Miner Grant Atwood (1823 - 1887) Profile

Individual

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Miner Grant Atwood

birth-date-qualifier-birth

Andrew Jenson, "Atwood, Miner G.," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia

Andrew Jenson, "Atwood, Miner G.," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 4.

Andrew Jenson, "Atwood, Miner G.," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia.

Historical Department journal history of the Church

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, May 16, 1843, Page 1-3.

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

Miner G. Atwood journal, 1860, 1868-1882

Miner G. Atwood journal, 1860, 1868-1882.

Miner Grant Atwood journals, 1857-1865

Miner Grant Atwood journals, 1857-1865.

"Minutes of the General Conference," The Deseret News 7, no. 6

"Minutes of the General Conference," The Deseret News 7, no. 6, April 15, 1857.

"Minutes of the General Conference," The Deseret News 7, no. 6.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 4, Line 137.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 2, Page 4, Line 137.

Missionary reports, 1831-1900, Church History Library

Missionary reports, 1831-1900, Church History Library.

South Africa Mission history, 1853-1977, Church History Library

South Africa Mission history, 1853-1977, Church History Library.

Albert Wesley Davis, A pioneer experience 1926, 1-3

Albert Wesley Davis, A pioneer experience 1926, 1-3.

Bishop Preston put me in charge of the teams to come back. There I waited for awhile until a company of Latter Day Saints was organized to come to the valley. Brother Atwood, a returning missionary was in charge of this company. We traveled together and had not much trouble until we got west of Laramie. At that time we were five hundred miles from any settlement. We camped one noon about twenty miles west of Laramie in Cottonwood Hollow. Below the road in this hollow there was a thicket of brush and timber and a spring was down in this thicket.



I took the mules that I was in charge of down to the spring to water them. As they had about finished drinking the cattle from the train began to come to the spring. And just at that time somebody hollered "Indians" and one of my teamsters was there with a bucket of water. I road up to him and told him the Indians were coming. He dropped his bucket and ran for camp. At that moment the Indians commenced whooping their war whoop to stampede the cattle and get them away from me. As they did so I commenced the same and ran rapidly back and forth between the cattle and got them on the dead run up the hollow towards camp. At that six Indians came into the herd and tried to turn them away from camp I had on two navy revolvers and as the Indians came into the herd I drew one of them and commenced shooting at the Indians. By the time I had emptied this revolver I had driven the Indians out of the herd. They got one of my mules into the bush ahead of them but it broke back and came into the herd again and I got every animal into the corral not one being lost.



As I got them in some one holloed to me that the Indians were coming down the hollow from above the road. I rode around and took [look] up the hollow towards two Indians. I got within almost pistol shot of them before they seemed to see me. And as they saw me coming they turned and rode down another hollow out of sight. I saw them no more.



The only one that come to meet me just as I about got the cattle to the corral was Miles Romney, brother of Bishop George Romney. As he met me I handed him my empty pistol and told him to load it as quickly as he could. There was a man back the road that had been walking behind the Indians that I drove out of the herd. They surrounded him and he broke through between their horses and ran for camp. As he did so I saw them shooting with arrows. One arrow with an iron spike went into his cheek bone and the spike clinched. In trying to pull it out the arrow was pulled off of the spike. He ran into camp and Miles Romney and Whimberg [Anders Wilhelm Winberg], both returning missionaries, got a pair of horse shoe pinchers and tried to pull it out. They couldn't do it. After I got things qui[e]ted down they came to me and wanted to know if I would go into the corral and pull the spike out of the man's face. I told them I would go. So I went and laid an ox yoke on the ground and had the man sit down on the yoke. Then I said to Miles Romney and Brother Whimberg, "You both take him by the head and hold him solid for I am going to pull." I got hold of the spike with the pinchers and pulled with all the force I had. The spike came out and the man rose to his feet and took me by the hand and thanked me for pulling out the arrow. They anointed him with oil and administered to him and it wasn't long before he was well.



We hitched our teams up and drove off onto the Platte River and camped for the night. I lay under the wagon on the ground all night with both of my pistols on and did not get much rest. We drove on after that and had no further trouble.



After a few days I spoke about taking the mule teams and going on ahead as I could travel faster than the ox teams. But Brother Atwood said, "If you mountain boys leave us and the Indians come upon us we would not stand much show of getting away from them.["]



There was another missionary returning home, I think his name was [John] Swenson. He was shot through the fleshy part of his arm and some of the immigrants were also wounded, but there were none killed.



There was a woman who was quite stubborn when asked to get out and walk over the sand hills. She would get mad and sometimes start back [on] the road. At this time she had acted in that way and had said a number of times that she wished the Indians would get her. She was back [on] the road and the Indians did get her and carried her off. I learned some years afterwards that she jumped off the horses that they had her on into the Platte River and was drowned.



From that time on we had no further trouble with the Indians.



If those Indians had got our animals away from us, being there with men, women and children we would have perished. For we could not have moved having no way to carry our provisions and bedding. So I consider that if ever the Lord performed a miracle it was at that time because me being alone without the help of the Lord I could not have saved the animals from being taken. We arrived home all-right with all that were with us and no further harm done.

