Hiram Bradley Clawson (1826 - 1912) Profile

Hiram Bradley Clawson (1826 - 1912)

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Hiram Bradley Clawson

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Index to the British Mission manuscript history and historical reports 1841-1971

Index to the British Mission manuscript history and historical reports 1841-1971.

"H. B. Clawson Pioneer; Dead." Ogden Evening Standard

"H. B. Clawson Pioneer; Dead." Ogden Evening Standard, March 29, 1912.

"H. B. Clawson Pioneer; Dead." Ogden Evening Standard.

Hiram B. Clawson, "Crossing the Plains," Young Woman's Journal

Hiram B. Clawson, "Crossing the Plains," Young Woman's Journal, May 1907.

In the early spring of 1847, President Young and the pioneers, about 150 in number, left to pioneer the way to a new home. The people who were left in Winter Quarters went on preparing to take this journey. They made up every kind of wagon that you could possibly imagine to go on that long journey. Nothing but their extraordinary faith and hope carried them through. How did they get that faith? They got it from the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Lord; he had told them things that were to come to pass, and they believed him. There was no hesitation in all the three thousand people that left Winter Quarters and went on that journey; at least, I never saw any. They got their wagons loaded, and just as fast as they could, moved onward, following the presidency. They now had as regular an organization as an army. They were divided up into wagons of ten, with a captain, wagons of fifty with a captain, then wagons of a hundred, with a captain; and these all implicitly obeyed the instructions given them. Why did they do it? Because they never had a doubt, never, never! Now starting out as they did, not knowing what was before them, I say the journey of this people in the wilderness was greater than the journey of the children of Israel, when they were forty years in going a much shorter distance; these were just five months in going a thosuand miles.



I want to say they had dangers in their path, too. The first danger was the Indians, who began to come to their camps. President Young sent word to all the companies, "Don't mistreat an Indian. If they come to your camp, feed them. Do the best you can for them." The interpreters had told those wild people the story of the Saints that they were driven out from the abodes of the white men and had to take to the wilderness. Thus the savages had more respect and sympathy. While they hated other white men, and were willing to massacre them wherever there was a chance, the Mormon families moved right on, and every night went to sleep and never thought of being disturbed by the Indians; and they never were.



Another danger was the buffalo. In one sense the buffalo were there for a purpose. In the wilderness the Lord sent manna down from heaven for the Children of Israel. He did not have to send manna for this people, but He prepared something else that would help them out—the buffalo. They were all over the plains. Every morning when I got up I could see buffalo in every direction, thousands and thousands of them. President Young sent word that not a single buffalo was to be killed except for food. We went around among the buffalo, and they were perfectly fearless. They did not fear the savages nor our people, and never molested us. They would come in large herds, and had they stampeded nothing in the world could have stood in their way. An instance of this kind occurred two or three years afterwards. A company of six wagons camped one evening on the Platte river. The next morning not a vestige of that camp was left except a few wagon tires, broken spokes, some shreds of clothing and a few bones. They had been swept out of existence by a buffalo stampede.



Another thing that showed plainly who was directing the affairs of this people was their preservation from prairie fires. They did not have any serious fires.



The camps moved in a quiet way. It is true it was hard work on the women. There being so few men, they had to drive stock, and in some instances had to drive oxen attached to the wagons; in fact they had to do all sorts of work. But the courage they had, the determination, the will-power and the faith, aided and helped them, and with the blessing of the Lord they went through all right. It is hardly worth while to describe the daily journey. There were times when it was very hard and very difficult, principally when we crossed rivers, and the few men had to carry the women and the little ones over, wading themselves. In the spring the water was so cold that often the men would be dressed with icicles, as they waded. Still there was no serious sickness; they were not frightened, and did not take cold, and they went along as though nothing had happened.



There was very little sickness on the plains, and very little medicine if we were sick. Consequently, when the people were sick they depended upon the elders, and the elders laid hands on them and they were made well. Numerous instances of this kind occurred; I was aneve-witness [eye witness] to a great many of them. Though so very sick in Winter Quarters, when I got onto the plains I was well. I drove my team, and as I trudged along I had less and less shoes on my feet until I was barefooted. When we came to the Black Hills, the weather got clear, and it was much pleasanter, and the people were encouraged. But we were short of provisions, and did not know whether we could really get through or not. One morning when we were camped in the mountains, I started out. I do not know what impelled me to pick up a gun. I had never been a hunter, and never had been out with a gun. But I took this one, and went out to where the hills there were rolling. The wind was blowing from the north, and as I came along, I thought, "Well, I believe I will just climb upon this little knoll and see if I can see anything." I did so and just as I raised my head above the level and looked over, I saw a buffalo standing within the range of my rifle, facing toward me and eating. Now, while I was not a hunter I was not the least bit excited. I raised my rifle, prepared it, took steady, careful aim, and fired. I saw the buffalo raise up and start but pretty soon he began to totter and then spread his legs out and fall over. I waited to see whether he was dead, for if he was but wounded and I ventured too near, I would be the one to be found dead. I went over toward the camp, and said to two of the brethren, "I wish you would come over here and help me bring in this buffalo."



