William Holmes Walker (1820 - 1908) Profile

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

William Holmes Walker

birth-date-qualifier-birth

Andrew Jenson, "Walker, William H.," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia

Andrew Jenson, "Walker, William H.," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1.

Born Aug 28, 1820 in Peacham, Caledonia, Vermont. Son John Walker and Lydia Holmes. Baptized Sep 1835. Ordained a seventy 1846. Ordained a high priest May 20, 1892.

Transcript for Andrew Jenson, "Walker, William H.," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. 1 (Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Company, 1901): 565

Andrew Jenson, "Walker, William H.," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia.

"Arrivals," The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 15, no. 4

"Arrivals," The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 15, no. 4, January 22, 1853.

"Arrivals," The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 15, no. 4.

Deseret News

Minutes of Conference

"Minutes of Conference", Deseret News, September 18, 1852, Page 4.

Deseret News.

Jesse Haven letter, 1856 Jan, Atlantic Ocean, Brigham Young Incoming Correspondence, 1839-1877, Church History Library

Jesse Haven letter, 1856 Jan, Atlantic Ocean, Brigham Young Incoming Correspondence, 1839-1877, Church History Library.

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

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

William H. Walker journal, 1852 August-1853 November, Church History Library

William H. Walker journal, 1852 August-1853 November, Church History Library.

William H. Walker journal, 1853 November-1855 August, Church History Library

William H. Walker journal, 1853 November-1855 August, Church History Library.

William H. Walker, The Life Incidents and Travels of Elder William Holmes Walker and His Association with Joseph Smith, the Prophet (N.p.: Elizabeth Jane Walker Piepgrass, 1943

William H. Walker, The Life Incidents and Travels of Elder William Holmes Walker and His Association with Joseph Smith, the Prophet (N.p.: Elizabeth Jane Walker Piepgrass, 1943.

Amos M. Musser, "Correspondence of Elder A. M. Musser," The Mormon

Amos M. Musser, "Correspondence of Elder A. M. Musser," The Mormon, August 15, 1857.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Correspondence of Elder A. M. Musser.</center>



ON THE PLAINS, 5 days from Florence, 
July 16th, 1857.



PREST. APPLEBY—Dear Sir: I now beg to submit for the satisfaction of your readers a brief statement concerning the emigration of 1857. Captain William Walker’s company was the first that left Florence for the mountains. I succeeded in organizing it on the 13th ult., while encamped on the Little Papeau [Pappea]. It numbered 86 souls, 28 wagons, 15 horses, 3 mules, 141 head of oxen, 26 cows, 19 loose cattle, and 1 handcart. Before they left, about 27 of the emigrants were baptized—a number for the first time. Among the candidates of this ordinance appeared the venerable Thos. B. Marsh, once President of the Twelve Apostles. He received this holy rite in all humility, and is now on his way to Zion, rejoicing in the salvation of the Lord.



On the evening of the 13th ult. The first company of hand-carts, under the supervision of Elder Israel Evans, made its appearance on the opposite bank of the muddy Missouri; they were detained several days in Florence on account of incessant rains, which swelled the small streams to an impassable depth. This company numbers 149 souls, (80 of whom are females—21 under eight and 2 over sixty years old, the eldest a female, sixty-eight years old,) 28 hand-carts, and an excellent four-mule team. We furnished them with a good outfit, and they left Florence on the 19th inst., feeling well and in high spirits. Before getting under way the next morning from the Little Papeau [Pappea], Bros. Taylor and Snow came up and gave them many words of encouragement, and blessed them in the name of out mutual Redeemer.



The week following the departure of this company, Jesse B. Martin’s Capts. and Jacob Hoffein’s companies arrived; the former consisted of 192 souls, 34 wagons, 130 oxen, 7 cows, and 1 horse; the latter, after being augmented by accessions form St. Louis, numbered 204 souls, 41 wagons, 170 oxen, 17 cows, and 4 horses. These two companies left a few days after their arrival.



The Danish team company, under the direction of Capt. M. Cowley, arrived on the 2d inst., and left on the 6th; it numbered 198 souls, 31 wagons, 122 oxen, and 28 cows.



On the 3d inst., the Danish hand-cart company arrived, under the supervision of Elder J. P. Park, and other Valley brethren. This company numbered about 330 souls, 68 hand-carts, 3 wagons, and 10 mules. Capt. Christian Christianson, a Dane form the Valley, was deputed to conduct them to Utah; they left on the 7th inst., in good spirits.



On the 8th inst., the freight train, under the guidance of Elder W. G. Young, came in with several accessions at Florence. This company numbers 55 souls, 19 wagons, 83 oxen, 4 cows, and 1 mule. I have the honor to be numbered with this train. On the 12th inst. we left Florence, and are now five days from that place. Our company is the last one on the Plains. We have a thorough organization; Bro. J. A. Little, president; W. G. Young, captain; Henry Lunt, chaplain; Albert P. Tyler, sergeant of the guard; and your humble servant, clerk and historian. Besides these brethren from the Valley, we have Bros. P. H. Young, James Case, and G. W. Thurston, with us. Sister Nancy Kent, Prest. Brigham Young’s eldest sister, is accompanying us to Zion; she is 71 years old.



By recapitulating, we find that there are now on the plains 1214 souls, 157 wagons, 646 oxen, 20 horses, 18 mules, 75 cows, 19 loose cattle, and 97 hand-carts; add to these the isolated emigrants in company with Bro. Taylor and others, and you will have the sum-total of our this year’s emigrations; which, I believe, have been as well fitted out, and are under as prosperous circumstances, as our emigrants have been in any preceding year. Our united desire is to see all things pertaining to the emigration brought to a successful conclusion, and satisfactory to all parties concerned. May the Lord assist us all in bringing about those results, is my prayer. Amen



Now Bro. Appleby, I am going to write you about something else. Five years have nearly elapsed since I bade you adieu in our own mountain home beyond the craggy ridge which divides the waters that flow into the great Atlantic from those emptying themselves into the noble Pacific. How many changes have taken place with Gentiles and Jews since then! How many myriads of human beings have at the bidding of the Great Author of our existence, come into and departed from this world of sorrow, pain, and degeneracy! How varied have been our own individual circumstances, situations, callings and duties. While I have been circumscribing the earth, twice in distance and once in reality—preaching to Asiatics, Anglicans, Welsh, Irish, Scotch, &amp;c, forming a religious medley of Hindoos, Pagans, Mahomedans, Parsees, Jews, Gentiles, and a heterogeneous mass of discordant elements under the appellation of protestants, your time has been occupied very differently.



Permit me to congratulate you on your ascension to the editorial chair of the ever welcome MORMON. May you be highly successful as your worthy predecessor has been in closing the months of those despicable members of the fourth estate whose tales and editorial caterings are inundating the country, and exciting their greedy readers against an inoffensive and strictly virtuous people. If Editors exercised the sense, wisdom, honesty, and discrimination of ordinary capaciated donkeys, they would cease their incessant braying and publish the truth concerning the Utopians. When about to indite a chapter on Mormonism, I fancy I can see them with goose quill in hand seated in ghostly dishabille, in their opaque editorial chamber, emulating the example of the fellow who



 



<blockquote xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">“Gnawed his pen, then dashed it to the ground,Sinking from thought to thought a vast profoundPlunged for his sense, but found no bottom there,Yet wrote and floundered on in mere dispair.”</blockquote>



 



You have also the influence of a horde of sulphuric shepherds—keepers of the public consciences to deal with. Like the former, they crawl between Heaven and earth (backwards like the crab) apparently for no other purpose but to create dissension and confusion setting every man against his neighbor. This is to every reflective mind the obvious tendency of their doings.



Poor fools they little think they are taking the night train for Paradise, and that they will have to render an account of their stewardship.