Transcript for Albert Wesley Davis, A pioneer experience 1926, 1-3

"Anderson, James P., b. 1853," Andrew Jenson collection, circa 1841-1942

"Anderson, James P., b. 1853," Andrew Jenson collection, circa 1841-1942.

We continued on our journey from New York by rail and steamboat to Wyoming, Nebraska, on the Missouri River. Arriving there on June 26th, 1865.



There we fitted out to cross the plains with Ox Teams. The company consisted of about 60 wagons with 3 yoke of cattle to the wagon. About 66% of them being wild steers, which caused us much trouble and delay.



Our company consisted of about 600 emigrants, with Miner G. Atwood as Captain. We journied on, arriving at Fort Laramie, Sept. 19, 1865. Here we were called to-gether in a meeting where it was given out in three different languages by U.S. Officers from Fort Laramie, that the Indians were on the war path and advised us not to go farther. They offered us free passage to any port of the United States we would wish to go to.



We all refused the offer and took a chance to go on to Salt Lake City, Utah.



On Sept. 22, 1865, at a place called Cottonwood Hollow, as we were driving our cattle to water, we were attacked by Indians. It was here I first saw an Indian stampede cattle. From 10 to 13 of our men were wounded, including Peter Holmgren, who was shot and wounded right at my side. His wife was lying in bed in a wagon with a little baby boy nine days old, John P. Holmgren now of Bear River City.



One woman was captured and carried away by the Indians; her name being Mrs. Grundvig. We never heard from her any more. They also threw a rope one [on] a girl 18 years of age by the name of Stena Kemfy Jenson, but she managed to free herself from the ropes and in doing so she escaped from the Indians. She died in Pocatello just a few years ago.



As we traveled on quite a number of our oxen gave out and died. Provisions ran short. All the milk cows were ordered yoked up to help pull the loads except mothers[--] two cows. The captain said they should not be yoked up as the[y] had been and were still feeding the company with milk.



When we arrived at Fort Bridger, mother bought the last and only sack of flour that could be had, paying $50.00 for the sack of 50 lbs. This the Captain at once took possession of, as he was gathering all of the flour there was in camp. He gave mother 10 lbs saying that should last her and her family 24 hours, as we were hare [have to] either to live or die together. The camp was now on rations, but the condition lasted only a few days, as we met four four-muled teams, laaded [loaded] with flour sent by Brigham Young, for the emigrants.



At this time the snow was quite deep here



We arrived at Salt Lake City about Nov. <s>15th</s> &lt;8th&gt; , 1865. Where Brigham Young shook hands with the emigrants, then the company disorganized.

Transcript for "Anderson, James P., b. 1853," Andrew Jenson collection, circa 1841-1942

Deseret News

Immigration Lists

"Immigration Lists", Deseret News, September 20, 1865, Page 402-403.

