Joseph Sharp Rawlins (1823 - 1900) Profile

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Joseph Sharp Rawlins

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Elk Mountain Mission journal, 1855 May-October

Elk Mountain Mission journal, 1855 May-October, April 6, 1855.

Elk Mountain Mission journal, 1855 May-October.

Mormon Indian Mission-1855

Mormon Indian Mission-1855. Brigham Young University, 1959. Page 8.

Mormon Indian Mission-1855.

Aveson, Robert, to Robert H. Cowley

Aveson, Robert, to Robert H. Cowley, August 8, 1938.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">To Robert H. Cowley—A Glympse of the Past</center>
Seventy-two years ago, from August 2nd to September 30 &lt;1866,&gt; I was in Captain Joseph S. Rawlins’ ox-team Co. of 400 crossing the Plains, walking on the dusty roads in the burning sun, 20 miles a day average.
Your mother, [Sarah] Jane Worthington (then a girl of 16) was in the same company, and belonged to the same wagon. I had the pleasure of traveling from New York (July 14, 1866) &lt;with Mary T. [Isom] Worthington&gt; as one of her family, and then across the Plains. The family consisted of mother, two sons, [Hyrum] John [Worthington] and Harry [Orson Henry Worthington] , and one daughter [Sarah] Jane [Worthington].
Those were happy days, although days of hardship. The spirit of the Latter-day Gospel reigned in the &lt;bosoms of the&gt; majority of the immigrants (although there were murmurings in the camp). We were going to a land where we could worship our Maker unmolested, and where Freedom’s Banner waxed supreme.
Since that lengthy period all the family have died as faithful members in the Gospel of Christ. According to Holy Writ: “They rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.”
Peace to their memories. We Were a united family in that long, weary journey
From your brother in the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
<center>Robert Aveson, in 91st year 				Utah Pioneer of 1866</center>
24 M Street, Salt Lake City, Utah
August 8, 1938
(Excuse the writing. The weather so hot)

Transcript for Aveson, Robert, to Robert H. Cowley, 8 Aug. 1938

Aveson, Robert, to Robert H. Cowley.

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

Local and Other Matters: Elders Arrived

"Local and Other Matters: Elders Arrived", Deseret Evening News, August 20, 1868, Page 3.

ELDERS ARRIVED.—We had calls this morning from the following returned missionaries, whom we were glad once more to meet "at home:"



Elder James McGaw, who left in May of 1865, and who arrived yesterday with Mr. Murdock's train. His missionary labors were confined to England, and the latter part of the time he presided over the Nottingham District. He left England on the 4th of June, in charge of the passengers on the John Bright.



Elder Zebulon Jacobs, who left in May, 1867, and who traveled from Laramie with Captain Rawlins' train, arriving last night, ahead of it. He labored in the Birmingham Conference, and was released to return home this summer in consequence of ill health. He looks thin, but his health is restored.



Elder John Parry, who left in May of 1865. His labors were confined to the Welsh District, over which he presided most of the time. He crossed the Atlantic in the Minnesota, in charge of the saints who sailed on that steamship, of whom there were 546. He traveled from Laramie in Capt. Rawlins' train.



Elder Almon Robison, who started from here in May, 1867. He left England on the Minnesota, and traveled with Captain Murdock's train.



Elders W, S, Grant and Jonathan Steggel, returned missionaries, also came with Captain Rawlins' train, and are in good health.



Elder Richard Davis, of Millard [Willard], Box Elder County; and Elders Isaac Laney and Edward W. Tullidge of this city, arrived with Captain Loveland's train, Bro. E. B. Shoebridge also traveled with this train, and acted as Clerk to the company.

Transcript for "Local and Other Matters: Elders Arrived," Deseret Evening News, 20 August 1868, 3

Reminiscences of Long Trip from Old England to the Latter-day Zion Fifty-Three Years Ago

Robert Aveson, "Reminiscences of Long Trip from Old England to the Latter-day Zion Fifty-Three Years Ago", Deseret Evening News, July 26, 1919, Page 8.