I regret I did not find you in New York during my brief visit a few weeks since. I desired much to see you, and congratulated myself with the idea of accompanying you across the plains.



I have been so busy since my arrival in America that I have not had time to visit but one of my relatives. After settling up the business pertaining to the emigration in Boston, I took the express train for Iowa city. A few days after my arrival in Iowa, I was deputed to accompany Bro. J. A. Little to St. Louis, where we bought supplies for the two first companies of emigrants; I accompanied them up the river to Florence. We had on board about 150 lady and gentlemen cabin passengers; amongst whom were two Reverends and a theological student or graduate form the city of Gotham. Prior to quitting St. Louis, I was introduced to the Captain and Clerk of the Edinburgh as a missionary of the Mormon faith from the East Indies. This brought me into note, and to satisfy a flatulent curiosity I was obliged to preach to them on Sabbath evening, and on the evening following deliver a lecture on the manners and customs of the Orientals of Hindoostan. Of course the knowing could not remain silent. The two following nights were occupied in delivering rejoinerders. In turn, to consmate the affair, after repeated solicitations, in a discourse which occupied over two hours, I answered all objections of my opponents to the satisfaction of all my bearers, everyone of whom, after I concluded my remarks, tendered me a voluntary expression of their thanks.



Enough I must conclude, as my advantages for writing are very meager. A crammed portfolio for a desk, an inverted wash-tub for a seat, and surrounded by a parcel of loquacious emigrants discussing the success and other matters of the day, while their hands are employed in performing the varied paraphernalia of a camp life.



With kind regards to your able assistants, Bros. Stenhouse and Dulin, and with fervent prayers for your prosperity,



I remain, my dear Bro. Appleby,



Your friend and well wisher, 
AMOS M. MUSSER.



P. S.—It is reported and believed that the Government has wrested from the conductors the July mail while they were endeavoring to effect its transit to Utah.



It may be pleasing for you to learn that the family of Martin Harris (one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon) is in Pottawattamie, and purpose migrating to Zion next spring.



Saturday, 18th—We have this day travelled about 10 miles and camped on the Platte within half a day’s drive of our Beaver river settlement. A meeting has been called and the propriety of all being re-baptized was suggested, carried and immediately attended to. We had a good time and purpose going up to the mountains as immaculate before the Lord as our gross natures will permit.

Transcript for Amos M. Musser, "Correspondence of Elder A. M. Musser," The Mormon, 15 Aug. 1857, 3

Amos M. Musser, "Correspondence of Elder A. M. Musser," The Mormon.

Barzee, Reuben Woodard, [Diary], in Gwendolyn E. Pickens, ed. and comp., Sons of God [1984], 183-89

Barzee, Reuben Woodard, [Diary], in Gwendolyn E. Pickens, ed. and comp., Sons of God [1984], 183-89.

