Transcript

[June] 19 Crossed the Missouri and camped first night

20 Lay by for the company to all to cross

21 Started out this morning with our company of hundred[.] passed an indian wigwam and cornfield[.] The whole company camped together[.] Mariett[e] has again told me how much they have done for me as though I did not know or care for it and said many things that sink deep

22 Lay by waiting for a ten in our fifty[.] First fifty started out. Mariett washed[.] Hard wind some rain

23 Sabbath. Started out to overtake the first fifty, and camp with them[.] rained so that we had to camp before we came up with them[.] A little child died with the measels this evening in the wagon next behind us

24 Rain all day untill towards evening[.] Read some of my old letters. W[inthrop] [Farley] stood guard Last night

25 Pleasant. An old gentleman died this morning and was buried on the prairie[.] Our ten took the lead

26 Pleasant[.] Rain last night[.] Cattle all left the corell to seek shelter[.] The guard unfaithful[.] All had to turn out

27 Passed 5 fresh graves yesterday after crossing a creek that took nearly all the afternoon[.] camped soon after[.] Asa and W had a hateful talk[.] Started out this morning early[.] little interruption till we came in sight of government camp carrying out provisions to fort[.] The men were frightened at the report of cholera ahead, and Left several graves by the road of those who had died with the cholera. some Mormons

28 Cold yesterday morning. Rained this morning[.] Cold uncomfortable[.] Very warm this afternoon[.] Several quite unwell in our camp[.] Passed the fifteenth new made grave[.] Came in sight of the smoke of some other camp, and camped by the side of a stream

29 A Dr died in our camp last night from his own imprudencies. Eat a hearty dinner of beans and drank a great quantity of cold water contrary to counsel, and about eight oclock was a corpse. I washed. Rain last night cold this morning. W[inthrop] stood on guard in Alma Harris’s place

30 <Sabbath>[.] Rain this morning. Cool[.] The men had a meeting yesterday morning and this [morning]. Crossed the stream and camped

July 1 Cold all day. Camped early. A camp ahead in sight

2 Cool. A part of the cattle strayed from the rest[.] Took a long time to collect them. Two more cases of sickness children. The camp ahead still in sight[.] Proved to be a couple of teams from the valley with the mail. All night with us[.] Our ten took the lead

3 We were the last ten. A child died last and was buried yesterday, another this morning making six persons out of our camp, four children, two men[.] we have passed 33 graves besides

4 Started out early and traveled a good day’s drive[.] passed two graves. Mariett took medicine last night and again to night. W took medicine to night. A company that left Kanesville a week after we did passed us. A government train of mule teams passed us this evening

5 Started late this morning, and camped in about an hour, to decide whether they should break the company and who should go ahead

6 Three tens separated from the rest. Capt. [Truman] Leonard and [Harmon Dudley] Person [Pierson] travel in company[.] We travel fast all day[.] left the others entirely behind. Berry our off leader nearly gave out. Mariatt more unwell. Passed one grave.

7 <Sabbath>[.] Passed 4 graves, among them was that of brother [Jacob] Adamson’s babe. We came up with the other fifty of our company, and also Woodruff’s[.] Passed and camped west of them. Saw brother [John] Fosset and his wife, and from them learned that Father [Edward, Jr.] Farley and his company separated from the rest, through the influence of Baily over Adamson.

8 Snow’s company got the start of us in the morning[.] we passed some old indian huts uninhabited[.] found an ox belonging to government that had been left because their feet were sore. Drove him along. Father F came into our company with his carriage to take W, and I on with them[.] Passed two graves

9 W and I left Asa and came on to his folks[.] Asa [Calkin] quite sick, Mariett not well[.] Passed the merchant train, came [illegible] up with the folks. All well[.] Hard wind and some rain last night[.] Passed six graves

10 Raned this morning. by a fuss in the camp Johnson drew a gun on John O.L [O’Laughlin.] Samuel Pine took hold of him, shaked and slapped him swearing all the time[.] Traveled over a level plain without wood and little water[.] Met the government mule train[.] three wagons[.] Saw several Antelopes[.] our men killed one[.] very good meat. Passed six graves[.] camped in sight of fort Kearn[e]y three or four miles east of it

