William Bowker Preston (1830 - 1908) Profile

William Bowker Preston (1830 - 1908)

Individual

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William Bowker Preston

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Index to the British Mission history, 1841-1971, Church History Library

Index to the British Mission history, 1841-1971, Church History Library.

Latter-day Saint biographical encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson

Preston, William Bowker,

"Preston, William Bowker,", Latter-day Saint biographical encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, 1, Page 232.

Latter-day Saint biographical encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, November 20, 1872, Vol. 2, Page 26, Line 996.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, May 7, 1865, Vol. 2, Page 8, Line 298.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, November 20, 1872, Vol. 1, Page 24, Line 996.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, May 7, 1865, Vol. 1, Page 7, Line 298.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Bailey, Charles Ramsden, Autobiography [ca. 1905], 49

Bailey, Charles Ramsden, Autobiography [ca. 1905], 49.

The Spring of 1863 came along all right and another Call for Men and teams And our Proportion was 9 Men and 8 teams 32 yoke of Oxen and one horse and Man for a Guard[.] I was Calld at the head of the list to take Charge of Wellsville[, Utah,] Mendon[, Utah,] Hyrum[, Utah,] & Paredice [Paradise, Utah] teams 20 in Number this Season[.] I Cooked for 12 Men and drove team And did it Cheerfuley & Eeasey [easy.] the boys gave me good Assistence and as Soon as we got in Camp noon or night we Set to work and had our meal Ready in thirty Minuites[.] we had a hard time to get Such a large fit out of men and teams work[.] Cattle was not so plentiful[.] I took My first Steers that I raised along with me however[.] got fited up and Started[.] Bishop Wm B Preston was Captain of 65 wagons 
we Started 10 of April &lt;1863&gt; And went through the Mountain to Brigham [City] And had a hard road lots of Snow drifts and Mud And Stormey wether till we got behind Salt Lake City then it got more Pleasant[.] Captain [William B.] Preston would ask me all about the road and how to Make our drives for feed and water as I was the onley one that had been twice along the road[,] but I remembered the road from the first time I came when a boy[.] when we got on the Platte River we met mor Emegrants Coming west then before And they was Surprised to see so maney teames Coming from Utah[.] there was 12 large Companies 60 x 75 waggons in Each Company
In latter part of June we arrived at florance [Florence] And found a large Crowd of People there[.] After we had been there two weeks one day while standing at a storm about 6 of us three Young Ladies Cam[e] along and I remarked boys there Comes my Girl whom will be my wife[.] And the boys looked at me And asked me which one I said the Midle one[.] they Said you have never Seen or Spoke to her yet[.] I said no but I will of Course[.] They Laught at me[.] however in a few days we went to a dance And I Spoke to her but She Seemd hard to make understand And when She did not want to understand she would Say Nix [.......] and I began to wonder About my dreams of two years ago And if there was any thing in it[.] and in a few days Thomas Lishmon [Leishman] told that My girl was gone in the Sanpete Company[.] now Said he what about that you Said that time at the Store[.] Well I said I did not know why I said it but I felt that way then[,] but if it aint her it will be Some one Else so I need not worrey about but mark the Change in a few days see how it Came about 
one Morning I woke And Said to Joseph Kay My bed Mate[,] I Said let us go down to town to day what for I don't Know but I feel I must go after Breakast[.] we went after Some of the Cattle and had quite a time to get them but we Succeeded And went down to florance 5 Miles[.] there as Soon as we got to the Store Bro Cluff who had Charge of the Scandinaviea Saints Asked us if we was from the Cash [Cache] valley Company[.] yes we are[.] Can you take Some folks that is Campt out here as they want to go in that Company[.] I said yes and told Joe Kay to go after them and I said to Joseph Ill [I’ll] bet you my Girl is there do you think so[?] he Said so[.] he went and I went into the Store in a Short time I See him Coming he waved [h]is whip and hat then I knew She was there we went to Camp[.] Bro Leishmon looked[.] Said he[,] have you been to the Santpeete [San Pete] Company to get her[?] I Said yes[.] he Said you beat all fellows[.] they remaind in Joe Kays waggon all the way And was Close bye all the time
Early in July we Started back for Utah[.] we did not have so verey Maney Emagrants in our Company[.] we had about 15 Kaggs [kegs] of Nails for the Salt Lake Tabernacle[,] we Made good time till we got to Sweet water [Sweetwater] then feed was varey Scarce[,] varey dry Summer[,] then the Cattle began to fall off in flesh taking sick and lots of them died[.] it is then A teamster feels bad[.] I remember loosing one at Aspen[;] however after a hard Jurney we arrived in Salt Lake City And fanialey got unloaded

Transcript for Bailey, Charles Ramsden, Autobiography [ca. 1905], 49

Bailey, Charles Ramsden, [Autobiography], in Jay L. Long and Betsy W. Long, Charles Ramsden Bailey: His Life and Families [1983], 60-61

Bailey, Charles Ramsden, [Autobiography], in Jay L. Long and Betsy W. Long, Charles Ramsden Bailey: His Life and Families [1983], 60-61.

THIRD RETURN TRIP TO FLORENCE, NEBRASKA (1863). [Note: Three trips back across the plains to help the poor Saints are mentioned in the "Wellsville Minutes", but only two are indicated in Charles' autobiography.]	
However, the spring of 1863 came along all right, and another call [came] for men and teams; and our proportion was 9 men and 8 teams, 32 yoke of oxen, and one horse and [a] man for a guard. I was called at the head of the list to take charge of [the] Wellsville, Mendon, Hyrum, and Paredice [Paradise] teams—20 in number. This season I cooked for 12 men and drove team and did it cheerfully and easey. The boys gave me good assistence, and as soon as we got in camp, noon or night, we set to work and had our meal ready in thirty minutes. We had a hard time to get such a large out fit of oxen and teams. Work cattle was not so plentiful, [so] I took my first steers that I raised along with me. However, [we] got fited up and started. Bishop Wm. B. Preston was captain of 65 wagons.	
We started [the] 10th of April and went through the mountain to Brigham and had a hard road—lots of snow drifts and mud and stormey wether till we got behind Salt Lake City, then it got more pleasant. Captain Preston would ask me all about the road and how to make our drives for feed and water, as I was the onley one that had been twice along the road. But I remember the road from the first time I came [across] when a boy. When we got on the Platte River we met mor[e] emegrants [emigrants] coming west then before, and they was surprised to see so maney teams coming from Utah. There was 12 large companies, [with] 60 or 75 waggons in each company. In [the] latter part of June we arrived at Florance [Florence] and found a large crowed of people there.
<center>CHARLES MEETS JOHANNA ADAMSON (1863)</center>	
 [The following happened] after we had been there two weeks: One day, while standing at a store—about 6 of us—three young ladies came along, and I remarked, "Boys, there comes my girl [Johannah] whom will be my wife." And the boys looked at me and asked me, "Which one?" I said, "The middle one." They said, "You have never seen or spoke to her yet." I said, "No, but I will of course." They laughed at me. However, in a few days we went to a dance and I spoke to her. But she seemed hard to make understand, and when she did not want to understand, she would say, "Nix frusta." And I began to wonder about my dreams of two years ago and if there was anything in it. And a few days Thomas Lishmen told [me] that my girl was gone in the Sanpete Company. "Now," said he, "what about that [what] you said that time at the store?" "Well," I said, "I did not know why I said it, but I felt that way then. But if it aint her, it will be someone else, so I need not worry about [it]." But mark the change [and] in a few days see how it came about.	
One morning I woke and said to Joseph Kay, my bed mate, I said, "Let us go down to town today. What for, I don't know, but I feel I must go after breakfast." We went after some of the cattle and had quite a time to get them, but we succeeded, and [then] we went down to Florance [Florence], 5 miles there. As soon as we got to the store, Bro. Cluff, who had charge of the Scandinavian Saints, asked us if we was from the Cash Valley Company. "Yes, we are." "Can you take some folks that is campt out here, as they want to go in that company?" I said, "Yes," and told Jos. Kay to go after them. And I said to Jospeh, "I'l bet you my girl is there." "Do you think so?" he said.	
So he went, and I went into the store. In a short time I see him coming. He waved his whip and hat; then I knew she was there. We went to camp [and] Bro. Leishman looked. Said he, "Have you been to the Santpeete Company to get her?" I said, "Yes." He said, "You beat all [the] fellows." They remained in Jos. Kay's waggon all the way and was close bye all the time.	
Early in July we started back for Utah. We did not have so verey maney emegrants in our company. We had about 15 keggs of nails for the Salt Lake Tabernacle. We made good time till we got to Sweet Water; then food was verey scarce—verey dry summer. Then the cattle began to fall off in flesh, [and] taking sick, and lots of them died. It is then a teamster feels bad; I remember loosing one at Aspen. 
<center>HOME AGAIN IN WELLSVILLE (1863)</center>	
However, after a hard jurney we arrived in Salt Lake City and finialey got unloaded.