we arived at Flarence [Florence] and found Wm Walker the Captain of a wagon train to freight emegraints goods to to Salt Lake City, I asked him if he wanted to hire any teamsters, yes he said he would hire us[.] in this way one of us could hurd oxen and the other could make oxyoaks for our bord and bed, now this included one month: now this was a hard proposition, as I knew our payment could not stand up through and it looked like a hard jumpeing place, especialy for two young men to start off on a long journey with shaby clothes and hard work shoes and no money for our work to get more and I only had 60ct, and I thought that was no good, and no work to be had only the job we had left and I thought they would not except of our coming back for it made tham mad when we quit work, now it was a ground hog case and we went to wrk for nothing only our board and bench and a hired one at that, and as I was finishing up the last yoak, I was in deep meditation as we were to start on the wild desert plains in three days, and our rayment in rather poor condition and our dear mothers promis to us and only 60cts in myvalease[.] I here repeat Dear Mothers words go in the Name of the Lord and you shall not want for any thing, now this beeing on my mind as well as well as desalation: something startled me and I jumped up before I knew it, but I found out when I came down on the yoak again, I turned my head around and thare was a squaw behind me with a five dollar bill, of which she said, she wanted 60 cts for it, in her own language, I did not know one word of her language but the interpretation came to me as natural as if she had spoke my own language, and soon I found out she was in the same box as I was, I would talk my language and she would speak hers and both understand each other, I told her we would go to the bank and if it was good I would give her the 60cts, in silver for it; she said all rite we went and bouth went in I handed the bill to the banker to find out if it was good or not, but banker was searching the book, and one man asked me if I was going to pay her full face for it I said I was going to pay her what she wanted for it, well he said he wouldent give full face for it, so they commenced on man offered her 1.50 another offord 2.00 another 2.50 and went on as high as 4.00 for it, but she couldnot under stand them atall but I got awful uneasy for fear she would, finely the banker said if it was a counter fit bill it was the best he ever saw and he would not be a fraid of it: and handed it back to me, and I said to the sqaw come lets go, she answered all rite, when we got down to the house, I took the 60cts out the valease and handed it to her and she thanked me, and I thanked her in return, now while we ware in the bank I got awful uneasy for fear some one would make her under stand, but it was not to be so: now I went to the store and bought a good sute of clothes apiece and a hat for each and each a good pair of shoes and 2 pair of wool socks two silk handerchiefs, and each 2 shirts and some other little items that I thought maby we might need, then I handed the bill to the merchant, and he gave me back 15cts in change of which I had when I got to Salt Lake City: now merchandise thare was higher thare than they are in the west and every thing I got for Brother and I was intended to be the best for ware, not trashy . You can see our Dear Mothers words did not fail: I now will give the histery of our fun while on the plains, our company was small and of diferent Nationalities: I had the honor to stand camp guard every other night and we got to elkhorn [Elk Horn] our captain gave orders as follows brethren when on guard if anyone approaches camp say, who is thare, who is thare, who is thare, three times and if no answer call them 3 faces in advance and hault, and march them to the captains wagon, and if they refuse the call of order fire of a gun and give the alarm and route the camp, but if they obeyed the command call for the countersign and if they give it them pass: now when we got about three hundred miles on our journey, brother Simpson a norwegian was going out on gard at mid night, and saw brother hartle comeing in who was one of our stock guard, brother brother simpson hollowed out who is thare three times, bang went the gun at him now brother hartle hollowed out, dont shoot me dont shoot me I am brother hartle. this incident was told in the morning, to the whole company, now the captain repeted the rule, over a gain and said he wanted all to remember it: now we had a smart know all in our company of which we all turmeed a cob, and unbeknown to me, he told the captain that I went to sliep [sleep] while on guard, well said the captain how do you know he goes to sleep while on duty, well I know he does, replied the cob or smarty, will you steel [steal] his gun from him when he is asleep while on duty and bring it to me, then I will know he goes to sleep while on guard, and he will be punished for it: they kept all of this from me, but I stood guard every other night, it was not long till his chance was good, and the moon nearly full and the stars shineing brite I saw what I thought was an Indian crawling on me, I said to myself, crall on me dont pan out so here goes[.] I cocked the old brass mounted. . . .and those cocks kicks teruble [terrible] loud when cocking they can be heard for. . . . . . and he heard the gun cocked and he belted out dont shoot me, I said I dont know me, I then gived command arise and three pacies [paces] in advance and huelt [halt], he obeyed like a little man, I then went to him and marched him to captains wagon for free delivery: I knocked on the box and awoke the captain, he said what is it, my prisiner said it is me, the captain took a real hearty laugh and said well as this is his first offense we had better turn him loose, so I then deliberated my prisoner, I had not got on the racket untill when the captain related the chat which I have written, and said this brother was so positive that brother barzee went to sleep on gard he came within a . . . . of a breath of loosing his life, for brother Barzee would not stand for anyone crawling at him in the night and I could not be blamed much for it either. and it was the loud clicking of the lock that saved his life, now after this I want you bretherin to be very carefull for we dont want to loose any of our members on the plain. 
after this when we got out about four hundred miles on our journey I was on camp gard and thare arose the hardest rain storm and hardest thunder and lightening that I ever expeareanced in my life, just after dark it got worse it would start from one quarter of the horizon and before it would extinguysh it would break out from another direction and kept it up near all night, and oh the flood, the whole platt[e] bottom looke like the ocean, now I discovered at long distance two objects I first thought coyotties [coyotes] , later on I thought it was two buffalow and still later on I thought it was two horses now as they further approched I concluded it was two personages and soo[n[ I found out it was two large portly indians, now I thought I would ascertain what they ware thare for at that time anight 11 oclock and it a storming so intense hard, I knew I was good for them in any shape or form, now at the cart end of our wagon correll [corral] was a very large tent, and full of people of which those indians was workeing for, I also noticed a little round tent in one corell was empty, now I stept up to a hind wheel of the wagon closest to the tent to assertain what those indians was up to, now as they got clost to this large tent, as large a dog as I ever saw jumped out from the tent and from all appearence would have tore them all to pieces, now I had my hands full to quiot [quiet] the dog, but when I got to this accomplished, I stept up to those red skins and said, what are you heare for, they gobbled away in their language that I knew notheing what they said, then I said I am watching you fellows did you know it, then one put his hand on my shoulder and said good injeon, I then said good injeons come with me I took them to this little round tent and put them in thare and told them if they came out before sun up I would shoot both of them, I started off a few steps and stoped to find out how they liked their new quarters, now they were very uneasy, I went back to assertain what was wrong, they made sing [sign] of the matter, well I knew the watter was deep allover the whole platt bottom, but I told them to come with me, I took them to the wagon of which I drove 5 yoke of oxen I had them take two yoakes each and I took one and filed them up in the tent, and they got on the pile now I told them again if they came out before sun up I would shoot at both of them: then at 12 oclock I awoke the second guard, and told him I had two indians in that little tent and if the indians made any attempt to get away before sun up to shoot them both down like dogs, he said well that is prety tough orders and not like the captains orders. I said captain nothing in this case, I am captain now and you do quot I tell you to do, well he said you will stand all the blame: yes I replied, he then said he was told obey orders, I then went to bed, and it was the rule for anyone on gard the fact of the night should sink till breakfast ready, but all up now early as usial to get ready to start on our journey, and just at sun rise the captain saw those two indians come out of the tent he balled out to the croud, how came those red skins thare no one knew finely he found the second guard and asked him: well all he knew about it was I told him I had two indians thare and if they tride to get away to shoot them down like dogs: now this did not suit the captain a tall, he came to my wagon and pounded on the box and awoke me up, and I said what is wanted, he replied come get up and give an account of your self, I was soon on my feet, and here stood the two indians, now the captain commenced, how come those red skins here, I said they came here at 11 oclock I put them in that little tent with orders if they came out before sun up I would shoot both of them, he said you have done wrong, why didnt you fire of a gun or a revoler or howlow out indians, I replied I have no more talk for you now, I saw it offended him but I didnot ask any odds of him, now when breakfast was ready we gave the indians their breakfast and as soon as they ate, they went rite back in the same direction they came from in the night, now when they got off about 50 yds I said, now captain if you want to talk, I will talk with you, he asked me if I was not afraid to talk to them indians alone, I said I wasnot afraid of anthing, well you done wrong why didnt you fire of a gun or revaler and hollowed indians and awoke the company. had I fired off a gun or revaler and hollowd out indians in those slumbering hours, you would of seen the d--dest shirttail blight you ever dreamed of in your life, and the indians retreeted and we couldnot of captured them, the probibillity is before morning we would not of had any thing to of pulled a wagon with, and more over we have a small company and what kind of harms have we got, the chances are also we might have been all slaughtered off: well he exclaimed I havent thought of that, he then called perticulur attention of the company and said, Brother Barzee has done one of the greatest deeds of any white man that ever crost those desert plains, and with all probability saved our lives, and said to the captain of the guard to arace [erase] my name from of his book and when he wanted me to stand guard he would call on me his self for he could sleep good when I was on guard: now I was only called on twice that, and in the worst looking places between mosouri [Missouri] river and Salt Lake City: But I did not care for that: 
now when we reached dry creek it was 11 oclock and thare were buffalo strong further than we could see, from a quarter to a half mile wide, makeing their way for the platt river for drink, they didnt seem to care for our outfit a tall one of them jumped over my tung behind my wheel (oxon) it stampeeded my team so it was a hard job to get them stooped, now we camped thare, and shooteing comensed with all the men except Brother George and I, they kept up shooteing till it got too dark, now early in the morning the game comensed again and kept up till one o clock that day, now in shooteing they only had to shoot from 15 to 20 steps, well we did not get a tast of buffalo meet [meat] yet, in about an hour one more came along passing our camp about four hundred yards from our camp: I told the captain if he would have the brethern to let this buffalo and me alone I would kill the buffalo, now the captain spoke up in the most derisinouois manner he could, and it made me pretty warm[.] I stopped rite there and almost let the job out, then he spake up and said come Brother Barzee I have noticed you and your brother have taken no part in the shooteing atall, now get your gun and try your hand, I dont care if you dont get a smell of buffalow meet, he said why what is the matter what is wrong, yet I replied what is wrong, anyone speak in such an insulting way as you did dont desirve any buffalow meat, well now brother Barzee I did not mean any harm get your gun and try your hand, I then went to my wagon and took out my little squril [squirrel] rifle and he said, here take a big gun that carries a large bullet, I told him I didnot want one of that kind, I prefered a gun that I knew whare the bullet was going, then sturted [started] down the gulch clost to the buffalows trail whare he would come, the banks was 2 or 3 rods deep, and I had to clime on my hands and knees to get up the bank it was so steep, now I intended to shoot about 25 or 30 yds for the buffalo but I made a grand mistake I was loose down the bank than I thought I was, and here came the buffalo within twice the lengeth of my gun from me, now in early days we used to take news-papers, and some of the California traveliers was fietured [featured] out alving in the air after getting wounded and the danger I was in and if i didnot shoot after so many comments I would be a funpouch the rest of the way: through, on the whole I sais here goes, the buffolo fell so hard I thought he jumped at me, so down the bank I went, and runing up the gluch [gulch] I could hear the buffalow behind me every jump I made, and the man at camp yelling and throwing their hats in the air I thought to hurry me up. I ran about three hundred and 75 yards, the men had advanced about 25 yards and the captain spoke up and said, hay hay brother Barzee what are you runing so for, and said the buffalo fell like aheep [a heap] before the gun went off, the captain asked me a question[.] I tride to speak but I found out my breath was gone and could not, so I shook my head and they went on, so I crawled up the bank and I was [saw] the buffalo lying whare he droped, the croud got thare before I did, I saw the captain put his foot on the buffulo and give him kick but the buffalo made no further stir, the captain then cut the buffaloes throat, but didnot bleed, now as many as could get around him began skining, and as soon as I arived they commenced nonsencial joke, well some said if we could run as fast as brother Barzee we could kill all the buffalo in the countery, well I replied, take the whole bunch of you and say nothing about killing, you all cant even run fast enough to scare a lone killing one, now the jokes kept us [up] till the captain had to laugh so hard he had to quit skining, he roaled on the ground and kept on till finly he said brotherin you had better quit, you make it worse for your selves every time, but they kept on joaking and all the rest of the way through our joarney: now when we ware smokeing the meat the captain said, now brethering we have been throwing away our amunition, and we are in a wild indian country and we may need it before we get through, thare fore, I move a man be selected as a hunter for the company and all the rest save their amunition, in case of emergincy all in favor of this make it manefest by the raise of the rite hand, countermand by the same sine if any, the vote was unanimus, the Captain said I will nominate Brother Barzee all in favor of him being the hunter for the company make it manifest by the same sighn, all hands went up again, he further more said that I was priveliged to call on any mane in the train to accompany me at any time that I wanted, he put that to a vote of which was again unanimous I then supplied all in meat from thare on: we arived in Salt Lake City September 1857 at night,

Transcript for Barzee, Reuben Woodard, [Diary], in Gwendolyn E. Pickens, ed. and comp., Sons of God [1984], 183-89

"Correspondence from the Plains," letter from Amos M. Musser to President Appleby

"Correspondence from the Plains," letter from Amos M. Musser to President Appleby, July 16, 1857.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">LETTER FROM ELDER A. M. [AMOS MILTON] MUSSER 
On the Plains, five days from Florence, July 16, 1857.</center>



 
President Appleby.



