James Stephens Brown (1828 - 1902) Profile

Individual

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James Stephens Brown

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Andrew Jenson, "Brown, James Stephens," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia

Andrew Jenson, "Brown, James Stephens," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 3.

Andrew Jenson, "Brown, James Stephens," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia.

French-Polynesian Mission history, 1843-1978, Church History Library

French-Polynesian Mission history, 1843-1978, Church History Library.

James S. Brown diary and journal typescripts, 1875 September-1876 April, Church History Library

James S. Brown diary and journal typescripts, 1875 September-1876 April, Church History Library.

James S. Brown, Giant of the Lord: The life of a Pioneer (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft Inc., 1960

James S. Brown, Giant of the Lord: The life of a Pioneer (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft Inc., 1960.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 2, Page 1, Line 30.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 120, Line 88.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 2, Page 32, Line 103.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 15, Line 639.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 22, Line 925.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 1, Line 30.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Brown, James S., Giant of the Lord: Life of a Pioneer [1960], 415-22

Brown, James S., Giant of the Lord: Life of a Pioneer [1960], 415-22.

On Sunday, June 12th, Elders Eldredge and Cannon visited the camp [three miles northwest of Florence] and held meeting, then organized the company, naming James S. Brown for president and captain, the selection being unanimously sustained. George L. Farrell was made sergeant of the guard, William Wright chaplain, and John Gordon secretary. A captain was appointed over each ten wagons, namely: first, Wm. Steel; second, W. Williams; third, Christopher Funk; fourth, Newbury [Anders Olsson Nyborg]; fifth, Eli Kent; sixth, [William] Giddens. These names were suggested by Messrs. Eldredge and Cannon, and were unanimously sustained by the company of three hundred and fifty-three souls. The outfit consisted of fifty-nine wagons and one hundred and four yoke of oxen, eleven horses, thirty-five cows, and forty-one head of young cattle that were driven loose. We had provisions for seventy-five days.
On June 13th, 1859, the company set out for Salt Lake City, Utah. There were nine different nationalities of people represented, namely: English, Irish, Scotch, Welsh, Danish, Swedish, Norwegians and Icelanders; we also had some Americans from the Eastern, Middle and Southern States, all mixed together. Many of them had never driven an ox one mile in their lives, and the result was almost like herding a train on the plains. If it had not been for G. L. Farrell, James Hickson, Samuel [Solomon] Garnet and Willis Brown, all excellent ox teamsters, besides some five or six others that were quite handy, we would doubtless have had most destructive stampedes. As it was, the company did not have any serious mishaps. In a few days the train became regulated and we had more system and order in travel. For the first five or six days of the journey the stock seemed in danger of being destroyed by flies and mosquitoes, and the people suffered much from the same cause. On the 18th we passed Captain Rowley with the handcart company.
On June 19th the camp stopped on the Loup Fork, a tributary of the Platte River. There was a small town there called Columbus. On the 20th the company moved up the river and camped on a small stream, Looking Glass Creek. That afternoon I baptized and rebaptized eighty souls, and other Elders confirmed them, while some men of the company bridged the stream. On the 21st we proceeded to Genoa Ferry, where we were joined by Captain Walding’s company of thirty-seven souls and ten more wagons, thus increasing my company to three hundred and ninety persons and sixty-nine wagons, with cattle and other property in proportion. At that place we charted the ferry boat from J. Johnston and did the work ourselves. We paid seventy-five cents a wagon, and it took fifteen hours’ hard labor to cross. The stock all swam safely over, and the company camped on the west bank. The handcart company came up that night about 10 o’clock. On the 23rd our company proceeded up the river.
We met with a company of Sioux Indians on the 24th. These formed a line of battle across the road ahead of the company, and sent two men to meet us. I was traveling in advance of the company, and although I had never been among the Sioux Indians in my life for an hour, nor had I ever been where I had an opportunity to study their language, I had not the slightest difficulty in talking to them, or they to me. Consequently I learned at once that these Indians were on the war path, and were hunting the Omahas and Poncas. They were hungry and said they must have food from the company; so they were told to form a line parallel with the road, and to keep one-fourth of a mile back, so as not to stampede the train or frighten the women and children. They were allowed to send two men on foot to spread blankets where the company could put such food as we had to share.
Meanwhile I gave orders to the sergeant of the guard, G. L. Farrell, and the several captains to draw up in close order, have every teamster in his place, and all the women and children in the wagons, and for each man to have his gun where he could lay his hand on it without a moment’s delay. Each family was to place some food on the blankets by the roadside. Not one team was to stop without orders. The wagons were to be corraled as quickly as possible, if they must be, at the first signal from the captain to do so; for the Indians appeared very warlike in their paint and feathers. 
When the red men learned that it was a company of Mormons they had met, they readily complied with the captain’s terms, and a number rode up and shook hands with him. As the company passed their lines of not more than one hundred and fifty warriors, there came fourteen buffalo in sight, quite close, and attention was turned to them so much that the Indians took what the company had placed on their blankets and we passed on without further interruption.
It was about this date that the teamsters had become acquainted with their teams and the latter acquainted with their drivers, so that things began to work more orderly than before. The camp was called together every evening for prayers, and for instructions for the next day.
About the 26th the company started across from the Loup Fork to Wood River. That night the stock took fright and gave some trouble before they were recovered; but the next morning the company resumed its journey, leaving [Nehemiah] Wood Birdno to pursue two valuable young fillies, one his own and the other belonging to Captain Brown. Mr. Birdno did not overtake the company till the fifth day.
