Samuel S Gully (1809 - 1849) Profile

Individual

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Samuel S Gully

birth-date-qualifier-birth

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City, Page 55.

Leonard W. Hardy Enrolled in H.P. Quorum, SLC: 22 Nov 1856 Source: High Priest Qrm Rec, orgnzd 23 Apr 1848, SLC, Utah, LDS Arc.

Transcript for Nauvoo Restoration, comp., High Priests of Nauvoo and Early Salt Lake City, M251.33, p. 56, Church History Library

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, October 25, 1843, Page 1.

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

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple endowment register

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple endowment register, Page 37.

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple endowment register.

Edward Phillips, Autobiographical sketch, reel 10, box 13, fd. 2, item 9, 3

Edward Phillips, Autobiographical sketch, reel 10, box 13, fd. 2, item 9, 3.

Leaving there in the spring of 49 with Capt. Gulley's company. William Hyde was Captain of our fifty. We traveled until we arrived at Grand Island. Capt. Gulley was taken sick and died there. Daniel Collett and myself washed him and dressed him and laid him away. We then appointed Orson Spencer as Captain of our hundred for the remainder of the journey. The cholera was very troublesome on the road, it being the year of the California gold crase [craze]. A great many of the emigrants died of cholera. It also got among the Indians and made them very angry with the whites for crossing their country. A great many of them were camped at Scotch Bluffs and were threatened to wa[i]t with the emigrants. When we arrived at Scotch Bluffs, soldiers were called for at Fort Laramie to come and meet us which they did and guarded us through in safety. We traveled the balance of the way in safety to the Salt Lake Valley in October of 1849

Transcript for Edward Phillips, Autobiographical sketch, reel 10, box 13, fd. 2, item 9, 3

Elizabeth H. Hyde life sketch in Historical resource materials for Cache Valley, Utah-Idaho, 1955-1956, 6-7

Elizabeth H. Hyde life sketch in Historical resource materials for Cache Valley, Utah-Idaho, 1955-1956, 6-7.

In the spring of 1849 my husband and brother Rosel with their families started for Salt Lake Valley. The companies were divided into one hundred fifty and ten, samuel gully was captain of a fifty and died on the plains on the 4th of July with the cholera, several others of the company died with the same disease. My husband came very near going the same way. I sat up with him many nights in my wagon, fearing every night to be his last; my husband was appointed to take brother Gully's place as captain of fifty. [James A.] Livingston and [John Henry Kinkaid [Kinkead] merchants in Brother Gully's company rendered me every assistance in their power in my husband's sickness, furnishing me with medicine and lights, they said they had lost one captain and didn't want to lose another. They had him ride in their carriage until he got stronger. Sister Betsy Aldred [Elizabeth Patrick Taylor Allred] was with me, we traveled with ox teams.



We arrived in Salt Lake on the 22nd day of Sept. 1849, after being on the road between four and five months, . .



[Variant version of text also in Our Pioneer Heritage, 20 vols. (1958-77), 7:433]

Transcript for Elizabeth H. Hyde life sketch in Historical resource materials for Cache Valley, Utah-Idaho, 1955-1956, 6-7

Frontier Guardian

The Mail Arrived from the Salt Lake

"The Mail Arrived from the Salt Lake", Frontier Guardian, September 5, 1849.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">THE MAIL ARRIVED FROM THE SALT LAKE. 
On Monday Evening, Sept. 3d.</center>



 



A. W. Babbit [Almon W. Babbitt] Esq., arrived here on Monday evening last thirty-six days from the Valley of the Salt Lake, having been water bound on the route eight days. He came safely through with one man and seven horses and a light wagon in which he brought the mail.



News from the Valley is quite encouraging. The crickets entirely disappear where fowls and swine are permitted to range. They have suffered comparatively none this year by those insects. Their wheat crops are good, corn looks prosperous-beets, carrots-squashes, pumpkins and other vegetables are excellent. The health of the citizens there was good, and great activity in business prevailed. About twelve or fifteen thousand California emigrants passed through the Valley, and about three thousand calculated to winter there. Many of the Californians have been baptized and intend to make that place their home-some of the first class of them for wealth, character, and influence. No difficulty occurred between our people and the California emigrants, and the Indians are all friendly and seem anxious to learn and to become civilized. They wish to learn to cultivate the soil, so that they can have plenty of bread &amp;c.