 



Dear Sir—I now beg to submit for the satisfaction of your readers a brief statement concerning the emigration of 1857. Captain William Walker's company was the first that left Florence for the mountains. I succeeded in organizing it on the 13th ultimo, while encamped on the Little Papeau. It numbered eighty-six souls, twenty-eight wagons, fifteen horses, three mules, one hundred and forty-one head of oxen, twenty-six cows, nineteen loose cattle, and one hand-cart. Before they left, about twenty-seven of the emigrants were baptized-a number for the first time. Among the candidates for this ordinance appeared the venerable Thomas B. Marsh, once President of the Twelve Apostles. He received this holy rite in all humility, and is now on his way to Zion, rejoicing in the salvation of the Lord.



On the evening of the 13th ultimo, the first company of hand-carts, under the supervision of Elder Israel Evans, made its appearance on the opposite bank of the muddy Missouri; they were detained several days in Florence on account of incessant rains, which swelled the small streams to an impassable depth. The company numbers one hundred and forty-nine souls, (eighty of whom are females-twenty-one under eight and two over sixty years old, the eldest, a female, sixty-eight years old,) twenty-eight hand-carts, and an excellent four-mule team. We furnished them with a good out-fit, and they left Florence on the 19th instant, feeling well and in high spirits. Before getting under way the next morning from the Little Papeau, brothers Taylor and Snow came up and gave them many words of encouragement, and blessed them in the name of our Redeemer.



The week following the departure of this company, Captains Jesse B. Martin's and Jacob Hoffein's [Hofheins'] companies arrived; the former consisted of one hundred and ninety-two souls, thirty-four wagons, one hundred and thirty oxen, seven cows, and one horse; the latter, after being augmented by accessions from St. Louis, numbered two hundred and four souls, forty-one wagons, one hundred and seventy oxen, seventeen cows, and four horses. These two companies left a few days after their arrival.



The Danish team company, under the direction of Captain M. [Matthias] Cowley, arrived on the 2nd instant, and left on the 6th; it numbered one hundred and ninety-eight souls, thirty-one wagons, one hundred and twenty-two oxen, and twenty-eight cows.



On the 3rd instant, the Danish hand-cart company arrived, under the supervision of Elder J.[James] P. Park, and other Valley brethren. This company numbered about three hundred and thirty souls, sixty-eight hand-carts, three wagons, and ten mules. Captain [Christian] Christianson, a Dane from the Valley, was deputed to conduct them to Utah; they left on the 7th instant, in good spirits.



On the 8th instant, the freight train, under the guidance of Elder W. [William] G. Young, came in with several accessions at Florence. This company number fifty-five souls, nineteen wagons, eighty-three oxen, four cows, and one mule. I have the honour to be numbered with this train. On the 12th instant we left Florence, and are now five days from that place. Our company is the last one on the Plains. We have a thorough organization; brother J. A. Little, president; W. G. Young, captain; Henry Lunt, chaplain; Albert P. Tyler, sergeant of the guard; and your humble servant, clerk and historian. Besides these brethren from the Valley, we have brothers P. H. Young, James Case, and G. W. Thurston, with us. Sister Nancy Kent, President Brigham Young's eldest sister, is accompanying us to Zion; she is seventy-one years old.



By recapitulating, we find that there are now on the plains one thousand two hundred and fourteen souls, one hundred and fifty-seven wagons, six hundred and forty-six oxen, twenty horses, eighteen mules, seventy-five cows, nineteen loose cattle, and ninety-seven hand-carts; add to these the isolated emigrants in company with brother Taylor and others, and you will have the sum-total of our this year's emigration; which, I believe, have been as well fitted out, and are under as prosperous circumstances, as our emigrants have been in any preceding year. Our united desire is to see all things pertaining to the emigration brought to a successful conclusion, and satisfactory to all parties concerned. May the Lord assist us all in bringing about these results, is my prayer. Amen.



Now, brother Appleby, I am going to write you aboutsomething else. Five years have nearly elapsed since I bade you adieu in our own mountain home beyond the craggy ridge which divides the waters that flow into the great Atlantic from those emptying themselves into the noble Pacific. How many changes have taken place with Gentiles and Jews since then! How many myriads of human beings have at the bidding of the Great Author of our existence, come into and departed from this world of sorrow, pain, and degeneracy! How varied have been our own individual circumstances, situations, callings, and duties. While I have been circumscribing the earth, twice in distance and once in reality-preaching to Asiatics, Anglicans, Welsh, Irish, Scotch, &amp;c, forming a religious medley of Hindoos, Pagans, Mahomedans, Parsees, Jews, Gentiles, and a heterogeneous mass of discordant elements under the appellation of Protestants, your time has been occupied very differently.



Permit me to congratulate you on your ascension to the editorial chair of the ever welcome Mormon. May you be highly successful as your worthy predecessor has been, in closing the mouths of those despicable members of the fourth estate, whose tales and editorial caterings are inundating the country, and exciting their greedy readers against an inoffensive, and strictly virtuous people. If editors exercised the sense, wisdom, honesty, and discrimination of ordinary capacitated donkeys, they would cease their incessant braying, and publish the truth concerning the Utonians. When about to indite a chapter on "Mormonism," I fancy I can see them with goose quill in hand, seated in ghostly dishabille, in their opaque editorial chamber, emulating the example of the fellow, who



<blockquote xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">"Gnawed his pen, then dashed it to the ground, 
Sinking from thought to thought a vast profound! 
Plunged for his sense, but found no bottom there, 
Yet wrote and floundered on in mere despair."</blockquote>



 



You have also the influence of a horde of sulphuric shepherds-keepers of the public consciences to deal with. Like the former they crawl between Heaven and earth (backwards like the crab) apparently for no other purpose than to create dissension and confusion, setting every man against his neighbour. This is to every reflective mind the obvious tendency of their doings.



Poor fools, they little think they are taking the night train for Paradise, and that they will have to render an account of their stewardship.



I regret I did not find you in New York during my brief visit a few weeks since. I desired much to see you, and congratulated myself with the idea of accompanying you across the Plains.



I have been so busy since my arrival in America that I have not had time to visit but one of my relatives. After settling up the business pertaining to the emigration in Boston, I took the express train for Iowa city. A few days after my arrival in Iowa, I was deputed to accompany brother J. A. Little to St. Louis, where we bought supplies for the two first companies of emigrants; I accompanied them up the river to Florence. We had on board about one hundred and fifty ladies and gentlemen, cabin passengers; amongst whom were two Reverends and a theological student, or graduate from the city of Gotham. Prior to quitting St. Louis, I was introduced to the Captain and Clerk of the Edinburgh as a missionary of the "Mormon" faith from the East Indies. This brought me into note, and to satisfy a flatulent curiosity I was obliged to preach to them on Sabbath evening, and on the evening following, I delivered a lecture on the manners and customs of the Orientals of Hindoostan. Of course the knowing could not remain silent. The two following nights were occupied in delivering rejoinders. In turn, to consummate the affair, after repeated solicitations, in a discourse which occupied over two hours, I answered all the objections of my opponents to the satisfaction of all my hearers, every one of whom, after I had concluded my remarks, tendered me a voluntary expression of their thanks.