"Buffalo!" They just laughed. "Oh, I guess you have lost your mind, haven't you?"



"No; better come," I said.



With a great deal of persuasion I got them to come over. And when they saw the buffalo they were startled; they were glad. It was meat for them; it was something to live on. It had been sent to us, and there is no question about it.



When we came to within about a day's journey of the valley, the people were all excited. They had had such a tedious journey and were so weary they did not know how to express their joy. We hitched up that day to take our journey, and my mother [Catherine Reese Clawson] drove a little pair of young steers. The feed had been so much better since we reached the Black Hills that they really got a little frisky, and they bolted and they ran—the men ran after them. Finally they were caught. Remember, no lines were used in those days. They were driven with a whip, and they would touch one and say "Gee," and the other, and say "Haw." Well, they caught these animals and got them under control, but mother had sprained her ankle.



We camped the last night with a little hill just in front of us, between us and our goal. The people were joyous in camp. They slept well, and were happy. In the morning they dressed early and started to move. About 9 o'clock they arrived at the top of the hill. The sun had just cleared the peaks, and it struck over on the western side of the valley. As they arose that panorama burst upon them. Now, how would you feel, if you had spent five months in the mountains, in the midst of trouble and danger and trials? How would you feel when you got first into sight of the promised land? It was the promised land to them, and they saw the peaks and the beautiful valley, the Salt Lake, that looked like a lake of silver, and they said, "What a beautiful scene is this!" They looked around, tears rolled down their cheeks; they clasped their hands and sank down on their knees in prayer.

Transcript for Hiram B. Clawson, "Crossing the Plains," Young Woman's Journal, May 1907, 217-18

Hiram B. Clawson, "Crossing the Plains," Young Woman's Journal.

Joseph Holbrook autobiography and journal, circa 1860-1871, 145-47

Joseph Holbrook autobiography and journal, circa 1860-1871, 145-47.

Along about the first of June we made a move west over the Horn River where when the company of Brigham Young came up were organized into his company[.] Daniel Carns [Garn] Captain of fifty[,] Anson Call Captain <of> the ten I belonged to. I continued to be afflicted with chills &amp; Fever and being unable to sit up most of my time I employed Benjamin Tolman to Drive one of my teams[,] a brother of Judson Tolman—while Judson drove the other[.] our team which now consisted of some unbroke[n] stears &amp; cows made it very difficult for 8 or 10 days to get along but as our loads hade been gro[w]ing hifher [heavier.] by our living and trading our flour to for our oxen we managed to keep up with the camp.</of>



one day on the Platte River Sister Elisha Groves broke her leg[.] the camp stoped a few minutes when brother Brigham Young came up. Drs took and set her leg[.] in a short time we were again on the march[.] there were about 200 waggons in this company until we passed Fort <s>Bridger</s> Larimie [Laramie] when the company seperated into fifties for the better conven[i]ence of traveling among the Black-hills



on the Boise River one of my twins cows died which I had worked on the […..] hade from winter Quarters[.] I was now forced to hire another cow from Benjamin Tolman to [..] with she soon broke in[.] it being our off cow that died[.] my health had so improved that I could walk a part of the time



at I[n]dependence Rock both Hyran [Hiram] Clawson loste some of his team so that I took on three hundred of his flour[.] some of the rest of the brethren took some more so they could continue on thus to the valley.