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



CAPTAIN MINOR G. ATTWOOD'S COMPANY left Wyoming, July 28th, 1865:—



Minor G. Attwood, Captain; Charles B. Taylor, Assistant Captain; Andrew W. Winberg, Chaplain; John Swenson, Commissary; Miles P. Romney, returning Missionary; Albert Davis, John Alford, Joseph Bircumshaw, Mrs. Whitmall and family, Henry V. Evans, F. Benson, Joseph Heaps, Mrs. Frankom and family, Margarett Gregg, Isaac Quinn, S[arah]. A[nn]. Hughes, M[ary]. A[nn]. Jemmett and daughter, John Everett and family, Thos. Wise and family, H[ans]. C. Hogstead and family, Jens Jacobsen and family, A. P. Nielsen and family, Ann Petersen and family, Lars Petersen and family, Peter Neilsen and family, Bengt Olsen, Maria Hakansen and family, John Hoffman and family, Anders Ericksen and family, Morten Olsen and family, A[nders]. J. Agaard and family, Jens Larsen and family, Carl Andersen, Anders Andersen and family, Peter O. Holmgren and family, Eleanor Eklund and family, C. J. Hansen, F. C. Petersen and family, Jens C. Christiansen and family, Peter Christiansen and family, Christopher Jensen and family, H. C. Jensen and family, M. P Sorenson, Johannes Larsen, A. and J. J. Lejon, Anders Andersen and family, Torkee C. Petersen and family, Morten Iversen and family, Jens C. Petersen and family, Bengta Hansen and family, Gusta Pego [Pegan] and family, Gertrude Christiansen and family, H[ans]. W. Hansen, Caroline Brom, John Gentrup, Marie Jensen, Mechaline Jensen, Jens Andersen, C. F. B. Lebbert [Lybbert] and family, Maren Jacobsen, Lars Pedersen, Anne Larsen, Soren O. Waddel and family, Anne Jensen, Lina Mickelsen [Michaelsen], Ole Andersen and wife, Gustave Johansen and family, Johannah Andersen and family, E. F. Olsen, Johannah C. Thompsen, Christian Pearsen, M. C. Jensen, Marlina D. Simmondsen [Simonsen] and family, Niels O. Andersen, Anna M. Anderson and daughter, Line Mortensen, Line [Tine] Sorensen, Christian Nicholsen, Maren Petersen and family, Christian Nielsen and family, Knude Thorgesen and family, Metter Johansen, Anne Johansen, Hans Petersen, Marie Stoge [Skog] and family, J. F. Ablard, Marie Lotbom [Lothem] and family, Bette Johnson, Anne Andersen, Sophia Andersen, Soren Christiansen and family, Anders Monsen, Soren Jensen and family, Lars Hansen, Lars Hansen, Ingomer Iversen, Elce Eriksen, Stene L. Ottersen [Ottesen], Ann Kiza Lanberg and family, Charlotte Bensen, Christine Eliasen, Katrina M. Nielsen, Maria Lowdall, Johannah Norgrave, Gine [Gina] Pedersen, Meter [Mette] Christiansen, Anders Johansen, Annette Gundersen, Amelia Wallgreen, Karen C. Hansen and family, Marlina Halset, Christy Holsen, Ann Karrina Christiansen, Christian Andersen, Ingomer Hensen, Johannah C. Christiansen, Mette M. Morgansen, Hans Sorensen, Nelsena Fredrickson, Kerstina Holm, Ole Nielsen, Lovisa Nielsen, Elce M. Christiansen, Nicholina Thomsen, Andrea Thomson, Sophia G. Olsen, Magdalena C. Garstrom [Gahnstrom], Amelia Matteson, Martha Johansen, Niels Hansen, Peter Erecksen, Peter Christiansen and family, T. C. Grundtvig, Jens C. Jensen, Jorgen Christensen, Johannes Andersen and family, Erick Ericksen and family, M[ichael]. W. Christiansen, Johannes Olsen, Fredrick Frightnight [Freichnecht], Sara Andersen, Kersten Jensen, Sarah Memgersen [Magnusen], Anne Knudesen, Eleanor Carlsen, Maren Larsen and family, Johan Johnsen, Anders Holm, Marianna Petersen and family, Anna Hansen, Guldbrand Olsen, Johanne Poulsen, Johanne Ernstensen, Christian M. Christiansen, Christian Christiansen and family. Axeline Petersen, M. F. Holm, Marian Petersen, Corneilus Hunt and wife, Benj. Roberts, Arthur Mitchell.



CAPTAIN HENSON WALKER'S COMPANY started from Wyoming, August 12th, 1865:—



Henson Walker, Captain; Robert Pixton, Chaplain; Joseph Hammer and family, John Hammer, John Eastham and family, Enoch Cowdel, Thomas Biddle and family, Ann Lucas and family, William Hefferan and family, Wilson Symons [Simons] and family, George Simpson and family, Hannah Simpson and family, Ann Allston and family, Adolphus H. Noon and family, A[nnie]. Noon and family, Henry Smith and family, Sister [Catherine] Slaughter and family, George Glenfield, William Bostick, John South, George Eardley, Jacob Muller, Joseph Baguley [Bagley] and family, Edward Trimble and family, sister McMahon and child, Joseph Meeks, Joseph Braithwaite and family, William Tissley and family, Joseph Bagnal and wife, S. S. Shilletoe, Thomas and Wm. Williams, George Morrin, William Freeman and wife, Clara Lamburn, E. Savage.



This train is accompanied by ten merchant wagons.

Transcript for "Immigration Lists," Deseret News, 20 September 1865, 402-403

Deseret News.

DUP Pioneer History Collection

Maria Lofdahl Andelin, reminiscences

"Maria Lofdahl Andelin, reminiscences", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 4-5.

. . . I think it was near Omaha, Nebraska, but I couldn't talk english, hence I didn't know the names of the towns or places we traveled. We were camped on the river for five weeks, when an unknown dsease struck us, and many died. They would run out in their night clothes and holler like they were possessed. They would turn black in their mouthes and teeth. We moved a few miles from the river for a couple of weeks, until the oxen got tamed, then we were ready to commence our journey across the plains, under the leadership of Captain Attwood. The church did not bring the Immigrants across the plains that year. There was one, Thomas Taylor that contracted to take us across. I paid him $71.00. My fare across the Ocean was $68.00. We were Fourteen weeks on the plains, when ten or eleven should have been enough, consequently, our provisions gave out, and we had to eat the meat of the oxen that died from starvation and hard work. At times without bread or even salt. We had a little flour to thicken soup. A message was sent to Brigham Young, and he sent out teams with provisions. There were those in the company who had provided for themselves, had their own outfit, and who got along a little better, but even they got short of provisions before we reached Salt Lake.


At Fort Laramie we were snowed in, and some of our cattle were driven away supposedly by the Indians. The brethren went to hunt them and found a few. We were told by the soldiers here that the Indians were mad, and that they would kill us on the way and that we would never reach Salt Lake. They advised us to stay there until the next Spring, but of course we wouldn't listen to them. We believed the Lord would protect us, for we were on His business, and would not let the Red Man kill us.