One evening the company camped on a tributary of the Platte River, where Almon W. Babbitt was killed by the Sioux Indians some eighteen months or two years before. The company crossed the stream and camped just opposite where that terrible tragedy occurred, and just as the cattle were being unyoked the Sioux Indians flocked into camp, all well-armed warriors. I saw that it was quite possible that they meant mischief, as there were no Indian families in sight; so I called to the company to continue their camp duties as if nothing unusual had happened, but for every man to see to his firearms quietly and be ready to use them if an emergency should arise. Then I turned to the chief, and it being again given to me to talk and understand the Indians, I asked what their visit meant, if it was peace that they go with me to the middle of the corral of wagons and smoke the pipe of peace and have a friendly talk, as myself and people were Mormons and friends to the Indians, and that I wished them to be good friends to me and my people.
The chief readily responded, and called his peace council of smokers to the center of the corral, where they seated themselves in a circle. I took a seat to the right hand of the chief and then the smoking and talking commenced. The chief assured me that their visit was a friendly one, and to trade with the emigrants. I inquired of him why, if their visit meant peace, they all came so well armed. He answered that his people had just pitched camp a short distance back in the hills, and not knowing who we were had come down before laying down their arms.
By this time it seemed that there were about three Indians to one white person in the camp. I told the chief that it was getting too late to trade, my people were all busy in camp duties, and I was going to send our stock to where there was good feed for them. It was my custom, I said, to send armed men to watch over them, and the guards always had orders to shoot any wild beast that might disturb them, and if anybody were to come among the stock in the night, we thought them to be thieves and our enemies. If they attempted to drive off our stock, the guards had orders to shoot, and our camp guards also were ordered to shoot any thief that might come prowling around camp at night. I said that, as we did not desire to do the Indians any harm, we wished the chief and his men to go to their camp, as it was now too late to trade. But in the morning, when the sun shone on our wagon covers, not when it shone on the mountain tops in the west, but when it shone on our tents and wagon covers, they could leave their arms behind and come down with their robes, pelts and furs, and we would trade with them as friends; but he was not to allow any of his men to visit our camp or stock at night.
The chief said that was heap good talk, and ordered his people to return to their own camp. They promptly obeyed, to the great relief of the company, which had been very nervous, as scarcely one of them except myself had ever witnessed such a sight before.
Next morning, between daylight and sunrise, the Indians appeared on the brow of the hill northeast of camp. There seemed to be hundreds of them formed in a long line and making a very formidable array. Just as the sunlight shone on the tents and wagon covers they made a descent on us that sent a thrill through every heart in camp, until it was seen that they had left their weapons of war behind, and had brought only artticles of trade. They came into the center of the corral, the people gathered with what they had to trade, and for a while a great bargaining was carried on. For once I had more than I could do in assisting them to understand each other, and see that there was no disturbance or wrong done in the great zeal of both parties.
The trading was over without any trouble, there was a hearty shaking of hands, and the company resumed its journey up the river, passing and being repassed by numerous companies moving west to Pike’s Peak and to Utah, California, or Oregon. There were gold seekers, freighters, and a host of families of emigrants; and as the company advanced to the west we met many people going to the east. They were traveling all ways, with ox, horse and mule teams, as well as by pack trains of horses and mules; while some were floating down the Platte River in small row boats.
I have omitted many dates, but feel that I must say that some time in July we came up with Captain Horton Haight, who started two weeks ahead of us, with a Church train of seventy-five wagons of freight. Both trains passed Fort Laramie that same day. Mine camped seven miles above the fort on the river, where we laid over the next day, and had our wagons unloaded and thoroughly cleaned from the dust and dirt; then they were reloaded so as to balance their loading anew. All sick cattle were doctored, while the female portion of camp washed and did considerable baking. The next day we proceeded on to the Black Hills, in good spirits, the people generally well and encouraged. The road then began to be rough and gravelly, so that the cattle began to get sore-footed, and that changed the tone of feelings of some of the people.
We went on in peace over hills and dales to the Sweetwater, thence up that stream to what was called the last crossing, where we stopped one day, and again overhauled our load, doctored sick cattle, baked, etc. From there we crossed the summit of the great Rocky Mountains to Pacific Springs, so called because their waters flow down the Pacific slope. From that point we traveled over very sandy plains and saleratus deserts, to the Little Sandy, then to what was called the Big Sandy, and thence to Green River, the last hundred miles being the most soul-trying of the whole journey, owing to being sandy and poisonous to the stock. We traveled day and night, all that the cattle could endure, and in fact more than many of the people did endure without much complaint and fault-finding.
After a day’s rest on the Green River, however, and being told that there was no more such country to cross, the train entered on the last one hundred and fifty miles of the journey, crossing over to Ham’s Fork, then to Fort Bridger on Black’s Fork, and on to the two Muddys and to Quaking Asp Ridge, the highest point crossed by the emigrant road. From there we went down into Echo Canyon, then to Weber River, crossed it and over the foothills to East Canyon Creek and to the foot of the Big Mountain, where we met Apostles John Taylor and F. D. Richards. A halt was called to listen to the hearty welcome and words of cheer from the Apostles. Then the company passed over the Big Mountain to the foot of the Little Mountain, where we camped. Many of the people were sick from eating chokecherries and wild berries found along the roadside.
Next day we proceeded to the top of Little Mountain. When I saw the last wagon on the summit, I left the sergeant, G. L. Farrell, in charge, and went ahead to report the approach of my company and their condition, as there were one hundred or more without food for their supper. I called first on General H. S. Eldredge, and took dinner with him. He received me very kindly, and accompanied me to President Brigham Young’s office. The President welcomed us as cordially as a father could. After he had inquired and was told the condition of the company, he sent word to Bishop Edward Hunter to have the tithing yard cleared for the cattle, to have cooked food for all who needed it, and to have the company camp in Union Square.
When steps had been taken to carry out these orders, I called at my father-in-law’s in the Fourteenth Ward, where I learned that my familiy were well. Then I went back, met the company on the bench east of the city, and conducted it down to the square, where we found Bishop Hunter and a number of other Bishops and people of the several wards, with an abundance of cooked food for supper and breakfast for the whole company. Several of the Twelve Apostles were on the ground to bid the company a hearty welcome, and delivered short addresses of good cheer. This was August 29, 1859.

