Orson Hyde (1805 - 1878) Profile

Orson Hyde (1805 - 1878)

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Orson Hyde

birth-date-qualifier-birth

British Mission history 1841-1971

British Mission history 1841-1971.

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971, 1846, Page 6.

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

Eastern States Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1830-1977

1832

"1832", Eastern States Mission Manuscript History and Historical Reports, 1830-1977, 2, Part 1, Page 15.

1837

"1837", Eastern States Mission Manuscript History and Historical Reports, 1830-1977, 2, Part 1, Page 23.

Eastern States Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1830-1977.

Historical Department journal history of the Church

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, August 17, 1843.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, April 30, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, June 11, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, July 25, 1846.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, July 25, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, September 12, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, March 20, 1832.

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, December 28, 1847.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, March 19, 1832.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, July 20, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, July 17, 1846.

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, February 14, 1848.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, July 31, 1846, Page 1-2.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, August 4, 1846.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, April 4, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, April 26, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, January 26, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, June 8, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, June 27, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, July 26, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, April 25, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, July 18, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, June 22, 1832.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, June 11, 1832.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, April 8, 1840.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, February 20, 1834, Page 2.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, April 16, 1840.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, May 4, 1835.

Source Problem*It does not state the name of this Elder.*

Transcript for Historical Department journal history of the Church, 4 May 1835

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, May 4, 1836.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, April 15, 1840.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, October 4, 1843.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, November 14, 1839.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, February 26, 1834.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, June 20, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, June 13, 1837.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, April 6, 1840.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, March 4, 1840.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, March 17, 1834, Page 1.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, October 25, 1831.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, November 1, 1831.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, September 28, 1833.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, July 7, 1840.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, March 4, 1832.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, October 7, 1840, Page 1-3.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, June 9, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, February 1, 1832.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, July 3, 1843.

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

Historical Record Book, 1841-1874

List of Missionaries, Carson Valley Mission

"List of Missionaries, Carson Valley Mission", Historical Record Book, 1841-1874, April 21, 1855.

Historical Record Book, 1841-1874.

Bee, Richard John Moxey, Autobiography [ca. 1908], 12-17

Bee, Richard John Moxey, Autobiography [ca. 1908], 12-17.

The company we travelled in, Elder [Orson] Hyde and outfit, was the 20
th
 Company under the leadership of Bro. Henry W[illiam]. Miller, we started from Winter Quarters on the 10
th
 day of July, and arrived in Salt Lake Valley on the 10
th
 of September following. After leaving Winter Quarters we travelled as far as the Loop [Loupe] Fork river and camped for the night. 
Next day we made preparations for ferrying the wagons, as the stream was so swollen we could not ford. The cattle we had to swim, and volunteers were called for to guide the herd accross, and I offered myself for one, as I did not fear the water, not knowing anything about the treacherous quicksands in the bed of the river. I was stationed below to keep the herd inclined towards the opposite bank as they would be inclined to land on the side they went in[.] I bravely took my post thinking what sport I was going to have. The herd presently reached me, I began to shout to turn the swaying herd. I realized I had been sinking but did not know the cause. I remained at my post but could not move. I was too proud or independent to cry for help, although hundreds of men, women &amp; children were on the bank within saving reach. I was now surrounded by the cattle, but as fast as a post, immovable. As a drowning man would grasp at a straw, I took hold of an ox’s tail and hung on for dear life. He presently pulled me from my predicament, and I clung hard &amp; fast till he landed me safely on the opposite shore, then I thanked the Lord for my preservation from such an untimely death. My experience made me wiser and more careful of rivers &amp; all fresh water streams, as I had had no experience with them, but thought all waters were alike and I had no fear, regarding them the same as the waters of the sea or ocean. 
After all the company and effects were accross, we proceeded on our journey as light and merry as a happy &amp; jovial crowd could make it, and all went well and all seemed to enjoy the trip. We travelled on the north side of the Platte river till we struck the plains which extended 2 or 3 hundred miles without any apparent break in the surroundings. While on the last divide before descending to the plain below, an almost indescribable scene was presented to our veiw [view], an innumerable herd of buffalo was spread out before us, extending according to approximate guesses, looking through telescopes &amp;c covering an area of about 100 sq. miles, the prairie was literally black with them, old frontiersmen who were along with our company estimated there would be about 1,000,000 head, migrating from their winter to their summer range. The company were cautious about proceeding, to prevent any stampeding among our own Cattle. However we kept traveling, and as we approached the vast herd seemed to sway to the right of us, all moving in concert with the leaders. They rapidly made the distance between us more apparent, till finally when night came we formed our camp on the north bank of the river. A hunt was proposed and several small parties started out, as the large herd had broken up and scattered in different directions, yet all tending to the same course of travel. Another young man and myself proposed going together and have a hand in the sport, as we thought, and started out jubilant over the thought of our success, and endeavored to overtake a small squad of buffalo, stragglers from the main herd, and after several miles of travel we overtook them. It was then dark with the exception of a very bright moonlight and our surroundings were plain to view. In our opinions both of us were brave and would face anything to accomplish our purpose. As it happened I got in proximity to a large bull, he came feeding slowly towards me[.] I immediately lay down flat with the rifle in range expecting I was unnoticed by the beast. He came a little closer than I anticipated, and all at once my bravery left me. the “Buck Fever” took possession, and I got up and ran faster than I conceived my legs could carry me, thinking I was pursued by one of the “Monarchs of the Plain[.]” When I stopped and began to look around, I espied my companion in the same predicament as my self, running after me for dear life till we got together all “petered” out. The next on the program “where were we? what direction would we take to reach camp?[”] The moon was going down, but we knew we had to steer west to reach the Platte river. We did so, and after traveling 3 or 4 miles we struck the river, but could not tell whether the camp was up the river or down. So being tired and exhausted, we had a drink of water and lay down till it would become light enough to discern the shadowed objects around us. 
When morning came, we had not long to wait, we were surprised to see our camp only about ¼ mile down the river. We knew it was ours by recognizing some of the cattle that belonged, feeding close by us. We gladly reached camp, exchanged experiences with others that had been out hunting, for that was all we had to give, and thought in the future I would let the job out to others better posted in the ways of a “Crack Shot.”
After breakfast everything was got in readiness for travel. The teams and wagons were formed in line—and started for another days journey on the plains. New and interesting to me was the various changes of the landscape, and its immediate scenery. The river bank in general was void of the lofty forest trees that lined the banks of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, but clusters of Cottonwood and willows were the distinguished forestry of the country. Nothing of consequence occurred to break the monotony of travel for several days, only the meeting of occasional strolling bands of Indians either on the hunt or merely nomadic, changing temporary location for change of pasture for their stock: all app[ar]ently peacefully inclined but always hungry. At one time we had camped early one afternoon to give our cattle and horses a chance of good pasture, as the grass and vegetation was luxurious, for oftentimes feed along the line of travel was rather scant. We had not been long in camp when a moving black mass of something hove [sic] in sight. Our men were called out to collect the cattle together and drive them some distance from the camp to prevent a Stampede, as a herd of buffalo, which the mass proved to be, were steering for the river to drink, and our camp lay directly in their course, and at such times nothing could turn them. On they came as it were with the velocity of the wind, and with a pandemonium of noises that would drive a “tenderfoot” such as myself into hysterics, however I survived the shock. Some of our men who had travelled the plains two or 3 times previously knew what would be the result of such a charge and prepared for the onslaught by getting their guns in readiness. The herd at last reached us, ran directly through the camp to the river, crossed the river and kept on their course. However some of the herd was stopped by the rifles of our men and seven of the beasts were brought low, some falling right by the wagons. There were no other casualties, and we remained in camp all the next day cutting up and drying the meat. It furnished buffalo meat about sufficient for the camp the greater part of the journey onward. Finally we left the plains and all the historic points of travel and reached Deer Creek 4 miles beyond Fort Laramie. The fort being in sight. We had to cross the creek which was a wide stream, and rocky bottom with a swift raging current. The teamsters generally had to walk driving their teams accross the ford. I was following with my team and as they were good to keep close up to the wagon ahead of them, I thought there would be a good chance for me to ride and drive instead of having to wade the river. Accordingly I started in and had just got to swiftest part of the current, when as it happened some sheep come floating down and got tangled up with my cattle and my leaders turned around to the right with their heads toward the wagon, and nearly upset it, so that I was obliged to jump out on the off side of the team, and labored the leaders over their heads till their chains slackened and the wagon got righted, after scaring the two daughters of Elder [Orson] Hyde who were riding in my wagon and also Bro. and Sister [Marinda Nancy Johnson] Hyde who were in the next wagon following. I again learned a lesson, I got nearly drowned myself; instead of wading and driving my team as I ought to, as others did, I erred in judgment, got a worse wetting than I otherwise would have done owing to not obeying counsel.
We proceeded on our journey as usual, nothing out of common happening till we arrived at the Devil’s Gate near Independence Rock on Sweet Water. We laid over there 4 days repairing wagons, do the washing of the Camp &amp;c &amp;cpreparatory to the continuation of our journey westward. While there in Camp a serious accident happened to a little girl belonging [to] Bro. &amp; Sister Hyde. The girl and her sister [Delia Annette Hyde] respectfully 3 and 5 years of age were playing round where there was a fire burning and a large caldron on it, with 2 hams cooking. In their play the little 3 year old fell backwards into this boiling caldron. I was close by, the cry got up and taking in the situation I ran and snatched the little girl from an untimely death, heedless of the result to myself. The child’s body was frightfully scalded, her life was despaired of, but by careful nursing, and the ministrations of the priesthood, claiming God’s blessing she recovered, lived to womanhood and married in Salt Lake Valley.The next particular incident of the journey was regarding myself. We were nearing the Valley, got as far as Bear River on the emigrant trail when a heavy snowstorm got up, the ground was covered to the depth of 4 inches, and I was riding in front of my wagon with the wagon cover wrapped around me for protection, and in going down a long hill, my cattle were lagging being tired, I thought I would whip up a little. In that day Oxteamsters used a long slender whipstock, with a long lash in order to reach their cattle from one end <s>of them</s> to the other. I could reach my leaders, I was driving three yoke, and in throwing out my whip, it being wet with the storm, whipped around the lead chain and jerked me from the wagon. I fell behind one of the wheel oxen, the front wheel rolled over my head, but not losing presence of mind I crouched up and let the balance of wagon pass over clear of my body. I thought one wheel was enough. The party of an old lady and gentleman were driving behind me, saw me crawling out from under the wagon, called to me and asked what was the matter? I answered—Oh! nothing! only picking up my whip. I kept the secret to myself, although I had a sore head, with a scar I tried to cover up, about 5 inches long, from my right temple to the back of my head. While we were halting on the little mountain just east of Salt Lake, Elder Hyde accosted me by saying I had never told him of being run over—I suppose the old gentleman had told him—I answered him by saying it was a likely story to be run over and he not know it. It passed off that way. We finally arrived in Salt Lake City and Halted on what is now known as Main Street. I espied mother on the opposite side of the street on the look out for Orson Hyde’s wagons who were expected.