One day the teamsters had a fight with the Indians, when they took the cattle to water, seven of the brethren were wounded, some very seriously, but all got well and walked in to Salt Lake. One of our women by the name of Gruntvig, was kidnapped by the Indians, and we never heard a word of her after. From then on we traveled at night and camped in the day, so the Indians wouldn't know where we were camped; This plan prevailed as long as we were in Indian territory. I walked all the way:


With bleeding feet crossed desert's woe's 
Through wind, and rain, and bitter snows 
Kneeling on the barren sands 
Asked Father's blessings from His hands.


And on the ground lay down to sleep 
Footsore and tired and nothing to eat. 
Only the Heaven's for my covering, 
My sleep was sweet while angels hovering.


I waded through the rivers with the water up under my arms, sometimes I was happy and did not shed a tear, and never at any time did I wish I was back in Sweeden. But singing all the way—"Come, Come Ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear, All is well etv….


We reached Salt Lake on the 14th of November, the same year 1865, having covered even seven months from the time I left Gottenberg, Sweeden. At Salt Lake, we drove into a square. I think it was what is now the Pioneer Park. Here I was a poor girl, a stranger alone, no one could meet me and bid me welcome…

Transcript for "Maria Lofdahl Andelin, reminiscences," 4-5.

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Ferdinand C. O. Fredrickson, Biographical information relating to Mormon pioneer overland travel database, 2003-2017

Ferdinand C. O. Fredrickson, Biographical information relating to Mormon pioneer overland travel database, 2003-2017.

….up the river to where Omaha now is, there we waited 34 days while the merchant Thomas Taylor from Salt Lake City got 45, 3-3/4 Schuttler wagons shipped from Chicago, and got them set up and loaded with 3,500 pounds of freight each, and ten emigrants could go with each wagon and was aloud [allowed] 50 pounds of freight each, and then walk, The Merchants bought eight steers, (called four yoke) of wild steers for each wagon, which the cow boys run in from the Nebraska and Iowa prairies, so they were loaded to their full capacity for such motive power, The church teams did not come after emigrants this year, so all had to come by the freight teams, an old plains man by the name of Minor G Atwood, was chosen to be our captain, and when Mr Taylor asked him how long it would take him to cross, he said eight weeks, but the Merchant did not think it could be done in so short a time, so he said, to make sure I will give you provisions for ten weeks, the Captain said, that would be plenty.



We got started July 31st and it took fifteen weeks, so when we got past Fort Laramie, we were put on half rations, and that was the coldest and hardest half of the trip, it got late and stormy as we were crossing the rockies, every night some weary traveler would lie down to sleep and wake up no more. It got to be a regular thing to bury one and often two every morning before starting. Of our company of 557 only 400 got to Salt Lake City the others are buried along the old trail. Mother and us two boys walked every step of the way from Omaha, waded all the streams ex[c]ept Green River, that was too deep and swift for us to wade. Our shoes was worn out and we walked with our bare feet in the snow and mud through the mountains on half rations.



On Nov 9th 1865 we arrived in Salt Lake City, it was not much of a place, but we thought it was the nicest place we had ever seen----

Transcript for Ferdinand C. O. Fredrickson, Biographical information relating to Mormon pioneer overland travel database, 2003-2017

Frank Esshom, Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah (Salt Lake City: Utah Pioneers Book Publishing Company, 1913), 727

Frank Esshom, Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah (Salt Lake City: Utah Pioneers Book Publishing Company, 1913), 727.

Grundvig, Francis Christian, Autobiographical sketch, 1909, 10-15

Grundvig, Francis Christian, Autobiographical sketch, 1909, 10-15.

We sailed on that River [Missouri] a couple of days and landed in Wyoming from there we crossed the plains with ox team's. We stayed there about five weeks, we had some trouble to get the oxen and wagons nessary to take the journey to Salt Lake Valley. 
Finally one morning we were called out and told if we would reduce our freight to fifty lbs. to a person we could all go. We were three in family, and we had three hundred pounds. so I started to sell and give away what I thought we could best spare, all good clothes, and bedding until we only had 150 lbs. We thought we were alright then a few days later we were called out again, and informed we would have to raise money enough for provisions to last across the plains for our family, and it would take fifty dollars. Then I sold all we had of value as my watch and gold rings, my fine Sunday clothes, and overcoat till I had the $50.00 soon after that we were ready to start.
Our company consisted of about fifty wagons, four yoke of cattle to each wagon most of them were young Steers, we put a yoke of broke ones in lead, we traveled about five miles the first day increasing a short distance each day.
About the 17th of Sept we camped near Fort Laramie. It was after dark a short time after we had gone to rest we were called up and told the Indians were driving off our cattle. We did not sleep much after that. The next morning their was 22 head of cattle gone. We crossed the creek, and camped in a better place. Some of the men were sent out to hunt for the lost stock. They got some of them back[;] after two days we started again. We traveled all that day and the next. Sept 22 we had to travel a long distance to get to water. My wife became very tired, we got behind the train[.] our boy stayed with the wagon's[.] the train finally reached a creek[;] their was lots of thick brush along it. A lot of Indians were hid in the brush.
When the boys drove the cattle to water[,] five of them were wounded by the Indians; then every man in camp came out with their guns and frightened the Indians away. At that time my wife and I were about ½ a mile from camp and some of the Indians came to-wards us and with a big yell started to shoot at me while one Indian took my wife on a horse and rode away with her. I was hit by four or five arrows[--] the last one hit in my right hip. I pulled it out and dropped it thinking it was all out, while the whole arrow head was left in the hip bone. It left a running sore. The Indians thought me dead so they left. I crawled to camp on my hands and knees with out assistance. I carried the arrow head in my side for a year and eleven months. I finally found out there was something left in the wound so I got Dr. Anderson in S.L to take it out. It was three weeks after I was shot before I was able to get around with a cane.
All the bodily suffering passed through for nearly two years was but small compared with the Anguish and sorrow for the loss of my wife. I have often stood by the workbench with the tears running down my cheeks. I can never forget my boy seven years old who was all I had to live for.
We reached Salt Lake City the first part of November half starved and with out clothes.