Transcript for Brown, James S., Giant of the Lord: Life of a Pioneer [1960], 415-22

Brown, James Stephens, Reminiscences and journals, 1857-1900, 12 p

Brown, James Stephens, Reminiscences and journals, 1857-1900, 12 p.

I a rived [arrived] in C[ouncil]. B[luffs]. City on the morning of the 15 and continued my Journey on to Florance [Florence] in Nebrasca [Nebraska] Teritory 
and on the 16 I delivered up 161 <s>head of cattle to cattle</s> head of cattle 4 mules and 1 Waggen to F. Hessler[.] Thus their had Bin 10 head of Oxen lost and left By the Way sid[e] in the heavy Wind and Rain storms that we had encounterd, on the way. But their was 2 men sent Back, who recoverd all of them acept 1.
so on the 17 I returned to Calhoun Harisan Co. Iowa[.] their I found my Father and famly all Well; So I had a settlement with my Father and after we Settled he gav[e] me One yoak [yoke] of Oxans and a fine colt 2 years Olde; and (he asoomed &lt;the payment of&gt; a dpt [debt] <s>that</s> Of one hundred dollars) that I had contracted with I.A. Canfield[.] thus he inabled me to sell a span of Mules which <s>inabled me to [---]</s> and purches [purchase] a comfortable outfit to Return home to my famly in Utah Territory[.] He like wise gav Brother Willis the same a mount and then fit us out with a good suply of provisions to cros the Plains with[.] So Willis and my self joind our Teems and hiched to his Waggon and on the 27 parted with the famly[.] Father went With us to C.B. City and her[e] paid our expences till we was redy to go on <s>ower</s> ours way 
on the 30 we Crost the Mosuria [Missouri] River and in Company with Brothers, William Steal Burda and G. L. Farel [George Lionel Farrell], S. Gammet [Solomon Gamet] of Ioway [Iowa.] We proceeded to 8 miles N.W. of Florance and their we incamped till <s>we</s> June the <s>13</s> &lt;12&gt;[.] I by the request of H.G. Eldredg[e] and G.[George] Q. Can[n]on taken a hors[e] and crost Back into Ioway to purches cattle wiggens [wagons] for the Emigration[.] thus I continud whilest there was a company making up till (Sunday the 12)[.] when Eldredg and Canon came out and called a meting of the Company; at which met they Orgenised[.] By a nominite me for the President and, Cpt., of the Company[,] GLFarel sargent of the gard William Right [Wright] chaplen John Gordon secatty [secretary] of company[.] Then their was a Captain over each 10 wiggens Namely W. Steel [William Steele], W. [Richard] Williams[,] Christfer [Christopher Madsen] Funk[,] [Anders Olsson] Niewburg [Nyborg,] [Eli] Kent[,] and [William] Glidins [Gittings.] the abov Named men was a naminated[.] Br Canon and Eldredg and the Sugestions of Some Individuels and all was sustaind by the United voic[e] of the company concisting of 353 Soles [souls.] this companys outfit concisted of 59 Waggens and 114 yoak [yoke] of Oxens &amp; 11 horses 35 cows; and 111 head of young loos[e] Cattle with <s>amount</s> a Suply of provisions for 75 days 
thus Orgenised and Outfit; we taken up the Line of march on the morn of the 13[.] Bound for G.S.L City Utah Territory U,S, America having <s>1500</s> one thousand miles of a Journey Before us[.] This Company Concisted of English[,] Irish[,] Scotch and Welch[,] Danes and Sweds [Swedes] and Islanders and Americans from the North and Suthern States; Thus mixt and many of the company had never drov[e] an ox in their lifes be fore[.] it made rather auqurd [awkward] work to Start with But all of the Company soon learnd their places and dut[i]es and we traveled till the 18[.] we past the Company of Hand Carts Comp&lt;any&gt;[.] By one Brother Rawly, for the first &lt;in a&gt; few days; all past off very well with the acception [exception] of being a noid [annoyed] very much by the Flyse [flies] and Mosceetos [mosquitoes], which was in great a bundence and Gav us much Truble in taking Cear [care] of Our Stalk [stock] 
19 we campt on the Loop fork [Loup Fork] of Platt[e] R[iver] at a little villedg called Calumbus [Columbus] 
20 we Proceeded to Loocking [Looking] Glass Creek Wher we campt and I Baptized and Re Bap 80 Soles 
and on the 21 proceeded to the Genoa Fary [ferry] wher we was Joind [joined] by Brother Walding who with a Baut [about] 37 Soles more cam and washed [wished] to Join our Co[mpany.] So we recieved them 10 mor Waggens; which Increased Ower number of persons to <s>90</s> &lt;390&gt; and waggens to 69 and Cattle and other <s>cattle</s> in Propotion in suplis [supplies.] Then I contracte[d] with <s>[-]</s> J. Johnston and Co to fery the company at 75 cents pur [per] Waggen and we Swam our Cattle and Horses[.] The Boat Being Small and the Peop[l]e; Braking it; it taken us <s>5</s> 15 howers [hours] to cross all the company[.] So we camped on the West Bank 
and on the 23 we proceded up the River[.] <s>for 2 days</s> 