11 A hard storm of thunder rain and wind last night[.] Started late this morning[.] passed the fort a little and stopped to write and send letters back[.] Concluded to stay all night[.] Winthrop traded his watch for three cows, calf yoke staple and chain and fifteen dollars in cash[.] Very warm

12 Father mother and husband went up to the fort[.] I washed the dishes[.] W bought another cow for fourteen dollars cash. The other man got sick of his trade and W gave him up one of the cows. Mother <gave> her two year old heifer for the same cow back again to put in the team[.] came on a few miles and camped. Elder O[rson] Hyde passed us on his way to the valley. says the companies are about 25 miles back excepting Grants which is close by. Passed 53 graves between Missouri and fort Kearny. Passed 6 to day

13 Hard wind before bed time; hard wind thunder and rain in the night last night[.] Quite cool this morning[.] For five days have traveled on a level sandy plain, no wood this [side] of the river[.] dig holes in the ground for water or use river water. We passed Hyde and he passed us again[.] Passed 5 graves[.] one the corpse dug out and eaten up by wolves

14 <Sabbath>[.] Another hard shower[.] The sharp thunder and lightning caused the cattle to pull up their stakes[.] A stranger that camped with us had horse hurt very bad last night[.] Lay by because of rain. Had the phthisic all day

15 Rain again last <night> and this morning[.] Still phthisicy. Cool[.] started out[.] overtaken by a thunder shower, and camped rather early. W[inthrop]. and J. O L. [John O’Laughlin] started out to catch a stray horse on the road[.] A stranger took him first. Passed 12 graves

16 Cold wind. The owner came for the horse[.] Traveled half a day and stopped[.] Saw herds of Buffaloes. Five hands went to shoot them[.] several it <is> supposed received their death wounds, but they got none[.] We crossed the first stream emptying into the Platte yesterday. Passed 14 graves[.] A company of pack horses and mules passed going west

17 Our black cow threw herself and lay as long with her head bent under her, she was nearly dead. The government mule train passed going east. We traveled about 5 or 6 miles and stopped to rest the cow, wash and bake and hunt buffalo. Cool wind[.] The hunters did not come in till late in the night, part came and left two with the buffalo they had killed[.] Passed 5 graves

18 July 1850 They started out with the wagon to fetch the buffalo. Wesley [Harris] and John O L left it about 12[.] came in little after sun rise

18 The bluffs hitherto low and tolerable smooth, for the last twenty miles assumed more the form and appearance of mountains from [blank space] feet high[.] The men that have been out among them say they are timbered[.] Some very large cedar trees[.] [Charles N.] Johnson killed another buffalo after we started[.] Hundreds of them close by going from the bluffs to the river for drink[.] A company of gold diggers passed ahead of us. We camped in sight very near a herd from one <to> two thousand in number[.] The men went to scare them away[.] 5 of them <came> up within a few steps. [Jacob] Adamson and W[inthrop] shot each of them one[.] We came to the first grove on the bottom and camped since we came on to it. Passed 4 graves

19 Captain Leonard and Person’s company came up to our camp this morning just as we started[.] They camped for the day. All well. Hundreds of buffalo have run across the road before our train, but a few yards distant. Passed 13 graves

20 Our road has been hilly. The bluffs on this side of the river have decreased. While we stopped to noon a couple of men came up in search of a criminal escaped from fort Kearny. Hawthorn[e] killed a buffalo with one shot. He shot at an animal that digs up graves[.] a man eater[.] Passed 9 graves one dug up. Very hard thunder[.] camped among the buffalo. Had to watch all night.