Transcript for Grundvig, Francis Christian, Autobiographical sketch, 1909, 10-15

Hegsted, Hans Christian Sorensen, Reminiscences and diary

Hegsted, Hans Christian Sorensen, Reminiscences and diary, November 1858.

We had several annoyances and troubles on the trip. The Indians attacked us just after leaving Fort Laramie; seven brethren were badly wounded, but none died, and a sister Grundtveg's [Grundtvig's] wife [Jensine Christine Hostmark Gruntvig] was carried away as prisoner and I have not heard of her since.
Nov. 8 arrived in Salt Lake City ….

Transcript for Hegsted, Hans Christian Sorensen, Reminiscences and diary, 1858 Nov.-1871 Jan., fd. 2, 42

Hegsted, Hans Christian Sorensen, Reminiscences and diary.

Historical Department journal history of the Church. Supplement after 31 December 1850: Page 1380.

"Manuscript History of Wyoming, Nebraska, 1860-1870." In Manuscript histories of Church in United States circa 1910-1971. (Miner G. Atwood, journal excerpts

"Manuscript History of Wyoming, Nebraska, 1860-1870." In Manuscript histories of Church in United States circa 1910-1971. (Miner G. Atwood, journal excerpts, Page 41-43.

"Manuscript History of Wyoming, Nebraska, 1860-1870." In Manuscript histories of Church in United States circa 1910-1971. (Miner G. Atwood, journal excerpts.

Miner G. Atwood telegram

Miner G. Atwood telegram, September 29, 1865.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Sept. 29, 1865 
By Telegraph from Deer Creek 186[5]</center>



 



To: Thomas Taylor 
Sept 29 1865Care D O Calder By Telegraph from Deer Creek



We have ten (10) days provisions. Meet us at Green River without fail. Please answer.



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">M[iner] G[rant] Atwood</center>

Transcript for Miner G. Atwood telegram, 29 September 1865

Miner G. Atwood telegram.

Newsome, William David, Autobiographies

Newsome, William David, Autobiographies, March 1892.

. . . untill April 10th 1865 then went on board the Big Mexicanna with 45 other saints on rout[e] for Utah, with Bro Miner G. Atwood as Captain of the Company. We crossed the plains with Ox teams and walked all the way and had to stand guard every other night, on account of the Indians been so troublesome; we had one little scrimage with them which resulted in the wo[u]nding of some of they Brethren and one of the sisters been carried away. 
We arrived in Salt Lake City on the 8 of November 1865 after a weary some Journy of near 7 months, you must know that our hearts rejoiced to see this place.

Transcript for Newsome, William David, Autobiographies 1892 Mar. 17, [2-3]

Newsome, William David, Autobiographies.

Nielson, Peter Anton, Autobiographical sketch, [1-2], in Utah Pioneer Biographies, compiled by Yalecrest Camp, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers

Nielson, Peter Anton, Autobiographical sketch, [1-2], in Utah Pioneer Biographies, compiled by Yalecrest Camp, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

June 14th arrived in New York, June 15th got into Castlegarten [Castle Garden].



	June 19th arrived at Quincy, Ill, crossed the Mississippi River to Missouri side, stayed two days without tents or shelter and in heavy rain storm.



	Arrived at St. Joseph on 23rd, left by steam boat up Missouri River, arrived at Wyoming, Nebraska on 26th. Brought with us 3 corpses that died on the steamer, four others died between New York and St. Joseph. We stayed at Wyoming 5 weeks, got cleaned up and ready to start for our journey crossing the Plains.



	Prices for wagons were $200.00 in greenbacks and about $100.00 in gold. Each pair of oxen cost $150.00 and 80% had never had a yoke on them, which was the cause of our slow travel.



	Here, on June 29th we buried Lars Peterson. He was 30 years old, he had sold his property in Denmark for $1800, about $1000 in our money.



