Franklin Dewey Richards (1821 - 1899) Profile

Franklin Dewey Richards (1821 - 1899)

British Missionaries, Liverpool 1855

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Franklin Dewey Richards

birth-date-qualifier-birth

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971

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

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971, August 19, 1854, Page 11.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, July 1, 1840.

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

Index to the British Mission manuscript history and historical reports

Index to the British Mission history, 1841-1971, Church History Library, Page 428 to 512.

Index to the British Mission manuscript history and historical reports.

Latter-day Saint biographical encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson

Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, Page 114.

Latter-day Saint biographical encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson.

Millennial Star

Millennial Star, Vol. 18, Page 504.

Millennial Star.

Richards family collection, 1837-1961

Richards family collection, 1837-1961.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849

Ezra T. Benson's 100, report

"Ezra T. Benson's 100, report", Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849, September 24, 1849, Page 1-8.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849.

Deseret Evening News

Elder's Correspondence: Extract from a letter from F. D. Richards to the Editor

"Elder's Correspondence: Extract from a letter from F. D. Richards to the Editor", Deseret Evening News, June 12, 1852, Page 2.

Deseret Evening News.

Deseret News

Arrivals

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

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



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



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

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

Journey from Florence to G. S. L. City

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

Deseret News.

Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914

Scrapbook Part 7

"Scrapbook Part 7", Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914, 1907, Page 2-4.

Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914.

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

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

Historical Department office journal, 1844-2012

Historical Department office journal, 1844-2012, Page 51.

Robert L. Campbell, Journal extracts

"Robert L. Campbell, Journal extracts", Historical Department office journal, 1844-2012, 11, 12, July 3, 1848, Page 93-117, 35-243.

Transcript for Robert L. Campbell, Journal extracts (30 June-19 October 1848) in Historical Department office journal, 1844-2012

Historical Department office journal, 1844-2012.

Jane S. Richards autobiographical sketch, 1881

Jane S. Richards autobiographical sketch, 1881.

On the 23rd day of July, previous <s>to</s> my first son, Isaac Phineas was born and died when about one hour old, he was also a nice, lovely looking child[.] he was buried at Mount Pizga [Pisgah], with the Saints; this was a hard trial for Franklin and I as we had left our home for him to take a mission to England and for me to follow with my little family after the Saints into the wilderness. On his return he found me at Winter Quarters. One month after we started in a large company with Willard Richards as President, for Salt Lake City. We were three months and a half making this journey (and I was sick during the entire journey) arriving in Salt Lake City on the 19th day of October 1848 a city of people but not a house, except an old fort which the Pioneers had made the year previous.

Transcript for Jane S. Richards autobiographical sketch, 1881

John Brown reminiscences and journals, 1843-1896

John Brown reminiscences and journals, 1843-1896, May 1843, Vol. 1.

. . . crossed the [Missouri] River on the 10th of june. We remained in Winter Quarters fiting out &amp; waiting on others until the 27 when we moved out about 6 miles that is the first fifty of A[masa] Lyman’s division had not yet Started[.] James M[adison]. Flake was Captain of hundred[,] B[arnabas]. L[athrop]. Adams of the first fifty and F[ranklin] D Richards of the second fifty, I was captain of the 4th ten in the first fifty[.] On the 2nd of July the first fifty crosed the Elk Horn River[.] we forded it[.] here we waited for the second fifty which came up &amp; camped with us on the 6th[.] on the next morning we all moved on[.] brother Lyman traveling with the first fifty &amp; Doctor Richards with the Second [,] the Second fifty traved ahead the first week



At the Loup fork near the old mission we came across a band of the Omahaws [Omahas.] they were friendly[.] we crossed the Loup fork &amp; the Mouth of Cedar Creek[.] found a good ford crossed without any trouble[.] before we reached this place an effert was made to divide the company equal but to no effect[.] Adams had 60 &amp; Richards only 41 men[.] Between Prairie Creek &amp; Wood River, Brothers Lyman &amp; Flake were hunting Antelope[.] they let their horses get away from them when they were a great ways from water[,] the day being very warm they had liked to have pearished with heat &amp; thirst[.] Brother Lyman did not recover for Sevel [several] days[.] At the head of Grand Island another attemp was made to divide the company equal but to no effect[.] we tried one whole day &amp; w<h>en we found this could not be done we concluded to consolidate the company &amp; all travel together &amp; make one carell [corral] for the present[.] here we met a returning company[.] Some of them were from the valley &amp; some from the forward companies[.] they brought good news</h>



We all traveld together a few days but we soon got tired of it the company was to large &amp; unwealdly[.] Not being able to divide equally into two divisions it was thought best to make three companies[.] Acordingly Captain Adams took charge of four tens[,] Richards three[,] and another company of three tens were put under Captain [Andrew] Cun[n]ingham[.] I was stil under Adams[,] Richards was put ahead[,] Cuningham next &amp; Adams behind[.] Cuningham passed Richards in a few days &amp; kept ahead all the way through[.] Richards &amp; Adams were close together all the way through We met several companies returning from the valley[.] they brought good news generally[,] they reported good crops although some of it was destroyed by the crickets



We got along finely lost nothing of any consequence until we reached the black hills where we found little or no feed &amp; ou[r] cattle began to die[.] Within a few miles of the A La Prela [Prele] River my ox waggon broke down where it remained all night[.] Next morning being the 29th of August we had a son born on the banks of the A La Prela[.] I called his name John Crosby &amp; went back &amp; brought up my waggon[.] the axletree being broken I remained here two days with my ten &amp; repaired waggons[.] the ballance of the camp went on to the Platt[e] &amp; there waited until I came up



We lost a great deal of stock on this part of the rout[.] I lost one ox &amp; a calf[.] All the Indians we saw were very friendly



We killed a great deal of wild meat on the way[,] had good weather most of the time[.] At Pacific Creek we had quite a storm of Sleet At Bri[d]ger[.] we had quite a rain Storm[.] here we met some teams from the vally set to assist Doctor Richards[.] At Bear River we had quite a Snow Storm covering the ground severl inches but it soon gon[.] In crossing Bear River Brother Crosby had a wagon broke down in consequence of which my ten had to sto[p] a day[.] We soon came up again[.] Brother Lyman[,] Captain Flake &amp; John Holladay left us at Bear River &amp; went on horseback to the valley to send up some fresh cattle to help us over the mountains[.] at the Weber they met us with Some help[.] On the 11th of October we camped in the valley at the mouth of emigration Canyon

Transcript for John Brown reminiscences and journals, 1843-1896, Volume 1, 1843 May-1860 April, 109-13

John Brown reminiscences and journals, 1843-1896.