Transcript for Bee, Richard John Moxey, Autobiography [ca. 1908], 12-17

Carling, Isaac V., [Diary], in Elda Mortenson, comp., Isaac V. Carling Family History

Carling, Isaac V., [Diary], in Elda Mortenson, comp., Isaac V. Carling Family History, Vol. 1.

Transcript for Carling, Isaac V., [Diary], in Elda Mortenson, comp., Isaac V. Carling Family History, vol. 1, 48-55

Carling, Isaac V., [Diary], in Elda Mortenson, comp., Isaac V. Carling Family History.

Clark, Edwin Watkin, [Autobiography], in Edna J. Gregerson, comp., The Mellors Through the Years [1963], 660-61

Clark, Edwin Watkin, [Autobiography], in Edna J. Gregerson, comp., The Mellors Through the Years [1963], 660-61.

I was organized in a company of ten under R. Chaffin with Henry W. Miller Captain over a whole company of 50. Besides myself and wife, there were four children, one wagon, one yoke of cows. Daniel MacKintosh was secretary of our company. We started 3 July 1852. Orson Hyde was the captain over 100. 
The emigration of LDS across the plains in 1852 was larger than in any preceding years, owing to the fact that the Saints who had made themselves temporary homes in Pottawattamie Co., Iowa, had been counseled by President Young to immigrate to the valleys of the mountains. As the mapority of the Saints complied with the counsel given, all the branches in Pottawattamie County (between 30 and 40 in number) were discontinued and the membership of the branches constituted an important part of the emigrants of that year. The emigration from Great Britain was also a large one that year, or season, and even a number of the Saints who had spent a year or more in St. Louis crossed the plains in 1852, making their way to the valley of the mountains. Some of the Saints, who for various reasons, could not get ready for the crossing in 1852, went the following year or later on, but few who refused to comply with the counsel of the authorities of the church made themselves permanent homes there, and some of themsubsequently became identified with the apostate organization, and sidetracked Mormonism altogether. 
I drove my team of oxen up and down through mud and streams and on 6 September, my oldest daughter, Sarah, was run over while she was getting out of the wagon and died the next day on Sweetwater River, at the age of seven. We still pressed on, though it was a trial to leave her buried there.

Transcript for Clark, Edwin Watkin, [Autobiography], in Edna J. Gregerson, comp., The Mellors Through the Years [1963], 660-61

"Correspondence of the" Frontier Guardian

"Correspondence of the" Frontier Guardian, January 22, 1851.