After landing on the shores of free American soil, we started on our two weeks journey to the frontier, part of the time traveling in cattle and freight cars. Arriving at the frontier, in the little village of Wyoming, a few miles from Nebraska City, we rested a few days and prepared for the long journey across the plains; about 1,100 miles over plain, hills and mountains, is an experience which remains lastingly impressed upon the memories of the pioneers, and prepares people for arduous trials of future life.
	Well do I remember just before we started on that journey, Aug. 2, 1866, how we were called together to receive instructions pertaining to our travels, and sang the songs of Zion, then bowed in humble prayer to our Heavenly Father for the preservation of our live during our travels. At that time the Indians were troublesome. How appropriate then was that very popular hymn, written by William Clayton, one of the church veterans: 
<blockquote>"Come, come ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear. But with joy wend your way; Though hard to you this journey may appear. Grace shall be as your day."</blockquote>
	In regard to the rations on our journey: We had our weekly allowance, per head, of flour, bacon, rice, dried fruit, etc. Traveling in the open air made us hungry and we relished our food. The only thing that troubled me, being a growing lad, was that I wished the allowance could have been larger.
	There were some pleasant hours spent together, and also some sad scenes transpired during that long journey. It took years to obtain sufficient means to pay the way to the frontier, and especially so if there were many in the family, for the mechanic and laboring man had long hours and small wages in those days in old England and other parts of Europe. They lived economically to make the sacrifice. Often were they deprived of many comforts of life through their sacrifice, in order to accomplish the heart's desire—to gather to the land of Zion. 
	One of the sad scenes on the journey was when death occurred on the way, and there were nine deaths on our company. In our days of affluence we have many advantages and blessings here which could not be obtained before immigrating; conditions for prosperity in this country were so far ahead of those obtainable in the land of our birth.
	I was speaking of the sad scenes we had to contend with on our journey. Compare the facilities for burying the dead on the plains to what we behold at present. Take a peep at most of our funerals here—beautiful caskets and fine linen clothing for the deceased the meeting house filled with sympathizing relatives and friends; the stand draped in white covered with lovely bouquets and flowers; some excellent singing and music, and comforting eulogies spoken. The remains interred in a selected grave dedicated to await the morn of the first resurrection. This is a grand picture, especially if the deceased has lived a faithful life to God and his fellow men.
	Why I can almost now imagine one of the sad scenes on the plains, far, far away from village or town. After a hard day's travel just as we finish the evening meal, there is a commotion in the camp only a short distance from our wagon. "What is the matter?" some one inquires. "Old man, Rogerson is dead!" We gather around the wagon. His wife and children are in tears. They knew he was anxious to gather with the Saints in Utah, and what a sad thought to think that he died before reaching the end of the journey!
	There is not much in the shape of facilities for burial on the plains. The corps is meagerly dressed, and then covered with a sheet, after which it is wrapped in a blanket, and is thus consigned to Mother Earth. The funeral service is brief; a large number of the company, including the captain. (Joseph S. Rawlins) and the chaplain (John Nicholson) are present. There is no choir, no solos, no music, one or two hymns sung, consoling words spoken, benediction offered, and the grave dedicated. 
	It is a sorrowful scene to witness at the roadside grave on the plains a widow or widower who is bereft of a partner through life. Words of consolation are soothing, but they are inadequate to heal the wounded heartstrings. At such sad events our efforts are feeble. What is required is divine influence—that Spirit which leads and guides into all truth. Our faith and prayers must ascend to our Eternal Father—"He can all our sorrows heal."
	There is not much time spent in ceremony on such sad occasions. The company must travel on. In speaking with one of the teamsters of our train, he said the graves were generally dug by the teamsters, assisted, if necessary, by the immigrants. The burials, as a rule, took place at noon or evening, when the animals were grazing.
	After the grave is covered, some brush is placed on the sacred spot and a fire is kindled. This is to prevent the wild animals, who prowl around from getting scent of the dead. Also, if obtainable, large rocks are placed on the grave, and a small inscription written on a rock or on a large bone of some dead animal—the name of the dead and when died. It is rather a poor substitute for tombstone or monument.<center>First Impression of "The Valley." </center>
	But to resume my story. We were near our journey's end September 29, 1866, being seven miles up Parley's canyon. Next morning was Sunday, a bright sunshiny day. I was up early determined to reach Great Salt Lake City before the company arrived. So onward I sped. On the way I rode a short distance in a wagon, and then continued on "shank's pony."
	Emerging from the canyon, what a lovely valley I beheld, bedotted with villages and farms here and there, and in the distance I beheld that much talked of city of the Saints.
	As I approached the outskirts of the city, my eyes feasted on the lovely sight before me—the beautiful orchards, with the late peaches, pears, plums and apples fast ripening. And the gardens, with various kinds of vegetables ready for gathering.
	Oh, how intently I gazed on the lovely scenes. How different to what I had been used to, living in a crowded town, where smoke filled the air from iron and steel works, factories, etc. Onward I sped through the wide city streets, and was much interested in gazing at the comfortable homes and gardens owned by the residents. Approaching the Temple Square I observed the people engaged in religious worship in the old tabernacle, the new tabernacle was in course of construction, and the Temple walls were just a few feet above the foundation.
	Sunday morning, September 30, our company started from Parley's canyon and camped on the Eighth Ward Square, where the City and County building is now located. Next morning. October 1st, they entered the big gates of the tithing yard, which was then enclosed with a high stone wall. As the newcomers passed long, you could have observed their sun-tanned faces and dusty clothes. But it was a day of rejoicing for them, for they had reached the end of their long journey. A host of relatives and friends, who had immigrated years before, were there to greet them and take them to their homes or places of abode.