Joseph Curtis reminiscences and diary

Joseph Curtis reminiscences and diary, October 1839.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Tuesday May 30 1848</center>



I started in Company with several others for the valley of the great Salt lake[.] got 6 miles[.] arived at winter quarters the 2nd of June &amp; on the 8th we crossed the Missouriee river [Missouri.] remained untill the 2nd of July when we went out 2 miles &amp; camped



on the 5th the Company numbering something like 60 Waggons started for the pappea



[July] 6th 18 miles the next day to the horn 7 miles



7th Continued our journey



8th we at plat[te] river 9 miles



Sunday 9th kill one of my oxen to lame to March[.] being organized in Companies of tens[.] things move in harmony[.] I put some load in other waggons &amp; put a cow in the place of the ox that die &amp; made out to move



July pased the paunee [Pawnee] village on the 14th



Sat 15th we crossed the lupe [Loupe] fork



23rd sunday 215 miles from winter quarters[.] buffalo deer antilope plenty. meeting at 8 o clock



30 meeting of the camp. Amasa Lyman spake at some length[.] it was concluded to divide the camp into 3 parts[.] Andrew Cunningham Chosen Capt[ain] over 3 tens[,] F[ranklin] D. Richards over 3 tens and Bro Adams over 4 tens[.] I was in Ct [Captain] Cunninghams Co[mpany] under B [Benjamin] Wilcox as Capt. of ten



Aug 5th we were met by a company of sox [Sioux] indians



Aug 6 pased their camp friendly



Aug 10 pased bluff ruins



Aug 12 pased chimney rock



Aug 18th came to the fort Larima [Laramie.] went on to the dead ash grove



Aug 22 Mozes [Moses] Martin went back for his calf[.] got over don exhausted



Aug 25 60 miles from Fort Larima. camped on the Le bontee [La Bonte] river



Aug 26 at Deer creek 617 miles from winter quarters.



Sept 2 crossed the plat[te] [River] to mineral springs



Sept 4th met the return team at the willow springs



Sept 5 at indipendence [Independence] rock



Sept 6 at devils gate



Sept 11 one of the Co kiled a mountain sheep[.] I helped in with him[.] the best tasting meat I think I ever tasted



Sep 14th one of George Curtis’s ox found dead[.] suposed a snake bite



17 last crossing of the Sweet Water



18 Monday crossed the south pass



19 little sandy



20 big sandy



22 Friday went to green river 169 miles from vally



28th at fort bri[d]ger[.] all well and in good spirits cattle looks week[.] some got lame



Oct 1st pased the oil spring and sulpher creek onto bear river 950¼ miles from winter quarters and 8 miles from the vally



Oct 5 to weber river 44¼ miles from vally



Oct 9 east fort of the big mountain



Oct 12 the whole Company arrived at the vally of the great Salt Lake[.] myself [and] a few other moved to father Jackmans &amp; Company making adoboe for a house

Transcript for Joseph Curtis reminiscences and diary, 1839 October-1881 March, 72-75

Joseph Curtis reminiscences and diary.

Narrative of Franklin Dewey Richards. San Francisco, 1880 in Utah and the Mormons collection, undated, 33-38

Narrative of Franklin Dewey Richards. San Francisco, 1880 in Utah and the Mormons collection, undated, 33-38.

We arrived in Winter Quarters sometime in April just previously to the departure of president Young, and other large companies across the plains. The next thing we sought to do was to raise the means for another company under the superintendency of president Willard Richards—who was one of the first presidents of the church. President Young was the superintendent of one large company. Our mode of travelling was to organize into companies: to every ten wagons was appointed a captain, to every five of those companies was elected a captain of fifty wagons, and to two of such divisions a captain or superintendent of a hundred: and to each hundred was appointed one of the twelve apostles as superintendent of that hundred. That gives you the form of our organization for travelling. When we went out, each captain of ten was considered to be the watchman, or guard, to overlook those of the ten wagons, and see if they were in a proper condition to travel—see if the wheels and brakes were all right. One day we travelled thirty miles to get water, and in another ten, and then things had to be carefully considered before starting in order to reach the distance for that day.