Correspondence of the 
Frontier Guardian,
.
	Kanesville, Iowa, January, 10th, 1850.EDITORS OF THE FRONTIER GUARDIAN,:
	As I am often interrogated, and frequently receive letters of inquiry in regard to my visit to and from the Great Salt Lake Valley last summer, and also relative to the country, productions, health, roads, future prospects, &amp;c. Permit me through the medium of the columns of your widely circulated and useful periodical, to communicate to my friends-to all interested, and the public generally, a short account of my visit, &amp;c.
	I left this place in company with Mr. Orson Hyde, H. W. Miller and Joseph Kelley, on the 5th day of July for the West, (myself enjoying very poor health,) crossed the Missouri the same day, below the Mouth of the Platte, and encamped five miles on the road. The weather was very fine, and we soon began to come up with the hindmost of the emigrants; most of the companies suffering severely with cholera and other diseases attributed in a great pleasure to the unhealthiness of the low swampy lands so often occurring on the South Side of the Platte River. After traveling about three days in rather a circuitous direction, we came immediately to the Platte river, from which place the road follows the river bank, until we arrived at the South Fork of the Platte-then we turn the angle of the South Fork, of the Platte-then we turn the angle of the South Fork, following it up for some 40 miles, then again strike over to the Main Platte which we follow to Laramie.
	After the grass starts in the Spring the feed is generally good all the way to Laramie-there is very little wood, and much of the way none at all to this place. A few scrabby trees are seen on the islands, and occasionally at a distance in the mountainous bluffs there is cedar. Much of the way emigrants are obliged to use buffalo chips, for fuel when it can be had, though sometimes even this is scarce.
	The roads are generally very even and good, though occasionally passing our sandy roads-and now and then over steep Bluffs-very few or no streams emptying in on the South side, and no springs we are obliged to use the Platte water which though turbid and rily like the Missouri is considered quite wholesome. The Platte river varies in width from one-half to two miles in a full stage of water, raises in depth from one to six feet, though in the fall, the water only runs in numerous channels through the sand leaving the main portion of the river bed, a loose wet quicksand.
	Soon after passing Fort Kearney the Buffalo appear, and generally a plenty can be obtained on either side of the river. When fat and young the flesh is sweeter and far nicer than that of domestic cattle. Chimney rock is a rare curiosity, situated on the declevity of the Bluff, about 100 miles below Laramie. It is a pedestal of hard clay, or soft rock some 100 feet or more high, eight or ten feet in diameter, standing on a pyramidial base formed of stone and a hard substance resembling clay. Its top can be seen from the south 25 or 30 miles.
	After passing Laramie the road becomes more rough and better watered, but with long grass, but generally timber enough for fuel. Sometimes the way is very precipitous, until we reached the Upper Crossing of the Platte.
	Before we reached Laramie we saw a great amount of the remains of property, but after passing this place there is an increased amount, and as we passed still further on the amount of destroyed property is still greater nearly the whole way to the Valley. It mainly consisted of wagons, carriages, buggies, harnesses, saddles, trunks, chests, clothing, guns, chains, and in fact everything an emigrant fits out with, except provisions, and nearly everything in a useless or mutilated state-every thing destroyed that could be burned or in any way spoiled-and from the number of graves there must have been a great deal of sickness. Although the companies were quite healthy as we passed them in this part of country-where the road again strikes the Platte, it is narrow and very deep, and has to be ferried, the expense of which is five dollars. I had forgotten to mention that the South Fork is generally forded, though sometimes with considerable difficulty and delay, it being from one to two miles across the Ford. Soon after crossing the Platte, we came to the worst portion of the alkali country, through this we were seldom out of sight of the dead carcases, of horses or cattle. As we come to the Sweetwater, we find some more rare curiosities of nature; the famous Saleratus Lakes, where you may walk upon what appears to be a lake frozen over, with a light snow on top-you cut up with an axe what appears to be ice, which when tasted is a pungent alkali, (a beautiful specimen, I brought home on my return.) Independence, (or more properly Register) Rock, is situated on the Sweetwater Bottoms is of a course granite-grey, and interspersed with chrystalized quartz-it is some fifty to one hundred feet high, and near half a mile long and is discovered with tens of thousands of names and autographs.
	The South Pass over the Rocky Mountains is about the smoothest and prettiest portion of the road on the journey. Through here the Antelope abound in numerous herds, skipping and bounding on all sides. A few mineral springs, are occasionally found. One whose waters tasted much like beer, and some like the blue lick waters in Kentucky. Also a tar Spring exists on or near Bear river, and here is also found beds of stone coal-this is about seventy miles from the Valley. Green river, (this side of Bridger,) Bear River, and Weber river, (50 miles east of the Valley,) have to be ferried when crossed early in the season. They are rapid and pure streams, containing trout and other good fish.
	All through this country the feed is scarce; but wood and good water is tolerable plenty and rough hilly roads. On the fifteenth of August, having been out 40 days, we arrived at Great Salt Lake City all in good health, although we had lost several horses-and others much worn down. This kept us longer on the road than we anticipated, as we were obliged to take it moderately on the last end of the journey.
	As my communication has been extended longer than I at first intended, I will bring this to a close, and if agreeable will for future numbers speak of the Valley, trip home, the new route, &amp;c.
<center>	Meantime, I am very respectfully, </center><center>					Yours, &amp;c., 	</center><center>			J. E. JOHNSON.</center>

Transcript for "Correspondence of the" Frontier Guardian, 22 Jan. 1851, 2

"Correspondence of the" Frontier Guardian.

Deseret News

Blurb

"Blurb", Deseret News, August 19, 1851.

President Orson Hyde, Elder A. Carrington, and Judge Brocchus, arrived in our valley on Sunday eve, 17th inst. We get no general news from the States of later dates, than before mentioned. The party were robbed by the Pawnees and Omahas, as they believed; or as the Indians would say, swapped shirts with them, neglecting to present their blankets in return. They appear to have had a rough and tedious passage, and confirm the strongest reports of the high waters on the Western Frontier about 500 wagons on the route, our emigration may be expected to commence in the valley in about two weeks; some merchant trains, perhaps this week.

Transcript for Blurb), Deseret News, 19 August 1851, 308

20th Company

"20th Company", Deseret News, September 18, 1852, Page 2.

20th Company, H. W. Miller, Capt.. and 13 persons; L[ewis] R[ice] Chaflin [Chaffin] and 10 persons; Orson Hyde and 9 persons; Daniel McIntosh and 5 persons; Lewis Robins and 3 persons; E[dward] W[atkins] Clark and 5 persons; Jonathan Browning and 16 persons; John Galliher and 4 persons; Bingham Bement and 4 persons; Luther Reed and 2 persons; Wm. Daley and 2 persons; D[aniel] R[andall] Williams and 2 persons; wm. Price; [John] Lovell and 3 persons; wm. Beam [Bean] and 6 persons; [William] Mason and 1 person; G[eorge] Mason and 2 persons; w[illiam] Mason; [John] Carlin[g] and 3 persons; [Isaac] Carlin[g], jun.; [Alexander] Melvin [Melville] and 2 persons; R[ichard] Bentley and 4 persons; C[harles] Price and 3 persons; w. Chapman and 3 persons; [Edwin] Bryant and 2 persons; Nathan Staker and 10 persons; N[icholas] V[ance] Sheffer and 3 person[s]; E. Frost and 5 persons; Jacob Lance and 3 persons; E[benezer] wiggins and 9 persons; John Staker and 3 persons; wm. Staker and 4 persons; Enoch Cowell and 1 person; Frederick Cook[e] and 5 persons; John worthin [Worthen] and 5 persons; wm. Manhard and 6 persons; [William] H[enry] Manhard and 5 persons; R[oyal] Durfee and 3 persons; Geo. A[ugustus] Neal and 3 persons; O[liver] C. [Boardman] Huntington and 3 persons; Richard Maim [Mann] and 3 persons; O[wen] M. Cole and 9 persons.

Transcript for "20th Company," Deseret News, 18 September 1852, 2

Deseret News.