Transcript for Aveson, Robert, "Reminiscences of Long Trip from Old England to the Latter-day Zion Fifty-Three Years Ago," Deseret Evening News, 26 July 1919, sec. 3, p. 8

Deseret Evening News.

Deseret News

List of Passengers

"List of Passengers", Deseret News, August 17, 1864, Page 5.

Home items: Trains Got In

"Home items: Trains Got In", Deseret News, October 3, 1866, Page 4.

TRAINS GOT IN.—Cap. D. Thompson's train of 84 wagons, and about 500 passengers, got into the city on Saturday morning. They had made excellent time by the way, all circumstances considered. There was a rapid disappearance of the passengers, shortly after the train arrived, their friends looking them up and taking them home.



The following are the names of those who died belonging to this company:—Annes [Annice] S. Hodgson, infant, July 28; Mary A[gnes]. Holt, from Manchester, England, aged 7, July 28; Richard Taylor, from Liverpool, England, aged 4 years and 6 months, July 30; David [Taylor] Airmet, from Greenock, Scotland, aged 64, July 31; John Arkwright Hodgson, infant, Aug 1; Daniel Arkwright Taylor, infant, Aug. 4; William Williams, from St. Bride, South Wales, aged 65, Aug. 7; Elizabeth Boneham, from Coventry, England, aged 7, Aug. 29; Sarah Holt, from Manchester, England, aged 48, Sep. 19; Samuel Crane, from Norwich, England, 4 years and 6 months old, Sep. 21; Samuel Smith, from Essex, England, aged 71, Sep. 26: eleven deaths in all.



There were three births during the trip.



Captain Peter Nebeker's train of 62 wagons and nearly 400 passengers got in on Saturday afternoon about 5 o'clock. They made the trip in 53 days, and lost only two head of cattle. The passengers by this train were nearly all Scandinavians.



Cap. Rawling's train of 65 wagon and over 100 passengers got in on Monday morning. They had a very pleasant trip. Nine of the passengers died by the way. The following are the names of the deceased:-Kiersten [Kjerstin] Larsen, aged 52, Aug. 31; Margaretta [Margretha] Neilson, aged 40, Aug. 10; Jens S. Jensen, aged 6, Aug. 15; Jacob [Jensen] Hogsted [Husted], aged 43; Aug. 20; Askill J. H. J. Husteat [Axel Hyrum Husted], infant, Sep. 4; Ragna Olivia Isachsson [Iversen], aged 42, Sep. 11; Henry Criddle, aged 52, Sep. 20; John Collins, aged 64, Sep. 21.