I cannot say how much we averaged a day as we had to stop where we could get water. We were the first who made a road across the Plains. We came to the hills overlooking Salt Lake City on the 19th day of October. The distance by the Railroad is 1100 miles, and in our journey the road was two or three hundred miles further. We were often prevented from travelling on account of sickness. Our company of wagons, you may see did not include the full complement, but all that could be found that were able to make that trip that season. Willard Richards was superintendent of that company and I was captain. We were the last company of the season and could not get our provisions replenished, the feed was necessarily consumed on the road. By the heat of the summer our animals had become so reduced, and so many of them had died, from drinking alkali waters, that we we[re] obliged to yoke every animal a year old and upwards, and brak[e] them in the teams, even our Milch Cows. Many of the families in our company had to walk altogether, both children and grown people—in fact it was all we could do, and the people, had to get on foot in order to get along. If an ox died, we had to hunt and find an animal, and put in its place, and change different animals and get along the best way we could. We had not a single death in our company. There was one little boy accidentally shot through both knees and arms, but he got well again. We did not have with us any eminent doctors, while we had some with us whom we called doctor. My uncle Willard had been a practicing physician in Boston. We thought we had a doctor with us, into whose guidance, wisdom and sagacity we looked. As the Apostle James: “If any of you are sick let them anoint him with oil and the prayer of faith” etc. that is the feeling among our people: they look for the blessing of God’s salvation. We have found very little general hostility from the Indians. As we approached the Indian town of Cheyenne Indians (Siux) [Sioux] they sent out a detatchment of horsemen to meet us: we thought they meant death and destruction to our company as they took up a line of position on each side of our wagons. They took us to where there was grass for our cattle and took us through their town in safety to the distance of about a mile west. We organized our night guard and placed our cattle under the charge of our own men, when they returned to their camp. We only found one Indian who tried to be dishonest, he climbed up on my father’s wagon when one of the men caught him and brought him out—which showed that their feelings were for our protection. The next morning the chiefs and braves of this Indian town came out and formed a line, the chiefs in the centre, braves on right and left, squaws and papooses in the rear, and took their seats upon the green grass, having spread in front of them some nice, new buffalo robes.



We had a meeting and talk with them. The chief expressed to us through an interpreter in a very dignified and proper manner that it was the custom of companies travelling through their land to make them presents of such things as might be most convenient to bestow—Whereupon we sent men among our companies to receive such donations of sugar, coffee, tea, dried bread and tobacco so the various families fe[l]t able and inclined to donate; (We did not have any whiskey) which when spread separately on the buffalo robes seemed but a small donation for as many people as this Indian settlement contained. We explained that we had in our wagons only wheat we had to live on for a whole year: the chief and people generally seemed quite satisfied with our explanation, and accepted our gift with complacency and apparent satisfaction. and every thing was well and right. We acknowledged the propriety of making them a gift, but the peculiarity of our circumstances placed us in an awkward position (we thought) but they seemed to appreciate satisfactorily what we gave them. It has been our habit to shoot Indians with tobacco and bread and biscuits rather than with powder and lead, and we are the most successful with them. It is the best way if they are not too imperative and overbearing. We have found it necessary sometimes to kill some Indians; but where we found that friendly feeling in seeking our comfort, it awakened in us that better feeling which emanates from that scriptural adage “Do unto others as you would others should do unto you”. As regards their numbers, they could have used us right up. With Mr. Jed[e]diah M. Grant came out teams and provisions from Salt Lake, and met us on the Sweet Water and so relieved our worn out teams as greatly to assist us to make our way along our journey, where we arrived on the 19th of Oct.

Transcript for Narrative of Franklin Dewey Richards. San Francisco, 1880 in Utah and the Mormons collection, undated, 33-38

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company financial accounts, 1849-1886

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company financial accounts, 1849-1886, Vol. A, Page 13.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company financial accounts, 1849-1886, Vol. A, Page 9.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company financial accounts, 1849-1886, Vol. A, Page 109.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company financial accounts, 1849-1886.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund, Financial Accounts 1849-1886, Ledger A

Perpetual Emigrating Fund, Financial Accounts 1849-1886, Ledger A, Page 18.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund, Financial Accounts 1849-1886, Ledger A.

Phinehas Richards, Diary

Phinehas Richards, Diary, April 1837.

Friday June 23d, 1848. I went over the River to look [for] a House for Margaret. as she was to wait another year. I found one and bought it



Saturday 24. Had a real blow up with the wife and learned of her, that she had suported me for 10 or 12 years. so I keep learning and for the future I will support myself as usual.



Sabbath 25th. labored all day for the first time, preparing to go to the Mountains.



Monday 26. went over the River on buisness. A.M. and P.M. carried shakes and punchean to the Ferry. for the House I bought East side.



Tuesday 27. I was busey most of the day. made a ladder for waggon, Brother Moss came over with his Family ready for a start. This day F[ranklin]. D. Richards was appointed Capt. of 50 for the journey.



Monday July 3d. left Winter Quarters and campted 3 miles out, for the night.



Tuesday 4. The President, Willard Richards, seeing the City cleand came up to the camp and took his place in the Corill. here near Night[,] William Adams a child had a ball shot through one [k]nee and lodged in the other. I took him across the carill [corral] to the waggon of Br. W[illar]d. who orderd the ball extracted. Dr. Johnson took my lancet, made the attempt but failed. Dr. Lemeroux [Lamoreaux] next tried. but gave it up. I took the lancet[.] laid the boy in his Fathers lap, and took the ball out in less than a minute. The wound healed in a short time, to the joy of his parents and friends.



Monday 10. Levi Willard a Child fell from the Waggon and broke his arm. I was sent for to see to. I fixed it as I thought best and left him comfortable, and quiet. I saw him next day quite comfortable. in a day he was out at play with other children.



Sabbath 23. two Buffaloes were brought into Camp. and a number of Antelopes.



Monday 24. staid in camp. to discuss the case of rebelion, which showed itself out verry plainly, which was ascertaind and the meetin desolved.



August 6th had the Tine set on one wheel of my Waggon.



Monday 7, Came to a Tribe of Sous [Sioux] Indians and had a Conference with them and also traded with em for Robes and Mackersons [Moccasins], lef[t] them quiet and peaceable.



Wednesday 9, good weather, and a good travel[.] here we were soluted with the fumes of a Pole-Cat, for the third time on the journey.



Thursday 10, some Indians came to the Camp before starting this morning[.] all quiet.



Friday 11 Bro. [John Solomon] Ful[l]mers child kicked and the arm broken, a shower of Rain 5 P.M. passed the first Bleffs [Bluffs] ruins, and Camped where the first Company left their fires.



Saturday 12, had a long travel this day. Archabal [Archibald] B. Moss fell from his Waggon[.] the wheels run over the boys brother[.] he turned black, arose and then fell[.] we administered to him and he recovered.