21 <Sab>[.] The plains along the road covered with buffalo. The boys out shooting them to scare them. Very warm[.] Had the phthisic bad all day. Passed two mule teams[.] Also some Oregon ox teams[.] Passed 9 graves

22 Some better[.] have seen but few buffalo[.] the road hilly and sandy. feed for some days not very good[.] Passed 11 graves

23 No buffalo to day. The feed for a week past has [been] quite poor[.] A more pleasant prospect across the river before our camp. The river looks pleasanter than it has before[.] Passed 10 graves

24 The feed along our road to day very poor, the wind from the sandy plains hot, reminding me of the scorching winds of the sandy deserts of Africa[.] Passed a village of prairie dogs, a small animal somewhat resembling our common rabbits of the states[.] It is said a dog, a bird and a snake inhabit the same house, which is a hole dug out under the ground[.] Our men saw a snake run into the hole of one of these animals and a bird flying about it. We stopped to feed at the middle ford, the river broad and very shallow divided by islands. At the upper ford where we camped we found a team [of] two men on their return to the states by whom I sent a letter to John. The river and bottom at this place, as far as the eye extends, <up and down> are smooth <and> clear, the bluffs on both sides melted down to soft undulating hills, the bottom not less than four miles wide, the river a quarter[.] Passed six graves, two near our encampment[.] one of them dug out the corps gone. It is a melancholy thought that when a friend is buried on these plains that soon their bodies will [be] exhumed by wild animals

25 The four past mornings have been delightful, calm cool, the air bracing and the soft murmur of the broad stream before our encampment, is sweetly soothing to my heretofore disturbed senses. I love to walk or sit on its bank and think of absent friends[.] The men who lost their cattle where we camped in the night of the 22^nd have just come up. Found their lost. Crossed the river with some difficulty[.] The bed of the river being composed of gravel, sand, and quick sand, is continually giving way under the teams, which renders it fatiguing[.] The mules sank so far in the sand as not to be able to pull the carriage and it was hitched behind a large wagon[.] Immediately after crossing we ascended three or four hundred feet above the level of the river[.] our road leading over the barren bluffs, the grass what little there once was, perfectly dead as though the frosts of winter had passed over. A few green weeds alone showed signs of life. One little ground squirrel and one buffalo appeared the sole inhabitants of these dreary hills. Arriving at Ash hollow I found myself perfectly at home. Its wild, and to some, terrible scenery, seemed to awaken some of my former enthusiasm, and the breeze passing over hill and through dale, seemed to invigorate my innervated mind and system. The entrance to this hollow from the east, present to view a landscape of the most ragged hills, and deep glens in a the greatest number of any I have ever seen greater number than I ever before saw[.] Travelled 18 miles without water or feed for cattle and camped between two rocky bluffs, near an excellent spring[.] a luxury we do not often enjoy[.] Some of our party are much disheartened at the difficulties and roughness of the way. Passed four graves

26 The musketoes were very troublesome preventing our sleep towards the latter part of the night, but a cool breeze dispersed them in the morning[.] We have been much annoyed by these troublesome insects since we came on to the plains. I believe the soil of this hollow has a mixture of lime in it the dust was <being> very offensive to the eyes[.] And the ledge of rocks at the right appears to be lime stone, all most lime itself[.] Winthrop went on the top and brought me a sprig of red cedar[.] Our breakfast was cooked by fire made of this wood[.] removed from the hollow to the river to wash and cook[.] Polly washed[.] Charly’s foot very sore. Some say there are three some seven graves where we camped last night

27 Musquitoes so bad we were obliged to get up and lie and sit by the fire most of the night. I washed towards evening[.] four wagons camped just below us on the river, which proved to be Capt Person and his friends, who have separated from the rest of the company[.] They report Capt Leonard with an addition to his company of some eight or ten wagons, also Grant, the merchant train to be at the ford

28 <Sabbath>[.] Phthisic bad all day <night> and very bad all day. Some rain and wind. The men gathered a quantity of choke cherries[.] I had a small bush of berries having some resemblance to goose berries, also to currants[.] Towards evening Leonard’s train came up bringing intelligence that after crossing the river Grant lost forty head of cattle wandered off among the hills, Asa had one of the wheels of his big wagon broke all to pieces. Had to fill it anew[.] all well. Asa and Mariett [Calkin] came over to our camp

29 Some better[.] started out this morning, both camp[s.] The sand deep, the feed very good, better than it has been for a hundred miles back. The river raised over with the banks and very muddy. The bluffs along the north fork high and ragged. Had a gale last night that sent the musquitoes adrift for a while. Person camped just above us on the bank of the river. Leonard still farther up. W[inthrop] found a good silk handkerchief by the road[.] Passed 12 graves