Enough-I must conclude, as my advantages for writing are very meagre. A crammed portfolio for a desk, and inverted wash-tub for a seat, and surrounded by a parcel of loquacious emigrants, discussing their success, and other matters of the day, while their hands are employed in performing the varied paraphernalia of a camp life.



With kind regards to your able assistants, brothers Stenhouse and Dulin, and with fervent prayers for your prosperity, I remain, my dear brother Appleby,



Your friend and well wisher,



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">AMOS M. MUSSER.</center>



 



P.S.—It is reported and believed that the Government has wrested from the conductors the July mail, while they were endeavoring to effect its transit to Utah.



It may be pleasing for you to learn that the family of Martin Harris (one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon) is in Pottawattamie, and purpose migrating to Zion next spring.



Saturday, 18th. We have this day travelled about ten miles, and camped on the Platte, within half-a-day's drive of our Beaver River settlement. A meeting has been called, and the propriety of all being re-baptized was suggested, carried, and immediately attended to. We had a good time and purpose going up to the mountains as pure before the Lord as our gross nature will permit.

Transcript for "Correspondence from the Plains," letter from Amos M. Musser to President Appleby, 16 July 1857 in Millennial Star, 26 September 1857, 620-22

"Correspondence from the Plains," letter from Amos M. Musser to President Appleby.

DUP Pioneer History Collection

History of Joseph M. Smith

"History of Joseph M. Smith", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 1.

At Sidney, Iowa an immigrant train was ready to leave for Utah, therefore, Father's family consisting of father, mother and the three children: Octavis, Alseona and myself joined the wagon train. We had a new wagon loaded with provisions and three yoke of cattle. We traveled in Captain Walker's Company.


We arrived in Bountiful, Utah in 1857.

Transcript for "History of Joseph M. Smith", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 1.

William Holmes Walker, reminiscences

"William Holmes Walker, reminiscences", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 15-20.

Brother Parker decided to buy six head of oxen for the plains. He offered to buy four head for me if I would see to buying and training his. I bought ten head and brother Lorin made the yokes. Parker offered to pay Lorins expenses. We purchased a wagon and I drove the ten oxen to Iowa City 150 miles, walking a considerable part of the way.


On arriving we learned that President Daniel Spencer had arrived from England with a company of emigrants and several Elders. Brother Spencer had charge of the entire emigration, for that season. He established an outfitting post and camp. There were besides, the independent companies who had their own teams. There was a company of 500 persons who had to be provided with hand carts. Elder Web had charge of this task.


President Spencer appointed me to furnish conveyances for all of the emigrants from the depot to the camp. Also to provide transportation for all the luggage. All supplies and all the outfitting goods. I was to receive all wagons and provisions and forward them to camp.


I purchased all the supplies that could be purchased at Iowa City and forwarded them to camp. I realized that I had a full sized job. I made it my business to be off at dawn. I could seldom return until late at night. I missed many meals, and often had just a dry lunch, such as crackers and cheese. For two months I knew no rest.


President Spencer now had another pressing problem. He had no means of transportation for the luggage belonging to the Handcart Company. He gave me the responsibility of find[ing] a suitable place for storage. After making a thorough search of Iowa City I reported to President Spencer, there was no available building. I gave considerable thought to this serious problem. It seemed to me that these people should not land in Salt Lake City without their clothes, as there would be no possible way of obtaining these necessities there.


I then went to President Spencer. I asked him if he thought it possible for the company, as a whole, to pay one half of the cost of freighting. If they could, I thought it would be possible to take their luggage that they might have it on their arrival. The next morning President Spencer called me and turned the huge task over to me. I immediately set my sails for putting the task over.


I found that I could not wagons this side of Chicago. I wrote Peter Suttler, ordering ten wagons and asking when I could depend on their shipment. Their reply was satisfactory.


It was now July 1st. I took a young man with me. We took a steamboat on the Missouri River and landed at Atchison. We walked thirty five miles into the country to purchase oxen. I bought one young spirited mule and five head of oxen. I thought I could drive back and buy on my way. I soon learned the price of cattle was much higher: so I returned to Iowa City, buying only one more yoke of oxen.


My arrival at Iowa City was timely as Mr Shuttler notified me the wagons were ready to ship. I went to Chicago and gave my personal note, and had the wagons shipped. I then returned to Iowa City.


Next morning, at dawn, I started for Missouri on my mule, to buy more oxen. I now overtook the man that I sent out ahead of me. We had traveled about 75 miles when we met three men with sixty oxen, two cows and one small bull. I had a drivers whip. Therefore they concluded I was buying cattle. I inquired how many there were in their drove I told him he had more than I needed as I had been down the country and already bought a number. They said they would sell cheap. I looked them over carefully and found that most of them were broke for use. They were number one oxen. Just what I needed; but I didn't have enough money to pay for them. I counted them and the number was correct. I then carefully looked them over again. Then I made them an offer of 2100 dollars . They had been driven three hundred miles and they were tired. They still had seventy five miles farther to the place of delivery. I was told I had a hard face to make a cut of 800 dollars on their price. I replied that you are not deceived in that I know my business: I also know the price of cattle. I mounted and started on. I was called back and they accepted my offer. I then told them I would pay them $1500 in gold and give them my note for $600, to be paid, on delivery of the cattle at Iowa City. I would leave my man to help drive.


I then wrote up a bill of sale for 60 oxen, 1 bull and 3 cows at $2100. Received payment in full. To which they signed their names. I then paid them $1500, and left instructions with my man, Mr. Lorrance. I then proceeded in haste the 75 miles to camp.


I sold the oxen I had previously bought to pay my note: which I had given two days before. When the men arrived with the oxen, cows and the bull, I had the money to redeem my note.


My next move was to procure yokes and chains, then herd them, so that there would be no loss.


The wagons had now arrived at the depot and they had to be set up and gotten over to camp. What was called false tongues had to be made and ironed to facilitate in hitching the oxen more readily. I was now ready to load my ten wagons. The companies had all left. President Spencer along with them.


My brother Lorin helped load the bundles, weighing anywhere from five pounds to three hundred. They were every conceivable size shape and form. This made loading very difficult. Every wagon had to be loaded snuggly, so that there could be no shifting, and must be loaded to the utmost top of the bows, in order to take it all. The lashing had to be done skillfully as every bundle above the wagon bed had to be made secure against shifting or loss.


Our wagons were loaded, the teamsters hired and then our next difficulty was to pair off sixty head of oxen with help who had never even seen an ox hitched up. We were finally ready to start. We had gone only about three miles, when one of the teamsters got his oxen excited and the leaders made a sharp turn and began to run, capsizing the wagon. We were occupied the rest of the day repairing and loading the wagon. This was a bad day we made but three miles progress.


The next day we got along better.


The third day another wagon capsized. Then one night my mule got away and ran back. I had to have him as he was needed in rounding up the cattle, and so another delay.


We had traveled five or six days. Seven out of ten of my teamsters were sick with chill and fever . By this time we were at Winter Quarters. It was Sept 1st. I tried to hire other men but to no avail. I still realized I should make a special effort to get the luggage through. I would leave no stone unturned. I then got Bishop Cunningham to try his luck at getting teamsters but he was without success. I next discussed the situation with Apostle Erastus Snow. As grave as the whole matter really was, he said he would not advise me to go on.


It was now Oct. 1st. Bishop Cunningham let me have a storehouse that belonged to the Church. I had my wagons unloaded but I had more than sixty head of cattle to feed through the winter. I learned there still was some wild hay that could be cut, so I took some of my men and the bishop went with us to show me where I could get it.


I camped on the creek one mile below town. We cut and stacked 100 tons of hay. Built a stable for my mule. Brother Lorin and I built a two room house of willows, plastered it outside with mud and provided ourselves with wood and then concluded that we were settled for the winter.