Our people celebrated the 24th of July instead of the 4th, for two reasons:-one was, because that was the day on which Br. Young and the Pioneers first entered the Valley; and the other was, they had little or no bread, or flour to make cakes, &amp;c., that early, and not wishing to celebrate on empty stomachs, they postponed it till their harvest came in. A full description of the feast and celebration may be expected in our next. We are only able to sketch the heads of the news for this week for want of time and space, but we intend to pour out the whole flood in our next number. The Valley has been a place of general deposit for property, goods, &amp;c., by Californians. When they saw a few bags and kegs of gold dust that had been gathered and brought in by our boys, it made them completely enthusiastic. Pack mules and horses that were worth twenty-five or thirty dollars in ordinary times, would readily bring two hundred dollars in the most valuable property at the lowest price. Goods and other property were daily offered at auction in all parts of the city. For a light Yankee wagon, sometimes three or four great heavy ones would be offered in exchange and a yoke of oxen thrown in at that. Common domestic sheeting sold from five to ten cents per yard by the bolt. The best of spades and shovels for fifty cents each. Vests that cost in Saint Louis one dollar and fifty cents each, were sold at Salt Lake for three bits, or 37 1/2 cents. Full chests of Joiners' tools that would cost one hundred and fifty dollars in the East, were sold in that place for $25. Indeed, almost every article, except Sugar and Coffee, is selling on an average, fifty per ct. below wholesale prices in the Eastern cities. Would it not be a grand speculation for Kanesville and St. Joseph, Merchants to go to the Salt Lake to lay in their fall stock of goods? They can buy plenty of wagons there for less than one half what the iron cost in Saint Louis, and any number of cattle to haul them back. This kind of operation has put the people on their legs in the valley, but when the alcohol was brought forward and sold, it threw some of them off their legs, not having had any for a couple of years or so, and being rather exhausted by digging gold all the time, they were not wise to hazard a contest with so potent an enemy, more to be dreaded than the mobs of Illinois. The people there think more of their wheat crop than of the Gold Mines. They know, because they have been made to feel its superior worth. Many of the emigrants would pay no attention to the warnings of our people not to let their cattle drink of the water so strongly impregnated with saleratus. They said it was all a "Mormon humbug" about the alkali being strong enough to kill their cattle, and the consequences were that more than 2000 dead carcasses of oxen lay strewed along the way, and the very offensive smell caused thereby, rendered it almost impossible to travel near the road. The cholera has been very fatal among the Indians. In one place Mr. Babbitt mentions as having passed ten deserted lodges with many dead Indians lying about, and their bodies torn and half eaten by the wolves.



He met Livingston &amp; Kinkade's company, commanded by William Miller, about 200 miles west of Laramie, then all well. Met Egan [Howard Egan] at Weber River-Hickman and Hatch beyond the South Pass-Perkins' and Taylor's [Allen Taylor's] company this side of Laramie. They had one stampede; about a hundred and fifty teams hitched up took fright in the day time, and ran with their loads like wild buffalo. One lady was killed (Mrs. Hawk) [Margaret Hawk], and several others badly bruised and injured. George A's [George A. Smith's] and Ezra's [Ezra T. Benson's] company were all well, but getting along slowly on account of high water and constant rains. Gully [Samuel Gully] , McCarty [Nelson McCarty], and Kellogg [Ambrose Kellogg] died of cholera out of the first company. But four of our people died of cholera on the road.

Transcript for "The Mail Arrived from the Salt Lake," Frontier Guardian, 5 September 1849, 2

Frontier Guardian.

Historical Department journal history of the Church. Supplement after December 31 1849: Page 1.

Lucy Meserve Smith papers, 1848-1892 Family history and autobiography

Lucy Meserve Smith papers, 1848-1892 Family history and autobiography, June 1889.

I taught school 5 1/2 days in a week and Sabbath school on Sunday. When my six months were up I bade adieu to the Paunee [Pawnee] Mission, went home, made preparations, and started with the rest of the family for the Salt Lake Valley. Our family including teamsters, hunter and cowboy, numbered 19, souls. Sister Bathsheba Smith and myself did the work for 14, with the help of Phineas Daily at the washtub, and Thomas Adshead to help bake the bread.



Sister Sarah [Smith], and her baby John Henry, and Sister Hannah, and her baby Charles Warren, and Teamster was a seperate family, Sister Sarah being quite feeble in health, Sister H. had to do the most of the work for their portion of the family. We left Kanesville June 22 1849. cross[ed] the Missouri July 11th cross[ed] Elk Horn 17th cattle stampede, lots of bother to get them togather again



Apostle Geo. A. Smith Capt. of 50. Elder Myron Tanner Capt. of ten, each ten has a Capt., the first Welch Co. of saints help to compose our 50.