Transcript for "Home items: Trains Got In," Deseret News, 3 October 1866, 349

Deseret News.

DUP Pioneer History Collection

Christopher Alston, reminiscences

"Christopher Alston, reminiscences", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 5-7.

Arrived in Wyoming (near Omaha) July 3rd after going by rail, and another steamer up the Missouri River.


There we were met by teams of Oxen and teamsters from Utah, preparitory to making an 1,100 mile trip, which I walked the whole way.


On this trip we experienced some severe trials and hard ships.


One night after the tents were all set up, and the camp was all asleep there came up a fearful wind, then rain in torrents, and every tent in camp was torn down, except the one we were in, with my sick brother (my brother was taken very sick on the way)


Our tent had been improvised from two quilts and staked down so firmly the wind could not get under it.


We forded rivers, which were cold and dangerous.


Crossing the prarrie [prairie] there was no fuel other than "Buffalo chips" with which to cook our little meals, of bread and meat, think of cooking your supper (after a long days walk) over a fire of "chips" with the wind blowing over the great plains, and some times rain to put the fires out, and go to bed with out any supper, get up in the morning at day light, every thing soaking wet, nothing to burn to cook your breakfast with, hook up the oxen and travel till noon, try to find some dry "chip<s>p</s>s" to make a fire to cook dinner, in this way, before we reached the Mountain country, where we procured some sticks to use with the "chips"


Captain Joseph S. Rawlins, was in charge of our Company, which arrived in Salt Lake City Sept. 20th. I was then 11 years old, twelve days before landing here.

Transcript for "Christopher Alston, reminiscences", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 5-7.

A Talk Given by Prof. Evan Stephens Before the Daughters of the Pioneers, Hawthorne Camp, Feb. 5, 1930

"A Talk Given by Prof. Evan Stephens Before the Daughters of the Pioneers, Hawthorne Camp, Feb. 5, 1930", DUP Pioneer History Collection.

I am really not a pioneer in the fullest sense; I come near to being one, I caught about the last ox train from the Missouri River to the Valley in 1866. I think that year was the last year that the men and the teams were sent all the way across the plains to bring emigrants. The next year they only had to go as far as Laramie, that would be about half way across.


I was a boy of 12 years at that time. The pioneer trip across the plains, the emigrating trip from the old country here forms sort of a background for my life, as it interested me immensely. Born and raised in a quaint Welsh town of surrounding beauty, of course I hadn't seen much of the world when we started for Salt Lake City. I wasn't spared much of the pioneering work. I had the privilege of walking all the way, excepting the Green River and Platte River which were too deep for me to ford, and the rest of the way I walked like a real pioneer. I don't know whether the pioneers enjoyed it. The journey across the plains was such an experience of pleasure to me, that I found it difficult to sympathize with the pioneers who tho[ught] it a hardship. I find my mind wandering off now, and I can see myself in a way the first day I started across the rolling country. I was too elated to walk, so I would run ahead and then I would stop and wait for the crowd. Of course I was a very young man. I was going across that thousand miles and as I was going to have a walk between two and three hundred Danish girls, I ought to have been content and happy. . . .


I realize that this is not speaking upon the pioneers that we really think of coming here, but sometimes I have wondered where we should draw the line. When the railroad brought the pullman train across, then it ceased to be an event to cross the plains. Those who had to come from the old country and arrive here in three weeks missed the great joy and great experience of crossing that glorious and wild country. It didn't seem to me that it was so warm and suffocating, but when I read history and read of the snowstorms, I am glad we were privileged to come in the summer time. As you know there is always a storm early in September and we were somewhere about Green River about the time that storm came up, but it wasn't severe that year.


We entered the valley on a Sunday morning. We had camped at Mountain Dell the night before and crossing below Fort Douglas to come down Brigham Street, that the climax of the most wonderful experience of my life, Salt Lake looking like an absolute paradise. I could not think of it having anything to do with a wild desert land of snakes, as I heard would be our lot when we came into the desert.

