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Augustus S. Beckwith Company (1859)

Departed
Circa 1859 May
Departed From
Genoa, Nebraska
Arrived
On 1859 August 1
Vehicle Type
Wagon
Company Type
Independent Train
Company Direction
Westbound

22 individuals were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Genoa, Nebraska. The company arrived from 1-3 August 1859.

This company was made up of Latter-day Saints who had lived for varying periods at Genoa, Nebraska Territory. Situated near a trail crossing on the Loup Fork River, Genoa was approximately 100 miles west of the Missouri River. Brigham Young had envisioned establishing a series of way stations every 50 miles on the trail to Utah to support Mormon emigration. About 400 acres were brought under cultivation at Genoa in 1857 by 162 pioneering settlers. A saw mill was erected in 1858 and a ferry located at the river crossing. When Pawnee Indians were removed to the Genoa area in 1859, the community was ordered to evacuate by the Indian agent. Most of the members of Beckwith's company were originally from the United States, but a few came from Germany, Scotland, or England. They left Genoa in May under the leadership of A. S. Beckwith. By June 26 they had reached Chimney Rock. At their camp between Big and Little Mountains, they washed and put on clean clothes. Thus refreshed and cleaned up, they arrived in Salt Lake City on August 1. Soon after arriving, Beckwith established a pen manufacturing and jewelry business in Salt Lake. Beckwith had proved to be a good captain, kindly and diplomatically settling difficulties and personal conflicts.

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