Transcript for Bailey, Charles Ramsden, [Autobiography], in Jay L. Long and Betsy W. Long, Charles Ramsden Bailey: His Life and Families [1983], 60-61

Charles Keilgaard Hansen, Record [ca. 1917], fd. 1, 83-89

Charles Keilgaard Hansen, Record [ca. 1917], fd. 1, 83-89.

This was a bloody war, and very disastrous for the little Denmark, and the last battle was fought on the 28th of April, 1864, and after the war was ended Prussia was not satisfied with the two rich Provincess Schlesvig and Holstein, but demanded furthermore. Millions of dollars of war expencess, and kept hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the country, (and especially all over Gutland) almost the whole summer to torment, and further oppress the people till satisfactory arrangements was made to pay the enormous amount of war expen[s]ess.—In this critical war, many of the sons of Denmark, who also had enlisted in the army of Christ, was Elders of Israel; and some had traveled for years preaching the gospel. the[y] hated to go to the battle field; and take up arms, against their fellow men, and to escape they used all lawful meanes to raise money to go to America, so those few who had a little money was stripped. My wife felt very uneasy about me, as there was all probability that I also would be called into the war, (and would have been, if the war had continued a little longer.) and preferred to go with the Emigrants to Utah; as I had promiss from a sister, who I had assisted in selling her property, to get money enough to emigrate both me and my wife, but when I called for the money, that sister found that she had been to liberal in letting the missionaries have money to desert to America, that she could not keep her promiss good to me, but managed to get enough for one to emigrate, and as my wife together with two young sisters there lived with us, named Sine [Jensine] Gyldenluve, and Trine Marie Hold, begged, and pleaded with me, to give my consent to let my wife go with them to Zion, I finally consented, with the hope that we was to meet again in Zion, in one year, as I was promissed if I should be called into the war that the brethren would sent me to Norway on a mission, to free me from serving as a soldier.—



On the 8th of April 1864 the emigrants went on board a steamer in Randers to go to Copenhagen and from there to proseed their journey towards America but the feeling there prevailed in my home that morning, when the day of separation had arrived, none, but those who has tried it knows, for to sacrifice a lovely home, and deare wife and husband, with only a faint hope of ever see each other again in this life, as she had now 8,000 miles before her to travel, a very hardeous [arduous] road over the mighty deep; in old sailing vessels, there took from five to eight weeks to cross from England; to America, and an account of the long time in the water, and the Emigrants close together; and the seasickness together with half rodden [rotten] or decayed group [grub] and drinking water, caused a great deal of sickness and deaths, among the people, and after crossing the Continent from New York to Wyoming, then they had yet 1,000 miles to travel across the plains or great American Deseret with Oxtteames, which took the balance of the summer and generally landed the surviving Emigrants in Salt Lake City in the fore part of October.—My wife crossed the plains in a church train, their captain was William B. Preston. —I received three letters from her after she left Randers, one from Copenhagen, one from Grimsby, England, and one from Wyoming, and will now leave her for a while once in her company, traveling Zionward step by step; and will return home to my ones [once] happy home in Randers, but what a feeling, in entering the empty rooms, and see that the star there previously gave light and cheerfulness to all who visited there, was gone, the cheerful singing, merry laughing and jocking [joking] was not heard any more, consequently, it was no more a home to me. . . .



But I must now go back again, and try to find my wife, who left Wyoming in the summer of 1864 in captain Preston's company, en route to Salt Lake City, my last letter I received from her was dated from Wyoming and of cours there was no chance for her to mail another letter, till she arrived at her destination and when the latter part of October was reached, how angtious [anxious] I was looking at the letter carriers every day to recieve a letter with good news that she had arrived in Zion all right, and was there laboring among the saints, to earn a little toward starting a little humble home for me when I was to arrive the next year. This was my fancy hope, although God had showed it to me repeatedly, in dreames, and visions that we was not to see each other any more in this life, and the spirit of God testified to it, but I worked against that impression, as much as possible, as I felt like it was impossible for me to sacrifice, what I considered the richest treasure on earth, the one in whom my lifes future happiness was depending, but finally the day that was to close my long-anticipated hope, dawned, a letter arrived from America, there gave much joy to my hosstes [hostess] when the letter carrier handed it to her, thinking, it was from my wife, she quickly returned into my room with the letter in her hand, and her face be[a]ming of [with] joy; expecting to make me the happiest man on earth; to handle me that so long-looked-for letter, to come from that far of part of the earth; but, on my first glance at it, while it yet was in her hand, told the sad story, a strange handwriting, I grabed the letter opened it saw it signed Trine Mary Hold one of the girls with her, I glanced it over and soon found the word "she is dead." I emidiately closed the letter in silens [silence], was not able to speak, so I could not answer my inquiring hosstess, who was waiting to share in my joy, but she soon discovered there was something wrong and I went in to a neighbor who was of our folks, t[h]rowed the letter on the table, and found relieve in tears.—Brother William &lt;Berhman&gt; was with me that day, and stayed with me a couple of days; and was a great comfort to me. . .

Transcript for Charles Keilgaard Hansen, Record [ca. 1917], fd. 1, 83-89

Deseret Evening News

Arrived

"Arrived", Deseret Evening News, September 2, 1868.