Transcript for "A Talk Given by Prof. Evan Stephens Before the Daughters of the Pioneers, Hawthorne Camp, Feb. 5, 1930", DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Fitt, Caroline Rachel Wakefield, [Autobiography], in Chronicles of Courage, 8 vols. [1990-97], 4:83

Fitt, Caroline Rachel Wakefield, [Autobiography], in Chronicles of Courage, 8 vols. [1990-97], 4:83.

<xhtml:p xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">We then started overland, headed for Salt Lake, and traveled as far as the Missouri River by rail. Here my mother died and was buried on the banks of the Missouri River, leaving me to finish the trip by ox team with the Saints. Captain Bullock, who headed the company, took pride in seeing that I was well taken care of.</xhtml:p>

Transcript for Fitt, Caroline Rachel Wakefield, [Autobiography], in Chronicles of Courage, 8 vols. [1990-97], 4:83

Garner, Jane Sprunt Warner, [Reminiscences], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 11:19

Garner, Jane Sprunt Warner, [Reminiscences], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 11:19.

We stayed at Omaha several days, getting tents and our wagons loaded and preparing for the long and hazardous journey across the plains to Utah. Mother’s [Elizabeth Peacock Sprunt] knee was worse and it was hard for her to get around. A bed was made for her in the wagon. My youngest brother [William Dow Sprunt] rode with mother and me, but the other three children with father [William Dow Sprunt], walked the whole distance of one thousand and thirty-two miles. The Elders administered to mother and she was promised that through her faith and prayers she would be able to walk into the Valley of Zion. During the long, bumpy ride which lasted eight weeks, this promise sustained her and helped to alleviate her suffering.	
Our company was made up of sixty-six wagons drawn by oxen, three or four yoke to each wagon. At night when we stopped for camp, Captain [Joseph S.] Rawlins would give orders to form a circle with the wagons as a protection against the Indians. We met many Indians on the journey, and the captain always gave them a little sugar to keep peace with them. We had what they called a ‘good trip’ having had very few deaths, and arrived in Salt Lake City, September 20, 1864, just four months and two days from the time we left our home in Scotland.

Transcript for Garner, Jane Sprunt Warner, [Reminiscences], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 11:19

Humpherys, George, Autobiographical sketch, 9

Humpherys, George, Autobiographical sketch, 9.

In the Spring of 1864 I was Called to go to the Mousoura [Missouri] River for Emegrants, we went to a Small place Called Wyoming[.] There <was been="" have="" to=""> a good place to Camp, plenty of grass for our Cattle but when we got there everything was dried up with the drout[.] The Farmers were very discouraged, a number of them came to our Camp the night we got there and told us they were afraid their crops were a failure for the want of rain. one of our Boys told them not to worry for there would soon be rain in plenty. the Farmers wanted to know what made him think so: He told them it had rained on us on an average every other day since we left Salt Lake City. As we traveled down the Platt[e] River, a number of nights we Camped in a Tent, we had to throw up mounds of Earth to make a fire on so we could cook our meals, Our Boys told the Farmers it would rain inside of a week, they said if we brought Rain, they would say God bless the Mormons[.] it rained for about 2 hours, if the Farmers hadn't enough I'm sure we had.</was>



next day we see them going around with a big smile and whistleng. We stayed there for about 6 weeks waiting for the saints to come up the River, the next morning after they came I saw one that I thought I knew, and ask her if her name was not Eaton? she [Zillah Wain Eaton] said it was, and when I told her I was the son of Thomas Humpherys from Mansfield, and I had been to her home many times, I thought she would hug me to deth (if it had been her youngest Daughter I would of liked it much better).



We soon left Wyoming for home, I injoyed the trip first rate, Bro. Joseph Rollins [Rawlins] of Draper was our Captin, and I would not care to work under a better man. he was loved by all both teamsters &amp; Emegrants, We had a lovely time coming home, maby it was on account of knowing Sister Eaton's youngest Daughter that I had so good a time.



We arrived in Salt Lake 20 September and left for Springville the same day, we arrived there on the 23rd. Before leaving for Wyoming I wanted to go to Bear Lake Valley, for I had heard that was a fine place, but when I got home I'd forgotten all about Bear Lake but the Folks were all ready to go, so My Brother John, Wife &amp; two Children, My Brother Samuel, My Wife, and I, in Company with John Bird left for Bear Lake (I forgot to say I was married to Sarah Ann Eaton 9 October 1864) When I saw the Valley I wanted to go back, but John didn't, Sam was willing to do ether go, or stay, so we finaly concluded to stay.