	On July 31st we started to cross the plains with 45 wagons and teams in charge of Captain Minor G. Atwood and C[harles] B[arber] Taylor, his assistant. John Stevenson [Swenson] in charge of commissary, John Gindrup, Secretary.



	On September 19th the company arrived at Ft. Laramie. Here we called a meeting, where it was given out in three languages from the U.S. Officers of the Fort that the Indians were on the Warpath, and not for us to go farther, and offered us free passage to any part of the U.S. we wished to go. After we were all made familiar with the offer it was called to a vote by A[nders] W[ilhelm] Winberg. We all voted to refuse the offer and took a chance to go to Zion.



	September 22nd about three days going from Laramie at a place named Cotton Wood Hollow, we had camped for noon driving the loose stock and our teams up a ravine to a watering place about ¾ mile or more from camp. The Indians came up on us from their hiding places. Seven of our company was badly wounded. John Stevenson [Swenson] came to camp with two arrows in his left arm. Peter Doctor with an arrow in his cheek and one clear through his neck. A Swedish Brother had one arrow in the small of his back. He never was able to walk on the rest of the journey. All we could do to relieve the wounded was let them sit down on the wagon hub, with their backs resting against the spokes.



	Our instruments of relief consisting of common blacksmith pinchers or nippers, with these we extracted all the arrows except the one from Peter Doctor’s neck. We hunted the camp over and found a pair with extra long handles. We laid the Doctor on the ground with his head resting on an ox yoke, two men sat on him while Albert Davis gave a strong pull and managed to get the arrow from his neck.



	Brother Peter [Oluf] Holmgreen [Holmgren] (later of Bear River City) was shot by a bullet, he fell, then arose, staggered three or four steps and fell again. We took him for dead but he recovered. Anderson was shot in the face. It took a little of his cheek and nose. Holmgreen was still lying as if dead until we had cared for the other wounded. At this time Mrs. [Johanna Janssen] Holmgreen was lying in their wagon with her new born son, John [Peter], in her arms. Brother Frederick [Frantz] Grunottwick [Grundtvig] came to camp with an arrow fastened in his hip. His wife was taken by the Indians and we never heard of her again.



	At Sweet Water a relief train consisting of 44 mule teams met us with provisions, and relieved us of our sick and invalids, so we went on shoveling snow so we could put up our tents.



	We reached Green River at noon and decided to cross that day, it took until after dark. One wagon with a man, wife and children was left on a sand bank in the middle of the river all night. The king bolt of the wagon had broken. Captain asked me to go and bring them in at daylight. They were all well only had a restless night. We had to swim our teams and many a teamster had to hold on to oxen or wagons to keep from being drowned.



	On Nov. 8 we landed in S.L.C. Utah on 8th ward square where the City and County Building now stands. Brigham Young, W. W. Riter met us and shook hands. Beside the company of emigrants of 45 wagons we were joined by 10 more wagons of emigrants, which gave more protection, as the Indians were on the warpath. These wagons were loaded with freight in charge of Albert Davis with Lewis Romney [Miles Park Romney] his assistant. These two captains coming from Utah at age of 25 years in my opinion was more than half the fighting force against the Indians for protection of emigrants

Transcript for Nielson, Peter Anton, Autobiographical sketch, [1-2], in Utah Pioneer Biographies, compiled by Yalecrest Camp, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers

Peter A. Nielsen reminiscence, undated, 1-23

Peter A. Nielsen reminiscence, undated, 1-23.

Experience crossing the Plains



The skandinavian emigration company in the year 1865, containing 484 souls, left Copenhagen may fourt[h] by the Steamer Aurora, commanded by Captain Baltersen, for Kul and from thair vent by Rail Road to Flamburg. Was organized &lt;on the 7t[h]&gt; by President D.H. Wells and Elder Carl Widersborg on the Sailing vessel S.S. Kimball for the Journey over the Ocian, and was given in charge of Elder A. W. Win[n]berg.



The follo[w]ing brathren and sisters was married in the eavning: Svend Nilson and Fredrika Goranson, Peter Nilson and Sophia Netterstrom, Anders Anderson and Johanna Olson.



The company arrieved in New York June 14th[.] The voyage was vary pleasant, having had no storms nor any bad weather, but the hand of death had called many, mostly children having deid from the measles.



On the 17th the company started from New York by Rail. On being counted on the train their number was 411. A fue [few] having staid in New York and came afterwards in care of Elder J. Svenson.



From St Joseph, Missoury, they came by the Steamer Denver to Florence whare the compa[n]y arrived manday the 23 of June and waited for their outfits.



The hand of death continued and up to July 20t[h] 56 persons had been taken by the destroyer sinse the[y] left Copenhagen—and he was not yet satisfied. seventeen more persons where &lt;taken&gt; by the hand of death before the company reached their journy's end, Salt Lake City.



Lars Pedersen from Sjaland &lt;was&gt; drounded in the Missoury River on July 24t[h] . They waited in Florence to July 31st for oxen and provision, and traveled that day about two miles, then stopped and orgenised. for crossing the plains. Miner Attwood was mead[made] captain. A W Winberg assistant Captain, Captin and interperter. John Svenson stuard, Charles Taylor captain of the guard, H Hogsted, H.W. Hansen, C J Kempe, C Lybbert and Georg Ashton wagon Captains.