on the sweet water River we killed some Buffalo and we diveded the meat and carried with us[.] we also gathered sometime bushels of Saleratus from the Sareratus Lakes which was about 6 inches thick[.] it answers well for making bread. We hade a plenty of feed for our stock and our sheep was much trouble to us as they would not stay with other sheep in the night but would ramble off[.] one night they rambled off and we hunted all the next day and we could not find them So we had to Start without them. But in a few days after brother George D. Grant found two of them. one &lt;of&gt; ours[,] one of brother Calls. the rest were never found[.] we took every caution to save our breadstuff as we were very short from being forced to sell it off to lighten our load and to buy oxen—&amp; in the fore part of our journ[ey] we had a plenty of Milk &amp; butter but the last of our journey we had to feed our pigs as they had grown so that it took more for them then it did when we started



towards the last of the journey Sister Daniel [Margaret] Carns [Garn] cut her knee with a common Jim knife blade so that in a few days it so inflamed that she died in about two days travel of the vally[.] She was brought too the vally to be buried at the head of Echo Canyon[.] we stoped a few days and went about 6 miles to the South and picked service berries[.] I got about 6 Bus[hels] which we dried for our fruit[.] as we were in the advance of the main company we staid on Weber River until Brother Brighams Company came up[.] we came into the valley about the 20 day of Sept. 1848. and camped north west of the old fort

Transcript for Joseph Holbrook autobiography and journal, circa 1860-1871, 145-47

MS 14290: Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849

First 100, report, June 1848.

MS 14290: Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849.

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

Perpetual Emigrating Fund, Financial Accounts 1849-1886, Ledger A, Page 216.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund, Financial Accounts 1849-1886, Ledger A, Page 226.

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

"Pioneer Clawson is Reminiscent," Inter-Mountain Republican

"Pioneer Clawson is Reminiscent," Inter-Mountain Republican, February 7, 1909.

"Pioneer Clawson is Reminiscent," Inter-Mountain Republican.

Smith, Jesse N., Autobiography and journal

Smith, Jesse N., Autobiography and journal, October 1855.

