons to hold them back. Those that came when we did know something of the difficulties of traveling. Five months of that kind gets monotonous after awhile, but we were near our journey's end that we could rejoice even withal.


Coming down the mountain, the axle tree on Mother's wagon broke, which caused some delay. Father cut a young tree and fastened it under the wagon so that it could be brought into the Valley.


First Glimpse of Valley—Arrived 22 September 1848


With what gladness we got our first glimpse of the Valley. We camped just at the mouth of Emigration Canyon in the afternoon to wash and fix up a little before meeting our friends that had preceded us the year previous. Uncle John had been here a year and was living in the Fort, as it was called. His wife had supper ready—corn, cucumbers, and other vegetables. I have no doubt but what we did justice to that supper, being the first in a house for five months. We went to Brother Ensign's who kindly offered us the hospitality of their one room until we could do better. So we pitched our tent in his yard and settled down to rest after our long journey.

Transcript for "Brief Biography of Rachel Emma Woolley Simmons," 11-14.

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008

Caleb Grant report

"Caleb Grant report", Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, December 12, 1856, Page 31-35.

G.S.L. City Dec. 12th 1856



The Church Train in charge of Capt. "A. O. Smoot, left Mormon Grove, K.T. on 10th day of August '56, it consisted of 22 Church Wagons, 3 A. O. Smoots, 3 B.H. Young's, 1 Erastus Snow's, 1 H. C. Kimball's, 1 Ira Eldredge's, 1 John Taylor's and 1 Travelling Carriage belonging to Capt. Smoot, also 1 Mess Wagon; At the commencement of the trip the train was much detained for want of drivers, as there were not men enough with it to move it all at once, it was moved part at a time for several days, we were then overtaken by Bro. F. B. Woolley, who had been to Florence W.T. to procure drivers, he brought some half dozen, raw hands mostly danish with wives, &amp; with this assistance we were enabled to move the entire train at once; but the men not being acquainted with teaming it was generally afternoon before they left camp.



When we arrived at Little Muddy Fork of Grasshopper we took with us 4 Waggons of machinery, 1 Waggon with a Threshing Machine, &amp; 1 with a steamboat boiler, &amp; pursued our way to Big Blue with middling good speed, which point we reached at noon of 20th August, our average speed to this place was 11 or 12 miles per day—



At Big Blue we unloaded one of the waggons containing machinery &amp; put the contents thereof into several of the church wagons, mostly those that had been lightened by consumption of provisions &amp;, this wagon with two others that were lying here we loaded with freight, left here in storage since last year, &amp; our teams being only barely sufficient when we started, were now badly overloaded,



the train left Big Blue on 22nd August noon.



On Monday 25th Augst. while carolled on the prairie between Big Sandy &amp; Little Blue at 5 p.m. Christen F. Neilsen, Tvede left camp in a fit of insanity, he was tracked by Bro Smoot on the following morning 15 miles to a crossing of the Little Blue, where he supposed he'd destroyed himself, but was since informed that he had found his way back to the States,



The train reached the Little Blue on the afternoon of the 26th August, here we found 10 [illegible] head of cattle branded F.G. that had stampede from their train,



we drove them with us until Friday 29th when we overtook the Freight train of Gilbert Perrish to whom the cattle belonged &amp; returned them to their waggon master, they left the river 13 days before we did with over 200 head of cattle, but now had only those that we took to them, their train consisted of 17 wagons &amp; about 20 men.



At 4 p.m. of the same day, a brother aged 18 years, &amp; named James Taylor, of Windsor, England, was run over across the chest which proved fatal in 15 minutes. He was buried at a Littlecreek 36 miles east of Kearney



On Saturday 30th Augst. at 10pm, camped 6 miles east of Fort Kearney, where we lay until Monday 10 am. reached the Fort about noon, &amp; recd. news of the destruction of Squire Babbitt's Train &amp; the murder of several who were travelling with him;



the remains of his train consisting of 4 wagons joined us on Wednesday 3rd Sept.



On Thursday 4th Sept. we passed Capt." Willie's train of handcarts, which were on the opposite side of the river (Platte), they were detained by losing some 30 head of cattle.



Our train lay still on the 5th inst, travelling being bad &amp; storming hard all day,



passed Cottonwood Springs 11 a.m. on Sunday 7th inst, near the Springs we found a Californian Wagon, marked "Pacific Distillery" which had been wrecked &amp; thee travellers killed by Cheyennes. the wagon was brought to this city,



on Thursday 11th we reached the crossing of the South Platte, at 1 p.m., the river was very shallow &amp; hard to cross, got safely over by sundown;



on Friday 12 we carolled [corralled] on the North Platte at 10 p.m. having a safe &amp; speedy decent of the Hill.