ARRIVED.—Bishop W. B. Preston called in to see us this morning, having arrived from his mission. He left for England May 25th, 1865, and on arriving in Liverpool was appointed to labor in the Newcastle-on-Tyne District, where he remained four months. He was then called to the Liverpool Office, and was engaged there until the time of his departure for home. He left England on the 14th of July, in charge of the company of Saints which sailed on the steamship 
Colorado
. There was one death on shipboard, and one on the train up to Benton. He traveled in Captain Molen's ox train from Benton, and got in yesterday evening ahead of the train.

Transcript for "Arrived," Deseret Evening News, 2 Sep. 1868, 3

Deseret Evening News.

Deseret News

List of Passengers

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

Agents and Immigration

"Agents and Immigration", Deseret News, August 10, 1864.

AGENTS AND IMMIGRATION.—Elder Joseph W. Young telegraphed, on the 4th inst., that Elders Joseph A. Young and H. B. Clawson had arrived at Wyoming, as also the last of this year's immigration. Elders Young, Clawson, Staines and others expected to start for home, the last of this week, in private conveyance.



Capt. John R. Murdock's mule train passed Horse Shoe, 466 miles east, on the 1st inst; and Capt. William B Preston's train crossed the Platte at Julesburg on the 6th inst. Both trains were making good progress, and the passengers generally enjoyed good health.

Transcript for "Agents and Immigration," Deseret News, 10 August 1864, 361

About the 'News

"About the 'News", Deseret News, September 21, 1864.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">ABOUT THE 'NEWS.'</center>



Capt. W. [William] B. Preston's church train, which arrived on the 15th inst., brought us large fonts of newspaper, book and job type of the most approved styles and finish, and an abundant supply of the best qualities of printer's ink. This arrival will enable us, much to the gratification of ourselves and readers, to present Vol. XIV of THE DESERET NEWS in an entirely new dress, the closing number of the current volume being the last, we hope, in which we shall ever be obliged to use broken and worn out type long after they should have been discarded.

Transcript for "About the 'News'," Deseret News, 21 September 1864, 408

Deseret News.

DUP Pioneer History Collection

William Henry Freshwater, reminiscences

"William Henry Freshwater, reminiscences", DUP Pioneer History Collection.

We stayed at Florence (which was three miles above Omaha). Omaha had six houses and Florence seven all of which were trading posts.


We started across the plains with a train of sixty-two wagons drawn by three to five yoke of cattle. Some of them were trail wagons. The captain of this company was W[illiam]. B. Preston. He lived in Cache Valley.


The Platt[e] River was very high. We had considerable trouble in crossing several streams. We had several heavy storms, one I remember was near Chimney Rock, a lot of lightning and thunder. Our cattle stampeded and started running away. The teamsters unyoked them as best they could. Some of them two and three yokes together. Three of the oxen were drug to death. The night herders went after them on horses.


Devil's Gate was quite a scenic place. The train went around and up a canyon and most of the passengers went over the mountain.


Just as we got over the mountain and into the valley on the west the sage brush was as large as fence poles and eight to ten feet high.


We arrived in Great Salt Lake City Thursday Sept. 10 just as peaches were ripe.

Transcript for "William Henry Freshwater, reminiscences."

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Edgar Session sketch based on notes from the Sessions family ledger, circa 1895-1910

Edgar Session sketch based on notes from the Sessions family ledger, circa 1895-1910.

<blockquote xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">[Introductory paragraph written by Edgar Sessions' daughter, Louise S. Huntzinger.] The eleventh day of May 1864 they sold the farm in Wayne Co Illinois and started West one week later on the 18th of May. They had two wagons, ox teams, a cow, and a horse for riding. Traveling were Thomas, his wife Sarah, six sons ranging from 7 to 21 years of age, (the other son was away at war), and two little daughters, 1 and 5 years old. They crossed the Missouri River at Omaha, July 3rd. Five families—ten wagons, but were held [at] Fort Kearney by U.S. troops because their company was not large enough to protect itself from Indian attack. After waiting ten days they joined the first wagon train that [came] along, a company of about 500 Danish converts to the LDS church. Now they had 52 wagons under Captain William B. Preston.</blockquote>
Our Danish immigrants had acquaired the habit of starting before the train was ready to move because all who could walk, had to walk, and they made no exceptions on this morning. But, strung out along the road, about five hundred of them, and after traveling all day and nearly all night, and seeing no sign of the coming wagons, some turned back and began to meet them before we stopped for camp. They kept coming in small squads all night long. Others simply made dry camp beside the road a[n]d sat down to wait. It was noon the next day before we came to the last of them.
It would be useless to try to portray the suffering they endured for aside from tiredness and aching limbs, the endurance of hunger and thirst must have been very acute. So will not attempt it.
After traveling three or four days we came to what is known as Mountain Meadows. It was a beautiful place, rolling hills covered abundantly with grass, and clear running water in nearly every hollow between the hills, and no mountain in sight in any direction. Our little independent train was ordered to join the big train in forming the wagon corral, and turn our stock in with the big herd. “For” said Captain, “If those fellows back there at the station have planned to commit any depredation against us before reaching Bridger, they will do it here.”
They set 32 teamsters out with the herd, besides the regular night watch of sixteen to stand guard until midnight, when they would be relieved by the other sixteen.
Everything was conducted strictly according to military rule. Countersign and all. In placing the guard, Captain Hill told me to get in the center of a small round bunch of willows and not make any noise. He ordered, “If you see a man coming up or down the ca√±on halt him, and if he don’t say “ca√±on”, our countersign, by the time you have halted him the third time, fix it so it won’t be necessary for him to answer. But if you should see a man coming down the slope of that hill to the East, don’t say anything, but let your rifle do the ta[l]king Do you understand?” “I think I do,” I responded.
Everything was a quiet as silence could be until about eleven o’clock. I heard a man coming down the ca√±on afoot, and I sung out, ‘Halt!” But he didn’t halt. I have the second challenge, and still no halt. Don’t try to imagine my feelings, for the man was close, but the night being dark I could not see him. I thought it was Captain Hill. I [was] almost sure I could recognize his walk. But I was on duty and had my orders. So, before giving the third challenge, I cocked my rifle. I didn’t give the third challenge for he sang out “ca√±on” before I had time.
Captain Hill was asked, “Aren’t you rather reckless?” “Not when I have a man on guard that understands his orders” was his reply.
We didn’t usually have to stand guard all around camp, but one night they had a line of sentinels all around camp, and the countersign was “Brigham”. It so happened our friend Hall was an inveterate Mormon hater, and all the teamsters knew it. So, the sentinel on either side of him planned to be at the end of the beat and challenge who comes there? And, of course he had to say “Brigham” and of course he was furious by the time he was relieved and sent off duty. But otherwise, everything was quiet, no disturbance whatever.

Transcript for Edgar Session sketch based on notes from the Sessions family ledger, circa 1895-1910

Henry Ballard, Private journal of Henry Ballard, 1852-1904, 49-60

Henry Ballard, Private journal of Henry Ballard, 1852-1904, 49-60.

