Transcript

On May 1 we took the steamboat New Lucy up the Missouri River to Kansas, where we camped until July 3, when we started for Great Salt Lake City. We arrived in Salt Lake City, October 3, 1854.

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.