Tues. 9. Got my wagon from Nebraska City but one of the axletree nuts was defective.
Wed. 10. Bro. Stickells took his team and my wagon and we went to Nebraska City where I had a hole drilled through the nut and through the point of the arm or axletree for a linch pin to hold on the wheel. Upon returning found Capt. William Hyde's train just starting out. John L. Smith was &lt;so&gt; far recovered as to start with this Company. Another young woman and child died, did not hear their names
Fri. 12. Hauled up a load of flour for J. W. Young from Nebraska City.
Sat. 13. Gave a Bro. Wiscombe a pair of pantaloons.
Sun. 14. Strolling through the grave yard noticed the grave of the infant son of [-] C. Geertsen also those of two daughters of C.A. Petterson from Skåne Sweden. Two children named Crawford and a man named Thomas Thurgood died recently. The blankets which I forwarded per Adam's Express Company from Chicago arrived at last[.] Went out to the rendesvouz of Capt. W. S. Snow's Company. rainy.
Mon. 15. Hauled some provisions out to the Camp, then bought 20 bushels of corn unshelled for J. W. Young, $1.00 per bushel. Still rainy. Several of the boys went to town, among them Joseph A. Young who got drunk
August, 1864 
Tues. 16. Fitted up a lot of ox yokes.
Wed. 17. Helped Capt. Snows company to make a start, spliced a wagon tongue.
Thur. 18. A Mr. L.B. Kinney, a brother of Judge J.F. Kinney made an agreement to go through with me and pay me $200 for hauling him and boarding him on the road.
Fri. 18 [19]. Bought another load of Corn
Sat. 20. Judge Kinney brought his brother up to our Camp. The latter had been appointed Indian agent for Utah.
Sun. 21. The steamer arrived bringing W. C. Haines and some luggage that was left behind. Loaded our wagons for the journey[.] I put in two large trunks to haul as far as Snow's train. Wrote to Bro. Silas, although the mail was reported stopped by Indians troubles beyond Fort Kearney. Started about 4 p.m. Drove about 11 miles[.] Camped near a farm house and got water at a well. Mon. 22. Our party numbered 6 wagons, 1 carriage, 13 men, and 15 horses and mules. Overtook a train sent out from Nebraska City by McCann and Metcalf[.] Nooned with them, one of their wagons loaded with Indians goods suddenly took fire from some unknown cause and completely consumed but little was saved, loss estimated at $6000 to 8000.—Camped at a place called Salt Creek[.] travelled some 40 miles.
Tues. 23. Rained last night[.] road heavy. At noon I gathered prairie gum, the first I had tasted since my boyhood. Overtook Hyde's and Snow's trains at Antelope Creek. travelled about 35 miles.
Wed. 24. Travelled with Snow's train it being Indian times. Met a man who had been wounded by the Indians, he with two children was fleeing to the settlements. A wagon wheel broke down, it was filled and the tire set. Made about 10 miles.
Thur. 25. Made 16 miles through a tract of country destitute of water and timber.
Fri. 26. 15 miles today. A young sister [Julia Cushing]Webb died and was buried at the noon halt. She was 19 years old and lately married, assisted at the burial, there was no coffin the body was sewed in a blanket, fresh wild flowers and boughs were strewn in the grave, was touched by the afflictions of the husband.
Sat. 27. Warm day[.] J.A. Young got drunk and &lt;made&gt; every body feel uncomfortable. Reached the Platte 16 miles. Hope for better health with plenty of water. Our camp of so many souls were entirely unprovided with Comforts for the sick, no tea or Coffee, no spirits nor wine not even any variety of food. Flour, bacon, beans and sugar Constituted the whole bill of fare although with great care a medicine chest of all the articles in the old mineral practice costing $300, was provided. Bro. Joseph W. Young asked me to take the medicines and deal them out to the sick, but this I absolutely declined to do, not understanding the working of the medicine and being too tender in the conscience to administer them. 
Sun. 28. Made 7 miles, Hyde's and Groesbecks trains came up, also McCann's and Metcalf's train. Meeting was called[.] spoke as did others.
Mon 29. Made 15 miles.
Tues. 30. Called at Fort Kearney, saw many soldiers and some Indians in government uniforms, on to Kearney City where we over took some 50 wagons, William Adams among the number waiting for greater strength to face the dangers of the Indian Country ahead. Here Marcus Holling came to me and told a sorrowful tale, trying to drive oxen after he had got sick and been left at Fort Kearney Hospital. He was entirely out of money, he was not fully restored to health, the circumstances under which he left home were such that he could not apply to his former friends for assistance and he begged me to get him a place in one of the trains, failing to do which he must die on the prairie as he could obtain no employment and could neither go on nor return. I was moved by his appeal and applied to Joseph W. Young in his behalf. Camped 2 miles [from] Fort Kearney City 12 miles today.
Wed. 31. Prevailed upon Bro. Young to take Mr Holling into Capt. Snow's Company. Went back to Fort Kearney with Holling for his things and delivered a telegram for Bro. Young at the office and mailed a letter for Mr. Kinney. Overtook the train, we had now a vast moving Caravan of wagons some 200 in number. Made about 16 miles.
Thur. Sept. 1, 1864. In the afternoon a very large government train en route for Fort Caramie [Laramie] passed. And several small trains, also some troops passed. Made we thought 13 miles. Four Pawnee Indians Came into our Camp, after receiving some tobacco, they expressed a willingness to fight the hostile Sioux.
Fri. 2. Reached Plum Creek where some 200 soldiers were encamped. A train was captured and burned here about two weeks before and a number of people killed, the ranch was also burned. All the ranches in this region were now deserted. And much property was sacrificed, traveled 10 miles
Sat. 3. At our noon halt a woman named Mary Ann Price was run over and killed. She was a member of the Church. Assisted to dig the grave. The day was exceedingly hot. The burial was near Peniston and Miller's ranch, her husband had charge of a freight train. 14 miles today.
Sun. 4. Moving, Saw an Indian burial place, the dead were, after their manner placed upon scaffolds. 13 miles today.
Mon. 5. Travelled with Hyde's train, passed Gilman ranch, lately the scene of an Indian fight and another ranch that had been burned. Bro. Hilliard from England died. 15 miles. Heavy cold rain in the night, was on guard
Tues. 6. Passed Jack Morrow's ranch, deserted like the rest, although a strong place. 12 miles today.
Wed. 7. 18 miles reached O'Fallon's Bluffs[.] Met a party of 7 packers from Virginia City Nevada, they had seen no Indians.
Thurs. 8. 17 miles.
Fri. 9. 16 miles
Sat. 10. Our party left the oxtrains. And drove on ahead 25 miles.
Sun. 11. Crossed the South Fork of the Platte at Julesburg, 33 miles
Mon. 12. Took the Pole Creel route. Met some returning Miners from Virginia City[.] rained towards night, 40 miles.
Tues. 13. Our plan of travel was as follows: Start at ap. 3o [sic] a.m. travel about 10 miles[.] breakfast. Then until 3 or 4 p.m. dinner, then drive till after dark and Camp without fire. Made 38 miles. Pole Creek was destitute wood, a small stream holding an even size for over 100 miles of mountonous Country.
Wed. 14. Passed a camp where a man lay sick with diphtheria, and had so lain for 30 days, he had one attendant, he said he was better, but that his own brother went off and left him to die.
We had seen antelope for several days and to day Ezekiel Holman was fortunate enough to bring one in, which was divided with a famishing party of returning miners that we met.
Thurs. 15. Reached the Black Hills, ascending a divide a beautiful scene of undulating woodland presented itself. 38 miles. Camped on the mountain side[.] on guard.
Fri. 15 [16]. 40 miles, Crossed the Laramie Fork of the Platte. J. W. Young and H. B. Clawson Concluded to go on with the Mail. Wrote to Bro. Silas to day that I hoped to reach the City in 12 days. Crossed the little &lt;Careturie&gt; Fork where there was a Mail Station. Met the stage &lt;Coach&gt; from the West, the first we had met.
Sat 17. Breakfasted at Rock Creek. Crossed the Medicine Bow and Camped at the foot of the mountain of the same name. 19 miles.
Sun 18. Passed Fort Halleck, saw a fine elk, H.B. Clawson went on with the stage[.] No feed, the Country very desolate. Crossed the North Fork of the Platte[.] There being no feed traveled nearly all night, 55 miles.
Mon. 19. Teams failing, drove 15 miles to the summit of Bridger's pass. Camped on Sulphur Creek.
Tues. 20. 30 miles. Dry Camp.
Wed. 21. 30 miles. Very cold. Strong head wind and very dusty[.] Passed Barrel Spring. Constantly meeting returning miners in various stages of destitution, Some on foot, with insufficient Clothing and without food[.] gave them food almost every day
Thur. 22. Stormy, reached La Clede Station at the head of Bitter Creek, Continued on[.] made 28 miles, no feed, tied up the animals. J. W. Young and my passenger Mr. Kinney, took the stage and went on.
Fri. 23. Cold and windy. Feed scarce, some of the animals failing very fast. 30 miles, was a chronic sufferer with piles, but to this was added bloody flux. Joseph A. Young left a wagon at a mail station. Brother Paul A. Schettler was very kind to me, he rode in the wagon with me.
Sat. 24. 30 miles. Weary of the desolate Bitter Creek.
Sun. 25. Were all glad to reach Green River, after watering crossed and stopped on the bluffs on the home side for breakfast.
Reached Granger's after dark on Ham's Fork. Obtained some flour and fed to the animals with water
Mon. 26. Very poorly. Overtook Warren's train and Camped with it. Here I saw Wm. M. West, David Ward and a number of others from Parowan as teamsters.
Tues. 27. Reached Yellow Creek
Wed. 28. Reached the mouth of Silver Creek, hard day for the teams.
Thur. 29. Breakfasted at W.H. Kimball's, here I saw John Smith and a part of his Company, took dinner at Hardy's. Reached the State road just as President Young and party were returning from the South. Fell in behind them and drove into the City.