July 31. Br. Bensons cat[t]le stampede, one sticks up his nose and gives a snuff, then the rest all follow suit, they pay no more attention to a Co. of men than if they were mice, they rush over every thing they come in contact with for miles before they halt[.] Apostle Ezra Taft Benson Capt. of 50, Elder Silas Richards Capt. of another 50



We crossed the Loup Fork of the Platt[e] River, the water very high and swift, but we all get over safely by some of the brethren getting completely drenched trying to ride over on the animals back. They both went rolling over one top of the other in the water until we feared they would drown, but they come out safely



August 7th, we saw the first Indians here that we have seen since we left home. They are friendly to us although one man was killed by Indians in br. Gullies [Samuel Gully] company, a little in advance of us. One Ox supposed snake bit. We travel 13 miles, no water. Camp close by br. Benson's Co. get water from their well fetch wood in the old Gundelo wagon, as it is called because of the variety of rattle-traps brought along in it.



Aug. 8th. Brs. [B.F.] Stoddard and [William] Ham[b]lin went a hunting catch a Buffalo and Antelope, start back for a wagon[.] they lose their way, having covered their meat with a blanket they lay down til morning, then came for the old Gundelo, and went for their game, but to their surprise it had all been devoured by wolves so they killed another Antelope and came back feeling a little chop-fallen over the loss of their nice Buffalo meat.



Aug. 9th. drive 9 miles, stop and bate by Platt[e] lake then drive five miles[.] stop for the night[.] dig five feet deep[.] find good water



Aug. 10th, we start out[.] stop by the Platt[e] River to bate, the water is soft and nice, Buffalo on the other side taking a draught. It seemed to us that the Lord had <s>had</s> caused this land to become fertile for This saints sake, as two years ago it was perfectly barren, and now the rains are abundant which makes grass plenty, and Oh, such lovely Cherries, they are larger than Musket Bullets[.] they grow on low bushes. We had a perfect feast, We felt to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for them.



Aug. 11th, we start on three miles[,] camp on Skunk Creek[.] Phineas Dailey [Daily] and I wash[.] Sister Bathsheba bakes 7 large loaves of bread, The brethren dig a well to get good water to drink.



Aug. 12th, we had a meeting to day, had two excelent discourses from Apostle George A. Smith, and Elder [William Ivins] Appleby on the wars, commotions, desolutians [desolations] of Kingdoms, and the necessity of our being humble and faithful to God.



Aug. 13th, bro Benson is very sick with bilious Cholic. Prest Smith washes and anoints him[.] he goes to sleep[,] is better



Aug. 14th, brs. [William] Hamblin and [Phineas] Daily each, Pick a patent pail full of sand cherries, they were a gr[e]at treat to our whole camp here in the desert. We stop all day as br. Benson is not able to travel.



Aug. 15th, we start[,] pass cold springs, which is 295 miles from winter quarters.



Aug. 16th, we drove four miles then stop to wash and bake as we shall come to no more wood for two hundred miles



Aug. 17th, we drove eleven miles today. It commenced raining, thundering, and lightning and hailing and such hailstones I never saw before, they were as large as hens eggs, Br.[William B.] Simmons said he picked up one as big as his fist. The horses broke loose, the cattle tore around as though they thought the Indians were after them.



Aug. 18th, we drove eleven miles, br. Benson is worse[,] sends for Prest. Smith



Aug. 19th, Sunday to day. br. Benson requests the saints to meet and pray for him, we did so confessing our sins, some said they got out of humour once in a while. I thought if we could keep from showing the inside of our hearts we did first rate, as we had so many vexatious things to encounter.



Aug. 20th, we drove 13 miles[,] cross Goose Creek, and Duck Weed Creek, it is hard crossing over the sand bluffs, we saw a herd of Buffolo about two miles off on the bluff, we encamped for the night.



Aug. 21st. cloudy. br. Babbit comes into camp with the Mail from the Valley, we met and hear the letters read from the Presidency[.] they were very cheering to us all. we have a dance in the after-noon, both Companies meet.



Aug. 22, we cross smoll creek, Shoal Stream, and Battle Snake Creek. stop and bate near Cedar Bluff, came 14. miles to day[.] Wm Hamlin killed a Deer to day.