Transcript for Henry Ballard, Private journal of Henry Ballard, 1852-1904, 49-60

Logan Republican

Short History of Bishop Preston

"Short History of Bishop Preston", Logan Republican, August 5, 1908.

Logan Republican.

Morgan, O. J., Account book, 1877-1878, 98-104

Morgan, O. J., Account book, 1877-1878, 98-104.

July 9 We go to Camp to join Captain Preston Company[.] I Bot a Whip for $1.00 Rubber Coat $4.00 I paid for them.
[July] 10 I paid Captain Preston $9.00 for joining his company, I am guarding the cattle at 7 o'clock untill 11½[.] we are off at 12 Travell 9 miles camp at the Big Popie [Papillon.] an <s>accient</s> acceident happened at the Bridge. A Waggon upsett but it is all Right now[.] Two young Ladies Was hurt
[July] 11 Fine Day Starting off at 11½ our Company Consist of 66 waggons[.] we traveled 12 miles and Camped at Elk Corn [Horn]. we are very tired[.] we camp by the River In accident.
12 I Paid William Richards $5.00 for Showing me how to drive and yoke the oxen. we Started at 7 oclock travell till 11. Camp for dinner[.] off again at 2[.] stop at 4 o clock[.] verry Happy[.] traveled 16 miles and saw some Log Houses on the Way[.] we traveled through some Beautyfull Land[.] we are to the Platt[e] River
13 Started off again at 8 o clock we go along the Platt River[.] this is A nice Hunting Ground also good fishing[.] Lots of Prairie Hens verry Cool this morning[.] Heavey dew[.] camp at 12[.] 3 Indians came in begging for Bread Wich was cheerfull given them by the Company[.] off again at 4 we saw an Indian fishing for Cat fish with a Gun Stop after traveling 16 miles at 6 o clock
14 Cool But fine[.] this is a beautyfull place for Settlers[.] Corn Wheat Barley and Rye can be seen Growing in Some Places[.] off at 8 Camp at 11 off at 2[.] we Pass A Beautyfull fields of Corn[.] we go along the Telegraph and we see some Indians 
July 14 Every day Camped at 6 after traveled 18 miles Platt River
15 Paid Preston 1.00 for ferryage[.] off again at 7½[.] we are 75 miles from Omaha[.] Camp at 11½ for to cross the River Camp for dinner at 2[.] Off at 4 Camped after traveling 15 miles verry good Pasture here for the Oxen &amp; Cows. we are Close by the Platt[e] River[.] Every thing is level.
16 Off at 7¾[.] the Road is good to Day traveled till 11¾[.] Camp for dinner[.] it is astonishing to see the Beautifull ground With out any Cultivations[.] off at 3 Cold and Rainy Camp after travell 16 miles at 5 o clock [illegible]
17 off at 8 Cold and Rainy[.] the Hunters are verry bussy after wild bucks and Prairie Hens f f Camp at 12[.] off at 3[.] we camp at 6¼ after travelled 20 Miles[.] one of the [<s> illegible</s>] teamsters shot a fish to day weighing 13½ lbs[.] verry Cold
18 Cold and Rainy the Horn is Blowed this morning for Prayer at 6 o clock[.] off at 7½ Camp for dinner at 11½ severale of the Pawnees assite [aside] the Camp—they are friendly so far[.] Off at 2¾[.] we are verry tired after travell 20 Miles Camp at 6
19 Heavy Thunder storm Early this morning[.] off at 8[.] Camp at 1 after travelling 12 miles We herd to Day that the people of New York City is Resisting the Draft and that the Streets of that noble city is flowing with Blood[.] I could but weep when thinking of the Happy times I spend in that Noble City for the last 4 years but it is the wrong of her people that Cause this[.] we Camp at Wood River. 
20 Off at 8¼ Camp at 12 Off again at 3½[.] Camp at 5½ after traveling 15 miles[.] At Wood River Centrall Every thing is all right
21 off at 9¼ A Lady belonging to the Company was acc[id]entley shot yesterday While a man was Putting a cap on his Revolver[.] it is expected that she will Recover. The Ball was taken out Last night by a Doctor[.] Camp at 12 off at 2½. Camp after Travell 20 miles at 6¾.
22 off at 7½ We are Leaving the Settlements and we are in the Antelope and Buffalo Country[.] We saw some Buffalos heads on the road[.] off at 3—Camp at 4¾ after Travel 16 Miles[.] It is verry Hot to day[.] we camped for dinner at 12.
23 off at 7¼ Camp at 11 off at 2[.] Camp after Travel 25 Miles at 7 o clock[.] it is Raining verry Hard as we Camp[.] it has been beautyfull through the day[.] the air is very clear we can see for many miles
24 Anneversary Day off at 8½ Travel 5 miles[.] Camp for all Day at 10½[.] the Hunters goes to look for Buffaloes And the Women folks goes to wash[.] 2 deers was shot and brot to camp[.] we had a dance.
25 This is a Beautyfull Morning[.] off at 7¼[.] Camp at 1½ for dinner[.] off again at 5[.] camp after Travel 18 miles at 6½[.] it Rained in the afternoon[.] the Horsemen ketched a Wolf this afternoon.
26 it is nice and Cool off at 7¼[.] good Road yet with but Little exception[.] Camp for dinner at 11 Close by the Platt River[.] we are verry glad to stop Near Wood and Watter[.] off at 2-¼[.] we saw no Live Buffaloes yet[.] Camp after Travel 18 miles at 6.
27 Prairie dogs Antelopes Elks, Deers and Wolfs can be seen Running about every day[.] the Hunters are always merry off at 7¾ camp at 1½ by a Beautyful Spring[.] A verry heavy Thunder Storm Prevented us from Moveing in the afternoon.
28 off at 7 A Young Girl died on the road this Morning in on[e] of the waggons[.] we camp at 11[.] off at 2¼[.] Pikes Peak Emigrant Train pass through our camp to-day on their way home[.] camp at 4 after travel 15 miles[.] verry heavy storm as we camp.
29 Was ask to Pray last evening in camp[.] We camped Last Evening in a muddy and nasty place[.] the Heavy Rain Hail and Wind as we camped was the cause of it[.] off at 7¾ Camp at 12[.] off at 2¾ Camp after travel 15 miles at 5¾.
 30 The Road is verry bad now it is Sandy and Hilly[.] I with one other was guarding the camp from 12 to 5 this morning[.] we are off at 7¼[.] we Camp last evening by the Bluff River Camp at 11½[.] off at 2¾ camp after travel 15 miles at 5½ 
31 it is verry Warm[.] the Cattle will have a hard Road to travel to day[.] We are off at 7¼[.] Camp is at 11¾ off at 2¾[.] Camp after Travel 16 miles at 6¼.
August 1 Warm and dusty[.] we are going over mountains of Sand[.] the oxen has verry hard work[.] off at 7[.] Camp at 11[.] off at 2¼ [.] Camp after travel 16 miles at 6[.] We got over the Big Sand hill to night