Sabbath 13, left Camp early to find water and Camped 1 mile west of the first Camp[.] spent the day and, had gentle showers 5 P.M. damp and chilly Night and Morning.



Monday 14. had a great travel. (Pole-Cat.) Camped at Scot[t]s Bluffs [Bluff] North side of River



Tuesday 15. Last Night left a Cow and at Evening, Franklin D. Richards went back after her, and found her partly eaten by the Wolves. comfortable weather



Wednesday 16. came to the River, when the Company went over that was ahead, 15 miles from Larama [Laramie], a long drive this day.



Thursday 17, Crossed the River and went 1 mile up to Ash Grove, found wood and water, staid and washed, burnt Coal and repaired.



Friday 18 traveled late A.M. and went on to Fort Larama [Laramie] and Campt that night[.] all went well in spirits.



Saturday 19 Morning stopt at the Fort about one hour. then moved on to the Hot Springs.



Tuesday 22 we traveled 3 day and found no good feed which made it hard for Teems.



Mond[a]y 28 went to place where we stopt[.] about 12 M. staid that Night and the day following.



Br. Cuningham and his Company left and went on.



Wednesday 30, still in Camp, Br A[masa] Lyman Company passed through and Camped 1½ mile above us.



Thursday 31, Br. John Mercer had an ox die. killed 2 Buffaloes while here, shod Oxen and repaired Waggons. when through we went on our Journey, and continued our Journey day by day until the nineteenth of



September 19. when we saw snow on the mountins, probably 50 miles ahead. it look Cold. the weather however was mild and fair. the Camp generally well, and made progress in our journey



Saturday 23, came to the South Pass of the Rockey [Rocky] Mountains, near Night, a gentle rain with a mixture of snow, Camped 3 miles West of the Pass.



Sabbath 24. Traveled on till near Night. experienced a hard blow, with Hale, and rain followed near an hour, Camped at Little Sandy.



Monday 25, we went on our way, and prospered in our Journey.



Thursday Oct 19. we arived in the Valley[.] about 12 M. Corilled [Corralled] about ½ mile North of the Fort. and staid there untill [text missing]



Monday 23, when we dispersed to our Lots[.] turned our teams out to herd[.] I bought an old hors of an Indian, turned him out in the herd. kept him till Spring, and with him paid $25.00 of a house I bought of Br. Dimic Huntington.

Transcript for Phinehas Richards, Diary, 1837 April-1871 March, Phinehas Richards papers, 1837-1874 in Richards family collection, 1837-1961

Phinehas Richards, Diary.

Pioneer emigration list 1847-1848, 179, in Docket book

Pioneer emigration list 1847-1848, 179, in Docket book, February 1844.

Pioneer emigration list 1847-1848, 179, in Docket book.

Rollins, James H., Sketches from camp journal of Pres. Amasa Lyman's Company

Rollins, James H., Sketches from camp journal of Pres. Amasa Lyman's Company, July 24, 1848.