This company had all the usual exsperience of crossing the plains by ox-teams, such as yoking of wiled cattle and teaching them who! and hoa! breaching wagon axels and tongues, making and putting &lt;in&gt; others. setting tires, shoeing oxen—et.z. also having a fue stampedes, the oxen running with the wagons, at one time four teams ware running with the wagons as fast as oxen could run[,] a sister, Lowise Nilsen from Aalborg, was run over and killed!



Ther was however som incedences on this journey that have not been the exspearience of many of the Latter Day Saints in crossing the plains.



It will be remembered that the church had previous years sent from 400 to 500 teams to the frontier to bring emigrants to Utah but this year no teams were sent. many of the emigrants, not having the means themselves, were desireous of going to Zion, appealed to Elder Tomas Tayler, afterwards Bishop in the 14 ward, who was this year emigrations agent, for help. Brother Tayler was a merchant when in Salt Lake City, and was bringing merchandice to the Valley. Being of a sympathetic nature, wished to do all he could for the saints, he loaded only 1000 pounds of freight on each wagon, drawn by 6 oxen. the balance of the load was made op of provisions, that he furnished, and the emigrants bedding and clothing etz. He took 134 people, of those that could not very well make a leving if they had to stay in the States.



The Indians ware vary troublesome and had killed several travelers, (not mormons) this Sommer; the people ware therefore counseled not to go to[o] fare in front of the train nor stay to far behined, so not to indanger thair lives. (The wagons being havy loaded, the people who were not sick had to walk.) But you always fine some disobedient and here was also some that would not obey council, therefore guard's was appointed to go ahead of the train to keep back those that would run ahead, and others was called to go behined and pick up stragglers.



After a while these guards came and told the brethren that som of the poeple woud not herry up, when told to and som were at times vary abusive and the guards asked to be released from that duty, and they were released.



At prayer in the evening the people ware told that their would not be any more guards and were also told the reason why. They ware again counciled to keep close to the train, and if any thing happened to any one after this they would themselves be to blame and thair blod would be on thair own haeds.



The train was now close to Fort Laremi [Laramie]. The Indians, or vagabons staying around the Fort, tried to stampede the cattle couple times. They succeeded one night and in the morning all the annimals whare gone. The company laid over two days hunting for the missing annemals, and found them all except two mules and two cows.



Natan Davis, afterwards Bishop in Center Ward, Salt Lake City, was Captain of a mule train, belonging to W. Godby[,] Salt Lake City, bringing merchandise, traveled with the company for greater safty, and had don so for som time.



It was on Thursday August 22d, the train stopped for noon on Willow Spring Creek west of Fort Laremi, the mules were all unhitched also some of the cattle and were &lt;drove&gt; op the creek amoung a lot of small trees and brush for a pool of water, when suddenly twelve men on horsback, dressed like Indians, were seen coming down the bluffs from the other side of the creek. The[y] surounded the mules and oxen and tride to drive them off and commenced to shoot at the brathern that followed the animals to drive them to the water. The brathern anserred the fire and shott at the vagebonds a real short battle was fought and a clatter from guns and pistols was heard. The intruders was driven off without an animale. They took the road from whence the train had come, where manney stragglers ware coming towards the camp. Two of the Indians met brother and sister Gruntvig <s>and his wife</s> on the road, the[y] shot Gruntvig, and he run for the camp. One of the men jumped of[f] his hors, lifted sister Gruntvig up to the other man and both road into the trees, taking her with them. Sister Gruntvig hase never been heard of since. It is not known whether anny of the would be robbers were shot, but thire was reason to believe, that three or four of them were wounded.



Seven of the brathern ware wounded, John Svenson three arrows in his right arm. The arrows were aimed after his heart, but he cought them all on his arm. P O Holmgren, a bullet in his loin, Svend Nilson from Sansbrana, had an arrow in his back twelve inches or more, nearly trugh him. Christian Pedersen an arrow in his arm. P Erikson had his face scratched by a bullet[.] F. Gruntvig had a bullet in his hip. Peder Christensen from Hebroe came into camp whit one arrow through &lt;nack&gt; and one arrowhead fast in his chin. Brother Christensen had driven his team &lt;to camp&gt; and unhitched his oxen, se[e]ing the danger he hunted for his son and could not fined him, thene went back on the road to hunt for him and coming back to camp he met the Indians. All the woonded survived. There was no more Indeans seen <s>after</s> after this collision



The company bacame short of provisions; on September 10 there was only anough on hand for 10 days at 7 pounds of flower pr. day to each adult, this amount was given each week and the[y] had to do the best the could, one pound of floure per day and noting else, it was &lt;natural&gt; that the[y] had to go hungry.



At the first military station that was reached a telegram was sent to the firs[t] Presedency of the Church, informing them of the Indian raid and also in regard to the shortnes of provision.