Frontier Guardian

From the Plains

"From the Plains", Frontier Guardian, September 4, 1850.

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



We received the following from our friend and fellow citizen, Mr. Joseph E. Johnson, one of Elder Hyde's company; and though not of so late a date, as letters which we published in our last issue, still the matter may be interesting to our patrons and friends, therefore we give it a place on our columns:



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">PLATTE RIVER, 50 MILES ABOVE FORT KEARNEY. 
Encamped July 14, 1850, 2 o'clock, P.M.</center>



 



Editors Frontier, Guardian—Dear Sirs:



On Friday, July the 5th, I left Kanesville with W. D. Johnson and F. Hall, (who kindly volunteered to take me forward to overtake the Express company for the Salt Lake Valley,) I crossed at Martin's Ferry and overtook the company, viz: Mr. Orson Hyde, Henry Miller and Joseph Kelley, about five miles from the river encamped. In the morning our escort returned and we pursued our journey over a beautiful country, though with but little timber yet well watered. Passed Hunters company about 25 miles from the river, and generally in good health but getting along rather slow waiting for Brs. Haywood and Wooley's train to come up. Encamped at night on a very pretty stream called Weeping water, passed 12 graves, and 4 in sight of camp.



7th day—Fair, started 8½ o'clock. Crossed Salt Creek about 10, found part of the Government train, the rest has gone on; part of the country more flat, our horses rather fractious and balky. Encamped on the Platte bottom, with our California wagons. Strong signs of rain at night.



8th day—Morning fair, an axletree broke about 10, and came up with Middletoe &amp; Riley's train, and Capt. Markham's company at 12. A few cases of sickness and one death occurred (G. G. Johnston) while we were with them; traveled 25 miles to day and encamped on the bank of the river which is about 3 miles wide on an average; passed 50 graves up to this time; strong signs of rain to night.



July 9th—Some rain last night. Left our company behind, as they conclude they cannot keep up with us; passed brother Snow with a part of his company; health of the camp improving encamped among the bluffs near the river; traveled 40 miles; health all good.



10th day—Morning pleasant. Had rained some in the night. Passed several small companies through the day and traveled over some bad roads; encamped after traveling some 40 miles on a high sandy knoll on the bottom without any wood; very heavy black clouds with thunder, lightning and rain; after it had ceased an immense swarm of musquitoes rushed upon us in the most severe manner that I ever before experienced; Bros. Miller and Kelley were obliged to take the horses back two miles to another encampment, leaving Bro. Hyde and myself to do the best we could; neither running, fighting, nor wrapping up defended us from their attack and we suffered most severely.



12th day—Horses came up and drove swiftly 6 or 8 miles before, stopping to feed. Passed Bro. Grant's train about 11, all well; passed Fort Kearney at 12; encamped on the bank of the river traveled 35 miles; heavy wind and rain.



13th day—Wet, and roads heavy and muddy; flies very bad in the afternoon. Express mail overtook us at night and propose to keep us company; heavy rain, wind thunder and lightning. Have seen some elk and antelope on the way.



14th day—Still raining hard. Br. Kelley has been quite sick since yesterday. Has rained all the forenoon; roads very muddy, wet and bad. 6 o'clock; encamped on a beautiful site on the bank of the river; traveled 25 or 30 miles. Bro. Kelley is better; cooked a good supper with Buffalo chips; heavy black clouds in the South, with wind, thunder and lightning. We are in the midst of a Buffalo country and expect to try and kill one to-morrow.



I am writing up this little sketch on account of expecting the Fort Laramie mail to meet us to-morrow, and we do not know when we shall have a chance to send back again. We have passed as many as 25 graves to-day and near as many yesterday; among the number we knew was the wife of Isaac Hill, Edward Wilcox, the wife of Peter Shirts, the widow Browitt, besides a number I do not now recollect. Our healths are all first rate. Our animals are doing well considering the wet weather and bad roads. We hope to get a change at Laramie.



The health of the companies of emigrants are improving; but they are generally getting along slow on account of the wet and bad roads. We have concluded that this is the wrong side of the Platte and shall probably return on the other side. I must close for want of news interesting.



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In haste, I am respectfully, &amp;c. 
J.E. JOHNSON.</center>

Transcript for "From the Plains," Frontier Guardian, 4 September 1850, 2

"From the Plains," Frontier Guardian, 4 Sep. 1850, 2.



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



We received the following from our friend and fellow citizen, Mr. Joseph E. Johnson, one of Elder Hyde's company; and though not of so late a date, as letters which we published in our last issue, still the matter may be interesting to our patrons and friends, therefore we give it a place in our columns:



PLATTE RIVER, 50 MILES ABOVE FORT KEARNEY., 
Encamped July 14, 1850, 2 o'clock, P.M.



EDITORS FRONTIER GUARDIAN--Dear Sirs: on Friday, July the 5th, I left Kanesville with W. D. Johnson and F. Hall, (who kindly volunteered to take me forward to overtake the Express company for the Salt Lake Valley.) I crossed at Martin's Ferry and overtook the company, viz: Mr. Orson Hyde, Henry Miller and Joseph Kelley about five miles from the river encamped. In the morning our escort returned and we pursued our journey over a beautiful country, though with but little timber yet well watered. Passed hunters company about 25 miles from the river, and generally in good health but getting along rather slow waiting for Brs. Haywood and Wooley's train to come up. Encamped at night on a very pretty stream called Weeping water, passed 12 graves, and 4 in sight of camp.



7th day--Fair, started 8 1/2 o'clock. Crossed Salt Creek about 10, found part of the Government train, the rest has gone on; part of the country more flat, our horses rather fractious and balky. Encamped on the Platte bottom, with our California wagons. Strong signs of rain at night.



8th day--Morning fair, an axletree broke about 10, and came up with Middleton &amp; Riley's train, and Capt. Markham's company at 12. A few cases of sickness and one death occurred (G. G. Johnson) [George Givens Johnston] while we were with them; traveled 25 miles to day and encamped on the bank of the river which is about 3 miles wide on an average; passed 50 graves up to this time; strong signs of rain to night.



July 9th--Some rain last night. Left our company behind, as they conclude they cannot keep up with us; passed brother Snow with a part of his company; health of the camp improving; encamped among the bluffs near the river; traveled 40 miles; health all good.



10th day--Morning pleasant. Had rained some in the night. Passed several small companies through the day and traveled over some bad roads; encamped after traveling some 40 miles on a high sandy knoll on the bottom without any wood; very heavy black clouds with thunder, lightning and rain; after it had ceased an immense swarm of musquitoes rushed upon us in the most severe manner that I ever before experienced. Bros. Miller and Kelley were obliged to take the horses back two miles to another encampment, leaving Bro. Hyde and myself to do the best we could; neither running, fighting nor wrapping up defended us from their attack and we suffered most severely.



12th day--Horses came up and drove swiftly 6 or 8 miles before stopping to feed. Passed Bro. Grant's train about 11, all well; passed Fort Kearney at 12; encamped on the bank of the river traveled 35 miles; heavy wind and rain.



13th day--Wet, and roads heavy and muddy; flies very bad in the afternoon. Express mail overtook us at night and propose to keep us company; heavy rain, wind thunder and lightning. Have seen some elk and antelope on the way.