The train laid at the mouth of the ash Hollow over Saturday, at 2 p.m. on Saturday 13, O.P. Rockwell left our camp with the remains of Babbitts train &amp; 1 wagon of his own &amp; went ahead; our teams being light we had considerable difficulty in getting over the sandridge, &amp; had to double teams considerably.



On Monday 18th inst Capt G.D. Grant's train, camp up with us; they had in company Bro. F. D. Richards &amp; several returning missionaries, they reptd C. Thos. Margett's company destroyed by Cheyennes, also that 3 Hand Cart Trains were behind us with near 2,000 passengers; after this time we travelled fast, stopped a day at Roubideaux old station &amp;



reached Fort Laramie on Tuesday 23rd inst noon, where we found a party of apostates about to organize to leave for the states.



laid still on Friday 26th at Horse Shoe Creek;



on Monday 29, met Parley P. Pratt's company of missionaries above Ford crossing of North Platte,



made the upper crossing of Platte Thursday 2 Oct, met here a relief wagon with flour, which we recd. &amp; the wagon left for the valley.



We <s>reached</s>, passed Independence rock &amp; Devil's Gate on Monday 6th,



overhauled O.P. Rockwell's train on 7th inst[ance]



which went ahead again on the 8th.



Thursday 9th our provisions being nearly out, Bro Smoot went ahead from the 3 crossings &amp; left Ira Eldredge in charge of the train; at this point snow was first seen by us, there was a slight fall on the mountains.



Grass being very scarce on the new Southern Road we kept the old road, crossed Rocky ridge on Sunday 12th &amp;



reached the South Pass on Tuesday 14th, 2 p.m. &amp;



Little Sandy on 16th 4 a.m., here Capt Smoot retd with Flour &amp; reptd. a relief train on Big Sandy which we met the same evening &amp; recd. from them 19 men, several span of horses &amp; mules &amp; wagons, also Beef, Flour &amp; Vegetables,



left at noon of the 17th &amp;



reached Battis's station on Green River on the 20th, it snowed hard on 19th, 20th, all day &amp; it was very cold, Thermometer down to zero part of the time,



left our camp at 11 am. on Thursday 23rd &amp; reached Fort Bridger, where we lightened our loading, &amp; sent most of the females &amp; children ahead in horse teams,



on the 27th inst we left here also 8 Wagons &amp; their freight,



started from Bridger at noon 30th inst



&amp; met on the 1st &amp; 2nd of Nov about 150 teams going back to the handcarters;



on 3rd inst, we met an express from the Governor, stating that some one was to return &amp; bring on from Bridger the wagons &amp; freight we had left there as well as several useless &amp; tired out cattle left there by us; for this purpose Bro. Franklin B. Woolley accompanied Bro. Russ's [illegible] the bearer of the express to Bridger, who has since arrd in safety with his charge.



On 4th Nov, noon, crossed Weber,



on Thursday 6th at daylight snow was 1 foot deep, it having been snowing all night, left camp at 10 Oclock &amp; travelled slowly through a hard storm which continued all day, reached 300 yds from top of Big Mountain at 4 p.m. where we stopped &amp; chained the cattle to the trees, had an extremely cold night,



in the morning of the 7th we doubled teams &amp; reached the top, the decent was very difficult, slippery had 2 wagons capsize &amp; 1 Break, but righted &amp; repd them quickly &amp; reached camp near Hatch's at dark, where we found 2 loads corn &amp; 1 quarter of beef for us.



On Saturday 8th we camped at Willow Springs in Emigration Kanyon &amp;



at 3p.m. of Sunday 9th reached our destination in Great Salt Lake City



Description of Passengers exclusive of the officers of the train, 
American Total 26, men 13 women 5 children 8 
Danish 19 10 6 3 
English etc 31 18 6 7 
76 41 17 18



Also Captain A.O. Smoot, Ira Eldredge[,] William Wordsworth[,] Franklin B Woolley[,] Brigham H.Young[,] C[onrad]. Kleinman Officers, Caleb Grant, Clerk

Transcript for Caleb Grant report, 12 December 1856, in Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, 9 November 1856, 31-35

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008.

"Journal of Rachel Emma Woolley Simmons," Heart Throbs of the West

"Journal of Rachel Emma Woolley Simmons," Heart Throbs of the West, Vol. 11.

