Transcript
Transcript for Blood, Jane Wilkie Hooper, [Autobiography], in Ivy Hooper Blood Hill, ed., Jane Wilkie Hooper Blood: Autobiography and Abridged Diary [1966], 13-14
I remember many things that happened while we were crossing the plains. We had three wagons, but they were all heavily loaded and several of the oxen died. I walked a great part of the way. I think we traveled nearly thirty miles one day. It was our longest drive. Eliza and I walked all that day. Two of our oxen gave out, and Father [John Hooper] sent me to tell the men driving the loose herd that he needed some cattle for replacements. In the bustle of changing cattle and fording Green River, I was left behind. I was frightened when I saw that all the wagons were gone, but Charles Parker, who had been hunting, came along and took me on his back and forded the river. I remember how glad Mother [Ann Wilkie Hooper] was when I got to her. She had missed me and had come back to the river and called for me. When we reached camp I did not feel very tired. I think our backs were prepared for the burdens. I enjoyed myself while crossing the plains. Before starting from home, I had never done any work, not even dressed myself.
Eliza and I were both the same age, nine years old that year. Her brother Jesse left us as soon as we arrived in the valley.