14th day--Still raining hard. Br. Kelley has been quite sick since yesterday. Has rained all the forenoon; roads very muddy, wet and bad. 6 o'clock; encamped on a beautiful site on the bank of the river; traveled 25 or 30 miles. Bro. Kelley is better; cooked a good supper with Buffalo chips; heavy black clouds in the South. with wind, thunder and lightning. We are in the midst of a Buffalo country and expect to try and kill one to-morrow.



I am writing up this little sketch on account of expecting the Fort Laramie mail to meet us to-morrow, and we do not know when we shall have a chance to send back again. We have passed as many as 25 graves to-day and near as many yesterday; among the number we knew was the wife of Isaac Hill, Edward Wilcox, the wife of Peter Shirts, the widow Browitt, besides a number I do not now recollect. Our healths are all first rate. Our animals are doing well considering the wet weather and bad roads. We hope to get a change at Laramie.



The health of the companies of emigrants are improving, but they are generally getting along slow on account of the wet and bad roads. We have concluded that this is the wrong side of the Platte and shall probably return on the other side. I must close for want of news interesting.



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In haste, I am respectfully, &amp;c,</center>



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

Correspondence of the Frontier Guardian

"Correspondence of the Frontier Guardian", Frontier Guardian, January 22, 1851.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Kanesville, Iowa, January 10th, 1850.</center>



Editors of the Frontier Guardian:



As I am often interrogated, and frequently receive letters of inquiry in regard to my visit to and from the Great Salt Lake Valley last summer, and also relative to the country, productions, health, roads, future prospects, &amp;c. Permit me through the medium of the columns of your widely circulated and useful periodical, to communicate to my friends—to all interested, and the public generally, a short account of my visit, &amp;c.



I left this place in company with Mr. Orson Hyde, H. W. Miller and Joseph Kelley, on the 5th day of July for the West, (myself enjoying very poor health,) crossed the Missouri the same day, below the Mouth of the Platte, and encamped five miles on the road. The weather was very fine, and we soon began to come up with the hindmost of the emigrants; most of the companies suffering severely with cholera and other diseases attributed in a great measure to the unhealthiness of the low swampy lands so often occurring on the South Side of the Platte River. After traveling about three days in rather a circuitous direction; we came immediately to the Platte river, from which place the road follows the river bank, until we arrived at the South Fork of the Platte—then we turn the angle of the South Fork, following it up for some 40 miles, then again strike over to the Main Platte which we follow to Laramie.



After the grass starts in the Spring the feed is generally good all the way to Laramie—there is very little wood, and much of the way none at all to this place. A few scrabby trees are seen on the islands, and occasionally at a distance in the mountainous bluffs there is cedar. Much of the way emigrants are obliged to use buffalo chips, for fuel when it can be had, though sometimes even this is scarce.



The roads are generally very, even and good, though occasionally passing our sandy roads—and now and then over steep Bluffs—very few or no streams emptying in on the South side, and no springs[.] we are obliged to use the Platte water which though turbid and rily like the Missouri is considered quite wholesome. The Platte river varies in width from one-half to two miles in a full stage of water, raises in depth from one to six feet, though in the fall, the water only runs in numerous channels through the sand leaving the main portion of the river bed, a loose wet quicksand.



Soon after passing Fort Kearney the Buffalo appear, and generally a plenty can be obtained on either side of the river. When fat and young the flesh is sweeter and far nicer than that of domestic cattle. Chimney rock is a rare curiosity, situated on the declivity of the Bluff, about 100 miles below Laramie. It is a pedestal of hard clay, or soft rock some 100 feet or more high, eight or ten feet in diameter, standing on a pyramidial base formed of stone and a hard substance resembling clay. Its top can be seen from the south 25 or 30 miles.



After passing Laramie the road becomes more rough and better watered but with dead grass, but generally timber enough for fuel. Sometimes the way is very precipitous, until we reached the Upper Crossing of the Platte.



Before we reached Laramie we saw a great amount of the remains of property, but after passing this place there is an increased amount, and as we passed still further on the amount of destroyed property is still greater nearly the whole way to the Valley. It mainly consisted of wagons, carriages, buggies, harnesses, saddles, trunks, chests, clothing, guns, chains, and in fact everything an emigrant fits out with, except provisions, and nearly everything in a useless or mutilated state—every thing destroyed that could be burned or in any way spoiled—and from the number of graves there must have been a great deal of sickness. Although the companies were quite healthy as we passed them in this part of country—where the road again strikes the Platte, it is narrow and very deep, and has to be ferried, the expense of which is five dollars. I had forgotten to mention that the South Fork is generally forded, though sometimes with considerable difficulty and delay, it being from one to two miles across the Ford. Soon after crossing the Platte, we came to the worst portion of the alkali country, through this we were seldom out of sight of the dead carcases, of horses or cattle. As we come to the Sweetwater, we find some more rare curiosities of nature; the famous Saleratus Lakes, where you may walk upon what appears to be a lake frozen over, with a light snow on top—you cut up with an axe what appears to be ice, which when tasted is a pungent alkali, (a beautiful specimen, I brought home on my return.) Independence, (or more properly Register) Rock, is situated on the Sweetwater Bottoms is of a course granite—grey, and interspersed with chrystalized quartz—it is some fifty to one hundred feet high, and near half a mile long and is covered with tens of thousands of names and autographs.



The South Pass over the Rocky Mountains is about the smoothest and prettiest portion of the road on the journey. Through here the Antelope abound in numerous herds, skipping and bounding on all sides. A few mineral springs, are occasionally found. One whose waters tasted much like beer, and some like the blue lick waters in Kentucky. Also a tar Spring exists on or near Bear river, and here is also found beds of stone coal—this is about seventy miles from the Valley. Green river, (this side of Bridger,) Bear River, and Weber river, (50 miles east of the Valley,) have to be ferried when crossed early in the season. They are rapid and pure streams, containing trout and other good fish.



All through this country the feed is scarce; but wood and good water is tolerable[.] plenty and rough hilly roads.



On the fifteenth of August, having been out, 40 days, we arrived at Great Salt Lake City all in good health, although we had lost several horses—and others much worn down. This kept us longer on the road than we anticipated, as we were obliged to take it moderately on the last end of the journey.



As my communication has been extended longer than I at first intended, I will bring this to a close and if agreeable will for future numbers speak of the Valley, trip home, the new route, &amp;c.



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Meantime, I am very respectfully, 
Yours, &amp;c., 
J. E. JOHNSON.</center>

Transcript for "Correspondence of the Frontier Guardian," Frontier Guardian, 22 January 1851, 2

Frontier Guardian.

George Mason autobiographical sketch, circa 1883, 1-3

George Mason autobiographical sketch, circa 1883, 1-3.

...On Jan. 20, 1849 I and my brother William and the lady who later became my wife and her sister left our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters and friends and started for Utah.



On Feb. 3, 1849, the ship Henry Ware moved out of Liverpool docks with between 225 and 250 passengers. As we started out of the docks we all joined in singing, "Yes My Native Land I Love Thee, All they scenes I love them well." We then moved into the river and cast anchor and ate a good dinner at about 2 o'clock. Then the tugboat took us up the river into the Irish Sea and left us about 4 o'clock. [p.1] At that time a two cent loaf of bread would have served us all for supper.