Aug 23rd, cross the six feet wide Creek and a No. of others, one of the Welch brs. upset his wagon, but no harm done, we drove over the high sandy bluff and stop. Peter [Smith] gets kicked by his ox[,] the animal being wild when he was unyoking[.] he turned and kicked, Peter looked very pale, some of the brethren administered to him[.] he soon got over his injury. A woman bitten by a dog[.] he was sentenced to be shot but obtained a reprieve in case he would go with the Express to the valley, being a good dog to keep off Indians.



Aug. 24th, We drive 10 miles to day, a Thunder shower this evening. The Welch leve a jaded ox back on the range



Aug. 25, we drove 14 miles to day[.] cross a wide creek[.] br. [Elisha Averett] Everett broke the hound of his wagon, mended it at noon while bating.



Aug. 26th, a company of Sioux visited us, they appeared genteel and pleasant and were very neatly clad, and manifested no disposition to steal from us. It is very cold to day



Aug. 27th, fair weather not quite as cold as yesterday[.] the sun shines very hot at noon[.] we passed some beautiful flower gardens, resembling fields of red clover, it makes me think of home. We traveled about 14. miles to day. We passed over beds of sand, which I should think were beds of rivers formerly. We camp near Ancient Bluff Ruins.



Aug. 28th, we pass bluff ruins[.] grass poor and scarce, roads dry and sands fly, no wood yet. Buffolo chips burn very well, bake our biscuits nicely. A gun goes off in a wagon accidently a few shot[s] hit Prest Smith and a few another man, but no serious damage done. Great Frost last night[.] water froze in our wagons last night.



Aug. 29th, very cold this morning. We traveled about 14. miles, very uncomfortably cold riding throuhg the day



Aug. 30th, we drove 13 miles[.] warm weather, dry and sandy, no wood yet[.] we stop opisite Chinney [Chimney] Rock at noon



Aug. 31st, we drove about 14. miles to day, stop near Scotch Bluffs, fair weather.



Sep. 1st, we drive 13. miles to day[,] fair weather, a wagon ran over sister Lewis son, hurt him slightly



Sep. 2, we have a meeting as it is Sunday[.] Pres. Smith preached, after meeting the ordinance of baptism was administered. In the afternoon we moved on 4 miles[.] dry and sandy, sand flies very badly.



Sep. 3d, we travel til we come to Rasbaws trading Post where we encamp for the night. A large Co. of Sioux here[.] they treat us very politely. Plenty of wood here.



Sep. 4th, we drove 4. miles in the morning before breakfast, stop[,] wash and bake[,] plenty of wood.



Sept. 5th, drove 15 miles, pass Fort Larimie [Laramie] about 6 o'clock P.M., stop 1. mile this side, plenty of wood



Sept. 6th. we passed over some very sandy hills, come to a very steep hill where we have to lock both wheels, stop under the hill to bate, grass very good, river close by, fair weather[.] the plains completely covered with flowers, their variety are to[o] numerous to name. Larime [Laramie] Peak looks like a black cloud it is so high and far away.



Sept. 7th, we pass along gently over the Black Hills[,] find a few spots of green grass for the animals, drive about 12 miles a day, fair weather, wood plenty, good springs and brooks in the deserts, very sandy, Sage and Prickly Pears in abundance. High thick shoes are needed here, we must make a two pail pot of hash for dinner



Sept. 8th, we travel til noon[,] came up with br. Silas Richards Co.[,] stop to do some Smithwork. A Welch br. strolls away from camp, and could not be found[.] it was a great hinderence to us, we traveld two miles and camp for the night



Sept. 9th, our folks are still searching for the lost man[.] br. Richards camp went past.



Sept. 10th, we find the lost man in a camp 5. miles on a head of our camp.



Sept. 11. We drove 15. miles and encamp for the night.



Sept 15. leave the Black Hills.



Sept 21. teams came from Salt Lake Valley to help us along.



Oct. 1st we traveled til 11. o--clock at night to get to the willows as we found no feed for the animals, and it is snowing very fast. We camp, for how long we knew not.



Oct. 2d, we lose 60. head of cattle, The snow drifted six feet deep, no wood only as the brethren dug roots and Elder Myron Tanner made a fire in our Iron kettle and baked pancakes and boiled Coffee in the front end of his wagon so we could have a basin of coffee and one pancake a piece that whole day, as not one of &lt;us&gt; women could get out to do a thing[.] the storm was still raging so badly. The front of my wagon was full of snow. I tried to get up to get a snow ball[.] I was so very thirsty but I fainted and fell back. Sister Bathsheba [Smith] had two small children, she had a little stove in her wagon. Sister Sarah [Smith] and Hannah [Smith] with the two boys John Henry [Smith] and Charles Warren [Smith] were in another wagon J[ohn].H[enry]. was one year old C[harles].W[arren]. 8 months. The Mothers were oblige[d] to stay in <s>in</s> bead to keep the babies hands covered til the men could set up a little stove, as the weather was so very cold.