The following Spring I left for Springville with a Brother from Benington, on Snow shoes, we arrived at Logan, the 2nd day, Ogden, the 4th and at my Sister Sarah Burbage in Salt Lake the next day, tired out. I remained there 4 or 5 days then went to Springville. this was in 1865 the far part of March. Mother was pleased to see me.

Transcript for Humpherys, George, Autobiographical sketch, 9

Hunter, Edward, to Brigham Young

Hunter, Edward, to Brigham Young, August 20, 1868.

Salt Lake Aug - 20/68
Prest Young Captains Rawlings &amp; Loveland came in in a workman like manner. But few sick. All attended too - A good portion to the Railroad E[dward]. Hunter

Transcript for Hunter, Edward, to Brigham Young, 20 Aug. 1868, in Brigham Young, Office Files 1832-1878, box 46, fd. 2

Hunter, Edward, to Brigham Young.

Murdock, Gideon Allen, Autobiography and journal, 1873-1923

Murdock, Gideon Allen, Autobiography and journal, 1873-1923, Vol. 1.

the Spring of 1864 I was called to take a mission to drive a team to the Missouri river to help bring up the emigration accordingly I fited out and went and having taken care of my money the winter before I bought a wagon down there and furnished it also to bring a load back.



After we had got the train loaded I being the only one that had been down to the river Since they left there Captin [Joseph S.] Rawlins chose me for assistant to him to help him get the train back to Salt Lake as I had been the pilot on the trip down. So we started out with a train of Sixty three wagons and Something over Seven hundred soles of all ages and of a number of different Nationalities.



The first day we drove out five miles and camped and some of the Brethren that was doing business for the Church down there came out to Settle up with the train preparatory to leaving and it was found that one crowd was badly in debt to the office down there (you see that all of the hands from one town or Settlement done their business together independent of all others) So the Captin and train clerk had to take one yoke of oxen from that crowd and go back to settle the account and sent me on with the train Saying the[y] would overtake me that night and I was out three days with the train before they overtook me.



With over work and exposure I caught a heavy cold that made me Sick that I did not get over until we reached the mountains[.] My last real Sick Spell was the night we camped on Alkalie [Alkali] creek near the head of the Sweet watter [Sweetwater]. The captin used to Sometimes tell me to go and ride in the wagon when he saw that I was feeling worse than usual[.] But I would answere him no if I should go and ride in the wagon you would have my bones to bury before we reach home So I staid with my horse and Saddle every day.



While on this Journey home we camped one night about three miles below the upper platt[e] bridge and the night herders lost Some of the cattle and the Captin and I saddled our horses and went out to hunt for them and we went back on the road a mile or So and circled the country to find tracks of them and we road until we came opposite where the train was camped and had found no trail of them[,] then he went and Started the train with what cattle we had and I went on to hunt the rest as they were evidently a head[.] I found them up in the mountain about two miles or more South of the Bridge and brought them down to the road as the train was crossing the Bridge.



Just then I saw a part of the train Stop right in the Soldier camp, and at the Same time I espied one of the night herders returning that had been out in Search for the cattle and I turned the herd over to him and I went to see what was the matter that caused that part of the train to Stop, as I came up I asked the teamster that drove the lead team why he was [s]toped here[,] he Sid these fellowes have Stoped me and wont let me pass[.] Just at the Same time I noticed a Soldier Standing there with his gun[.] I told him to drive on and at that time an Officer Stuck his head out of the door and Says no he cant drive on[.] Says I[,] Sir, what do you want? He answered I am authorized to take that team and all other cattle branded with the letter C[.] Sayes I[,] Sir you had better learn your alphabet as this team is branded plain HB and furthermore if you have any business to attend to come to me and let my teamsters alone[.] He Says well I want to examine the train for cattle branded with the letter C[.] I told the teamster to drive on and told the officer we have got to Stop on the other Side of the river to yoke the rest of them cattle and you can look and See if you have any cattle there then.