on the 24th or 25 we was met by a war party of S.I. the river <s>for 2 days</s> and on the 3 day we left the R. and struck a crost to Wood River[.] that night Ower cattle all Taken a fright and run a way[.] But We recoverd all of them with out much Truble[.] Their was 2 colts that straid [strayed] that nite and was not found till on the 5 day after they Straid.	
Now Buisness in creased on my hands so fast that I <s>[-]</s> did Omit dates and Ondly [only] hav Notest [noticed] the Journey as a Genrel thing[.] we Travel in peas [peace] with one a Nother[.] We past and was repast by Emegrant Trains for Pikes Peak California and Oragon [Oregon.] we all So met Severl Small partys returning from all the a bove Named places[.] they was Traveling With hors and Mule and ox teems and pack Mules and horses[.] they was Traveling in Great numbers Both wase [ways] and Some was floating down the Platt[e] River in Small Row Boats[.] thus the Whole Platt[e] Valley and River was a liv [alive] with Cattle and men moving East and West. We met with a Number Of Small part[i]es of Indi[a]ns who was friendly[,] and to keep them So we parted with Some of our provisions to them[.] Thus we continued owr Journey till in the month of July we over taken [overtook] the Church at Fort Larama [Laramie] &lt;Train comanded by Cp. Horton Hait&gt;[.] all well and in Good Spirits with very few axceptions; we went 7 miles a bov the Fort and encampt[.] Over hauled and repacked our lodes[,] docterd all the lame and sick cattle whilst the fee mael [female] part of our Co Washed and dun up a Good lot of Baking[.] Then we a gane [again] proceeded on owr way keping as Before on the North Side of the River crosing[.] Some rough mountain points there a crost Sandy hills[.] Still meeting and pasing and repassing Emigrants as Before Said[.] when we came to the last crosing of the Platt[e] from the other side where we left the River we then fell in with Magars and Rusels Frait [freight] Trains of hevy wagens with Suplis for the army then Station in Utah and a great many other Trains that I do not her[e] record for[.] it was to tedious to mention as it is such a comon a coranse [occurrence] to hapen with them; when we came to wher we left Swe[e]twater Be fore striking a crost the South; Pass we Stoped to let owr cattle rest and fill up as their was but Very little feed for the next hundred miles[.] we all so replaced the loding and greased our exes [axles] and then continud our Journey[.] Camp in prety good he[a]lth[.] we h ad the camp called to prears [prayers] every eavening acept when it raind or we made camp after night[.] I generely Instructed the company in their severl dutys as I con siderd was for the mutel [mutual] Benifit of all; and the Spirit of the Lord gav me utrenc [utterance] from time to time and in that I can say that the Spirit was with me and by that power I was enabled to keep the Company to Geth [together] with all the hard Ships [hardships] of Standing Guard and Going on foot al[l] that distanc[e.] we had but 2 deaths and 5 Burths[.] thus in peace and harmony we continud till Just Before we reached the Bace of the Big Moun&lt;in&gt;t [Big Mountain]. Brother John Taylor and H.D. Richards 2 of the 12 apostels met us and welcomed us home to the Mountains and as the Company was called to a halt we had Some instruction and Curing remarks fro&lt;m&gt; them; and they past on to See the Companyes yet in the rear and we crost over the Big mountain and camped at the Bace of the little Mountain[.] next morning each Captain taken his plase with his 10 Waggens so they was organ[ized] and the[n] we proceeded up the little mountai&lt;n&gt;[.] When all was in proper or&lt;der&gt; I then as usuel Mounte[d] my hors and went a hed [ahead] not to seek a Campain Ground of Grass as <s>be fore</s> But to report the aproa&lt;ch&gt; of my Company and the helth and condission [condition] of the Same as their was a bout 80 persons in camp who had Nothing for their Supers[.] I first wen&lt;t&gt; to Brother H.S. Eldredges and had my diner with him and then we went to Gether to Presiden[t] &lt;B.&gt; Youngs and maid known the condition of the Company[.] he then Sent auders [orders] to <s>Bro</s> Bishopp Hunter to Send out throu the Severel Wards of the City and By the ade of the Bishoopps colect as much coocked provisions as would Serv the Comp &lt;any&gt; for Supper and Brafurst [breakfast] an then Suply them with a Nuf [enough] besides to last. Then 3 or 4 days besides and he then Giv auders for the Church yard to be cleard and for the Companyes Cattle to be put in and fed <s>for</s> hay[.] he welcomed me home and was as kind as a Fath&lt;er&gt; could Be

Transcript for Brown, James Stephens, Reminiscences and journals, 1857-1900, 12 p

Deseret News

Third Independent Company

"Third Independent Company", Deseret News, October 8, 1862, Page 1.