THE JOURNEY WEST



The time soon passed and then we were getting ready to go still farther west.  We left Winter Quarters the first part of May 1848.  We travelled a few miles the first day and camped on what was called Horn or Elk Horn.  We had three wagons and a light spring wagon for Mother to ride in as her health was rather delicate at that time.  Her wagon was fixed very comfortable so she could have her bed made all the time and she could lie down if she wished.  My Brother Frank was to drive a wagon, but he had to drive mother, as one of our teamsters left soon after we started, so then I had to drive.  I did so in fear and trembling, as one of the horses was very vicious.  She used to kick up dreadful until she would kick the board of the wagon all to pieces, but it made no difference, I had to go at it the next day just the same.



When we got fairly started on our journey, there was a very large company—I think there was two hundred wagons travelling up the Platte River.  The wagons were divided into sections as the road ran parallel.  President Young headed one section.  That was a dreary part of the journey.  For miles and miles, one could see nothing but the unbroken plains.  Not a tree or a shrub in sight, nothing but white dusty road as far as the eye could see.  At night when the camp was reached, myself and companions would always make a rush for the river to bathe.  It was great enjoyment after the warm dusty day.



 How Camps were Formed.  While travelling, there was always someone sent ahead on horseback to search out the best place for a camp, then when it was reached, the wagons at the head of each line would stop and the next one would drive just as close as possible to it, then the next and so on until they were all in each row formed into a semicircle with an opening at the beginning and end.  These gates or openings were left so the animals could be driven out and in.  There was a guard placed both in the corral and out and I often think of the cheery call of the guard when all was quiet in camp.  It was in this wise, “Twelve o’clock in the corral and all is well.”  Then the next would take up the call until each one of the guards had given the hour.



 There is one thing I must mention in regard to my bathing in the Platte.  I had one of the most indulgent of mothers, but she had told me many times not to go in bathing so often, (my run-away practices clung to me yet) but I was disobedient and went with the girls as usual after the many warnings I had received.  We staid longer than usual and the night being dark I lost my way.  I suppose I must have passed the wagons and not recognized them.  The grass was very high and the dew very heavy.  I was wet to my knees, but after what seemed to me a very long time, and after I had repented my disobedience, I found our wagons and also found Father with a rope in his hand waiting to receive me.  I received a deserved very warm reception.  I think it had the desired effect.  I don’t remember any more escapades of that kind during the rest of the journey.  In consequence of getting so wet that night, I had a crick in my next the next morning.  My head was drawn on one side.  I tried to make myself believe it was because Father had whipped me and I thought he ought to be sorry, but it didn’t seem to strike him that way.  I had to lie in bed all day.  Mother petted me some, I remember.  Disagreeable results always follow disobedience whether in young or old.



 Birth of Mary—Mother of J. Reuben Clark.  July the fifth we were camped on a small stream called Goose Creek.  It was here that my sister Mary was born.  The place was not localized at that time, but since the Territories have been recognized, it is in Wyoming Territory.  We never laid over a day in consequence of Mother’s sickness.  The Lord blessed her and fitted her to bear the journey as He did many others at that time.  I have heard her say she never got along better in her life.  Mary grew so fast, she was one of the finest of Mother’s children, even if she was born under difficulties.  We had to burn buffalo chips while coming up the Platte.  I used to get out just before camping, take a sack and fill it as our journey progressed.  When we got into the Black Hills our companies were divided into tens, as they were called, because the facilities for camping were not so good for so many in one place.



 Landmarks.  There are some land marks I remember.  We heard so much of Independence Rock long before we got there.  They said we should have a dance on top of it, as we had many a dance while on the plains.  We thought it would be so nice, but when we got there, the company was so small it was given up.  We nooned at this place, but Father staid long enough for us children to go all over it.  I went with the boys and with Catherine.  It is an immense rock with holes and crevices where the water is dripping cool and sparkling.  We saw a great many names of persons that had been cut in the rock, but we were so disappointed in not having a dance.  Our company was so small, and we had not a note of music or a musician.  I was told afterwards by some of the girls that we had travelled with that they had a party there, but President Young had all the music with him.  I think we camped that night on the stream of water called Sweetwater.  The companies ahead of us lost a great many animals at this place.  The stench was awful, and the wolves were as thick as sheep.  It seemed as though they had gathered for miles around.  There wasn’t a wink of sleep that night for any of us.  I was staying with Aunt Catherine that night for company as Uncle Sammy was out on guard with the rest of the men to keep the wolves from attacking the animals or stampeding them.  They were so bold they would come right into camp and some of them would put their feet on the wagon tongues and sniff in at the end of the wagon.  This was my birthday, I was twelve years old.  The next day we passed Devil’s Gate, another landmark of very high rocks with an opening at the top with water pouring down to a great depth.