So he Sent a corp[o]ral and Six or eight men over where we were yoking the rest of the cattle and they unyoked Seven Oxen and I had some dispute with the possey [posse] and then got on my horse and went back to the post and called on the commander and asked him by what authority he was taking them cattle as I had not Stolen any of them and that I did not have an ox that I had not brought with me from Salt Lake[.] He then Stept into his office and fetched out a dispatch that read as flollows. Examine all Mormon trains and take all cattle branded with the letter C on left Shoulder and ribs I says to him then your men have unyoked Some that don't belong and I will take them back he says Stop and I will see[.] He went in to the office and came out very quickly and yes and the same on the hip.



I was then satisfied in my own mind that it was a case of robbing Mormon people of their rights and we had some very hot words over it and I told him[,] Mister this is a damned Sligh [sly] way you have of ste[a]ling. Just about this time Captin Rollins [Rawlins] Seped [stepped] in and he intered into an agreement that they would hold the cattle until the next day and Rollins would Send back and see about them as the the Soldier Said that a man by the name of Croffer had lost some cattle from Deer Creek (which was some 30 miles back) and he is out hunting them and if he said if mister Coffer finds his cattle he will be back tonight and if he find his cattle we could have ours and if he did not he would come up and see these.



Accordingly we drove 12 miles up to the But[t]es[.] The place where we leave the Platt[e] river and start across to the Sweet watter [Sweetwater]; as it was a bad place to Stop at the Bridge and account of cattle dieing from poison. So we layed over at the Butes the next day on account of them cattle and after breakfast next morning the captin came to me and said he wished me to go back and see about them cattle[.] I did not think he would send me on account of the row I had with the Soldiers the day before and I told him So But he said if I would go I could have any man I wished from the train to go with me.



So I got one of the night herders by the name of Zen Pratt from Provo to go with me, when we got there the cattle was out in the mountain with the government herd and they had not herd from Mr. Coffer yet and I was anxious to get the cattle have any business to attend to come to me and let my teamsters alone he says well I want to examine the train for cattle branded with the letter C. I told the teamster to drive on and told the officer we have got to stop on the other Side of the river to yoke the rest of them cattle and you can look and see if you have any cattle there then Mr. Coffer yet and I was anxious to get the cattle and rather urged my claim so a little while before night there came up a thunder Shower which made me very uneasy and I would have went in the rain to look for my horse if Pratt had not held on to my shoulder and persuaded me to Stop a few minutes until the rain was over and when I got out where my hors[e] had been hobeled he was gone and by the tracks a Soldier had stole him during the rain Storm and they had also Stole our whips and some other little things from our saddles during the day.



Pratt got on his horse and crossed the river and followed the track two or three miles until he went into the river again and he could not find any more of it, So he came back about dark and I had him go to camp for me another horse and I would look after the cattle, he came back about ten or eleven Oclock the next day and the Captin had sent word for me to get on that horse and come to camp as Soon as I could and never mind the cattle as the train had Started for the Sweet watter; but as there was only an Orderly Sargent in command there at the time I got a dispatch from Deer Creek that morning from the first Lieutenant Saying that himself and the Captin of the Sweet Watter division of the army would be up at 2 Oclock that after noon and they would see about it, So I waited till they came and they both proved to be gentlemen and they looked at the cattle and said I could have them as they were not Mr. Coffers cattle for all of his had been fresh branded that summer.



So we Started the cattle from the upper Platt bridge at 8 Oclock that evening and drove them to independence rock on the Sweet watter by 8 Oclock the next evening being a distance of fifty five miles in 24 hours. When the word was circulated that I had arrived I believe all the passengers in the train came to See me and to see if I was actually alive and all right[.] As I had been gone three dayes some had supposed the Soldiers had killed me and others thought maby the Indians had got us.