Winter set in about the middle of Nov. By Dec 1st it was severe.


About Dec 20th, a man from Omaha, passing observed my outfit and inquired if I would like to contract hauling one thousand sacks of flour from St Joseph MO. I told him that I would take it at the right price. That I would be in Omaha next day for business. We drew up a written contract with sufficient money advanced to meet my expenses. This was forthcoming. I returned to camp and fitted up for business. I made a small light sled that my mule could manage. I then hired teamsters and started, Christmas, with five wagons, with three yoke of oxen for each wagon.


I went ahead directing the route. I bought grain and a stack of hay at points I thought suitable for camp sights. I went to St Joseph and returned buying feed for my convenience.


On the second trip there was a heavy snow and extreme cold. I bought five ox sleds and continued hauling. When we got to Omaha we drove across the Missouri River on the ice. I used the sleds until spring.


When the snow went off I hitched on to my wagons and sold the sleds for as much as I paid for them.


I made five round trips from Omaha to St Joseph and lost only one ox. And that was from eating too much corn. My men traveled early and late all winter long. None of us were frost bitten: although many were frozen. We used no liquor.


In the spring I received a letter from Apostle Erastus Snow. Stating I would have to sell enough of the teams and wagons, before starting, to pay off the note on the wagons, as the Church couldnt pay this.


I had already sold off some of the wagons at a good profit. I lifted the note on the wagons and paid for ten more, which I now had ordered. I also bought 12 head more of oxen. Six oxen had died at Winter Quarters. So starting out on the plains I had one more wagon and six more oxen.


On starting, some twenty wagons of emigrants were added to my company. Captain David Evans handcart company started. Many things happened some, unpleasant. We also learned that Johnsons army was on its way to Utah. We were traveling in the Platte Region. I drove over to the Platte River and camped. The handcart companies camped at the springs. Next morning Capt. Evans sent me word that their oxen had stampeded and had all run off with the buffalo. He had no way of recovering them, and could I give them assistance. I sent teams to move the company to our camp. I also succeeded in getting oxen from those not too l[h]eavily loaded. I was able to haul some of their flour. Others took on whatever they could. We took the entire company along with us.


Many in our company were very accommodating in letting the sick and weary ride. All went on nicely for a few days, then some in our company had lost some of their oxen and wanted theirs back from Capt. Evans. Finally nearly half in my company rebelled at the slow progress, we were making on account of being so burdened. They were determined to go on and leave the handcart company. I tried to reason and prevail on them not to leave them on the plains to starve. I was finally obliged to insist that no team should leave camp until arrangements were made. Yet the leader of this faction hitched up and drove out others followed.


I rode in front of their teams and said without threats, though plainly and positively "not a team can leave this camp until all arrangement are made to take care of these people. I had a pair of revolvers on my saddle which I carried at all times. The leader said he was not afraid of my pistols. I told him no one need be afraid; but he nor any other man could go until arrangements were made to take the entire handcart company along.


We took them along until we had crossed the Black Hills and the last crossing of the Platte River. Here the handcart company obtained assistance. It was here that some brethren were building a station in the interest of the B.Y. Express.


Here I put Thomas E. Rise in charge of my train. I started on my mule alone for home. I was warned of the danger of traveling alone. I got to Ft Bridger. I took plenty of chances and also used more precautions.


I arrived in Salt Lake City Sept 1st 1857. I had been gone five years minus 15 days. I had ridden my mule 400 in 8 days. In the five years I had traveled more than 40,000 miles.


On arriving I went to my home and asked if I could get accommodations over night, for my mule and myself. It was just dusk and I was not recognized for some little time.


My wagon train arrived Sept 10.

Transcript for "William Holmes Walker, reminiscences," 15-20.

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. DUP Pioneer History Collection.

"Elder William Walker," Deseret News

"Elder William Walker," Deseret News, August 26, 1857.

"Elder William Walker, on the 20th inst., arrived from his mission to South Africa. It will be remembered that his contract to bring freight for the brethren last season detained him at Florence, N.T., but he left his train in good condition on the Sweet Water, and expects it to arrive about the 15th of September."

Transcript for "Elder William Walker," Deseret News, 26 August 1857, 196

"Elder William Walker," Deseret News.

"Jubilee Matters," Deseret Weekly

"Jubilee Matters," Deseret Weekly, April 17, 1897.

Chairman Clawson yesterday received the following very interesting communication from William H. Wa[l]ker of Halliday, Salt Lake county:



Dear Sir--I see by the DESERET NEWS that the committee is desirous of locating all of the pioneers. I claim that my name should by right be added to the list of 148 pioneers, making that list 149, for the following reasons: I left Nauvoo in the first pioneer company and traveled with it until Council Bluffs was reached. I then enlisted in the Mormon Battalion and went as far as Santa Fe, N. M. From there I was sent back with a detachment of sick men to winter at Pueblo, Colorado. In the spring we struck the pioneer trail at Fort Laramie and overtook the pioneers at Green river. A few of the pioneers were sent back from this point with an express to meet the first companies of emigrants. I was one of that number. We met the first company of emigrants near Fort Kearney. We were six days without food of any kind, except that on one day we had a rabbit, which was divided among ten people, and what wild currants and choke cherries we could gather on the banks of the Platte river. With this company I met my wife, Olive H. Farr Walker, sick in consequence of having driven two yoke of oxen from Winter Quarters to this point. I then returned with these same pioneers and traveled in Captain Daniel Spencer's company, arriving in Salt Lake valley on the 19th of September, 1847. The only difference between myself and the Pioneers is that I traveled about 2,000 miles further than they did.

Transcript for "Jubilee Matters," Deseret Weekly, 17 April 1897

"Jubilee Matters," Deseret Weekly.

Norma Baldwin Ricketts, The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996)

Norma Baldwin Ricketts, The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996), Page 23.

Norma Baldwin Ricketts, The Mormon Battalion: U.S. Army of the West, 1846-1848 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996).

Taylor, John, [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 19 Sep. 1857

Taylor, John, [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 19 Sep. 1857, Page 13-14.