2 [&lt;------&gt;] &lt;Sunday&gt; We Travel just the same on this day as any other day[.] we Rest not on Sunday but I hope to see the time that we will think as much of Sunday as we ever did[.] off at 7¼ Camp at 11½[.] off at 2½[.] Camp after travel 18 miles at 6.
3 it is very Warm today[.] off at 7 camp at 11[.] off at 2½[.] Camp after travel 20 miles at 6½[.] it is not lonely here[.] We meet Somebody every day from the different Forts or from California
4 off at 7 stop at 11[.] we are going to shoe 1 of our oxen [.] off at 1¾ Travell 20 miles and camp at 6¼[.] the road was good Some [-] Sandy and some few hills[.] we are along side of the Platt River
5 off at 6½ we past a place called the Sand Court House[.] it is all sand[.] it looks like A House[.] Camp at 10½ off at 1¾[.] it is verry Warm[.] the dust Blows in our faces[.] we Camp after travel 20 miles at 6½.
6 Another Thunder Storm as we camp this night[.] off at 6½[.] Camp opposite the Chimney Rock all sand[.] las[t] night camp for dinner at 10½[.] off at 1½[.] Camp after travel 20 miles at 6½[.] good Pasture here good Road
7 Beautyfull morning[.] we camp again by [---] Rock[.] A Young Girl 3 years old died and was buried yesterday noon[.] off at 6¼ [.] camp at 11¼[.] off at 2¾ Camp after travel 20 miles at 6½[.] I do not admire this part nor would I like to live here because the wood is so scarce
8 Windy and verry dusty yesterday afternoon[.] we could hardly see the next waggon to us stop[.] verry hot in the morning[.] off at 6¾[.] camp at 11¼[.] off at 2½[.] Camp after travel 20 miles at 6½. Another Child died to day 3 years old
9 off at 6¼[.] Camp at 11½[.] off at 2¾[.] Camp after travel 18 miles at 6¾[.] verry Poor Pasture here for the cattle and verry bad road to day[.] an oxen Ran over A Boy and hurt him bad (to day)
10 the Child that died on Saturday was Buried to day[.] off at 7[.] we cross the Platt River to day and we go with the Telegraph once more[.] Camp at 10¼[.] off at 2[.] Camp after travel 20 miles at 7.
11 An acc'eint [accident] happened Yesterday A Young Boy in getting out of the Waggon fell under the Wheels[.] it ran over his body and leg[.] off at 6½[.] camp at 10¾[.] Travel 10 Miles[.] We stop to feed the Cattle.
12 off at 6½[.] camp at 11½[.] off again at 3¼[.] I was guarding the Cattle this noon[.] I and Warner got fishing while on guard[.] we catch 1 and let it go again[.] Camp after travel 18 miles at 6¾
13 we have been going over the Black Hills since Monday[.] I Posted a letter for Isaac Yesterday in a Telegraph Station[.] off at 6[.] camp at 11[.] off at 2[.] camp after travel 20 miles at 7[.] We crossed the Platt River.
14 verry dusty[.] off at 5[.] we travel very fast for to get before the merchant train which we passed yesterday[.] the train was drove by Negroes[.] Camp at 11¼[.] off at 2[.] Camp after travel 25 miles at 7½[.] We crossed the River
15 Lovely morning off at 6½[.] Camp at 11 off at 2¼[.] we went through Deer Creek to day[.] there is about 6 Wooden Houses here and some tents for the Soldiers[.] Camp at 6 after travel 18 miles[.] Windy and dusty
16 Sunday Dawns with splendor and we are yet in a place where we cant enjoy ourselves as we should Like to or as we use to. off at 6[.] Camp at 11[.] off at 2[.] camp after travel 16 miles at 6[.] we went through Platt Bridge. 
17 off at 6½[.] Camp at 10 for all day[.] we are going to Leave the Platt River to morrow[.] we have had this river Company for many hundred miles[.] we are sorry to leave it[.] We traveled 10 miles verry bad road
18 I was not verry well yesterday[,] a little better to day[.] off at 6 Camp at 1½[.] off at 3[.] 2 oxen belonging to the company died yester day[.] Camp after travel 20 miles at 6. This is our herd day
19 Nice and cool[.] we camped by a verry good watter last nigh[t.] the feed was also better for the cattle[.] the Cattle looks verry bad now[.] the feed has not been good for some time[.] 1 oxen died last night[.] off at 7[.] Camp at 12[.] off at 3[.] Camp after travel 18 miles at 6.
20 we are traveling along verry fast Passing those that started Before us[.] we passed a train on Monday And Another Yesterday[.] We reached Sweet Watter [Sweetwater] Yesterday noon[.]. off at 7[.] Camp at 12[.] off at 3 Camp after travel 18 miles at 6¾.
21 We are beginning to see the Rocky Hills and mountains[.] we passed Independent Rock yesterday and the Devels Gate, nothing but rocks stares us now with there st[r]ong teeth[.] we will see more of these Every day now[.] off at 7[.] camp at 10½[.] off at 1½[.] Camp after travel 15 miles at 6
1863 August 22 off Early[.] Camp for all day at noon[.] Lots of game here wild ducks Geese sage hens and Hares are plenty around this Rocky Mountains[.] we travel 8 miles[.] 2 oxen died today[.] this ground is full of saleratus[.] we can gather it by the pail full[.] this is What kills the Cattle
23 I drove our Cows Loose this morning the red one Being Sick and not able to Work[.] we was off early 2 oxen and 1 cow died last night[.] this is what dismays us and we are affraid our Cattle will not Live to take us through[.] we stop at noon and travel 20 miles.
24 we go over the Rocky Mountains[.] the road is stony and very Ruff[.] 6 of our cattle died yesterday and 6 to day[.] we are off Early and did not stop till it was Late[.] Travelled 25 miles[.] Heavy frost &amp; ice.
25 Another Child died 3 years old, Heavy frost &amp; Ice this morning[.] we are very High up the Mountains amonge Bears &amp; Wild Cats[.] 2 of our cattle died Last night[.] Stop for dinner at noon by Sweet Watter [Sweetwater.] We are going to leave this this Watter to day[.] Sooner the Better or we will loose all of our Cattle[.] Travell 19 miles Camp at Pacific Springs.
26 we are up at the Highest place the South Pass[.] 2 of the Cattle died last night. Travell 22 miles[.] Camp after dark at Little Sandy 205 miles from Salt Lake city
27 very poor feed Last night for the cattle[.] off at 7[.] 2 of the cattle died this morning[.] Travell 7 miles and Camp for all day[.] the feed is Better here
28 we are off at 6[.] Stop for dinner[.] good road pass the place where the Mormons burn the Waggons Belonging to the Soldiers some years ago[.] The place looks bleak now[.] travell 20 miles[Journal ends]

Transcript for Morgan, O. J., Account book, 1877-1878, 98-104

Neve, Soren Peter, Journal, in Soren Peter Neve, His Life Story, 8

Neve, Soren Peter, Journal, in Soren Peter Neve, His Life Story, 8.