Sketches from Camp Journal of Pres A. Lymans Co 
 
July 24th 1848
Started from winter Quarters June 29-[18]48—6 P.M. went 3 miles when an Axtel tree [axletree] was Broken in Leathur Lormire wagon[.] left waggon and went on 3 mi. and Camped. then some went back for waggon
(30th) fine &amp; pleasant some cattle in the mire— camp called together and organized Capt. 100 Ja[me]s M. Flake Capt 50 B[arnabas]. L. Adams, Capt 10s 1st C[hapman]. Duncan 2nd Ja[me]s. H. Rollins, 3rd [Peter] Meseck [Mesick,] 4th Jno [John] Brown 5th Esra [Ezra] Clark 6th A[ndrew]. Cummingham not present---did not travel this day Capt. [James] F[lake]. returned to town Cattle very troublesome through the night
July 1st started on and crossed the Papia [Pappillion] noted our team. went on 2 miles came up heavy rain stopped 1 hour---went 1 mile and camped without wood or water
(2nd) Cool and Airy started early arrived at the Elk Horn at 9 OC [o'clock] turned out our teams and breakfasted near old rafting place—searched a ford and found one ¾ mile above water from 4 to 20 inches deep[,] fixed Banks[,] &amp; returned and camp moved up and commenced crossing and finished about sun down all safe and sound[.] after dark several trains came from winter qr [Quarters.] we assisted them in crossing
(3rd) Pres. L. [Lyman][.] Capt F. [Flake] went to Burying grounds—Indians dug into Sis Taylors Grave[.] Body not disturbed—fixed them[.] anxiously waiting for Dr. R.
4th went a fishing Burnt Coal—warm and pleasant
5th Clear &amp; warm Jno Scott and others saw about 20 indians
6th A[ndrew]. L[amoreaux] with several others started back on to meet Dr R. &amp; Co[.] after traveling 3 miles found Bro Barrow &amp; others say 40 waggons stringing along from ¼ to 1 mile apart went on found Dr R. with 28 waggons on the Papia[.] they soon started from here and arrived at the Horn about 2 oc and camped Bro Smithing done all ready to Roll in the morn
7th Capt L. called for volunteers to go into Dr. R. Co that their numbers might be increased and ours reduced[,] But none volunteered[.] Capt. L. then proposed that they should go in advance—they accordingly went 2 miles ahead[.] Camp traveled to Liberty Pole on Pate 11¼ miles and Camped—Dr. Co in sight[.] they camped 4½ ms in advance of us[.] A. L.[,]Capt. L. and others went to Dr. R. after dark agreed to travel on next day and rest on the Sabbath<s>[illegible] near [illegible]</s>
8th weather warm camp started at 8 oc Traveled 14½ ms and camped ½ mile above Dr. R
9th Both camps met together[.] meeting opened by F[rankling]. D[ewey]. Richards. Dr. R's Co organized Clerks Chosen for Ea Co, Rules adopted for benefit of Camp. Pres L. &amp; R. gave good instructions—Pres L. wanted to do all the Quarreling on the road.
(10th) Morning fine camp all well and all ready to start at ½ Past 7" But obliged to wait until 9" for Dr. R.s camp several of their cattle were astray—Traveled 10 miles to shell Creek &amp; Camped[,] very warm[,] 2 fine Hogs died with Heat—Capt L killed a fine deer
(11th) Clear &amp; warm[.] Camp started at ½ P. Eight[.] Camped on Fisher slough
(12th) Started at 8 OC. warmest day we have had[.] Capt. Adams Lost Two fine Pigs By heat[.] some oxen nearly overcome[.] Camped about 3 OC.
(13th) Morning very warm[.] Camp started at 8 OC. went to Looking glass 9½ ms. and watered[.] from thence to Beaver River 8¼ ms last Teams till dark getting in[.] some teams near give out—Exceding dry &amp; Dusty
(14th) morn cool started 9 OC. drove to Cedar River Passed the Pawnie [Pawnee] Station and village, found here a Band of Omahas 2 Elks &amp; their Braves, 1st 10 ahead crossed cedar then finding ford good on Loupe[,] returned and with the rest Camped on Ea side of River, after Port day very warm and dusty, Dr Camp ½ m. S.E.
(15th) A Lyman[,] J. M. Flake &amp; 12 or 15 others went to the Loupe to find a route across[,] which they did in a short time[,] the water not being more than 2 feet in deepest part[.] after staking the route and fixing banks returned, camp started at 10 OC. Precisely[.] teams commenced crossing at 11 OC. and continued until ½ Past 1 OC. when all the teams were without any accidents- 9 Lodges Omahas on this Bank of River—Camp rolled on 3 ms up Loup and camped in good season, The day has been cloudy and cool sprinkles a little J[oseph] L. Robinson had a birth in family 1 hour before starting
(16th) Capt J. M. F. Rec.d a line from Cap F. D. R. requesting the aid of teams in crossing Loup[.] Accordingly 12 teams of 4 to 6 yokes ea were sent and Dr R's Co are here safe—I since went to Milsion to get Plank &amp; coal—Cloudy and Warm
(17th) started at 9 OC Pioneer trail very dull, Pres L. &amp; Capt F. went ahead to upper ford also to search best route. after B L. Adams Piloted the camp, traveled 15 ms and camp on Loupe, Pres L. &amp; Capt. F. found a Letter from first camp at upper crossing giving general information concerning camp and all pertaining to it Both man &amp; Beast, several antelope were seen today
18th 3 first tens to go ahead started at ½ P. 7[,] traveled S.W. 4 ms. and struck and struck trace of spring Co followed the same to Prairie Creek and camped[,] it making for 34 ms this day[,] it has been Cool and fine for our teams, Rained 2 hours handsomely Part the Road and hills, all arrived and Campt at—7" OC
(19th) Morning fine But warm Left Prairie Creek at 9" OC went to wood river 11¼ ms Watered and thence 7 miles up G. Island[,] all teams did not get in till 9 OC. 1 of P. Lymans best oxen sick and left 2 ms. back of G. Island 
Capt. J[oh]n. Browns ten went 1½ ms beyond camp G. and returned a back[.] Pres. L.[,] Capt. F. and W[eeden]. V[ander]. Hakes left camp this morning to Hunt[.] after going 8 miles Bro H. killed an Antelope[,] got on Capt. F.s horse he became frightened and Both Horses broke from them and Ran Back one mile beyond P. Creek, there Bro Hake caught them, Pres G. &amp; H. started for train on foot and was near perishing for want of water and overcome by excessive hea[.] Pres L came near the foot of the train but came near Perishing before he could by signals make them see him when he did[.] Dr. Richards came to him with his carriage and took him in—But could take nothing him that would stay on his stomach—Capt. F. found Bro Hakes lieing in the Prairie helpless 4 miles from Train, found the spring camp Crossed wood River June 20 and camped There, found on a Buffalos head with Bro Bullocks &amp; Webbs Names on to it—and all well.
20th started from Camp at 9" O.C. Traveled say 9. miles. Bro L quite sick not-able to be up, Quite warm and sultry[,] several waggons came near being Burned by fire in the Prairie, after stopping[,] men went to putting up forge for B. Smithing and setting Fire—
(21st) This morn there was 14 or 18 w. fire to set-consumed the fore noon[.] Entire Camp Commenced starting at ½ P. 12. Traveled 12 ms. up Platt[e,] Camped at 8, O,C Clear &amp; warm until night—then cloudy some Thunder, found on a Bulls Head[.] Camp had passed June 22 all well[,] signed Hosea Stout
July 22) Camp Commenced starting at 8 OC, last ten 9" went say 11 ms and watered[.] Before we got to the Platt our teams were nigh done over, no wood if had wind Blowing to hard grass dry &amp; long 22 ms. this day, Pres L Better also Bro H. Passed several dog Towns this day, several teams in Dr Rs Co did not get in till next morn also herd of Cattle &amp; sheep Capt. F. &amp; B[arnabas] L A[dams]. found a dragoon Horse all equiped, Buffalo came near Dr. R.s waggons in the night
23" strong wind from South (Cool) dangerous having fire, This morning 3 waggons from valey &amp; first Camp Met us, D. S. Thomas[,] H. Peck &amp; others staid through the day with us, 4 Buffalo[,] 7 Antelope were killed By our Camp this day[,] meat Plenty[,] it Being the firs Buffalo Taken, Pres L. Better[,] not able to speak Loud, 4 OC fires burning[,] women cooking (wind gone down
24th Morning Cool and Pleasant[.] Officers called Together to adopt measures for dividing Camp for convenience of Traveling[,] came to no Conclusion in fore Part of the day[,] meting called again at 2 OC and desided Both Companys should travel together until we passed through the Buffalo Country as Dr. R. &amp; others considered there was danger from them
Annexed to this is a Brief and correct List of all the souls Man and Beast in our Camp at this time Vi No of men women &amp; children (white) in the fifty is two hundred &amp; fifty two (252) Cattle[,] Five hund and fifty one (551) No of Blacks Twenty One (21) Horses Twenty Eight (28) Mules Fifteen (15) Sheep one hundred and ten (110) Pigs thirty Nine (39) chickens fifty seven (57) Dogs Sixteen (16) cats eight (8) Ducks (5) doves (21) Capt A Cunninghams 6th Ten in company has souls (66) Cattle (135) Horses (5) Sheep (35) Pigs (13) Chickens (27) Dogs (10)
Bro George A Smith the camp is Generally well[,] has been no deaths in camp[,] all in good spirits and going ahead—Dan[ie]l P had a Letter from T. Callister and all was well—My respects to yourself and Bro Benson and Family.
I Remain as Ever Yours Amasa Lyman
Jas. H. Rollins Clerk for fifty
P. S. we have in Company One hundred and eight Waggons in Tollerable good Order