<center>CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE PLAINS Camp, Elm Creek, 15 Miles above Fort Kearney, July 9, 1857.</center>
Brother Appleby.
	Dear Sir—I embrace an opportunity now offered of addressing you a few words. The first hand-cart company is about five miles ahead of us, and we are now camped with Captain Walker's company, which is the first ox-train company, and is principally laden with goods belonging to the last year's hand-cart emigration; a few teams have joined in with them. All the emigration is moving on well, their cattle are in good order, and they are moving generally from eighteen to twenty miles per day. The camps are all healthy, and a spirit of union and harmony prevails. Just before we left Florence, a company of eighteen wagons arrived with apostates. From what little we saw of them, Utah is a great deal better without them; they are composed of such as could not endure the late revival and purging among the Saints, and, like the dross when subject to the refiner's fire, they have floated off. You need feel no trouble about them or their influence, for they exhibit themselves wherever they go; they overflow with wormwood and gall, their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness, and they are a disgrace to any decent society.
	We left Florence on the 1st, and visited Genoa, our new settlement, on Saturday afternoon, where we were honoured by a military escort and an address (the particulars of which hereafter.) Genoa is a beautiful location, the land rich and fertile, and a sufficiency of timber with care for all necessary purposes. There are about eighty men there, most of whom have families, and they have taken up claims; they have enclosed two large fields, containing about seven hundred acres, about four hundred of which are in crop. Although labouring under many disadvantages, they have made better improvements than any other settlement within fifty miles of them. Their gardens were better and more forward than any we have seen in the western country. Among other vegetables, we were treated to green peas. We held a Conference there, and appointed brother Alburn Allen, as President, and Nathan Davis and Henry Peck, as his counsellors. Brother William Felshaw was appointed President of Florence, Nebraska, and Western Iowa, with Alburn Allen and John Gleason as counsellors. We organized a land company, in accordance with the provisions made by the Territorial statutes of Nebraska, for the legal protection of the citizens and their claims. A new steam saw mill is also erected, to which a grist mill can be attached when necessary.
	It may be well here to inform you, that the spirit of "border-ruffianism" is rampant in most of the western country, and "Regulators" and mob law seem to bear rule. At Independence, Mo., brother James Gammell, who was with a company of Texians on their way to the valley, was mobbed by a band of ruffians in front of the public square, at the instance of Mr. Magraw, the former mail contractor, who told him "if he was not gone in fifteen minutes he should hang on that tree," pointing to one in the vicinity. Gammell immediately fled, as he saw a number of ruffians armed with revolvers; they followed him on foot and on horseback, firing at him as he ran; by leaping fences he, however, evaded them, although he had as many as fifty shots fired at him; he afterwards swam the Missouri river, and escaped, and is now with us. Threats were also made against brother Erastus Snow. In consequence of this and other appearances of hostility, we selected a guard of our own brethren who have accompanied us to this place. We expected here to join the mail en route for Utah, but the river is impassable, and we can only correspond through the medium of two or three good swimmers. We were informed that this said Mr. Magraw is superintendent for the construction of the military road, and acting as government agent on said road; that twenty men were going on as an advance surveying party, and that about one hundred were to follow them. Brother Gammell says that some of those in the advance party were the men who fired at him; but as he is preparing a statement of the affair, and will forward it with the next mail, I must leave this matter with him.
	We are now going to dismiss our guard. As we have none of the beauties of western civilization, and nothing but the Indians to contend with, we think we are perfectly safe; but thus far we thought it prudent to be prepared both for civilization and the Indians. We take this public manner of acknowledging the kindness of our brethren who volunteered to come with us, several of whom were hand-cart missionaries, and also to those who fitted out our horses and teams from Bluff City, Crescent City, Florence, and Genoa. We say, God bless and prosper them all in their undertakings! and as they have stepped forward in this emergency, we pray that they always may find friends and protection in every emergency.
	My kind regards to brothers Stenhouse, Dulin, Clinton, Cannon, and all the good Saints.
<center>	As ever yours in the Everlasting Covenant. 				JOHN TAYLOR</center>

Transcript for Taylor, John, [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 19 Sep. 1857, p. 605-6

Taylor, John, [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 19 Sep. 1857.

"The Mormons," New York Daily Times

"The Mormons," New York Daily Times, August 21, 1857.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The Mormons. THE WANDERINGS OF A MORMON ELDER—THE MORMON CATECHISM— MORE MORMONS COMING.</center>
	
Elder A. M. MUSSER writes to the Mormon, from the plains, July 16, of his wanderings to and fro on the face of the earth and of the Saints now on the Plains. The Elder has done some traveling; he says:	
“Five years have nearly elapsed since I bade you adieu in our own mountain home beyond the craggy ridge which divides the waters that flow into the great Atlantic from those emptying themselves into the noble Pacific. How many changes have taken place with Gentiles and Jews since then! How many myriads of human beings have at the bidding of the Great Author of our existence, come into and departed form this world of sorrow, pain, and degenersey! How varied have been our own individual circumstances, situations, callings and duties. While I have been circumscribing the earth twice in distance and once in reality—preaching to Asiatics, Anglicans, Welsh, Irish, Scotch, &amp;c., forming a religious medley of Hindoos, Payans, Mahommedans, Pursees, Jews, Gentiles, and a heterogeneous mass of discordant elements under the appellation of Protestants, your time has been occupied very differently.	
I now beg to submit for the satisfaction of your readers a brief statement concerning the emigration of 1857. Captain WILLIAM WALKER’s company was the first that left Florence for the mountains. I succeeded in organizing it on the 13th ult., while encamped on the Little Papeau. It numbered 86 souls, 28 wagons, 15 horses, 3 mules, 141 head of oxen, 26 cows, 19 loose cattle, and 1 handcart. Before they left, about 27 of the emigrants were baptized—a number for the first time. 	
Sister NANCY KENT, President BRIGHAM YOUNG’s eldest sister, is accompanying us to Zion; she is 71 years old.	
By recapitulating, we find that there are now on the plains 1214 souls, 157 wagons, 646 oxen, 20 horses, 18 mules, 75 cows, 19 loose cattle, and 97 hand-carts; add to these the isolated emigrants in company with Bro. Taylor and others, and you will have the sum-total of our this year’s emigrations; which, I believe, have been as well fitted out, and are under as prosperous circumstances, as our emigrants have been in any preceding year. Our united desire is to see all things pertaining to the emigration brought to a successful conclusion, and satisfactory to all parties concerned. May the Lord assist us all in bringing about those results, is my prayer. Amen.
President APPLELY his appointed Elders JOHN N. WAKELY, MW. CABTES, WM. H. LEE. WM. H. SMITH, WM. F. BULL and RICHARD HILL to travel and preach in the Canadas. All the Elders on missions there will counsel and correspond together. They will set under the direction of the Presidency at New-York, and report their labors.	
Another company of “Saints” left Liverpool for Philadelphia on board the ship Fhymday, on the 17th July, under the Presidency of Elder CHAS HARMAN.	
The Mormon publishes the Mormon Catechism, by way of showing what holy things are prayed for among the seer:	
“Have you committed murder, by shedding innocent blood or consenting thereto?	
Have you betrayed your brother or sister in anything?	
Have you committed adultery by having any connection with a woman that was not your wife, (or man that was not your husband?)	
Have you cut hay where you have no right to, or turned animals into another person’s field without his consent?	
Have you lied about or maliciously misrepresented any person?	
Have you borne false witness against your neighbor?	
Have you taken the name of the Deity in vain?	
Have you coveted anything not your own?	
Have you been intoxicated with strong drinks?
Have you found lost property, and not returned it to the owner or used all diligence to do so?	
Have you fulfilled your promises in paying your debts, or run into debt without the intention of paying the same?	
Do you pay your tithing promptly?
 Do you teach your family the gospel of salvation?	
Do you spras [speak] against your superiors in the Church or against any principle taught in the Book of Mormon, Book of Doctrines and Covenants, or against the revelations given through JOSEPH SMITH, the Prophet and the Presidency of the Church as now organized?	
Do you pray in your family, night and morning, and attend to secret prayer?	
Do you labor six days, and rest, or go to work on the Sabbath?	
Do you and your family attend the ward meetings? 
Do you preside over your household as a servant of God? And is your family subject to you? 	
Have you labored diligently and earned faithfully the wages paid you by your employers?	
Do you oppress the hireling in his wages?

Transcript for "The Mormons," New York Daily Times, 21 Aug. 1857, 6

"The Mormons," New York Daily Times.

"Was Pioneer of Utah and Idaho," Deseret Evening News

"Was Pioneer of Utah and Idaho," Deseret Evening News, January 18, 1908.

"Was Pioneer of Utah and Idaho," Deseret Evening News.

William H. Walker reminiscences and diary

William H. Walker reminiscences and diary, September 1843.

So that in starting out on the plains I had one more wagon and six more oxen than I had last season, and all paid for.



I got my provisions and supplies for the journey on credit. On starting some 20 wagons of emigrants were added to my company. Capt. David Evans, handcart company, started about the 3rd.



I had traveled three days, when Br. E. [Erastus] Snow overtook me on horseback. He sent a man into camp to see who was there before he came in. About this time there was considerable excitement all along the frontiers with regard to the army being sent out to Utah and the brethren were a little anxious to know whose company they fell into. Br. Snow had a very bad leg, much swollen and a running sore, very much inflamed. I made him welcome in my private wagon. I procured cow poultices and dressed his leg several times a day. He slept with me.