Oct. 3d, the brethren dug away the snow and made a fire of the roots, and I stood on the snowy wagon floor and made out biscuit[s] and passed out to the men to bake and they made coffee and we enjoyed our breakfast. We were oblige[d] to stay a number of days before we could move on, the snow was so very deep, had it not been for the help from the valley, we must have left a portion of our wagons in the willows, being 280. miles from Salt Lake City.



Oct. 7th, we drive through the South Pass and encamp &lt;for the night&gt;



Oct. 10th, we have a few inches of the beautiful.



Oct. 12th, we cross Green River



Oct. 16th, we cross Hams Fork



Oct. 18th, we drove all day and Coral our wagons[.] the three fifties all together. We have a large pile of Sage brush in the center, then set it on fire[.] it lit the whole country around. Prest. Smith preached and related a Prophesy which he uttered in the Kirtland Temple, that the wild beasts should pick the old mobocrat Dr. Dodd's bones. Br. Elijah Cheena being in the Temple at the time that George A. Smith uttered that Prophesy, and also being at the grave with G.A. Smith, and seeing Dr. Dodds bones strewn about having been dug up and picked by the wolves, and his name plain to be seen on the board[.] br. Cheena [Cheney] arose and testified to the litteral fulfillment of that Prophesy. The old Dr. died with Cholera on the plains, while on his way to the gold regions.



Oct. 26th. it is impossible for me to keep my journel the weather is so cold. We are in the midst of Mountains covered with snow.



Oct. 27th, we arive in Salt Lake City quite late in the evening tired and hungry, but I must cook supper for myself and teamsters, and then I could go back to my wagon and go to bed, and thank my Heavenly Father for my safe arrival. We found my husband's Father and Mother well and pleased to greet us.

Transcript for Lucy Meserve Smith papers, 1848-1892 Family history and autobiography, 1889 June, 28-37

Lucy Meserve Smith papers, 1848-1892 Family history and autobiography.

Reuben Miller journals, 1848-1849, Journal

Reuben Miller journals, 1848-1849, Journal, June 1849.

Transcript for Reuben Miller journals, 1848-1849, Journal, 1849 June-September

Reuben Miller journals, 1848-1849, Journal.

Reuben Miller letter to Brigham Young

Reuben Miller letter to Brigham Young, September 9, 1849.

Green River Second division of Israel Camp 
September 9th 1849



 



To President Brigham Young Heber Kimball, And Willard Richards, And the Saints in general in the Vally of the Salt Lake.



D. Brethren. We gladly imbrace the present oppertunity of informing you that we c[r]ossed the Missouri river on the 6th And left the horn on the 12th of June, destined for your place



We were organized by President George A Smith into A company of one hundred With two divisions of fifties Samuel Gully captain. Including a few california emigrants both camps number 124 waggons. The first division of fifty is under Captain William Miller. The Second under Captain William Hyde. Brother C [Orson] Spencer is president. With Councilers Bro Gidian [Gideon] Brownell And Bro [William Farrington] Cahoon



We have every reason and do feel truely thankfull to God our heavenly father for his extended hand of Mercey to us as a people. Allthough it is true the distroyer prevailed to Some extent in our camp And constrained us to lay by the way three of our brethren. And 2 calafornia [California] Emigrants. We Yet live. And enjoy health and Strength



And the peacefull and good Spirit is resting upon our camp. With &lt;no&gt; gloomy prospects before us we pursue Our journey. And resting upon the arm of Jehovah for protection and diliverance. We have assurance that the way will be opened before us. And that we Shall in due time arive at our place of destination.--



Owing to the excesive and often repeated rains which rendered the roads allmost impassable. We were constrained to travile very Slow in order to keep up the Strength of Our teams. And from the time that we left the horn untill we arrived at Elm Crek 221 Miles from Winter Quarters Including all Stopages and days laid by. Our average Speed of travil per each day was 7 1/2 Miles. Sin[c]e then the roads have been better and we have got along much faster.



After the death of Bro [Samuel] Gully. The two Camps met together and apointed President C. [Orson] Spencer Captain to fill the vacancy.