Transcript for Rollins, James H., Sketches from camp journal of Pres. Amasa Lyman's Company [24 July 1848 report], in George Albert Smith, Papers, 1834-1882, box 4, fd. 11

Rollins, James H., Sketches from camp journal of Pres. Amasa Lyman's Company.

Salt Lake Herald

Mrs. Richards is Dead

"Mrs. Richards is Dead", Salt Lake Herald, November 18, 1912, Page 1.

J[aques], J[ohn], "Some Reminiscence

"J[aques], J[ohn], "Some Reminiscence", Salt Lake Herald, December 8, 1878.

SOME REMINISCENCES



SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 7, 1878. Last week my letter started the handcart company from Florence, August 25th, (1856,) in charge of Captain Edward Martin, assisted by Daniel Tyler. The company was divided into six hundreds, each superintended by its respective captain. While the company was at Florence, F. D. Richards, Erastas Snow, and several other prominent men were on the camping ground, all but Erastas Snow on their way west, returning from missions, chiefly to Europe.



The company moved on the day named from Florence to Cutler's Park, two and a half miles and camped, staid there the next day and night, and left the next morning. While there, A. W. Babbitts dressed in corduroy pants, woolen overshirt, and felt hat, called as he was passing west. He seemed in high glee, his spirits being very elastic, almost mercurial. He had started with one carriage for Salt Lake, with the mail and a considerable amount of money. He was very confident that he should be in Salt Lake within fifteen days. He intended to push through vigorously and sleep on the wind, meaning an airfilled mattress.



One ten and tent of the company staid another night alone at Cutler's park, a birth having occurred in the tent in the morning of the 27th, shortly after midnight of the 26th. The next day, 28th, the ten struck their tent and followed. The company, coming up with it in camp at Elk Horn crossing, very late at night, and after the camp had gone to bed. The Elk Horn valley was remarked as one of the finest pieces of country on the whole journey west of the Missouri.



The two wagon companies under Captains Benjamin Hodgetts and John A. Hunt left Florence by September 1st, and Cutler's Park by September 2nd, and were purposely kept within available call of the handcart company during most of the journey. The statistics of the three companies, when fairly launched on the great plains have been given thus-Martin's handcart company, about 576 persons, 146 handcarts, seven wagons, including one carriage, six mules and horses, fifty cows and beef cattle, also one church wagon with freight; Hodgett's wagon company, 150 persons thirty-three wagons, eighty-four yoke of oxen, nineteen cows, and about 230 head of heifers and other loose cattle; Hunt's wagon company, 240 persons, fifty wagons, 297 oxen and cows, seven horses and mules, and four church wagons with freight. It will be understood that these figures, however correct when taken, were constantly subject to greater or less variation during the journey.



On leaving Florence the loads on the handcarts were greater than ever before, most carts having 100 pounds of flour on, besides ordinary baggage. The tents also were carried on the carts. The company was provisioned for sixty days, a daily ration of one pound of flour per head, with about half a pound for children, being the principal item.



On the 7th of September, west of Loup Fork, the company was overtaken by F. D. Richards, C. H. Wheelock, J. Van Cott, G. D. Grant, W. H. Kimball, Joseph A. Young, C. G. Webb, W. C. Dunbar, James McGaw, Dan Jones, J. D. T. McAllister, N. H. Felt and James Ferguson, who left Florence September 3d, passed Hunt's wagon company on the 6th, east of the Loup Fork, and Hodgetts' wagon company on the 7th, ten miles west of Martin's company, and arrived at Salt Lake city, October 4th, having left Dan Jones at Platte Bridge with his brother, September 23rd.



Crossing the hills on the way from the Loup Fork valley to the Platte valley, the handcart company had a dry march of two days. One on the 9th of September, in the afternoon the company came to a round pit or pond of water. Parched with thirst, the cattle rushed pell mall into the pond and stirred up the mud until the water was thick and black, before the people had supplied themselves for their own use. But it was all the water available, and so it was used for cooking purposes-making coffee, tea, bread, and porridge or hasty pudding, which when made was quite black, but was eaten and drunk nevertheless. At 7 p m, the camp started for Prairie creek, nine miles, reaching it between 11 and 12 o'clock, but very glad to get to clear running water, after having been without two days.



On September 11, eight or nine miles from Lone Tree and Wood river, the company passed the graves of two men and a child belonging to A. W. Babbitt's wagon train, who had been killed on the 25th of August by some Cheyenne Indians, who were on the war path that summer. Two of the teamsters escaped death, and Mrs. Wilson was taken prisoner. Most of the property plundered from the wagons was subsequently recovered by Captain Wharton and the United States troops at Fort Kearney. A mile or two east of the graves of the teamsters a paper was tacked on a board, on which the chief of the Omaha Indians disclaimed participation in the murders. Early in the journey from Florence the company met two or three hundred Omahas, who passed by quite peaceably.