 The next I remember was crossing what was called Rocky Ridge and I can truly say that the Belview road isn’t a circumstance to that road.  I was driving as usual, and to make matters worse we had an old pig that was in trouble that day and she had to ride in the buggy, as Father was very anxious to save the little pigs, but they all died in consequence of the rough road.  I remember I was so glad when we camped that night, because I was so completely tired out with the road and the frisky horse.



 Big Mountain.  I don’t remember anything else of note until we drew near our journey’s end.  We came to what is called Big Mountain, and it is rightly named.  We had to double teams to get up, that is, take all the teams in camp and put them all on two or three wagons, take them up to the top, then go back for others.  Then coming down put them on the back of the wagons to hold them back.  Those that came when we did know something of the difficulties of traveling.  Five months of that kind gets monotonous after awhile, but we were so near our journey’s end that we could rejoice even withal. 



 Coming down the mountain, the axle tree on Mother’s wagon broke, which caused some delay.  Father cut a young tree and fastened it under the wagon so that it could be brought into the Valley.



 The New Home



With what gladness we got our first glimpse of the Valley.  We camped just at the mouth of Emigration Canyon in the afternoon to wash and fix up a little before meeting our friends that had preceded us the year previous.

Transcript for "Journal of Rachel Emma Woolley Simmons," Heart Throbs of the West, Vol. 11, pp. 161-63

"Journal of Rachel Emma Woolley Simmons," Heart Throbs of the West.

Nelson, Bengt, "An Autobiography of Bengt Nelson, Sr., Together with a sketch of his wife Ellen J. Nelson," 9-10, 15-16

Nelson, Bengt, "An Autobiography of Bengt Nelson, Sr., Together with a sketch of his wife Ellen J. Nelson," 9-10, 15-16.

After the second month Frank Woolley came up to get hands to drive teams across the Plains and I engaged to go with him, very much against the desires of Mr. Bovey, as masons were very hard to get hold of about Omaha. I had decided to take the first chance I could get to come to Salt Lake, so Mr. Bovey very kindly paid me a full hundred dollars for two months service.
As I was now at liberty to go west to Utah I made every preparation for the event. I had promised my sister [Caroline], younger than myself, to see her safely through to Zion the first opportunity I had, and now was the first chance that had presented itself. She had become acquainted with a Swedish girl by the name of Ellen Johnson, and was very anxious to have her go along with her for company, as they were the only two Swedish girls there and they had become very well acquainted. I talked the matter over with Brother Frank Woolley, and it was finally agreed that they could go along with the company and cook, and I would pay twenty five or thirty dollars extra, besides the work they would do. The starting point being Atchison, we left Omaha about the 5th of August and arrived in Atchison the 7th, and on the 9th we started with four yoke of cattle, three yoke being perfectly wild.
We had quite a time not being used to driving oxen and I found that most of the boys were just as green as I. But it was not long before I could handle them satisfactorily, and soon they were tamed. There were several in the company who understood the handling of cattle very well such as Porter Rockwell, Frank B. Woolley and our beloved captain A. O Smoot, and others whose names I have forgotten.
We arrived at Fort Kearney the 1st of September, nothing occurring of any consequence. Arriving at Fort Laramie the 27th, we continued our journey up the Platte; feed was getting scarce, the nights were cold, the teams were tired and tender footed. Snow was making its appearance on the mountains ahead of us, but finally we arrived at Fort Bridger October 27th. Here we rested a few days, as some of the teams were badly worn out.
The Captains desired to leave some of the wagons and go on over the mountains. We left Bridger the 31st, and very soon it started to snow, and it was not long before we were travelling in snow three feet deep and were compelled to camp right on the tops of the Rocky Mountains, tying the poor animals to the trees without a mouthful of anything to eat. It was bitter cold, but there was plenty of timber and we made big fires to warm ourselves and teams. Most of us were young and it is a wonder that we did not get our feet frozen, as I had to thaw my boots before I could get them off my feet.
The next day we met teams that had been sent out from Salt Lake City with corn for the cattle, this was a great help to us. We arrived in Salt Lake November 9th 1856. . . . 
After my recovery [from smallpox], I went to Omaha and there I fell in with Bengt Nelson and his sister Caroline. He had engaged to drive team across the plains and his sister did not desire to go alone, so I was invited to accompany her, we to do the cooking for the company. They were due to leave Atchison August 9th, we therefore boarded a river steamer and arrived at Atchison August 7th, 1856.
Everything was now in readiness for the journey we left camp on the 9th, and got along fairly well, although we found a long tedious trip ahead of us. The work was more than we expected, oftentimes there were 18 persons to cook for, and many times we would sit up over half the night to bake bread, and at times we drove team during the day when they were short of teamsters. Still as long as it was warm and pleasant we did not mind, but the nearer we approached the mountains and the more the season advanced the colder it became, and by the time we reached Fort Bridger we had snow and plenty of it. Across the mountains we waded through snow three feet deep. It was with very thankful hearts that we beheld dry ground on our approaching Salt Lake City, where we arrived November 9th, 1856, having been on the plains three months to the day.