30 Sister [Nancy J.] Adamson nearly distracted with the tooth ache[.] has neither eat nor slept scarcely for two days and nights. Our road lay close along the river a part of the day[.] sand deep most of the way. While nooning Leonard’s train came up within a quarter of a mile[.] Mariett came to my wagon. All things are not perfectly agreeable in their camp[.] A threatened storm last evening and also this [morning.] Passed off with a little wind and a few sprinkles of rain. Person camped with us. Passed 17 graves. W[inthrop] lost his knife

31 Sister Person [Pierson] came to my wagon last evening. Leonard’s train camped about two miles back[.] Sister Nancy still in great distress[.] Trying to get an early start. Mother [Mary] Farley talk hard of staying at fort Laramie, a movement that seems to me almost death if not quite. I cannot bring my mind to submit[.] I started with the expectation of entering the valley before I stopped, and now to fall short of it for the sake of a little of this world’s goods I might as well be laid under the sod of these plains almost. While nooning, Leonard’s train passed us a little distance and stopped to noon. Their teams do not look well. Asa’s tom [team] lame. Camped to night by a small stream springing out of the ground. The other train about a quarter of a mile back of us. Passed 15 graves

Aug 1 Had a good night’s rest. A pleasant morning. Some from the other camp came up all seemed pleasant[.] we started out in fine spirits[.] At noon we got somewhat mixed with the other company. Asa returned the cow he took of W for milk because she was so near dried up. We came on to the river and camped. Leonard corraled about three miles back[.] Chimney rock is near by, a curious rock with a spire abo[u]t the size of a common chimney ascending some 70 feet high. Passed 7 graves[.] Passed the court house

2 Passed chimney rock. Leonard’s train came up and nooned with us. I went to see Mariett[.] A great deal of unpleasant feeling in the companies[.] Leonard’s train camped about a quarter of a mile ahead of us[.] Our company took up a [cow] that had been left because she was lame. 9 graves

3 They left the cow[.] she could not travel. A great strife between the two trains as to who shall start ahead[.] Met the goverment train[.] traveled on some distance and found we had left the calf carlessly. Went a little farther and was obliged to leave the cow because there was no water to be had, and she could not stand it. Passed several cattle that had been left because they could not travel. The scenery around us singularly wild and grotesque, the bluffs presenting ranges of ruined castles palaces and temples. Our road passed over the bluffs at the first trading post between the fort at a deep ravine where was an excellen spring[.] There we saw three wagons and a part of another left. Came on to the left three miles off our road to camp for the sake of water and feed, and found very little of either. The companies found several head of cattle. Passed 7 graves

4 <Sabbath>[.] We came down to the river about twelve miles and camped. W quite unwell[.] Passed 2 graves. Six indians came to our camp. W got a pair of moccasins

5 W, worse[.] lay by on account of it[.] government train of 29 wagons passed us. Leonard camped just above us

6 W, some better[.] We traveled[.] hot and dusty[.] W, worse this evening

7 W, better. Traveled. Very hot dust almost suffocating. Camped close by some indians and white traders. White men have indian wives. They have wolves for dogs

8 Mother F was witness to a scene very discretitable to W, E, and L, P. and which if known would ruin her entirely. O my God what are we? Are we to be left to rule of satan. We came on a few miles and stopped near Laramie to see what could be done about shoeing cattle. They found a man that wished to go through and have some beggar carried, and that would do their blacksmithing gratis. Difficulty arose between our party and the Pines about who should have the benefit of the blacksmith, or weather are party <Pine> accused our folks of working underhanded to take the blacksmith from him and then drive off and leave him[.] He took the smith and his partner and started out just night. W better, caught some fish, and went up to the fort with his father and mother. 6 graves near by

9 Excitement quite high in our camp. Hands show signs of leaving. The whole train felt that Mother has too much say so about every thing. Bail[e]y got very angry but did not say much because it was to a woman[.] We came on a few miles and camped on the bank of the river with wood and feed a plenty, just below us[.] Baily, Hawthorn, O Loughlin, Johnson left and struck out for themselves[.] Purchased a wagon and provisions, O. L[aughlin] takes his oxen Ba[i]ly his cow and ox for their team[.] Johnson is to be their cook[.] It is to be feared there will be bloodshed among them before they go far