Transcript for Smith, Jesse N., Autobiography and journal, 1855 Oct-1906 Apr., 212-18

Smith, Jesse N., Autobiography and journal.

"The Immigration and Incoming Trains," Salt Lake Daily Telegraph

"The Immigration and Incoming Trains," Salt Lake Daily Telegraph, September 3, 1864.

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



THE IMMIGRATION AND INCOMING TRAINS.—From telegrams received in the city, we learn that Capt. Patterson's train was at Deer creek yesterday morning in a bad condition. Cattle were dying, and the train unlikely to move, much further, if any, without assistance. Those interested in that train had better see to the assistance called for in oxen and flour.



Capt. John Smith from the same place telegraphs that he was there with 20 wagons of Scandinavians and had lost 20 oxen.



Capt. John Sharp's train of merchandise for Ransohoff &amp; Co., had lost heavily in the same region.



We were pleased to receive better news from Mr. H. B. Clawson and Capt. Jos. W. Young, from Plum creek, about 30 miles west of Kearney, yesterday morning. They report the Church trains were all doing well and "all in first rate spirits."



We are not directly advised of the entire party traveling together with Mr. Clawson, but we have reasons for believing that the company is composed of Jos. A. Young[,] H. B. Clawson, W. C. Staines and H. S. Beattie, Esq.'s possibly R. Bentley, Esq. is also with them. We mention the above specially for those who have heard rumors of an accident to one of the gentlemen named. There was no foundation for it, or it would have been reported.

Transcript for "The Immigration and Incoming Trains," Salt Lake Daily Telegraph, 3 September 1864, 3

"The Immigration and Incoming Trains," Salt Lake Daily Telegraph.

Thomas Bullock journals, 1843-1849, Journal

Thomas Bullock journals, 1843-1849, Journal, May 1848.

Transcript for Thomas Bullock journals, 1843-1849, Journal, 1848 May-September

Thomas Bullock journals, 1843-1849, Journal.

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Harriet Cornelia Clawson

Catherine Reese

Helen Cordelia Clawson

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

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Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States

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Hiram Bradley Clawson

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