I traveled about eight days when Br. John Taylor and four or five others overtook us, with light wagons and mules, going through on an express. Br. Snow was now much better and could walk about comfortably. They called a meeting and gave us some good instructions. They wanted to get another horse for one of their guard to ride. I offered them my mule, which they would not accept. Said I needed it and would not take it from me. There were others that could spare one better than I could.



We were then camped five miles from the Platte River. Br. Snow informed Br. Taylor that a man by the name of Buttler, was traveling and camping alone with 4 boys. Br. Taylor gave me instructions with regard to them. This Buttler was a very long faced pious man. Prayed every night and morning, both loud and long. A few days before he drove up to some well ahead [of], Captain Evans company, and insisted that his oxen should have water before those that were drawing their handcarts over sandy roads. As the Capt. Did not allow him to do this, he cursed him and all the people, making some hard threats and drove on, and would not camp near us as he had done before, and had driven his oxen to our herd to be guarded, as he did not like to guard at all. As Br. Taylor passed him on the Platte he advised Buttler to come back and travel with me. He would not be advised. Two of the boys came to my camp. The Indians were very bad and they were afraid they would be killed.



I had laid over for the day at the Springs. After a while the old man came over for the boys, inquired of me where they were and made a great many threats of shooting, etc. As the old man went out to hunt the boys I asked some of the brethren to entertain him. In the meantime I sent two men to fetch his team back, which drove up just at dark. When he saw that the team had come back he went on in a terrible rage, threatened to shoot. Finally when he did not succeed in scaring anyone he wanted to take the team off to one side so that he could worship. I told him he might worship as long and as loud as he pleased, if he would go out to one side so as not to disturb the camp. That he could have provisions that would do him; but it would be necessary for the team to remain in camp to haul provisions for the boys. He had previously struck two of the boys with a gun, which was not an uncommon thing.



I drove over to the Platte River and camped.



The handcart companies camped at the Springs. Next morning Capt. Evans sent me word that their oxen had stampeded and all run off with the buffalo and he could not recover them, and wanted assistance. I [sent] teams to move the company up to our camp.



As I had got poison ivy so that I could not sit on my saddle to ride, I lent my mule to Capt. Evans, and some men went to assist him in trying to recover the oxen, but they could not find them.



I succeeded in getting some oxen of those that were not very heavy loaded and took on some of their flour. As also some others did, and took the company right along with us, and many were very accommodating in letting the sick and weary ride.



We took them all quite comfortable for a few days until nearly all had lost from two to three head of their cattle, consequently they demanded theirs back from Capt. Evans. Finally the crisis came. About half of my company were not only willing, but determined, to go on and leave the handcart company. I tried to reason and prevailed on them not to leave them on the plains to starve. As they had only provisions enough, at best, to do them if no delay. I was finally obliged to insist that no one should leave camp until arrangements were made. Yet the leader of this faction hitched up and drove out and others followed. I rode out in front of their teams and said, without any threats, though, plainly and positively, that not a team can leave this camp until all arrangements were made.



I had a pair of Colt revolvers on my saddle which I carried all of the time, and never thought of using them. The leader said he was afraid of my pistols. I told him I did not want him to be afraid; but he could not go nor no other man, until arrangements were made to take the whole company along.



I finally succeeded and took the company along till we crossed the Black Hills and the last crossing of the Platte River. Here we met quite a number of the brethren building a large station and working in the interest of the B.Y. Express Company. Here the handcart company obtained assistance.



I made arrangements with Br. Thomas E. Rise to take charge of my train. He being an old experienced hand and competent.



I started alone and rode 100 miles. Came to a station that Br. Stephen Markham had charge of. The night before I ate some sardines that were a little stale, which made me very sick. Br. Markham got me something to eat and I felt a little better. Next morning he informed me that the Indians were very bad between here and Fort Bridger. That it was dangerous to travel alone. That I would have to be very cautious. There had been one man killed lately. Therefore I stopped in daylight on some eminence where I could see a long distance in every direction and only off saddle to let the mule roll, then saddle up again and hold the mule to eat and not camp any where I might be seen and off the road.



I arrived at Fort Bridger. Got something to eat. I had a little dry bread with me, and no change to buy anything more.



I met one Indian. He wanted to see my pistol. I took it out and let him see it. They were new and bright and attracted his attention. He wanted to take on[e], I said no sir, you can’t. I arrived at Salt Lake City, Sept. 1, 1857. Having rode some 400 miles in eight days. Having gone five years, lacking 15 days. I traveled during that time 30,000 miles by water and 10,000 by land. I arrived home in the evening just at dark. I asked if I could stop over night, was not recognized for some little time.

Transcript for William H. Walker reminiscences and diary, 1843 September-1897 April, 127-31

William H. Walker reminiscences and diary.

William Holmes Walker, The Life Incidents and Travels of Elder William Holmes Walker and His Association with Joseph Smith, the Prophet (Elizabeth Jane Walker Piepgrass, 1943), 15-16

William Holmes Walker, The Life Incidents and Travels of Elder William Holmes Walker and His Association with Joseph Smith, the Prophet (Elizabeth Jane Walker Piepgrass, 1943), 15-16.

The 29th of May the detachment left Pueblo and the 16th of June reached Fort Laramie.



I, in company with 12 others, went on in advance and overtook the Pioneers at Green River. From this point a company of 10, composed of Pioneers and Battalion went back to meet the emigration of the Pioneers. Phinus Young, Thomas Grover, Aaron Farr and others. With a light wagon, with boards on the bottom on which to carry our bedding and provisions.



It was expected that we would meet them before arriving at Laramie: but we were disappointed when we arrived there. We were out of provisions and could not get but a small supply, indeed, at any price.



We were in hopes to meet the first company every day and almost every hour. We traveled on in an Indian country and no game to be seen. Our provisions entirely gone, we lived on chokecherries and wild currants six days, with one rabbit to divide between ten of us. We encountered two heavy storms (without tent or cover). The last storm we had on Platte Bottoms laid in water about six inches deep. The wind being too cold to stand up and the bluffs too far off to reach, we camped. Next morning we went to the bluff for our horses and discovered the camp about five miles distant. We met them near Ft. Carney [Kearny].



For several days I had to ride with a pocket handkerchief tied on. Foot exposed to the sun, as my moccasin, the only thing I had in the shape of shoes were worn out.



In this condition I met my wife Olive H., who drove two yoke of oxen the most of the way from the Missouri River and was now sick and worn out with fatigue. We arrived with the first company of emigrants September 19th, 1847.

Transcript for William Holmes Walker, The Life Incidents and Travels of Elder William Holmes Walker and His Association with Joseph Smith, the Prophet (Elizabeth Jane Walker Piepgrass, 1943), 15-16

Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days

Prophets of the Restoration

Global Histories

Revelations in Context

Women of Conviction

Joseph Smith Papers

Church Historian’s Press

More

Publications

Church History Museum

Historic Sites

Church History Library

Visit

Church History Catalog

Missionary Database

Pioneer Database

Treasures of the Collection

Pioneer Resources

Research

Church Historic Sites

Quick Links

Church History Biographical Database

/chd/landing

motherReferenceId

fatherReferenceId

Peacham, Caledonia, Vermont, United States

birthPlace

baptizedBy

baptizedByReferenceId

company-arrived

joined-company

pioneerCompanyReferenceIdValue

departed-from-field

arrived-in-field

called

missionQualifier

maritalStatusWhenCalled

Mission companions were Leonard Smith and Jesse Haven.

missionaryActivityNotes

priesthoodOfficeWhenCalled

residenceWhenCalled

with-missionary-activity

missionOrganizationReferenceIdValue

Cape Town, Mowbray, Wyneberg, Newland, Grahamstown, FortBeaufort, Alice, Uitenhage, and Port Elizabeth

William Holmes Walker

Birth Date

Death Date

Gender

Sources