Transcript for Nelson, Bengt, "An Autobiography of Bengt Nelson, Sr., Together with a sketch of his wife Ellen J. Nelson," 9-10, 15-16

Woolley, Franklin Benjamin, Autobiography [ca. 1856], 13-15

Woolley, Franklin Benjamin, Autobiography [ca. 1856], 13-15.

. . . I received a letter from Bro A. O Smoot dated at Atchison K. F. and stating that Prest Young desired me to assist him (Smoot) in bringing the church train through that season, and requesting my immediate presence. So ended my “quick trip”. When leaving Florence Bro McGaw Agt. at that place made a present of ten Dollars, to buy some necessaries for my self. Arrived at Atchinson [Atchison] and assisted in loading the waggons and getting ready for the plains. As we were ready to start discovered we should be short of drivers being disappointed in our expectation of their being plenty who would like to get through to the valley &amp; to their mines of Calafornia [California]. I was despatched to Florence and vicinity among the Saints to procure the services of teamsters for the trip[.] I was so far successfull that among Saints &amp; Gentiles I procured the number I wanted by taking in some instances, an entire family with the man, and returned the day after, the train had started, they having taken a few waggons at a time, did my business, and started [-] 1 oclock Aug 11th 1856 for home[.] Travelled that afternoon 25 miles, mostly on foot, and the next morning early overtook the train. As an index to the labors, and perplexities of this trip, I will give the experience of that morning as a sample of what it was for large portions of the way. Commenced early to yoke up the cattle, men women and children surrounding the “corall” to keep them from breaking through; two or three of in corall with “lassos” to catch the wild ones, which were in proportion 5 to 1—all teamsters ignorant and of little use, and when cattle were caught and yoked, had to lead with lasso and coat to get hitched together, finally at 2 oclock in the afternoon, all were pronounced ready for start; and we broke “corall” herding each team to the road, one on each side of the cattle to guide them; and at every creek crossing or hill, I or some one of us from the valley had to drive every team. So ignorant were the cattle and their drivers herding the cattle at night and attending to the train in the day—devolved mostly upon Bros. Wardsworth—Porter Rockwell &amp; myself. Bros Smoot &amp; Eldre[d]ge who had charge of the train, being much of the time indisposed and, the teamsters not to be trusted[.] Sometimes I was on duty without sleep 36 hours and sometimes nearly 48—except perhaps what I might catch on horse back. or for an hour in that time in a waggon, as it seemed that unless one of us was immediately with the train something would go wrong. We had 375 oxen and 42 waggons. 1 carriage and 12 horses and mules.



	Owing to the lateness of the season and being too heavily loaded &amp;c, we had a hard trip and did not arrive until the snows began to fall in the mountains[.] We had the first snow at the “three crossings” of Sweetwater River and more or less afterwards until we got home. At Fort Ridges [Bridger] we left 8 waggons and their loads as it was impossible for our teams to take them all, through to the valley when at the mouth of Echo Kanyon [Canyon] Bro Smoot received a letter from Bro Young directing him to bring all the goods in and if he had not enough team to call upon the brethren who were out in the mountains with ox teams to assist the hand cart emmigrations, to assist in bring [-] the waggons that we left at Bridges [Bridger]. I was again called on to go back and bring up the rear which was able to do with considerable talking to some of the brethren who feared the season was too late to venture back to the fort with cattle but I succeeded in obtaining enough to answer my purpose and brought everything in, in good condition

Transcript for Woolley, Franklin Benjamin, Autobiography [ca. 1856], 13-15

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East Rochester, Columbiana, Ohio, United States

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Samuel Wickersham Woolley

Henrietta Woolley

Edwin Dilworth Woolley

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Mary Louisa Woolley

Sarah Woolley

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San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California, United States

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The Church History Biographical Database is a powerful research tool that contains biographical entries on over 100,000 early Latter-day Saints, such as pioneers who traveled to Utah and missionaries who served throughout the world from 1830-1940.

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Franklin Benjamin Woolley

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