Then for a week they were all sick but two of us, Thomas Harward and myself. As soon as our president got around to it he organized the company and put me in as head teacher and also to assign me to attend the commissary to deal out sugar, flour, and tea. Berry Bucket and Walter James were my helpers.



On Feb. 18, 1849 I was married to Mary Ann Beard. Robert Martin, the president married us. After a very rough voyage we landed at New Orleans on the 8th of April 1849. During the voyage we had one death, one birth and one marriage. The child was named Henry Ware Combs. But of all places to act as a teacher it is on board a ship.



The next day I and my brother William went to work on a steamboat, "The Grand Turk," and worked our passage up to St. Louis where we stayed until 1851. As soon as I got there I began acting as a teacher. N.H. Felt was president of the St. Louis branch.



On the 19th of May 1850 there was the most destructive fire I ever saw. Millions of dollars worth of property was destroyed.



As soon as I got settled down, which was in three days, I went to work at the gas light works. Here I worked with five other men for over a year. In March 1850 I sent money to help father, mother and brother John and they came over that spring in June. We went to Council Bluffs. Then we went to farming like all the other Englishmen. We got along some way and raised some corn. In the fall I and my brother William went over the Missouri River to work for Mr. McKinney, who kept prospecting school for Indians. We worked there all fall and chopped cord wood and split rails all winter.



In the winter of 1851 or 52 Brother Ezra T. Benson, one of the twelve apostles, came and counseled all to get together to move to Salt Lake the next spring. So father and I went to work to get our, but it looked rather gloomy as we had nothing to start with, but we went to work and asked the Lord to help us and by the last of June we were ready to start. There were some ten or twelve families around where we lived and we all started to Ether and crossed the Missouri River on July 4th 1852.



On the 8th of July we organized into a company of 64 wagons with Henry Miller as our captain and Apostle Orson Hyde as president of the company in all things... [p.2]



...We arrived in Salt Lake City Sept. 28th 1852... [p.3]



[Transcript originally found on the Saints by Sea database]

Transcript for George Mason autobiographical sketch, circa 1883, 1-3

Harris, George Henry Abbott, Journals, 1850-1854; 1872-1876, 51-69

Harris, George Henry Abbott, Journals, 1850-1854; 1872-1876, 51-69.

Transcript for Harris, George Henry Abbott, Journals, 1850-1854; 1872-1876, 51-69

Historical Department journal history of the Church. Supplement after 31 December 1852: Page 123.

Huntington, Oliver Boardman, Diary and reminiscences

Huntington, Oliver Boardman, Diary and reminiscences, June 1843.

Arrived at St. Louis on the 18th of May.
Were obliged to lay in St. Louis until the 25th of June 
 2nd 1852 we arrived at Kanesville where we stopped at the house of M. L. Benson while were fitting out for our journey over the plains.
With my hundred dollars Mr. Benson had purchased one, very fine large yoke of cattle and one cow. Fir [For] Mr. Neal he had on hand three yoke of cattle.
During our stay here Mrs. Neal became very anxious to go no farther and wanted to turn and go back to the good old homestead. Was determined to go back. Mr. Neal very much disliked to go any farther from civilization, but through manliness he a little more disliked the name of turning back.
As for myself I did not care much if they did all turn back[.] I was on my road home and my children were with me thanks to God. After a hard time of fitting up four wagons, which I done mostly with great exertion of soul and body against their delays we managed to get started. On the 4th of July in company with Orson Hyde.
I had one wagon to myself and family which was quite comfortable and seemed a little like living by myself although I had to be with the old folks and take care of all, as much as if I had been changed to father of all, they being unacquainted with traveling in such a way and I having had gone in overland traveling.
I was pleased with having them to take care of and thanked my God they were made somewhat dependant on me.
At Green River I found Dimick who was the foreman of a company sent out there by the President of the Church to build a bridge over Green River and form a settlement. Between there and the City I men [met] William and a small company going out to join them at the River. This company and settlement was broken up by the Indians and mountaineers and forced to return to the city as I shall hereafter notice in an account of the family.
After a long tedious toilsome journey spotted with broils and family fences we arrived in Great Salt Lake City on the 2nd of October 1852.
[Scanned images of diary and text transcription also available on "Trails of Hope: Overland Diaries and Letters, 1846-1869" web site, http://overlandtrails.lib.byu.edu/.]

Transcript for Huntington, Oliver Boardman, Diary and reminiscences, 1843 June-1900 Jan., 80-81

Huntington, Oliver Boardman, Diary and reminiscences.

Joseph Ellis Johnson diary excerpts, in J. E. J. Trail to Sundown (1961) by Rufus David Johnson, 124-26

Joseph Ellis Johnson diary excerpts, in J. E. J. Trail to Sundown (1961) by Rufus David Johnson, 124-26.

[2 Aug.-14 Aug. 1850]



"Morn. Aug. 2, Independence Rock. Heavy wind last night, almost turned our wagon over . . . Went over the big rock. Crossed (Sweetwater) early, more companies. Passed Devil's Gate, curious place. Constant wind. Went on 10 miles, again crossed river. Nice camp on bank but left and drove 10 miles for fear of Indians.



"Aug. 4. Washed. Climbed the mountain to Summit Rock where I sat and wrote some verses . . . Boys had killed rabbits which I cooked for breakfast. Hot . . . had bath in the pleasant Sweetwater, wrote letters, shod horses, fixed wagons. Drove 15 miles, camp after dark. As we drove along our horses feet constantly clinked against irons. Had chicken and rabbits three times today.



"Aug. 5. Away early, drove 5 miles and the axletree of my carriage broke . . . stop and repair. Went fishing, no luck. Off at 3, encamped close to the river where there had been immense destruction of wagons and property. Plenty of currants, no game. Cooked bread and boiled our last ham which was nearly spoiled. Sat up late and sang songs.



"Aug. 6. Start about dawn, over high bluffs rough and rocky. Much game, antelope elk, buffalo. Nice streams abound. Warm, with snow [on the] mountains plain to be seen. Dug up a supposed cache and found it to be a grave.



"Aug. 7. Got off early, arrived Pacific Spring and stream. Found South Pass not a mountain of rocks but a high plain with roads smooth and hard. Country begins to descend. Camp on nice stream called Little Sandy. Provisions getting low. Stood guard half the night; terribly sleepy . . .



"Aug. 8. Two of our men went out to hunt, to join us at Green River, which we reached at 10. Cool and rapid stream, saw currants large as cherries, found oscia, made kinni-kin-ic to smoke, my last cigar gone. Went 3 miles down river, caught fish. Sat up late and smoked a lot of kinni-kin-ic.



"Aug. 9. Bros. Miller &amp; Kelly went hunting, got nothing. Went down river 7 miles, then struck over the hills. I walked 5 miles. We reached Black's Fork at 2. Rain, no fish, no feed. On 3 miles to pleasant little stream called Ham's fork. Large company near.



"Aug. 10. Out early. Stormy looking. Road hard for teams. Met company of returning Californians who took letters eastward at 50c each. Found plums. Snow is in sight all directions. Eight miles from Fort Bridger. Killed sage hens and caught some nice fish.