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



.



Capt. James S. Brown, with his company, arrived from the plains on Thursday, the 2d inst. There were about two hundred immigrants, with forty-six wagons, and about three hundred head of stock. This company left Florence on the 28th of July, and made the journey in fifty-seven traveling days. There was but one death by the way—a Mrs. Thompson, from England.



A complete report of the company was forwarded from Laramie on the 31st of August, and should have been received within a few days thereafter, but from some cause did not come to hand till last evening. The names of the immigrants were as follows:



James S. Brown, Levi Garret, and William C. Moody, returned missionaries; Sim[e]on Atwood, Eliza Lester and family, Roswell Scovil and wife, Hemman Kew, Henry Mills and family, Josiah Dixon, John Thompson [Thomson] and family, Wm. Bates and family, George Davis, Anna Dale [Dahle], Ralph Wardle and Family, Joseph Berisford and wife, Elizabeth Gentry, Elizabeth White and family, Elizabeth Claybourn, John Farnsworth and family, Magaret Courad [Conrad] and family, Thomas Patrick, Matthew Jordan and wife, Chas. Williams and family; Sarah, Henry and John Musson, Andrew Mortimer and family, John Runyan, Edward Cash, Henry Rudy and family, Jane Evans and family, Joseph Davis and family, Edward Evans and wife, Samuel Purdy and family, R. A. Russell and family, J. C. Orton and family Henry Nelson, Dr. A. Hood and family; John Horspool and family, Edward Batchelor, David Davis, Frederick Wesinbach and family, Thomas Harris and family, William B. Wilkinson and family, Georgg Slaw [Slaugh], Tillia [Zillah] Greenswith [Greensmith], Chas. W. Johnson and son[,] John Strock and wife, James Ratcliff and wife, Andrew Millward and wife, Seth Watkin[s] and family; Brower Pettit and family, Edward Sawyer, Joseph Everett and family, James Cochran and family; Samuel Marmoy and family; Simon Stewart and family, John Stuart and family.

Transcript for "Third Independent Company," Deseret News, 8 October 1862, 113

Deseret News.

Edson, Charlotte Purdy, Autobiographical sketch, in Genealogical Charts and Biographical Sketches of Members of the L.D.S. Church, Ogden Stake, 26 vols., 11:115

Edson, Charlotte Purdy, Autobiographical sketch, in Genealogical Charts and Biographical Sketches of Members of the L.D.S. Church, Ogden Stake, 26 vols., 11:115.

May 3
rd
 1862, my father, <wife> and nine children, left Liverpool for America. I was then about fourteen yrs. of age. We endured many hardships and I can well remember the miles I walked and also helped carry the younger children[.] I was very happy free from cares and sorrows altho we had many. Elder James Brown was captain of the company of about 40 wagons. We arrived in Salt Lake on the 4th or 5th of 
<s xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">April</s>
 Oct. 1862.

Transcript for Edson, Charlotte Purdy, Autobiographical sketch, in Genealogical Charts and Biographical Sketches of Members of the L.D.S. Church, Ogden Stake, 26 vols., 11:115

Ephraim Green journal

Ephraim Green journal, June 1848.

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

Ephraim Green journal.

Farrell, George Lionel, [Interview], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 10:16-17

Farrell, George Lionel, [Interview], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 10:16-17.

9.	 At what place did you join the company or wagon train with which you came to Utah?
 
 9.	 He joined captain James S. Brown's Company as assistant captain and captain of the guard. After they had been on the road for two weeks captain Brown was taken ill and Bishop Farrell was called to take his place.
 10. What was the place of your destination in Utah? 10. Place arrived: On reaching Utah, August 12, 1859, they went to Farmington where he lived for a quarter of a year.
 13. Method of travel (handcart, ox team, mule team, horseback, etc.) 13. Method of travel was by ox team.

Transcript for Farrell, George Lionel, [Interview], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 10:16-17

Henele Pikale (Henry W. Bigler), "Recollections of the Past," Juvenile Instructor

Henele Pikale (Henry W. Bigler), "Recollections of the Past," Juvenile Instructor, December 15, 1886.

On the 24th of July, we moved a few miles and camped just over the summit of a high mountain. Two wagons upset and two broke down, losing all the spokes in one wheel. The next day we remained in camp to repair the wheel, which we filled with spokes made from a dry pine.



On the 26th, we moved to the foot of the mountain and camped by a small lake, giving our camp-ground the name of Lake Valley. Ten men went to hunt out, if possible, a feasible route over the Sierra Nevadas, which were now near by. We had no guide and, for aught we knew, a white man had ne[v]er been here before since the days of the Nephites.



The next day our men returned, but reported no further discoveries than they had made on a previous tour. We were visited by twenty Indians, all armed with bows and arrows. They laid down their arms, manifesting friendship, and we gave them some food, whereupon they soon left.



On the 28th, we made some road and moved three miles, then felled timber and built a corral. We were now near the summit of the great Sierra Nevada Mountains. One of our men caught a fawn, but simply marked its ears and gave it its liberty.