The following is a Statistic of Captain William Hydes Company as taken on the North Side of the Loup fork June 26th. Souls 190[,] Waggons 64[,] Horses 3[,] Mules 10[,] Oxen 255[,] Cows 120—L.[,] Cattle 8[,] Sheep 64[,] Pigs 17[,] Chickens 39[,] Ducks 2[,] Geese 2[,] cats 13[,] Dogs 11[,] Doves 7[,] Bees 1.



Perhaps it would not be a miss to give the Statistic of Captain William Millers Company of Israel Camp. The following imbraces all in our possession. Souls 174[,] Waggons 60[,] Horses 7[,] Oxen 258[,] Cows 104[,] Sheep 38[,] Pigs 14[,] Chickens 23[,] Cats 12[,] Dogs 14 L.[,] Cattle 9



The following embraces the names of the heads of families in the Second division of fifty



John Barry. Daniel Allen. Samuel Gully. Hyrum Judd[.] Charles Daulton [Dalton]. O[rson]. B[ennett]. Adams. Wm Vandike. Daniel Collett. Edward Philips. William Smith. Thomas Atkins[.] William Thompson. John Collins [Coulam]. Lewis Hardy. James Mendenhall. William Parshell. Rosel Hyde. William Hyde. Elias Blackburn. Joseph--[blank space], William Lewis[.] Enock [Enoch] King. Jennet [Jenst] Peters. E. Thomkinson [Ephriam Tomkinson]. G.W. Robison[.] Andrew Shannon. Sarah Roggars [Rogers] &amp; Amanda M. Roggars [Rogers]. D[avid].H. Readfield [Redfield]. H[enry]. Alexander. Zinnia [Zimri] H Baxter. Reuben Miller. A[rza] Adams. James A Smith[.] Wm W Smith[.] William Young. And the Bloggett family.



The Company from the Vally met our camp at this place.



Yours in behalf of the second division of Israel Camp.



 



Reuben Miller Clerk

Transcript for Reuben Miller letter to Brigham Young, 9 September 1849

Reuben Miller letter to Brigham Young.

Samuel Gully letter to Brigham Young

Samuel Gully letter to Brigham Young, July 3, 1849.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Camp 192 miles from Winter Quarters 
July 3rd 1849</center>



 



Presdt. B. Young



Dear Sir



Allow me to introduce to your acquaintance Genl. G Blodget the bearer of this. Genl. G. accidentally fell into our company at the Mo. River and has traveled with us to this point. he now leaves us with his pack animals &amp; leaves 4 wagons &amp; Teams with the remainder of his Men, all in my charge. Genl. G has offered many friendly favors while we have been on the road and has acted the part of a Gentleman; any favors rendered him by yourself will [be] duly reciprocated by your friend.



I am sorry to inform you of the choleras being in our company. We have had several cases and lost 3 men of our company[.] Bro. Nelson Mc[C]Arty died at the Loup fork, Ambrose Kellogg at Prarie Creek, a Mr. [Moses] Hale on the Platt[e] 7 miles from this point. My desire is that we may no longer be troubled with this sad disease. Since we left Winter Quarters which was the morning of the 7th June the Horn on the 11th the rains have been so continued that it has prevented us from moving faster than we have and now we have had two nights of as heavy rains as I most ever saw, the Grass is Good, but the Roads most Horrid



Messrs [James A] Livingston &amp; [John Henry] Kinkead is now with us, with the Goods mentioned in my former letter, and they wish me to renew the wish for you to have them a House ready for them to put there Goods in when they arrive. They are extremely anxious to return to St Louis this fall in order that they make an early start the next sping with at least one Hundred thousand Dollars worth of Goods. The season is now so far advanced that they fear if they have to go through to the Vally &amp; then have to retail them out, it will be too late for them to return and they are therefore willing to sell them sooner if possible and say if you or any other person will meet them this side of the South Pass they would sell them for much less than they would in the Vally say at least five thousand Dollars. They have with them near $30,000 at St Louis cost consisting of a Genl. Stock of Dry Goods, a very heavy stock of Hardware for building purposes, with Groceries &amp;c &amp;c



Bro. Orson Spencer is now in our company and from the best I can learn has money with him sufficient to pay near half the amount. They will take Gold Dust at a Good rate



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">SAMU[E]L GULLY 
Pr WM. HYDE</center>



 



July 5th 1849



President Brigham Young



Sir



Capt Gully after writing the above left it uncealed with a view, if possible of obtaining, news from Ft. Childs which might be of interest to you, but on yesterday the 4th he was taken with the Cholera, and died this morning, the 5th inst at 5 O.c[.] on which account I have signed his name above and forward to you this sheet. The Camp is now in tolerable health. We now expect to start on our Journey in the morning, have laid here two days



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Yours with respect 
Wm Hyde</center>

Transcript for Samuel Gully letter to Brigham Young, 3 July 1849

Samuel Gully letter to Brigham Young.