10 W brought me a sprig of pine. They are setting tires by a pine and cedar fire Leonard passed[.] There is always and unpleasant state of feeling produced, rather renewed whenever Asa’s folks come near because I cannot feel to cast them off entirely as W, wishes me to[.] I had rather not come in contact with them again untill our journey is ended, and we have done our first works over again, and be renewed afresh by the Spirit, that each may see their own faults, repent and be forgiven by each other and the Lord. O how will each look upon himself and herself, when they view things in the light of eternity[.] God grant it be not to late[.] I have twice to grieved the heart of my dearest friend, once in going to see Mariett again by going a few steps with Polly[.] Would that an end were put to these things

11 <Sabbath> W, and I walked upon to the bluffs[.] They look like the bed of a river thrown up in heaps[.] Stares [stairs] of pebble stones and gravel appear as though they had grown together having once been separate[.] A dark cloud came lowering up and spread itself over us, threatening destruction to our little encampment but passed over with a slight gale bringing with it a cloud of dust and a few pattering drops of rain as usual[.] How much a good shower would refresh the parched earth, and rivive [revive] man and beast

12 Writing letters all day[.] not well. W got his knee hurt bad while shoeing a mule[.] More thunder and another sprinkle of rain

13 Still writing[.] W traded Rose for Mary a pretty young heifer to a soldier who is about to go back to the states[.] a gentlemanly appearing man. Quite a shower this evening[.] Joseph Young’s company passed this morning.

14 William Snow, and Grant passed this morning while we were getting ready to start. [Samuel C.] Pine and Baily’s company started out before us. We started out, passed Snow and Grant, came up with Pine. Our road this day has been up hill and down through sand and over rocks[.] W’s team likes to upset down a precipice. Camped near a spring that runs from under a limestone ledge[.] Pine a little ahead. Grant passed and camped[.] Hawthorn and Johnson with him[.] Passed 8 graves

15 Cattle wandered much through the night. Road left the river yesterday, and we have been traveling over a portion of the black hills. They derive their [name] I suppose from the pines which grow upon them which at a distance look black. After ascending the hills some distance, we crossed a plain two or three miles wide[.] then it was up hill and down again for [a] time, when we came to another plain, crossed and came down the hills to the river. The bottom covered with sage bushes. Left Grant at a spring where we nooned. Tom crippled in all his feet

16 Tom not crippled but het [hurt.] they shod him this morning[.] our road to day has been more level[.] traveled in company with Snow[.] Badger broke loose, run and frightened an ox team. passed a cold spring a short distance from the road. Had a visit from some of the Crows[.] fine looking indians. One offered two ponies for Rebecca. Camped by the river a little above Snows. No graves that we saw

17 Father and W, swam the river and brought the horses in for fear the indians would take them last night. We started just ahead of Snow this morning. Our road has been up hill and down[.] It was a gradual ascent for several miles untill we had raised a quarter of a mile, when we again descended up hill and, untill we came to what we supposed to be a running living stream, but which in a short time was dry[.] We have crossed many dry ravines since we left Laramie, that look like the beds of large once large, and running streams[.] These hills are full of deep gorges that seem to spring from nothing[.] perfectly dry[.] I see no cause for them unless it is the sudden hard storms[.] the water running off the hills over the sand washes out. We were overtaken by a sudden thunder storm. The rain poured down for a few minutes in torrents, the wind blew harder than we have known it since we started. We traveled till nearly dark and stopped where there was no wood or feed for the cattle. The wind after the storm was cold like winter.

18 <Sabbath>[.] Cold this morning[.] some work to get the cattle together. The wolves set up their howling last night. Started out to find feed for the cattle[.] commenced raining[.] traveled four or five miles and stopped. rained all day so that there was no stirring till night[.] coldest rain we have had since we started and we are in the most dismal place surrounded by hills with but little vegetation. On the creek bottom some grass. Grant a few miles ahead[.] Snow a few miles back, but in sight. Pine and Baily a little ways up the creek in sight[.] Baily came down, and spun out a few yarns.