On the 29th, we moved across the mountain and camped at the head of Hope valley, as we called it, for we now began to have hope. In descending a very steep place one wagon broke down.



On Sunday, the 30th, as our camp-ground was so brushy and offered a good place for Indians to skulk and shoot our stock, we moved, making the road as we went, and camped at the head of a canyon on Pass Creek, so named by our camp. Here we were obliged to remain until we could make a road down the canyon into Carson valley, about five or six miles distant.



On the 3rd of August we were overtaken by thirteen brethren on packs. They had left the mines five days before. On the 4th we moved through the canyon and the next day made twelve miles and camped on what we called Pilot River. We afterwards found it was the Carson River, and ran through a beautiful valley several miles wide. The mountains seemed to be all on fire and the valley was full of smoke.



On Thursday, the 10th, at 2 o'clock in the morning, the camp was aroused by the guard, who reported that the horses were crossing the river. All hands rallied out but could not discover anything wrong. However, when daylight came we found two horses and one mule were missing. Their trail was found and ten of the boys set out after them, believing they were taken by Indians. They were overtaken and two of the animals recovered and brought back. In the encounter, Mr. Dimond was shot in the breast with an arrow, but received only a flesh wound. This man was an outsider on his way to the States. I have since learned that he stopped in our Territory and finally joined the Church.



On the 11th, some of the boys went ahead and returning at night reported there was no sign of water as far as they had been, except possibly at a grove of cottonwood trees which they had noticed several miles to the northward. The next morning we left the Carson River, traveling in a north direction some twenty-five miles, and on reaching the cottonwood grove we struck the old emigrant road at the lower crossing of the Truckee River. Every heart was filled with thanks to God for His goodness in thus guiding us. The next day being Sunday we had a prayer meeting.



Monday, the 14th, we continued our journey, arriving at the hot springs below the sink of the Humboldt, and halted for refreshments, making tea and coffee from the boiling waters. A little dog belonging to the camp fell into one of the holes and in less than two minutes was boiled to pieces. On reaching the sink we met a company of emigrants with eighteen wagons. Among them were Hazen Kimball and family, who had wintered in Salt Lake, but having become dissatisfied had left in March for Fort Hall. He said the people at Salt Lake were plowing and sowing wheat all last Winter and had put in eight thousand acres of grain.



On the 17th, just as we reached camp and before we had unhitched from our wagons, we saw one of our horses with an arrow sticking in him. In a few minutes, three Indians armed with bows and arrows came up to our tent. We took their bows, and bringing up the horse pointed out the wound, upon which they set up a dreadful howling, especially the elder one. The old man actually wept, the tears running down his dark face like rain. Then suddenly resting his hands on the horse he placed his mouth to the wound and sucked several times and drew out all the poison into which the arrow had been dipped. The sight moved me with pity for the old Indian. However, we confined them under guard all night, gave them supper and breakfast, also a little provision, returned them their bows and arrows and told them they were at liberty to leave. They seemed to be much pleased and happily disappointed and left with glad and joyful hearts.



We met several emigrant trains but none had come by way of Salt Lake, consequently we got no news from our people. All had come by way of Fort Hall. We bought from one company some bacon and buffalo meat, at what is known to emigrants as the City of Rocks, near the Goose Creek Mountains. Here we left the Fort Hall road, making our way over rocks and through heavy sage brush, down Cassia Creek eight or ten miles, thence to Deep Creek and arrived at the Malad, where we broke a wagon, the crossing being miry and difficult to ford. After crossing Bear River we made an early camp, and every man brought his portion of wood with a view of having a good time around one common fire to pass away the evening and to hear a song composed for the occasion by Brother Daniel Dennett. We had a splendid time, singing, speaking and rehearsing stories; and everybody felt well, knowing we were at least near home. It was not until a late hour that we retired. This was on the evening of the 22nd of September, and three days later we reached the place where Ogden City now stands. Here lived Captain James Brown and a few families of the Saints, who bid us welcome and gave us plenty of melons and roasting ears of corn, which to us was a treat.



The next day we lay by to repair wagons which had broken down the day before. Everybody was busy; those not repairing wagons were washing up, shaving, cutting hair, changing clothes, etc. Some of our company remained, as they had either families or friends, while the rest of us proceeded on to Salt Lake City, where we arrived on Thursday, the 28th of September.

Transcript for Henele Pikale (Henry W. Bigler), "Recollections of the Past," Juvenile Instructor, 15 December 1886, 371

Henele Pikale (Henry W. Bigler), "Recollections of the Past," Juvenile Instructor.

Henry W. Bigler reminiscences and diaries, 1846-1850, Volume contents: (1

Henry W. Bigler reminiscences and diaries, 1846-1850, Volume contents: (1, February 1846.

Transcript for Henry W. Bigler reminiscences and diaries, 1846-1850, Volume contents: (1) February 1846-November 1850, 91-106

Henry W. Bigler reminiscences and diaries, 1846-1850, Volume contents: (1.

Henry W. Bigler reminiscences and diaries, 1846-1850, Volume contents: (2) July

Henry W. Bigler reminiscences and diaries, 1846-1850, Volume contents: (2) July, September 1848.

Transcript for Henry W. Bigler reminiscences and diaries, 1846-1850, Volume contents: (2) July-September 1848, 1-13

Henry W. Bigler reminiscences and diaries, 1846-1850, Volume contents: (2) July.