On September 19th, two or three teams from Green river, going east were met, and the man informed the emigrants that Indians had killed A. W. Babbitt and burned his buggy thirty or forty miles west of Pawnee springs. On September 23d, about six miles east of Bluff creek, and about seventy yards to the left of the road, a little harness, two wheels and the springs of a burnt carriage or buggy, and a few other things were seen. These were supposed to be relics of A. W. Babbitt's outfit. The company brought the springs along; but what became of them ultimately I don't know who knows. Babbitt had left Kearney about the 2d of September, with Thomas Sutherland and a driver. Two miles farther on, Captain Hodgetts, Moses Cluff, and Nathan T. Porter were busy with a dead buffalo, which they had run out of a herd and killed for the handcart company, having previously killed one for their own wagon company. Some of the handcart people stayed to skin and quarter the buffalo, and bring it along on four handcarts. At night it was divided among the company, about one pound to each adult. This was the first buffalo beef the company obtained. Buffalo beef, the lean part of it, is good eating on the plains, but it is coarser than ox or cow beef.



The next day, September 24th, the company passed the place where it was supposed Thomas Margette [Margetts] and others were killed by Indians, there being a quantity of feathers strewn about, a blood-stained shirt, and a child's skull. The company camped at Duckweed creek that night, and after dark all the men were called out to form a line around the camp, as it was supposed that Indians were lurking around. About 11 o' clock the men were called in, a double guard was set for the night, and the rest of the men were seriously talked to for half an hour or so, but one of the company who was fond of preaching, on the necessity of vigilance in an Indian country. Then the men were dismissed to their tents, except the double guard. In the afternoon of the 25th, five Indians, some of the squaws, on ponies, rode past the company and near to it, carefully scrutinizing it, but they had nothing to say, and then they rode off towards the Platte. These were the first Cheyenne Indians the company had seen.



On the 3d of October, near Chimney Rock, a company of United States dragoons, under Major Hunter, with ten or twelve mule teams, from Fort Kearney for Fort Laramie, passed the company, and a boy named Aaron Giles, left the handcart company and went with the soldiers. On the 4th of October the company passed Scott's Bluffs. Parley P. Pratt's company of missionaries, going east from Salt Lake, passed the Bluffs about the same time but the two companies did not see each other.



The company arrived at Fort Laramie October 8th, and camped east of Laramie Fork, about a mile from the fort. Before reaching Laramie the company met a fine looking and finely-dressed friendly Indian chief on a fine American horse, and soon after two dragoons on horseback, who, that is, the dragoons, gave some sweetmeats to the children of the company and appeared immensely pleased to see the people. Laramie's Peak, in the distance, gave the first adequate idea of the Rocky Mountains-grand, gloomy and mysterious. On the 9th, many of the company went to the fort to sell watches or other things they could spare and buy provisions. The commandant kindly allowed them to buy from the military stores at reasonable prices-biscuit at 15 1/2 cents, bacon at 15 cents, rice at 17 cents per pound, and so on. Some brought a few things at the sutler's, but much higher prices ruled at his store.



I believe the company left Fort Laramie the next day. Thenceforth, until the close of the journey, although noteworthy events were on the increase, and some of them were indelibly impressed on the minds of the emigrants, yet they were so fully occupied in taking care of themselves that they had little time to spare to note details with exactness, and many notes that were made at the time were lost subsequently and cannot now be found. Up to this time the daily pound of flour ration had been regularly served out, but it was never enough to stay the stomachs of the emigrants, and the longer they were on the plains and in the mountains the hungrier they grew. Most persons who have crossed the plains with ox teams or handcarts know well enough the enormous appetite which that kind of life gives. It is an appetite that cannot be satisfied. At least such was the experience of the handcart people. You feel as if you could almost eat a rusty nail or gnaw a file. You are ten times as hungry as a hunter, yes as ten hunters, all the day long and every time you wake in the night, and so you continue to your journey's end, and for some time after. Eating is the grand passion of a pedestrian on the plains, an insatiable passion, for he never gets enough to eat. When the emigrants would arrive at Salt Lake and be invited into the houses of their friends, the newcomers would eat and eat and eat until they were literally and perfectly ashamed of themselves, and then retire form the table, hungry. I forget how long it would take an emigrant in those days to fill up and reduce his appetite to its normal condition, but it was a long time, a number of weeks and it was an expensive process. No such outrageous appetite comes to you in crossing the continent by rail, and very thankful you may be that it does not, for it is a serious infliction upon those who have it, as well as upon their hospitable friends.



Well, at the time when this great appetite was fairly roused up and had put on its strength and was still further strengthened and sharpened by the increasing coldness of the weather, the extra pinching time commenced. Soon after Fort Laramie was passed, it was deemed advisable to curtail the rations in order to make them hold out as long as possible. The pound of flour fell to three fourths of a pound, then to half a pound, and subsequently yet lower. Still the company toiled on through the Black Hills, where the feed grew scarcer for the cattle also. As the necessities of man and beast increased their daily food diminished, at the time when it was as the emigrants might have said, with Sir Walter Scott, "like a summer - dried fountain, when our wants were the sorest."