working until negst [next] spring in 1864 then I vent bak to New York for to meat the Emigrants and to travel with them to our Mountin home, an as sutch wee traveled on River Stimers [steamers] &amp; Railroads as fore [far] as wee cut [could] come until wee arrived at Veyoming [Wyoming] close to Newbroka [Nebraska] City and there wee camped and vaited [waited]for other Emigrants to come along froem other Nations[.] English[,] Skandinavians[,] Germaniens[,] Skots [,] Velsch[,] Ireland ex, and there wee camped for 4 weeks to prepare for our future jurny acros the praeries ore Orken [oxen], that wut have to be done by Oksen to draw our provision but the Saints wut have to walk Men[,] Women and Childeren[.] the destance vas 1100 miles across rivers and tru [through] forrest and barren plases allso, at that time there vas hard[l]y a house to bee found all that distance, but ocationaly the vild [wild] Indians vee say and allso heards of Antilopes [antelope] and vild Bufelors [buffalo] ore Oksen, &amp; a great manne sneks of hvits latter I helpt to kil a good manne during our travels on foot hvits lasted abouth 9 weeks[.] when wee left Veyoming the[y] did not all leave at unce but was deveided into compagnies of abouth 50 wagons in itch [each]compagny and with 1-2 and 3 days travel between itch compagny in a/c of grass for our Cattle, the namen of our Kaptain for the compagny that I was with is Preston from Caswally [Cache Valley] in Utah, hee was a verry clever and allso a wise Mand, hee is and have been for many yaers a Bishop in Logan, Cash Valley, Utah, wee arrived in Salt Lake City in September of 1864, seweral of our compagny died on the plains and there wee hade to bury them, and allso seweral of our Oksen and 1 Mjule in a/c of poisen [poison] in the watters, this Mujule was bittn by a ratlesnek [rattle snake] and died shortly after on our arrival in Salt Lake City came manne and received ther relatives and frinds, I and my Wife hade none to come and bid us welcome of relations, but vas cindly [kindly]recived all the samme, the first 3 nights I an my Wife Emma had to make our bead [bed] in a vagon box in the tithing Yard,

Transcript for Neve, Soren Peter, Journal, in Soren Peter Neve, His Life Story, 8

"Our Immigration," Deseret News

"Our Immigration," Deseret News, September 14, 1864.

OUR IMMIGRATION.—Cap. W. [William] B. Preston's train passed Ham's Fork on the 7th, teams looking well, and passengers all well. They may arrive this week.



Cap. J. S. Rollins [Joseph S. Rawlins] telegraphs from Little Sandy, 9th, "Train in good condition. Cattle doing well, all well."



On the 9th, at noon, Cap. W. [William] S. Warren passed Platte bridge all well.



Elder Joseph W. Young telegraphed from Julesburg, 11th, "Left trains yesterday. All well. Expect to be home by the 28th." These are the two last trains—Captains [William] Hyde and [Warren S.] Snow—and want 50 yoke of oxen to meet them as soon as possible, at the "head of Bitter creek certain;" they are coming on that route, and several of their cattle have the hoof-ail. The "expect to be home by the 28th" alludes to Elders Joseph A. Young, H. B. Clawson, Joseph W Young, W. C. Staines and others, who are now this side the late Indian difficulties, and are therefore no longer obliged to keep the slow pace of the trains for protection.



Elders George Q. Cannon and John W. Young arrived in New York, from Liverpool, on the 6th. They were well, and expected to leave in a few days for Atchison, hoping by that time to be able to cross the plains by stage.

Transcript for "Our Immigration," Deseret News, 14 September 1864, 400

"Our Immigration," Deseret News.

Our Pioneer Heritage

Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 17, Page 287-288.

Our Pioneer Heritage.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company church trains accounts, 1861-1868

Freight manifests, 1863-1864

"Freight manifests, 1863-1864", Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company church trains accounts, 1861-1868.

Freight manifests, 1864, 1868

"Freight manifests, 1864, 1868", Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company church trains accounts, 1861-1868, Page 12-31.

Captain William B. Preston, memorandum book, 1864

"Captain William B. Preston, memorandum book, 1864", Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company church trains accounts, 1861-1868.

Captain William B. Preston Company (first ox train), manifests, 1864

"Captain William B. Preston Company (first ox train), manifests, 1864", Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company church trains accounts, 1861-1868.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company church trains accounts, 1861-1868.

Robert Bodily journal, Library of Congress collection of Mormon diaries, 1935-1938

Robert Bodily journal, Library of Congress collection of Mormon diaries, 1935-1938.

{Pages 14-17}



In 1864 I was called to go to the Missouri River for Emigrants[.] three teams were sent from Kaysville[.] John Blocksom [Bloxham,] Thomas Harris and myself[.] Chris Burton herder drove the teams[,] 4 yoke of oxen to the team[.] Bearlake [Bear Lake,] County[,] Cach[e] County and Davis County furnished the teams in our train[.] Bp Wm Preston was our Captain[.] we went up Weber Can[y]on a pretty rough road at that time[.] we forded the river 3 times and the river was getting quite high[.] it would be up to the wagon boxes but everything went along all right untill we got to the Devils gate on the sweetwater Creek[.] the Cattle had been brought into the coral[.] the Coral is formed by drawin[g] the wagons in two half circles[,] ½ the wagons on one side of the Circle and the other half on the other side[.] on the right hand side of the circle the cattle would be on the inside of the coral with the front wheel 3 feet from the hind wheel of the wagon ahead of it and a chain would tie the two wheels together on the left hand side of the circle[.] the cattle would be on the outside of the caral with the wheels placed the same as the other side[.] well the Cattle had just been brought and some of the Oxen had been yoked when like a flash of lightning they stampeeded and went out at on[e] end of the Coral and turned a wagon or two over on each side of the Gaps and hurting Several but no deaths[.] after the Cattle had been headed and brought back we finished yokeing the oxen, and as we proceeded all went well untill we arived at the plat[te] river[.] the Rivers were all high now and the Plat being no exception for it was very high but we found a place to ford but in crossing the forse of the water Kept crowding the teams down untill they were away below the ford and the water much deeper[.] it floated some of the wagon boxes off and turned some of the wheels backward and four of the wheels were lost[.] the burs turned backward and came off letting the wheels off[.] the Captain sent a lot of us into the River holding each others hands to try and find them with our feet but none could we find so we had to put the parts that were left into other wagons and get new ones at the Missouri River[.] so things went about as before[,] Yoke up in the morning unyoke at noon[.] yoke up again and unyoke again at night untill we arived at the River[.] the date I have forgotten[.] we camped at a place called Florence on the Missouri River[.] there we laid over for some time as part of the Saints to go with us had not arived and some more new Wagons and other mds. [merchandise] &amp; ct had not came[.] while we laid at Florence some of us boys went down the river to Nebraska City to see the place and oh what a City compared with S L City[.] little narrow streets running everywhere in general and nowhere in particula[r.] houses they were so high and the streets so narrow that should one of the buildings collaps on one side of the street it would fall completely accross the street[.] finally the Saints and other things we had been waiting for arived and we began loading some with one thing and some another[.] I had iron bars about 30 or 40 hundred pounds and 11 passengers[,] 4 or 5 males and 6 or 7 females and their luggage