Historical Department journal history of the Church

John H. Gordon report

"John H. Gordon report", CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, August 29, 1859.

The following brief account of the organization of Capt. Brown's company at Florence and the journey across the plains is culled from the writing of John H. Gordon:



Horace S. Eldredge, Joseph W. Young, and Geo. Q. Cannon met with the saints at the camp near Florence, N. T., June 12, 1859, for the purpose of organizing a company to cross the plains for Utah, the meeting was called to order by Geo. Q. Cannon and the following resolutions proposed and unanimously adopted.



1st. That Elder James Brown (3rd) be appointed president and captain of the company.



2nd. That Joseph L. Farrell be appointed sergeant of the guard.



3rd. That John H. Gordon be appointed secretary.



4th That Wm. Wright be appointed chaplin.



The following named brethren were appointed as captains of companies of tens. 
1st Company of Ten Wm. Steele, 
2nd Company of Ten Eli Kent, 
3rd Company of Ten Wm. Gittings, 
4th Company of Ten C. [Christopher Madsen] Funk, 
5th Company of Ten —Neuberg [Anders Olsson Nyborg], 
6th Company of Ten Richard Willaims



The organization be&lt;ing&gt; completed, Elders Young, Cannon and Little delivered appropriate [appropriate strikeout] addresses designed for the well being of the emigrating saints. A good feeling prevailed in the camp and the faithful sai&lt;n&gt;ts rejoiced in being members of the kingdom of God and felt disposed to carry on counsels and instructions of those placed over the. &lt;A&gt; hymn was sung and the meeting dismissed by Geo. Q. Cannon.



The company, consisting of 353 souls, including men, women and children, with 59 wagons, 114 yokes of oxen, 11 horses, 36 cows, 41 loose cattle (making a total of 316 head of cattle) started on their journey Monday, June 13th, in excellent health and spirits. After two day's travel, 24 persons, 7 wagons, 9 yoke of cattle, 9 cows and 5 horses were added to the train, which made a grand total of 387 souls, 66 wagons, and 418 head of cattle.



The captain was prompt, energetic and faithful to be the trust committed to his charge; meetings were held every evening and on the Sabbath, at which the captain instructed the saints on all matters relating to their safety and their every day duties and responsibilities.



The journey across the plains was prosperous, only two deaths having occurred. The&lt;re&gt; were four births &lt;and&gt; about 25 head of stock died. The trip was made in 75 days. The foregoing is only an abridged report, if at any time you want the details of my journey, I have them entered in my journal. Excuse me for not reporting sooner; this is about the first opportunity I have had to write to you, as all my time as been occupied." (Letter on file)

Transcript for Gordon, John H., Report, in Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 29 Aug. 1859, 2-3

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

Johnson, Mildred Eliza, to My Dearest Sister, 18 Sep. 1859, in Mildred Moss Boyce, [Biographical sketch of Mildred Eliza Johnson Randall] 1979, 2-3

Johnson, Mildred Eliza, to My Dearest Sister, 18 Sep. 1859, in Mildred Moss Boyce, [Biographical sketch of Mildred Eliza Johnson Randall] 1979, 2-3.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">City Bountiful, Davis Co., Ut. Sept. 18, 1859</center>
My Dearest Sister,	
It has been a long time since I’ve heard from you, but a still longer time since I have written, so I will write you this beautiful evening.	
You, no doubt, have heard, ere this, that I have united with God’s chosen people, called Mormons, or Latter-day Saints. I wrote to Mother the day before I left Council Bluffs to cross the wide and barren plains of Nebraska to Utah.	
Well I must tell you something about our journey of about 1100 miles across the plains. We left Florence on the Missouri River, Nebraska on the 13th of June with some 50 odd wagons and upwards of 300 persons. Some wagons joined us on the way so that the whole number was 69 and 387 people, a pretty good company. Capt. James Brown of Ogden City, Utah had the command of it and a better man there never was. I cooked for him and his brother [Willis] and myself all the way. I slept with one of William Steel’s daughters. I had, take it altogether, a pleasant trip, though sometimes I got very tired, had to walk about half the way. A great many of the women walked all the way, and felt as if they had not walked any. For hundreds of miles we had to travel over sandy roads and sand hills, with a burning sun over our heads and burning sands beneath our feet and no wood at all for weeks, nothing but Buffalo chips to cook with and we got along finely, and I never had better health. We had ice and frost among the Rocky Mountains on the 8th of August and there is snow on the tops of them all the year through.	
In passing through some of the Kanyons in the Mountains we found bushels of wild currants, service berries, and chokecherries. They were just ripe and we feasted on them. Some of the Kanyons [canyons] are so narrow that only one wagon can pass at a time. I have rambled over the sides of these steep mountains for miles gathering berries, and what a pleasant time we had with the other girls.	
On the evening of the 29th of August, we arrived in Great Salt Lake City. As we marched up the beautiful streets to Union Square where we camped, the citizens came out to meet us and welcome us home.

Transcript for Johnson, Mildred Eliza, to My Dearest Sister, 18 Sep. 1859, in Mildred Moss Boyce, [Biographical sketch of Mildred Eliza Johnson Randall] 1979, 2-3

Jonathan H. Holmes diary, 1846-1848

Jonathan H. Holmes diary, 1846-1848.

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



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



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



Laid in Camp[.] Eager returned.