After getting every thing in regard to the cattle properly arranged, the Lieutenant wanted me to Stop with him as he said that the war with the south was very nigh to a close and then the Government is going to clean the Mormans [Mormons] out and if you will saty [stay] here I will give you as good a position as you can ask for as I hate to see you go out ther for the government is sure to wipe the Mormans out. I replied to him well Sir I thank you for your kind intentions toward me and if you live long enough to see it you will see that this Government will never wipe out the Mormon people, we have been threatened that a great many times and my Father has staied with the Church sofar and I think I can stay with it and follow his foot steps on through.



The fact of the business was that I had got into several rows over the cattle with both officers and soldiers and we had came very nigh to shooting two or three times and I had told him all from first to last and hid nothing and he intimated that the men had told him as much and he wanted to get me in the army. So he wrote an order for to authorize him Self to take the horse where ever he mite find it and I signed the order. As we was the first train back that Season and there was nine behind us, he got the horse and sent him in with one of the last trains.



Nothing particular of note ocured until one of the night herders was taken sick near the head of the Sweet watter but he thought he would be all right in a few days and kept at his work until we got about hams fork one cold day and he Said he would ride in the wagon and asked me to take care of his horse until he got better[.] So one day at noon a family reported that there was a young woman lost from the train that fore noon, so the Captain gave me a team and two men to go back and look for her and we found that she had been picked up by a team that we had met that day that was on their way to meat a train that was coming behind us so we followed on and overtook the train the next day at noon and I was lef[t] there to help mend a broken wagon[.] As I usually had that Job to do when ever there was one broke during the day so we did not Stop the train for one broken wagon[.] I arrived in camp sometime about midnight being tired and Sleepy I went to bed but was awoke about 4 Oclock in the morning and told that Joseph Greenwood was dead.



We were there camped close t[o] a litle settlement in Chalk creek canyon about four or Six miles above Coleville on the Weber[.] I was left to se[e] about his burial and I overtook the train again that evening near Parleys Park[.] That left me to still take care of his horse and saddle and take them to his Father at American Fork in Utah County and tell him all about how and where his son was buried.

Transcript for Murdock, Gideon Allen, Autobiography and journal, 1873-1923, vol. 1, 13-21

Murdock, Gideon Allen, Autobiography and journal, 1873-1923.

Salt Lake Telegram

Mrs. Nancy Kerr, Pioneer of 1848, Dies at Richmond

"Mrs. Nancy Kerr, Pioneer of 1848, Dies at Richmond", Salt Lake Telegram, September 19, 1928, Page 10.

Salt Lake Telegram.

The Semi-weekly telegraph

From the Missionaries

"From the Missionaries", The Semi-weekly telegraph, July 2, 1868.

FROM THE MISSIONARIES.—We are indebted to President B. Young for the following telegram received by him:
<center>Point of Rocks, June 28.</center> We are here, and all well. <center>J. R. MURDOCK.</center>	
The following letter was recived by Bp. Hunter:
<center>Laclede Station, Head of Bitter Creek, June 25, 1868.</center> Captain Jos. S. Rawlins writes that his train consists of thirty-one church wagons and two independent. He says the terminus is to be at North Platte by the 4th of July, and that if the saints land there it will save 180 miles travel and $10 to the wagon for ferriage and toll.

Transcript for "From the Missionaries," Semi-Weekly Telegraph, 2 July 1868, 1

The Immigration

"The Immigration", The Semi-weekly telegraph, August 6, 1868.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">SATURDAY EVENING, 1.</center>
THE IMMIGRATION.—We learn that the passenger trains of the Saints are coming by the Sweetwater route to avoid the traffic of the railroad, which is a most excellent plan. Captain Rawlings' train started for this place on the 25th inst., so we may soon look for an instalment of this year's immigration.

Transcript for "The Immigration," Semi-Weekly Telegraph, 6 Aug. 1868, 3

The Semi-weekly telegraph.

Zebulon Jacobs reminiscences and diaries, 1861-1877

Zebulon Jacobs reminiscences and diaries, 1861-1877.

Transcript for Zebulon Jacobs reminiscences and diaries, 1861-1867

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Carrollton, Greene, Illinois, United States

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Nancy Jane Rawlins

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South Cottonwood, Salt Lake, Utah, United States

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Joseph Sharp Rawlins

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