well we fineally got started for Utah with a thor[o]ugh organization as before but much larger and a lot more people in it[.] it put me in mind of the time I crossed 4 years before but the drivers were more accustomed to handle the oxen[.] I often regognized our old Camping places of 4 years before but some things had changed[.] the buffalo were not near so numerous as before and there being more people and the wagons loaded with mds. a good many people had walk every foot of the way across those plains both men and women across rivers[.] it made no difference but they did not complain or at least we heard nothing of it but anyone could see how tired they were as with us on our former trip[.] in the start the days were long and plenty of grass and water[.] we could camp allmost anywhere but as we came on the days grew shorter[,] the water dried up in lots of places[,] the grass dry and not much for the cattle[.] it made it very hard on the people[.] some times we would be very late coming into camp and then supper to get and Children put to bed but when we got into camp in any decent time we allways had camp prayers and all would assemble together and sing a hymn and all seemed to enjoy it and forget the days hard work and all seemed to enjoy good health[.] so in due time we arived in S L City Sep. 10th 1864

Transcript for Robert Bodily journal, Library of Congress collection of Mormon diaries, 1935-1938

Salt Lake daily telegraph and commercial advertiser

Local Affairs: Emigrant Train

"Local Affairs: Emigrant Train", Salt Lake daily telegraph and commercial advertiser, September 16, 1864.

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



EMIGRANT TRAIN.—Unexpectedly to everybody, but that one person who "just expected he would be in on Thursday," Capt. [William B.] Preston's train arrived yesterday forenoon. There were forty-nine church wagons and nine others of private individuals; three hundred and seventy-eight persons—chiefly Danes and Swedes, left the Missouri river, of which number, five children, four women, and one man had died on the plains, and four children were born during the seventy days journey. Seven oxen died on the down journey and eleven died on the return. Capt. Preston looked well, considered that he had had a favorable trip, and the company seemed composed of very substantial, sober, good people.



As this paper has an extensive circulation on the route, we take this opportunity to say to Captains of trains that it would greatly benefit many in their companies and their friends if they would telegraph from Bridger and Weber when they expected to arrive. We saw some Danish folks in the street yesterday morning, who had come from San Pete to meet this train and only an hour before it was within sight on the "bench" they left, not expecting it before Tuesday—they did not happen to see him "who just expected it" at the hour it arrived.

Transcript for "Local Affairs: Emigrant Train," Salt Lake Daily Telegraph, 16 September 1864, 3

Local Affairs: The Emigrants

"Local Affairs: The Emigrants", Salt Lake daily telegraph and commercial advertiser, September 15, 1864.

THE EMIGRANTS.—We learned from Bridger, yesterday, that Capt. [William B.] Preston's train had not passed that fort, but had taken the Muddy road. The emigrants may, therefore, come in early next week. At a meeting of the Bishops, on Tuesday evening, it was arranged that fifty yoke of cattle be sent to help in the trains of Captains [William] Hyde and [Warren S.] Snow. The help is expected to meet them on Bitter Creek.



Capt. I. [Isaac] A. Canfield telegraphed yesterday from Sweetwater that his train was there and had lost twenty head of cattle. Capt. [William S.] Warren's train had passed there on Tuesday—both companies all well.

Transcript for "Local Affairs: The Emigrants," Salt Lake Daily Telegraph, 15 September 1864, 3

Local Affairs: The Trains

"Local Affairs: The Trains", Salt Lake daily telegraph and commercial advertiser.

THE TRAINS.—Capt. Wm. B. Preston's train passed Ham's Fork last Wednesday—all well.



Capt. Wm. S. Warren's train passed at Platte Bridge on Friday. People all well: twenty oxen had died.



Capt. John Hindley with 18 wagons, and Irwin's train of 20 "steamboat" wagons, with merchandise for Jennings, passed Kearney on Friday—rather late.

Transcript for "Local Affairs: The Trains," Salt Lake Daily Telegraph, 12 Sep. 1864, 3

Salt Lake daily telegraph and commercial advertiser.

Sprague, Matilda Christina Ohlson, Autobiographical sketch, in Genealogical Charts and Biographical Sketches of Members of the L.D.S. Church, Ogden Stake, 26 vols., 4:46-47

Sprague, Matilda Christina Ohlson, Autobiographical sketch, in Genealogical Charts and Biographical Sketches of Members of the L.D.S. Church, Ogden Stake, 26 vols., 4:46-47.

we sailed on the large ship Monarch of the Sea, from Liverpool Eng. with 973 Saints under the direction of Patriarch John Smith. The ship sailed very slow and on Sunday May 8th. it was announced that the saints would hold meeting on the deck, where many good instructions were given to the people by the Bretheren. They said their desires were to save souls.



Tuesday May 10th. there was a terrible storm at Sea but through the protecting care of our Heavenly Father no one was hurt. There were many sick and afflicted and my father [Gustave Ohlsson] tied me to a pole with a rope to keep me from getting hurt. I was young and everything was all fun to me. I remember an old Uncle of ours who was traveling with us as a family. He had been up on the deck and had a pot of cooked peas and as he came down the ocean tossed the ship too and fro[.] The old man sat down to enjoy his pot of peas, and the first thing I saw he was sliding back and forth under his birth [berth] in these peas on the floor. As I looked around me I saw everybody clinging for dear life for fear of being knocked over. Many laughed at the awkward falls of others when the Bretheren came and hushed the laughter and said it was time to pray and not to laugh.



We landed safe at New York June 3rd. and the emigrants reached Wyoming Nebraska in safety. Wyoming, a village seven miles north of Nebraska City Neb. had been selected as the outfiting place for the emigrants, crossing the plains, instead of Florence. We camped in some brush there for 3 wks. in the hot weather while we were waiting for the church teams to come to meet us. It was so hot the ground would burn our feet. About 170 church teams were sent from Utah to the Missouri river that year after the poor.



We started on our journey from there July 1st. and experienced a very fatigued journey. I being 10 yrs. of age I had to walk along with my parents [Gustave and Johanna] and sisters [Gustava and Maria]. Although the journey was long and tiresome, when night came the young people would clear away a place and make it a dancing floor and dance after their days journey. While my sisters prepared the meals I would have to hunt for fuel. I remember one instance a lot of Indians came to our camp and acted as though they were on the warpath, and the people were counciled to divide what little they had with them to make peace with them, which made our supplys scarce. On another occasion one of the oxen got bit by a rattlesnake and his bellowing caused a stampede among the cattle. Some of the streams were difficult to cross, and men and women had to wade across the best they could.



We arrived at Salt Lake City[,] Utah the 15th. Sept. 1864 completing our journey in 5 months 11 days.

Transcript for Sprague, Matilda Christina Ohlson, Autobiographical sketch, in Genealogical Charts and Biographical Sketches of Members of the L.D.S. Church, Ogden Stake, 26 vols., 4:46-47

Sprague, Matilda Olson, [Interview], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 27:52

Sprague, Matilda Olson, [Interview], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 27:52.