"Aug. 11. Arrived at Fort Bridger at 10. Large company encamped there. Nice mountain streams with some timber and plenty of shrub cedar in the neighborhood., road rough but plenty of grass and water along. Traveled 28 miles and encamped at the bottom of a deep, narrow valley where we found soda and sulphur springs. Slept on the ground . . . pleasant.



"Aug. 12. Left early . . . rough road to Bear River, 13 miles. On the way saw some fine cold springs, also sulphur, soda, tar and stone coal. Bear River is one of the most swift, clear, rocky and beautiful streams I ever saw. Caught no fish. Mr. Kincaid and Mr. Livingstone passed us here and Capt. Hyde took passage with them and left us alone. Country assumed an entirely different aspect west of Bear River. The land is rich and fertile and covered with green.



"Aug. 13. Started early before breakfast. Drove 6 miles and came up with Kincaid &amp; Livingstone. Traveled on to the Weber ford in a shower of rain. No fish. Horses rather done out.



Aug. 14. Late start, here we left Daniels . . . very rough roads. Found some berries and caught some trout. Much fatigued. Drove hard all day and encamped at night after getting sight of. . . ."

Transcript for Joseph Ellis Johnson diary excerpts, in J. E. J. Trail to Sundown (1961) by Rufus David Johnson, 124-26

Joseph Ellis Johnson letter to Beloved Friends in J. E. J. Trail to Sundown (1961) by Rufus David Johnson, 121-24

Joseph Ellis Johnson letter to Beloved Friends in J. E. J. Trail to Sundown (1961) by Rufus David Johnson, 121-24.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">"10 miles west of the lower ferry of the 
upper crossing of the Platte, 700 miles w. 
of Kanesville, July 30, 1850</center>



"Beloved Friends:



". . . We have had an accident (mishap). We came here and camped at 7 last evening on a sandy place near the river by a spring creek in the shade of a few cottonwoods. Our 6 horses and one mule were put out to pasture on the sand hills about a mile. We left them there and went to sleep. About 9 a mule team came up intending to travel with us,—family named Daniels from Montrose. When morning came our horses were missing and we know nothing of their whereabouts. Bros. Miller and Kelley have gone back toward the ferry look for them. It is uncertain whether we will start today . . . Bro. Hyde has turned in to sleep; Bro. Daniels has gone hunting. I have cooked breakfast; made meal pancakes with eggs, soda and acid. Have washed dishes also a towel, my gloves and kerchief, repaired our provision chest and have put the wagon in order. Also have apples cooking.



". . . About 20 miles up the road leaves the Platte and strikes across to the Sweetwater river. The Platte here is only a few rods across, but is deep and turbid. We had a little scow or dugout to cross in and were obliged to swim our horses. Companies under Captain Andrews, Bro. Hawkins, P. Young and a small group of 10 wagons were encamped near the ferry on and about Deer Creek. . . My last letter was sent back by a company returning from the capture of some deserters . . . Deer Creek on the Platte would be a good place for a person to stop with some goods during their emigration. Have liquors, with a blacksmithing and pack saddle outfit, build a good boat, do all ferrying, trading, repairing, and a large amount might well be taken. I have the idea of stopping with 6 or 8 hands and the necessary articles, come out early, should I have the blessing of prosperity next spring.



"As to native fruits, I have seen a berry sweet and nice growing on a bush much like the shad and tasting like it. There are plenty of white currants, also gooseberries and a bush and berry like red currant only more sweet. Choke-cherries are yet green, also thorn apples, a kind of berry resembling the fire cherry. These are all the fruits we have seen except grapes way below the Platte."



Independence Rock, Sweetwater River, Aug. 1, 1850. 
"I have just come down from the top of the rock and have had a laborious climb. It is a vast rock ½ mile long and full of seams, cracks, gaps and crags, but one hard, rough granite rock standing singly and alone. On the bottom near the river there are thousands of names painted and engraved in every possible size, shape and color. I have read until I am weary but have found few of my acquaintances. A beautiful evening and a beautiful place. A company of 5 wagons is camped near us, and D. S. Baker left the place just as I came up. We did 22 miles today over sand and thro saleratus [Salaratus] plains and ponds. I walked 3 or 4 miles to pay for running off after saleratus ponds. We stayed at Willow Springs,—poor feed and wood. Made 33 miles yesterday but horses are badly jaded today.



"The Sweetwater is a pretty stream, clear, swift and cold and is lined with good grass, just now cropped close. How the teams of 800 to 1000 wagons are to be sustained God only knows, altho he has sent an uncommon quantity of rain to make the feed grow. . . . I so dread the crossing of these plains twice again, but certainly I shall never set out in ox teams, 'tis killing. . . .



"We have seen plenty of game, elk, buffalo, lion, sage hens, etc. Since yesterday we have passed over a hundred carcasses of oxen and horses. They lie and fairly dry up, as even wolves cannot subsist on these desolate plains. We have seen hundreds of gun barrels, log chains, staples and rings, harnesses, trace chains and the finest of wagons, buggies and carriages. We found 26 log chains in one pile. The ground where we are now encamped is literally strewn with irons, stoves, clothing, parts of harnesses, etc. Every pain seem to have been taken to destroy all property so that it will be of no use to anyone else. Even the finest of rifles are broken and the barrels are smashed. The destruction of life and property has been terrible.



"This mountain air is different from any I ever breathed before. Tis sharp and it obliges me to put my hand to my face to guard my respiration, for it will make the nostrils twinge like hard frosty weather even at midday in the hot sun.



"Sund. morning. 20 miles from Bridger, 135 miles from the Valley. All well and expect to be there in 4 or 5 days."

Transcript for Joseph Ellis Johnson letter to Beloved Friends in J. E. J. Trail to Sundown (1961) by Rufus David Johnson, 121-24

Joseph Ellis Johnson letter to Distant Friends in J. E. J. Trail to Sundown (1961) by Rufus David Johnson, 116-19

Joseph Ellis Johnson letter to Distant Friends in J. E. J. Trail to Sundown (1961) by Rufus David Johnson, 116-19.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">"Platte River, 150 miles below Laramie, 
July 18, 1850</center>



"Dear tho Distant Friends:



"There is a team in sight returning to the states and I will write what I can . . . We passed fort Kearney and have got along very slow on account of our horses giving out. We traded one, left another and shall be obliged to swap or buy more . . . We have been constantly passing emigrant companies with many of whom I am acquainted. Came up with Bro. Foote's company. Every attention was bestowed upon us and everything that could be produced to eat was set before us. We got plenty of buffalo meat and butter.



"For the last four days we have seen thousands of Buffalo. Have had a few chases but caught none. At night came up with Capt. Wall's company, the Macedonia camp. Fared the best possible. We are now encamped above Cedar Bluff, above Ash Hollow, south side of river.



"We passed Colonel Johnson next morning. Passed Fort Kearney about noon. Encamped 20 miles this side (west). Next morning two mail carriers came up with us going to Laramie. They stayed with us two nights, then went ahead. Next morning saw 3 buffaloes on the bluffs. Bro. Miller gave chase. Came up at noon, no luck! Encamped at noon in sight of 3 or 4 herds feeding on the bottoms. Had a fine chase but did not kill one. Cooked by the fire made of buffalo chips which gave a fine blaze and heat but too much ashes. Went 33 miles and encamped. Cooked and ate supper but were forced to hitch up and pull out because of mosquitoes. Drove ten miles and camped.