Silas Richards reminiscences and journal, circa 1849-1871, transcribed by Ailcy C. Morrell, 4-12

Silas Richards reminiscences and journal, circa 1849-1871, transcribed by Ailcy C. Morrell, 4-12.

Transcript for Silas Richards reminiscences and journal, circa 1849-1871, transcribed by Ailcy C. Morrell, 4-12

Thomas Atkin autobiography, circa 1901, 5-7

Thomas Atkin autobiography, circa 1901, 5-7.

On May 28 we started from Council Bluffs on our journey, father having purchased two wagons, five yoke of oxen and two yoke of cows. The road on this, our first day's travel on land, proved to be exceedingly rough, being most through a hilly country with heavily loaded wagons that were not new but second hand. Our teams were wild and unbroke, many of them being strangers to the yoke, and drivers about us awkward as their teams, and with our mother sick in one of the wagons with that dreaded disease the cholera: under these circumstances it required our utmost care in managing the team in which my mother lay sick. We camped at night in the forest.



May 29th--traveled a short distance and camped near the ferry which crossed the Missouri river.



May 31st we had the satisfaction of seeing the recovery of our mother.



On June 2nd we crossed the ferry over to the South side of the Missouri river. Here we joined the main body of the company of Saints waiting to be organized into companies of tens, fifties and hundreds with captains to lead each division.



On Sunday, June 3rd we camped with the main camp at the old Winter Quarters of the leaders of the Church, and the Pioneers when on their way from Nauvoo to the Rockey Mountains. We saw the vacated log cabin of Brigham Young and others of the Twelve Apostles and Saints in which they wintered before starting upon their long and perilous journey. We remained here a few days to break in our teams and to make final preparations for our journey.



and on June 8th we commenced our pilgrimage with Brother William Hyde, a most excellent man, as captain of the fifty wagons of our company, and Brother [Daniel] Collett as captain of the ten wagons in which our[s] was included. Orson Spencer was captain of the hundred.



June 9th we reached the Elk Horn river over which we ferried our teams the following day.



A large band of Indians was camped a short distance from us, who manifested signs of hostility towards us. Our captain required every man in camp to muster armed and equipped for business which seemed to have the desired effect of quieting the Indians. Here father purchased a yoke of fine cows, having found that our teams were hardly sufficient for their loads.



On the 22nd of June we arrived at the Loup Fork of the Platt[e] river, a large and rapid running stream.



Saturday 23rd, on account of the depth of the river we were unable to proceed.



Sunday, 24th of June we made a tabernacle of the branches of trees and held Sabbath meeting, which was addressed by Captain William Hyde and President Orson Spencer.



June 26th both fifties forded the river which was quite deep and dangerous with quicksand bottom, but we were all landed in safety on the other side. During the first week in July a rainy season set in which greatly impeded our progress, having often to attach 6 or 8 yoke of oxen to one wagon that cut into the ground until the axeltrees almost scraped the ground.



On July 5th, Brother Samuel Culley [Gully], Captain of the other fifty, died of cholera and was buried by the road side.



July 7th camped at night on Elm Creek. Here we discovered that we were traveling in the famous buffalo country. Every day large, dark, moving herds of buffalo could be seen on the distant hillsides or down in the meadows.



July 10th the hunters killed their first buffalo.



On the 12th they killed two others.



and on the 14th they killed 4 buffalo. In the afternoon of the 14th wagon and team were started out to gather up some of the best parts of the 4 buffalo. My brother George and I being desirous to see a buffalo before it was dis-sected, went along with the hunters for that purpose. After traveling several miles we entered a range of low hills and finding that the sun was about setting, I took an hasty glance at the buffalo, then started back alone for camp, hopeing to arrive there in time to help secure our cattle by tying each animal to the wheels of our wagons before night set in, and guarding them through the night against the raids of the hostile savages that were numerous in this region of the plains. I had proceeded a short distance when I heard the hunters calling on me to return, assuring me that I would get lost among the hills or meet some of the natives on the plains, but regardless of their friendly warning I continued on my way following the slight trail which the wagons had made in coming out. I soon found that I was not traveling fast enough to enable me to get out of the hills before night set in and in my anxiety to increase my speed I lost all trace of the wagon track, and although I made several circuts back in hopes of again finding the trail, I was unsuccessful in finding it. Having abandoned my search, I hastened off in the direction I judged lead towards the river.