We took the train out to the little town of Wyoming, Nebraska about 7 miles north of Nebraska City. There we outfitted, meanwhile camping in the brush for three weeks in hot weather waiting for the church teams to come and meet us.



"The ground was so hot it burned our feet. About 170 teams were sent from Utah that year to the Missouri river for the immigrants. We staeted [started] our trip across the plains July 1. Although I was only ten------. Charlotte Olson (Langlois) and Gustova [Gustave] Olson [Ohlsson] (Thomas). When night came, we would be tired and weary but we would clear a spot in camp and enjoy a dance.



"While my sisters prepared the meals I would gather buffalo chips or sticks for fuel.



"One time a group of Indians came to our camp. The immigrants decided to divide their food with them to make peace. This made our supplies run short. Another time, one of the oxen was bitten by a rattlesnake and his bellowing caused a stampede among the cattle.



"We arrived in Salt Lake September 5, 1864, being five months and eleven days on the journey.

Transcript for Sprague, Matilda Olson, [Interview], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 27:52

Warnick, Christine Marie Larsen, "History of Christine Marie Larsen Warnick by herself," in Merrill N. Warnick, Warnick Family History

Warnick, Christine Marie Larsen, "History of Christine Marie Larsen Warnick by herself," in Merrill N. Warnick, Warnick Family History, Vol. 1.

My folks soon became desirous of going to Zion. Father [Lars Christen Larsen] put forth every effort to dispose of their property and make preparations in the way of spinning and weaving and making clothing, that the family might be well prepared for the long journey.



In the spring of 1863 they were ready to start, leaving behind those things that had been their life's ambitions, their new faith and hope prompting them on to face new fields and to strive for new goals. I remember how interesting it was to have the neighbors come in to bid us farewell. To prove their good will they gave me and my brother a few coins to enjoy on the journey.



From New York we went to Florence and from this place we began the long trip across the plains. We came across with the Cache Valley company, which consisted of fifty-five wagons each drawn by four yoke of oxen or cattle. Our Captain's name was William B. Preston and our teamster's name was David Reece. The whole train of wagons was loaded to capacity with merchandise before they took on the immigrants. They stuffed in the wagons what they could of the immigrant's belongings and tied the rest on the outside and all must walk who could possibly do so. My mother [Maren Bertlesen Larsen] had to ride occasionally as she had not fully recovered from her terrible seasickness, and there was a little corner of the wagon into which they tucked me. My father and brother walked all the way.



The immigrants would start out to walk in the morning as soon as they could and the same way at noon. In this way they avoided the dust of the wagons and could get an occasional few minutes of much needed rest. It was extremely hot and I sat against the wagon cover. The teamster noticed how quiet I soon became as I had little to say to him when he came up to ride. He could leap on the wagon tongue and get up and down without stopping the cattle. He said it was not good for me to sit all the time under the hot cover so when he would get down he would reach back and put his arm around me and boost me down and have me walk along with him until I was tired—then he would toss me back into the wagon. He couldn't have cared better for his own child than he did for me.



One morning Mother thought she would take me with them when they started out and when I got tired I could sit down and wait until the wagons came along to pick me up. But they had gotten an extra early start and I had a long wait. I was not afraid, none of us realizing the danger. But when the good teamster picked me up he said, "You can't go with your mother again. I will take care of you. The Indians might have picked up you."



I had learned some English from the Elders who stayed at our house so much. Now being with the driver so much I had learned to speak English very well. And it was there in the covered wagon and when I was only seven years old that I learned a great deal of the art of courting.



Our good driver had not been going around with his eyes closed. There was one young women who looked especially good to him but they could not understand one another. So it happened like this. One morning he motioned for her to come and ride with him, proving true to the old saying, "there is always room where there is heart room." But it was not so interesting because they could not understand each other. So he motioned for me to come and sit between them, so that I could tell each one what the other said. It went on like that for some time, I acting as their interpreter. But love is such a beautiful language and so easy to learn, so as time went on I was not asked to sit with them. The last time she came and rode in our wagon she told me that when they got to Salt Lake she was going to open her trunk and she would give me material for a new dress.



As I grew older and learned the joy of courtship and real love, I wondered that she didn't offer me a half dozen dresses.



...



Two years after coming to Pleasant Grove we had the great pleasure of greeting my sister [Johanna Christine Larsen] who was left behind when we came. Father had been disappointed in some of his money at that last moment. It was truly a happy meeting to have our family again united in our new home in this far away land.

Transcript for Warnick, Christine Marie Larsen, "History of Christine Marie Larsen Warnick by herself," in Merrill N. Warnick, Warnick Family History, vol. 1 [1967], 252-56

Warnick, Christine Marie Larsen, "History of Christine Marie Larsen Warnick by herself," in Merrill N. Warnick, Warnick Family History.

William Henry Freshwater, Life sketch, reel 16, box 22, fd. 10, item 1, 2

William Henry Freshwater, Life sketch, reel 16, box 22, fd. 10, item 1, 2.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">LIFE SKETCH OF WILLIAM H. FRESHWATER 
WRITTEN AT PROVO UTAH 
57 West 1 North</center>



Provo City, Utah, April 1933



No 2. June 26th, 1863. In company with my Father [William Freshwater], Mother [Martha Gooch Freshwater], and Sister [Valora Louisa], left New York, with a mormon emigration co left New York for Utah. One of the main things that happened to us through the States was just befor we reach[e]d St Joseph Mo. The rebbles [rebels] shot two cannon ball threw our train, one going threw the window and out between the windows on the other side, was eigh[t] inches above the people's head, and the other through the center of a baggage car destroying quite some property. We staid in St Joe several days dare not go any further on account of the rebbles and g[ue]rilla bands,



There were several rebble soldgers [soldiers] taken prisoners by the Union soldgers right from among us while we staid there, We took a boat from St Jo[seph] Mo [Missouri] to Omaha, Nebraska. near Florance [Florence]. At that time Omaha concisted [consisted] of five houses and Flornce six houses, most of which was tradeing posts.



We saw just a little of the war between the North and the South.



We staid in Florance two weeks then started accrost the Plains in a train of sixty two wagons drawn by three and four yoke of oxen each, the captain's name of this company was Mr. [William B.] Preston, his home was Cash [Cache] Valley, Utah. the Platt[e] river was very high we had conciderble trubble cro[s]sing the tributaries, We had several heavy storms, one I remember was at Chimney Rock, our cattle stampeded and run away, they was unyoked soon as possible, some of them went two and three yoke together, two oxen were drag[g]ed to death. the night herders took after them on horses, The Devils Gate is a beaytiful s[c]enic place. We arrived in Greate Salt Lake City just as peaches was getting ripe,



the next day bishop Hunter drove on to the public squar[e] where we was camped (the place where now stands the city and county building)[.] we staid in Great Salt Lake City three days, The Salt Lake Temple at that time was about four feet high.

Transcript for William Henry Freshwater, Life sketch, reel 16, box 22, fd. 10, item 1, 2

William Bowker Preston

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