The Chase company was the first Mormon wagon train to assemble for outfitting at Wyoming, Nebraska Territory, in 1864. Wyoming was a Missouri river port founded in 1855 and used as the principal outfitting place by Mormon companies from 1864 to 1866. It was located 45 miles south of Omaha and 6 miles north of Nebraska City. Mormons were attracted to the port city of Wyoming because of its expansive staging ground, convenient steamboat landing, and distance from Nebraska City. It was just far enough away from the rough elements and lures of Nebraska City, yet close enough that they could easily connect with the Nebraska City-Fort Kearny Cutoff. This cutoff was established about 1860 by military freight contractors and Nebraska City businessmen. It was the shortest route from the Missouri River to Fort Kearny and became a secondary route of the Oregon Trail. It ran 169 miles directly west and shortened the distance from the old Ox-Bow Trail by about 50 miles.
There were 102 people in this independent company (not needing Church assistance in procuring teams or supplies). It consisted of about 28 wagons pulled by mules, which traveled faster than oxen. The group headed west on June 25. The wagons were loaded with freight, so most of the emigrants walked. The first half of the journey was uneventful, but then a near-violent quarrel erupted between the company's sergeant of the guard and a Mormon merchant from St. Louis (probably George Dunford). When they reached Ash Hollow, the merchant withdrew from the train with his eight wagons while the rest of the company continued on. By August 13 the company was at Horseshoe Creek, 37 miles west of Ft. Laramie. Here they experienced some deaths among their cattle, which slowed the company's movement. On August 24 the Salt Lake Deseret News appealed to relatives and friends of the immigrants to go out and meet the company with a dozen or more yoke of cattle. The immigrants arrived in Salt Lake City on September 20 and soon scattered among the settlements. Being the first Mormon company of the season, the Chase company was able to avoid Indian difficulties experienced by some following companies. There were no reported deaths.