19 Rained all night. Still raining. We have had threatened shower nearly every day or evening ever since we came within fair view of the fort on the eighth[.] We crossed only five running streams the whole distance we traveled up the Platte untill we came to Laramie. Since that we have crossed 3[.] all emptying in to the Platte

20 Rainy this morning[.] We started out however hoping for better weather and better feed[.] A part of our road and the hills around were red, the soil seeming to be red clay mixed with sand and gravel. Some the color of the darkest brick, and some of the lightest[.] We passed hills that looked like piles of stone throwed up by hand long enough ago for grass to have grown up in spots on them and the rock in the road smoke as our wagons rolled over them[.] There was also in some places a what [white] substance somewhat like flour and stones that would crumble in pieces, of the same nature on the hills also was the appearance of the same substance. While we stopped to bait, two men came up. They were sent out by the brethren from the valley to ascertain who of the brethren on the road, if any needed assistance. Brought a letter from Mariett

21 Traveled till after dark to find water[.] stopped where there was but little, and no grass. Tom and Larry both unable to work. So cold yesterday we needed cloaks and mittens. The sun, the sky, the clouds the air, all have a wintry look and feel. I am obliged to keep wrapped and shut up in order to keep as clear as possible of the phthisic which threatens me every moment. Cold this morning[.] wind blows cold[.] Camped near Grant. Pine and his sister came up[.] Passed four graves

22 Very cold this morning. W, killed a buffalo and a rabbit[.] Traveled another day without feed[.] camped near Grant by a beautiful creek and a good spring. much warmer[.] Little feed for the cattle. Father got his foot hurt

23 Cold again this morning. Polly turned over the coffee. They shod Rock and had a call from Baily. Traveled untill about middle afternoon when we crossed a clear stream, close by Grant’s camp, went a short distance ahead of him[.] camped on the bank of the Platte under the pleasant shade of a small grove where we found an abundance of a small red sour fruit which [we] gathered as many as we pleased

24 This is by far the most pleasant camping place we have seen on the route. O how I love the groves of my native land. May I but live by the streamlet and grove I will be satisfied. Started out before Grant and went about thirteen miles and camped in another pretty place and another thicket of fruit. The berries resemble in color and size, the common red curran[t] but as sour as a lemon. They grow on bushes full of thorns. The ground in many places white with saleratus. W, shod Pink

25 Last night after all had retired for the night, I was awakened by the furious barking of our dog. I waked. Mr F[arley] who looked out and saw an animal about the size of a yearling calf chase the little dog out of the thicket and then run back[.] He loosed the dogs which had been tied, and another[.] such a running and barking I never heard[.] We think it may have been a bear. A threatened storm this evening passed off with only a few sprinkles and some wind[.] Camped on the bank of the river about two miles above us is another camp[.] Two of Grants hands left him this morning, and passed us[.] left a buffalo robe and blanket with us[.] one of them came and got their blanket

25 <Sabbath> have made a mistake and got one day ahead of the times[.] How or where it is I cannot tell[.] We have come about five miles to the ferry of this morning. the last crossing of the Platte. We must ferry ourselves across[.] The other camp are come up[.] our folks are crossing[.] We are crossed and camped where thousands have camped before us, and thousands will camp after us[.] There has been real destruction of wagons and harness here. Just dark there was a hallo on the other side of the river for the boat[.] Father and W, went and helped three men with their team over[.] Californians

26 We have traveled about twelve miles over the most desolate sterile region I have yet seen, but have come to a spot of the best feed we have had since for many days. Biba has gone on[.] A young scotchman came up to us this morning and passed on[.] W let him have his moccasins for a shirt

27 Started out early[.] passed a great deal of saleratus water[.] The ground white with it and so strong I can smell it[.] Within the distance of thirteen miles from our camping place last night we have passed 26 carcasses newly lately perished, and 43 during the day in consequence of scarcity of feed and bad water. Camped by the side of a small running brook. Biba close by. The smell of the so called sage is almost intolerable to me[.] A threatened shower passed with only a few sprinkles