"Next day came up with Foote's company at noon. They gave us buffalo meat, butter, milk and anything we wanted. Saw West and his wife. She held an umbrella over me while I ate dinner. Immense herds of buffalo in afternoon. Bro. Kelley gave tremendous chase of 3 or 4 miles with pistol, but they are so hard to kill he did not bring any. Saw several graves dug out; saw the carcass of a man scattered around by the wolves. Yesterday I picked up the jaw bone of a man which had been cleaned by the wolves . . . Passed any amount of prickly pear the last 3 days. We also see wild poppies and hollyhocks that look like moss rose blossoms, sunflowers, wild pinks. etc.



The river here is about two miles wide. After trying to cross on horseback, Bro. Hyde and myself stripped to wade over and each led a horse while the other drove the teams. But the horses sank in the quicksand and we had to double teams and pass twice over. I waded the river three times, a four mile round trip against the current and quicksand and it nearly exhausted me. . . . Drove on 20 miles and encamped in Captain Bennet's company in Ash Hollow. Came on to this place, cooked dinner, shod horses, slept and are now going to start.



"Made 25 miles and encamped with Captain Evans company. Arose late, bad night,—insects. Passed over sandy roads, stopped for dinner of ham and eggs, fried crackers and tea. Came up to Captain Blair's company and concluded to stay. Company glad to see us and showed us every kindness. Early start. Stopped for dinner within 3 miles of famous Chimney Rock. The base is a kind of hard clay. It forms a pyramid to about 50 feet, then a rough pedestal of rock rises perpendicular. Saw it from a distance of 30 miles.



"Came up to one part of Bishop Johnson's company . . . Have just found that today is Sunday. However, we have been singing and have been quite civil. Traveled 30 miles; left 2 horses this morning with Bro. Blair as they ailed and old Skewball was one of them. We have fed grain all along and have some yet. Tis about 60 miles to the fort [Laramie].



"Have not stood guard yet and all the company favors me much. Even Bro. Hyde takes more upon himself than he allows me to do. I am cook, steward, doctor, chambermaid and clown and they don't know how to get along without me! I had a strong invitation this morning to stop with Captain Fleming (Blair's company) and Miss F. said she would do my vittles and washing. But I concluded to go on so I ran to catch up a mile ahead."



"On Sunday evening we overtook the back 50 of this company 30 miles east of Laramie. Stayed overnight, started early and soon came to Scott's Bluff, a curious and strange piece of rock earth. It suggests ancient ruins of forts, towers and pyramids towering to an immense height . . . Saw two large elk on the river, also a red fox. Wolves are continually in our sight. Came to a trading post consisting of 2 or 3 of the meanest kind of little low shanties, a few dogs and horses, 2 or 3 men and as many squaws. There are also 2 Frenchmen with an anvil and bellows ready to do any little job. Plenty of old and new, whole and broken wagons on the hill. One man invited me in to see his squaw. Bro. Kelley went in with me to the wigwam composed of raw hides and in the shape of a potato hole with a round crawl-in hole at the side. We were offered seats on the ground. They had one very pretty squaw if she were fashionably dressed. Here we saw what is called the Service berry. We ate a few and found them like juicy whortleberries. They offered us common moccasins at $1.00 per pair.



"I took a ramble on the hills hunting berries; found a few. It was as far again as it looked; tired out. On returning had to go through 2 miles of arrowgrass. It annoyed me by sticking through my clothes. . . . Came on 10 miles, camped on barren [p]lain. Mosquitoes, O dreadful night! I wrapped my head and hands tightly in a blanket as long as I could stand it, then took a corner to fan myself rapidly, or get up an run as fast as possible. Started at dawn and in 3 miles came up with the head of the Bishop's company. Concluded to stop with them tonight. We got 2 horses yesterday and one from this company. They intend to celebrate the 24th as the day of entrance into Deseret and are anxious to have us stay. We concluded not to stop for the celebration and left early loaded with favors of all kind of sweet cakes and eatables. Passed through an Indian village this morning; saw some fine horses and splendid ornaments and trappings. Tried to buy moccasins from them but could not, neither would they trade horses.



"We saw wagon tires and irons where wagons have been burned . . . All the horses that we started with have been left behind except 2 and we shall have to leave one of those at the fort. . . ."

Transcript for Joseph Ellis Johnson letter to Distant Friends in J. E. J. Trail to Sundown (1961) by Rufus David Johnson, 116-19

Richard Bentley autobiographical sketch, undated, 10

Richard Bentley autobiographical sketch, undated, 10.

In the spring of 1851 Needham and Fergusen dissolved partnership[.] Bro. Needham emigrated to Utah and Mr. Ferguson continued the business[.] I continued with him until May 1852 when I emigrated to Utah, in the 20th company, H[enry]. W[illiam]. Miller being captain of the company.



Bro. Miller was an excellent captain to travel with. Elder [Orson] Hyde and family were in the company. We made good time, passing all the companies along the road down to the 7th. The cholera was very bad on the plains that year, but only one or two died out of our company. Captain Miller would not stop in one camp long enough for the people to get sick and die. It was very sorrowful to see so many graves by the roadside.



We arrived in Salt Lake City on September 24th, 1852.



[Text also in Our Pioneer Heritage, 20 vols. (1958-77), 18:181; Treasured Histories of the William Oscar Bentley Family (1984), 25; and Joseph T. Bentley, Life and Letters of Joseph C. Bentley: A Biography (1979?), 9]

Transcript for Richard Bentley autobiographical sketch, undated, 10

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fatherReferenceId

Oxford, New Haven, Connecticut, United States

birthPlace

arrived-at-home

departed-from-home

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maritalStatusWhenCalled

Went to the Campbellites of Ohio. Many branches were organized.

missionaryActivityNotes

priesthoodOfficeWhenCalled

residenceWhenCalled

setApartBy

missionOrganizationReferenceIdValue

locationServed

baptizedByReferenceId

Traveled as a missionary in New York, Massechusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine and other eastern states.

Served a special mission to Missouri in behalf of the persecuted Saints in Jackson County.

<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/102.3?lang=eng#p2#2">D&amp;C 102:3</a> at Kirtland, Ohio

Member of First High Council of the Church

title

Traveled in New York, principally for the purpose of getting volunteers for Zions Camp. He also preached.

associatedPeople

priesthoodQuorumWhenCalled

Pennsylvannia, New York, Toronto and Kingston, Canada, EasternStates

This was a three week mission.

departed-from-field

Had expected to accompany others of the Apostles to England, was prevented from going through sickness, and he labored as a missionary in Illinois, and Indiana. He also spent time raising funds.

Commerce, Hancock, Illinois, United States

After laboring in a number of States and Great Britain, filled an important mission to Palestine, where he dedicated the land for the gathering of the Jews, 21 October 1841.

<a href="http://churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/124.129?lang=eng#p128#128">D&amp;C 124:129</a> at Nauvoo, Illinois

Member of the Twelve

arrived-in-field

This is part of the 1840 mission to Palestine.

called

company-arrived

joined-company

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Called to assist in gathering the poor Saints.

Orson Hyde

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