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



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



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



[June] 29 Laid in camp



[June] 30 Laid in camp



July 1 Saturday laid in camp



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



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



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



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



..6 Laid in camp



7 Laid in camp



8 waiting for the return of the pioneers



[July] 9 Sunday



[July] 10 Bilt a Corell [corral]



[July] 11 Bilt another Carell [corral]



[July] 12 Washing &amp; giting Balsom



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



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



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



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



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



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



18 Laid in Camp &amp; repaired wagons



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



Broke our wagon on the 19 of July



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



August 1 Today another party went to work the road



[August] 2 At work on the road



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Pack company left us on the 10th



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



[August] 20 Rested in Camp



21 Started this morning traveled 28 miles &amp; campt



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Transcript for Jonathan H. Holmes diary, 1846-1848

McKay, Williamena McKay, A short story of the life of Williamena McKay McKay, in Nora Crystal Hall Lund, Biographies collection [ca. 1950-1983], reel 2, 2

McKay, Williamena McKay, A short story of the life of Williamena McKay McKay, in Nora Crystal Hall Lund, Biographies collection [ca. 1950-1983], reel 2, 2.

In the spring of 1859 the family had [-] gathered means enough to buy an old wagon, a yoke of steers and a yoke of cows, and an old ox, hitched up in a harness on lead. There were 7 of us. We were with a group of ten wagons from Iowa City. We traveled 300 miles to Florence, Neb. Here a big company of immigrants were being fitted out to cross the plains. When the whole company was organized, there were sixty wagons in it. James [Stephens] Brown was the Capt. and Ely Kenk [Kent] was the captain of the Iowa ten. We were called the “Independent[”] Company.	
When we were about to start, there was a widow woman and a girl about my age, without means to take them further. My parents [William and Ellen Oman McKay] took pity on her and said they could go with us, so her bedding and bundles were taken on our already crowded wagon and jaded team. She was very lame and had to ride, also helped off and on the wagon. I thought it pretty hard for her and her daughter to ride, when my bare feet were bleeding from traveling through the mud. Soon she was trying to run the entire outfit. When she got to the valley she never even said “thank You” for her trip.	
On the plains at night we used to sing and have dances, old and young took part. Sometime we had to share our scanty provisions with the Indians. We arrived in Salt Lake Aug. 29, 1859, weary, hungry and foot-sore.

Transcript for McKay, Williamena McKay, A short story of the life of Williamena McKay McKay, in Nora Crystal Hall Lund, Biographies collection [ca. 1950-1983], reel 2, 2

McKay, Williamena McKay, Autobiographical sketch, 1915, 2-3

McKay, Williamena McKay, Autobiographical sketch, 1915, 2-3.

Eventually enough money was saved to take us to Iowa City, Iowa. This was in the spring of 1858. Here as in New York father, the boys and the girls worked in various places to gather means to take the family the rest of the way to Utah. In the fall of that year a yoke of three year old steers, a yoke of cows and an old ox togeather with an old wagon were purchased. Next spring, 1859, we moved to Florence, a distance of three hundred miles 
<s xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">th</s>
 over very poor roads, where a company of Saints were fitting out prepairtory to crossing the plains.	
After this Company finally got in to shape it consisted of 60 wagons in command of Captain James Brown. Just as a start was about to be made it was discovered that a woman by the name [Ann Whitehead] Garvy with a small child had no means of proceeding further so after talking it over my parents decided to add these two to their own family of seven. Her personal affects were piled into the already overcrow[d]ed wagon. She was badly crippled and had to ride all the way and as a consequence my own mother walked every foot of the distance. The trip was very hard on every one and especially women and children. Besides the natureal fatigue due to constant exertion there was the danger from Indians, privations, and sore a bleeding feet. At night the wagons were made in the form of a circle. The cattle were turned out to graze under guard at night. Bugle called all to prayer night and morning and Ambrose Greenwell and his wife led the singing when meetings or socials were held. All fires were built in the circle. On ocassion a piece of ground was cleared and blankits were hung up, lanterns lighted inside and on this smooth surface dances were enjoyed by young and old. Large herds of buffalo were frequently seen and somewhere on the trip we passed a handcaart Company. That was a sight I never shall forget: Men, women and children pulling and tugging at carts loaded with <s>all</s> everything they possessed, wading rivers, climbing mountains, through heat and cold, always tugging.	
We arrived in Salt Lake Valley in October 1859 hungry and worn out.

Transcript for McKay, Williamena McKay, Autobiographical sketch, 1915, 2-3

"Names of men who wish for land to cultivate who came from California with Jonathan H. Holmes," Land records, circa 1847-1860, Salt Lake (County) Recorder's Office land records, circa 1847-1860

"Names of men who wish for land to cultivate who came from California with Jonathan H. Holmes," Land records, circa 1847-1860, Salt Lake (County) Recorder's Office land records, circa 1847-1860.

Norma Baldwin Ricketts, The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996), 222-23

Norma Baldwin Ricketts, The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996), 222-23.

Norma Baldwin Ricketts, The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996), 23

Norma Baldwin Ricketts, The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996), 23.

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

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

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

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

Trail diary, Captain James Brown's wagon company

Trail diary, Captain James Brown's wagon company, June 1859.

Transcript for Trail diary, Captain James Brown's wagon company, 1859 June-August, 9

Trail diary, Captain James Brown's wagon company.

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