28 Came on to Sweet Water. Passed Saleratus Lakes[.] Our folks gathered Saleratus. Country barren and sandy[.] Found good grass, but no wood. A large camp about three miles ahead. Our drivers getting ugly[.] W and others went two miles to the mountains to get wood[.] crossed the river

29 The sweet water mountains are almost perfectly bare and solid rock[.] Passed Independence rock covered almost all over with names of travelers[.] also passed Devil’s gate[.] While the men were out after the cattle they found a line from Mariett directing where to get saleratus in the bottom of the lake[.] Brother Adamson went back with another man and gathered two or three hundred pounds[.] Leonard’s train just ahead of us[.] Winthrop is provoked beyond endurance by Jacob[,] his father’s driver[’s,] insolence. We have passed excellent feed along sweet water. We left the Platte where we crossed it[.] All right with me

30 This morning our men went out to hunt buffalo in from information received from some of Foote’s company which proved to be false. The women washed[.] we came on afternoon a few miles[.] Mother’s whitefaced heifer died in consequence of drinking alkali water[.] The road heavy with sand

31 Passed Leonard’s train[.] camped[.] Asa came on and camped with us with two wagons[.] Left the horses and carriage with his driver[.] Heavy road again[.] Camped within 15 miles of Ice spring[.] The company burnt a wagon to cook by

Sep 1 <Sabbath>[.] Came on about eight miles and stoped for the day[.] Foote came up and camped close by[.] W, made horse or ox shoe nails[.] Crossed the river three times and passed between rocky ridges where thousands of emigrants had written their names[.] saw three that I knew[.] Looked in vain for Cattle.

2 Started out behind Foote[.] Leonard came up[.] We have traveled 18 miles over the heaviest road we have yet had[.] Mother [Margaret] Fife came to the wagon to see me as we passed[.] Their train behind[.] The wind all this forenoon blew up such a cloud of dust we could not see the wagon nearest us some times We passed the ground white with alkali which helped to form the cloud of dust[.] We passed where there is said to be an ice bed[.] Camped a little ahead of Leonard[.] Foote in sight a little farther up stream

3 Started out ahead of Foote and Leonard[.] Father took one of Asa’s oxen back which had wandered down to our cattle[.] We went a few miles and camped for the day[.] The trains all passed us[.] I feel sad and almost disheartened at the way we all feel and at the way Asa and W do not get along together[.] The men shod cattle[.] W mended his boot and I had some washing done

4 <Froze water>[.] Something disturbed the quiet of our camp last night[.] some suppose it to have been an indian[.] A frost this morning[.] We have been going up hill all day[.] About six miles from where we lay last night, we left the old route and came on to a new road very rough. Found a very good spring soon after we nooned. A good spring where we are to night

5 John, O L[aughlin] and Baily came up this morning[.] Our road to day has been very rough[.] We crossed a branch of the Sweet water[.] after that we had as fine a road as could be traveled over[.] Camped below Foote on the south fork of Sweet water[.] A cold thunder shower

6 A man out last night from Foote’s camp. We heard him holler many times. Cold all day. Came through the pass, passed by the Pacific springs and camped beyond Foote a little. A government train lost fifteen mules and horses, all they had, taken by the indians

7 A hard frost last night[.] Our road to day has been exceedingly dusty[.] W, and Wesley went out hunting. Killed nothing but a hare. Came up with Asa. Camped between Leonard and Foote neither of them in sight[.] On the top of the rocky mountains. It is nearly as bad as the Platte bottom[.] At the north appeared mountains in places white with snow[.] At the south something like mountains may be seen. East and west the horizon meets the plain. The tinkling of the bell at a distance whither they have taken the cattle to feed, sounds like home[.] O home! when shall I see my home

8 sab[bath] A heavy sandy up hill road. Camped close by Leonard on the bank of Big Sandy[.] Sabbath

9 A cow belonging to Leonard’s train was killed by the wolves last night. A better road and down hill. Came down on to a smooth green bottom[.] Big Sandy again

10 Mother took Duke to try and cure his foot[.] Father had a long talk with Asa. Hard feelings and provoking words increased. Have a guarantee from W that he will let matters drop. Clouds of dust enveloped us. Forded Green river. Camped five miles ahead of the ford on its banks close by Leonard. A very poor family has joined us