In the Black Hills the roads were harder, more rocky and more hilly and this told upon the handcarts, causing them to fail more rapidly, become ricketty, and need more frequent repairing. One man's handcart broke down on afternoon in the hills, and by some mischance the company all went on, leaving him behind, alone with his broken cart and his and his family's little stock of worldly goods thereon, including his rations, which he could not afford to leave, though he lost his knives and forks also some biscuits and butter and sugar which he had bought as extras at Laramie, and a few other things, he was drawing his little child in his cart, as he had drawn her most of the journey, and as he subsequently drew her to the last crossing of the Platte, but when his cart broke down he had to transfer her to somebody else's cart and sent her on with the company. So he remained behind with his cart, anxiously expecting somebody to turn back and help him, but no one came. Night drew on apace and still he was all alone, save and excepting the presence of a prowling wolf, which could be seen in the streak of light on the western horizon, a little outside of the ordinary rifle range. Happily, just as the darkness was settling down Captain Hodgett's wagon company was observed coming down the opposite hill, from the east, at the base of which it encamped, a quarter or half a mile distant from the benighted and lonely handcart, who eagerly went and told his tale of the misfortune to the wagon people, and they took him in for the night. Toward midnight two men with another cart from the handcart camp, seven miles off arrived in search of their missing companion. They also stayed with the wagon company that night, and next morning early the three handcarters started after their own company, coming up with the camp just as it was breaking up and the emigrants were getting ready to start for the day's march.



At Deer creek, on the 17th of October, owing to the growing weakness of emigrants and teams, the baggage, including bedding and cooking utensils, was reduced to ten pounds per head, children under 8 years five pounds. Good blankets and other bedding and clothing were burned, as they could not be carried further, though needed more than ever, for there was yet 400 miles of winter to go through. Again might the emigrants have said, with the Scotch poet, "Like a summer - dried fountain, when our wants were the sorest."



A detachment of soldiers were stationed at the bridge over the North Platte, to remain there until the emigration had passed, and then to withdraw to Fort Laramie to winter. On the 20th of October the company crossed the Platte, for the last time, at Red Buttes, about five miles above the bridge. It may have been the 19th, but I am inclined to think it was the 20th. That was a bitter cold day. Winter came on all at once, and that was the first day of it. The river was wide, the current strong, the water exceedingly cold and up to the wagon beds in the deepest parts, and the bed of the river was covered with cobble stones. Some of the men carried some of the women over on their backs or in their arms, but others of the women tied up their skirts and waded through, like heroines as they were, and as they had done through many other rivers and creeks. The company was barely over when snow, hail, and sleet began to fall, accompanied by a piercing north wind, and camp was made on this side of the river. Captain [John] Hunt's wagon company camped on the other side of the river, and Captain Hodgett's was on this side. That was a stinging night, and it told its tale on the oxen as well as the people. That snowstorm appears to have been a very extensive as well as severe one, reaching westward at least to the Wasatch range. It snowed heavily at Green river at that time, and the thermometer fell to zero there.



Here we are, only at the last crossing of the Platte, and yet I have occupied all the space that you will be willing to spare today.



 



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



 



[also in Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 30 Nov. 1856, 14-20]

Transcript for J[aques], J[ohn], "Some Reminiscences," Salt Lake Daily Herald, 8 December 1878, 1

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/chd/landing

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Richmond, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States

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departed-from-home

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This mission is mentioned in LDS Biographical Encyclopedia and JS Papers.

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released

JH: 21 July 1840 LDS Bio Ency: Vol 1, p. 115 Note: JH entry is a letter from Franklin D. Richards in which he states that he was preaching in Farmington, Fulton, Illinois and a place called Walnut Grove, some 35 miles north.

priesthoodOfficeWhenCalled

residenceWhenCalled

This mission is mentioned in the JS Papers and the LDS Bio Encyclopedia.

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called

JH: 15 Apr 1844 - The names of FDR and his brother Samuel W. Richards appear as missionaries assigned to labor in the State of Indiana. Mission was to assist Joseph Smith's presidential campaign and preach the gospel in Indiana. (Journal History, April 15, 1844, p. 2)

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JH: 17 and 21st of May 1844 - FDR and Joseph A. Stratton were ordained High Priests and set apart to go on a mission to England by Elders B. Young, H. C. Kimball, and Willard Richards. on the 21st, FDR, among many others, left Nauvoo on the steamer "Osprey" for his mission to England.

setApartBy

Franklin D. Richards was called to fill a mission at the general conference held Oct. 6, 7, and 8, 1844 at Nauvoo, Illinois.

Served a mission to Michigan to raise funds for construction of the Nauvoo Temple. He traveled over a thousand miles and gathered nearly $500 for this purpose. This mission is mentioned in the JS Papers and in the LDS Bio Encyclopedia.

JH: 31 July 1846, Feb 20 and May 21, 1848 - From the Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt - He states that on the same ship with him to England were FDR and Samuel W. Richards. Feb 20th, FDR prayed in the temple at Nauvoo (From the Historian's Camp Journal at Sugar Creek Camp). On May 21, Elder Richards, with two others, voted that the Twelve should stay and outfit the brethren. LR 1140 2 Image 32 Arrived in England: 14 October 1846 Departed: 20 February 1848

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Jane Snyder

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JH: Oct 6, 7, 19, 1849 - At a semi-annual conference held in Kanesville, Iowa, FDR was again sustained to the apostleship. On the 7th, in SLC, he was again sustained as an apostle. (page 1) FDR, among others, was appointed to a committee to raise funds for the Perpetual Fund to gather the poor. (page 4) Also on page 4, FDR was appointed to go to England on a mission. On Oct. 19th, FDR and other missionaries left the GSL Valley on their several missions.

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Great Salt Lake, Great Salt Lake, Deseret, United States

arrived-in-field

MS 12:139; 14:216.

Great Salt Lake City, Great Salt Lake, Deseret, United States

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Great Salt Lake City, Great Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States

On this his third mission to Great Britain, Franklin D. Richards presided over the European Mission. Sources: British Mission Records, 1854, No. 4, and JH: 7 Apr 1854. The JH for the preceding date indicates that in a conference in the Tabernacle, Franklin D. Richards was sustained as a member of the Twelve Apostles. LR 1140 2, Image 11 and 10

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Served again as President of the European Mission, July 1867

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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 Dewey Richards

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