I was greatly impelled on my way by the knowledge that I was alone on the domains of the Indians at that time hostile towards the white man. With night rapidly approaching, the country around me afforded no distinguishing object as a guide, nothing but a succession of low hills and vallys in every direction as far as the eye could reach. Under these circumstances I hastened on over hill and vale, climbing some of the highest points and anxiously looking in every direction, hoping to see the river and the trees bordering it, occasionally kneeling to offer up a fervent prayer for guidance from above. Finally, just as the day was disappearing I saw from an eminence I had gained, the reflection of a hundred camp fires lighting up the gloomy horizon, and although the camp was several miles away, I felt greatly encouraged. I soon emerged from the range of hills but found yet another difficulty in my course. I was suddenly checked in my progress by a dismal swamp of deep water and rushes which were directly in my course, but I was not in the mood to hesitate long. I entered the swamp and after struggeling what seemed to me a long distance through mud and water, fighting mosquitoes which were fearfully numerous, I finally landed on solid ground and soon reached the camp in safety.



Large fires were kept burning all night to guide the party of hunters to camp but they did not return until the next morning.



July 27th--passed chimney rock.



July 29th--forded the Platt[e] river three quarters of a mile across very deep quick-sand bottom.



August 3rd--passed Fort Laramie.



August 5th the camp did not move. Held Sunday meeting under the shade of some trees. President Orson Spencer preached.



August 10th our ten commenced to travel seperate from the main company on account of the scarcity of feed for our animals.



August 22n-- passed Independence Rock and camped at Devil's gate, a narrow channel cut through a mountain through which the sweet water river runs, overhung by rocky crags. We here began to experience frosty nights.



August 29--snowy morning today. A child was run over and killed.



September 2nd--crossed the Sweet Water river for the last time being the twe[f]lth crossing.



September 7--traveled to Green river which we forded and camped on the other side with a company of brethren and teams on their way to meet Apostle E.T. Benson's company of Saints, they having started late in the season.



Sept. 13th--traveled 8 miles and camped at Fort Bridger.



September 16th--traveled 6 miles and crossed Bear river. Rough mountain roads is the rule for the rest of the journey.



September 19th--5 miles and crossed the Weber river.



September 20th--14 miles, chiefly in a canyon up and down steep hills, having to hold our wagons from upsetting with ropes.



September 21st-- traveling over the big mountain.



On Tuesday, September 25th we entered the Valley early in the afternoon and thus completed our long journey and at last gazed upon the Great Salt Lake valley, the goal upon which our hopes and expectations had so long been centered, and although the whole country was at that time in a wild and uncultivated condition, it appeared to us all that we could desire.

Transcript for Thomas Atkin autobiography, circa 1901, 5-7

William Farrington Cahoon in Reynolds Cahoon and His Stalwart Sons (1960) complied and edited by Stella Cahoon Shurtleff and Brent Farrington Cahoon, 90

William Farrington Cahoon in Reynolds Cahoon and His Stalwart Sons (1960) complied and edited by Stella Cahoon Shurtleff and Brent Farrington Cahoon, 90.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Traveled Six Months to Reach Salt Lake</center>



"As stated above, I in company with my brother Daniel and our families, started on the 21st March and camped the first day at Brother Burgess, six miles out. At length, we were on the way leaving civilization behind us and glad to get away from it, and as we journeyed across the great plains in the wage [way] of the pioneers, we felt as if the ‘God of Joseph' was with us and blessed us and preserved us. On our way we had the usual vicissitudes of the early travelers across the plains, such as fording rivers, and when we could not ford, making rafts and building bridges, killing snakes, burying our dead, guarding our cattle and traveling under difficulties.



"We traveled day after day, for six months and on 24th day September 1849, we entered the valley in company with my father and Andrew's family who came to meet us. Was It Not A Joyful Meeting! Only those separated from their families for a long time, can tell.

Transcript for William Farrington Cahoon in Reynolds Cahoon and His Stalwart Sons (1960) complied and edited by Stella Cahoon Shurtleff and Brent Farrington Cahoon, 90

William I. Appleby autobiography and journal, 1848-1856

William I. Appleby autobiography and journal, 1848-1856.

Transcript for William I. Appleby autobiography and journal, 1848-1856

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Smithfield, Johnston, North Carolina, United States

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Harriet Gully

Jane Jones Frylick

Ovanda Fuller

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Samuel Gully

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Samuel S Gully

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