On the 17 of October we met Br. T. Tayler, he came from Salt Lake City, Br. J C Cuttler, now Guvornor of Utah, <s>came</s> came with him as his clark. Tayler came to settle with the emigrants. All that came with his teams gave him thare notes; he charged $50. for each adult for there transportation and provisions. Five muleteames loaded with floure came to camp today, the company received 1200 pounds.



On the 8 of November the company drove into Salt Lake City, and camped on what was called the 8 Ward square where now the City, and County building are located.



All were happy and thankfull to God.

Transcript for Peter A. Nielsen reminiscence, undated, 1-23

Taylor, Charles B., Journal

Taylor, Charles B., Journal, April 1865, Vol. 2.

Transcript for Taylor, Charles B., Journal, Apr 1865-Oct 1865, in Woodard Family, Collection [ca.1851-1979], box 1, fd. 7, vol. 2

Taylor, Charles B., Journal.

Taylor, Charles B., [Journal excerpts], in History of Martha Burrows Taylor, in Taylor Family Papers, in Woodard Family, Collection [ca. 1851-1979], box 2, fd. 7

Taylor, Charles B., [Journal excerpts], in History of Martha Burrows Taylor, in Taylor Family Papers, in Woodard Family, Collection [ca. 1851-1979], box 2, fd. 7, Page 11-20.

"August 2, 1865. We rolled out and we made three miles for the cattle were very green and the teamsters greener. I slept till dark came and then went to camp and found I missed the road and walked about 10 miles and could not find the camp so I walked back to Wyoming.
 August 3, I got a few things and a horse for Brother Atwood. Then Brother Walker and I went to the herd to get five yoke of cattle and they were so wild that we could not drive tham.
"August 5. Sat. After singing and prayers, the cattle were brought up and yoked. At 10 A.M. we moved camps traveled 4 miles and camped. The cattle were becoming more tame. we fell in with some merchant trains going to Fort Laramie. While we were traveling, a sister was confined of a son. After supper we had singing and prayers and a little speaking. A good peaceful influence prevailed throughout the camp.
"August 8. We were up at 4 o'clock. The morning was a very cool but fine. After breakfast we had prayers. Then the cattle were brought into the corral and yoked. We started at half past eight o'clock; traveled 9 miles, passing over Nemahas Creek, and corralled for dinner. We started again at 3 P.M. and traveled six miles when we camped for the night. We had singing and prayers, at which I gave the people some instructions, after which we sat around the campfire and had some music and singing.
"August 11. We rolled out before breakfast. Distance 6 miles. Rained all day. We buried one of the Danish sisters in Cheese Creek.
"Monday 14. We rolled out at 5 o'clock without breakfast and got stuck in the mud five times. We camped on Walnut Creek at 2 o'clock. Distance 7 miles. It thundered and lightened and the rain came down in torrents. One man was killed. The cattle stampeded and there was a great deal of trouble."
"Sept. 7. We had lots of fun for there were about twelve antelope near. We stopped the train and all men were out with their guns. One antelope came in camp, but I dare not shoot because there were too many women and children. Two of our teams were stampeded, but no one was hurt. I finally shot the animal through the heart with the pistol and he made lots of soup for the sick and I thought it was a good sign."
"Oct. 7. We rolled and crossed the Sweet Water and the greater part of our women had to wade through and it was very cold for the poor sisters. Traveled 10 miles.
"Oct. 9. Mon. We traveled 14 miles. At the three crossings of the Sweet Water it commenced to snow and it snowed for 48 hours. The English Company was with us.
"Oct. 15. Sun. We rolled and traveled 3 mile. Came to a creek and stayed for two hours. We rolled and camped in Rocky Range. Plenty of wood and water. We had a very heavy frost. Traveled 11 miles.
"Oct. 20. Fri. The English Company came up and we traveled together. The road was very good. We sighted some of the Church teams and put 50-60 people with their baggage in them and I was appointed their Captain to take them to the Valley. Traveled 12 miles.
"Oct. 26. Thurs. We rolled and the road was very slippery and bad. We camped one mile from Bear River. Traveled 19 miles.
"Oct. 27. We lost two of our mules which made me very late in starting. It was very muddy and very cold. We camped at the head of Echo Canyon. Traveled 23 miles.
The Deseret News of Nov. 2, 1865 published the following:
"Elder Charles B. Taylor has arrived in the City Oct. 30, 1865, in advance of the Miner G. Atwood and Walker trains."

Transcript for Taylor, Charles B., [Journal excerpts], in History of Martha Burrows Taylor, in Taylor Family Papers, in Woodard Family, Collection [ca. 1851-1979], box 2, fd. 7, p. 11-20

Taylor, Charles B., [Journal excerpts], in History of Martha Burrows Taylor, in Taylor Family Papers, in Woodard Family, Collection [ca. 1851-1979], box 2, fd. 7.

Wilford Woodruff journal

Wilford Woodruff journal, January 1847.

Transcript for Wilford Woodruff journal, 1847 January-1853 December, 25-77

Wilford Woodruff journal.

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