11 Sister Leonard came to see us this morning before we started[.] Another terrible dusty day[.] traveled over twenty miles to find a camping place[.] Camped again with Leonard[.] A couple of men rode up after dark and inquired how the children of Israel were[.] They are going on express through to the valley[.] Father and Traverse [Harris] were very late coming in and were frightened by those men who in the dark represented themselves as indians rushing upon them[.] Our encampment is on the bank of Black’s [Blacks] fork

12 Very cold[.] Our camp lay by to day, the others went on[.] We were visited by an indian[.] Asa left Duke[.] It was given up by all hands that he could go no farther[.] Our camp killed him and made beef of him[.] Water froze half an inch thick in the pails

13 The dogs kept a continual barking all night[.] Cold and cloudy[.] some rain[.] crossed three streams[.] Pleasant this after noon

14 The most unusual quiet night[.] No barking of dogs or howling of wolves[.] Came on to Fort Bridger[.] quite a pleasant looking place[.] Had the phthisic

15 <Sabbath> Another quiet night[.] A delightful morning[.] Left camp rather late and traveled up hill several miles over a tolerable smooth road and then descended a steep rough hill covered with round stone in abundance, into a hollow and camped by a small running brook. Warm and pleasant. Met the United State’s mail from the valley. Sent three letters[.] All nature is clothed in its autumnal garb

16 Cold and cloudy[.] Passed a soda spring. The water tastes like Soda after the life is gone out of it. The ground around it where the water ran over it looked a dark copperas [copperous] color[.] We have wound around among the hills from a very high summit to the bottom and camped among the everlasting hills[.] A cold wind[.] terrible dusty

17 We ascended and descended the steepest hill we have yet found on our journey. I walked up[.] Crossed Bear river[.] Camped among the best grass we have had since we left Missouri. Adamson went and camped by himself. We had a very pleasant evening

18 Came up with Adamson just as they were hitching up[.] Ascended and descended another steep hill[.] Passed 2 good cold springs, traveled down a narrow ravine between high mountains and camped in a pleasant place, the mountain[.] rocks on each side red[.] Pretty good feed

19 Traveled about 18 miles along with a creek which we crossed many times down a narrow ravine, came up to the guide board for Pratt’s new road, traveled down a few miles and crossed Weber river[.] passed a camp and came near another camp[.] The road rough

20 Last night just after we had retired to rest our cattle were frightened up into camp, by what, we know not [.] We were met this morning by several men from the valley sent out to warn the imigrants to be on their guard against the indians as trouble had arisen in the vicinity of the City[.] An indian who had committed continual depredations on the cornfield of one of the inhabitants who shot him[.] The indians in turn shot a mormon, and it is feared they may fall upon the camps especially small ones, and massacre them and they are counseled to keep with large trains[.] Our road has been rougher than yesterday, leading between high mountains, and across creeks[.] Descended a very steep hill[.] locked both wheels[.] Camped in a dismal place[.] Have been in sight of a part of Leonard’s train

21 Crossed a high hill[.] when arrived at the top we could see a small portion of the south part of the valley[.] Mountains rising above mountains in the wildest confusion struck my sight[.] we descended down a steep, narrow ravine[.] high mountains on both sides winding around hills and crossing streams[.] The ascent on the east side exceedingly rough and tedious, being about five miles[.] most of the way round stone washed out of the earth by streams caused by rains and the melting of snow. The descent on the west side, though steep, was much smoother[.] It is said to be about five miles up and the same down[.] Passed a large train about half way up[.] camped[.] had lost some of their cattle. Came on and passed Leonard’s train[.] camp[ed] within 12 miles of the City [.] Have seen nor heard anything more of the indians

22 <Sabbath>[.] Cloudy and cool. Teams, men and women completely worn down. I have scarcely life enough to rejoice that I am so near my journey’s end[.] Everything seems lifeless and tasteless. I can anticipate no rest or pleasure, all appears dark and wild[.] Came through the north part of the city and camped on the west side[.] All disappointed in the country

23 Companies coming in[.] Leonard’s camped right before us. Our men gone into town to see what they can do. I finished Mother’s bonnet[.] Very tired