Transcript

Laramie was the end of the railroad. Loveland and Warren were organizing two companies to come the rest of the way. We were allotted to Captain Loveland’s train. Captain Warren’s train started out just a little ahead of us and they missed some trouble we had. When we got two days from Laramie, we camped where ther was a big bend in the creek. Another boy and I heard shooting down in the bend and as I was very anxious to see what an Indian looked like I was just green enough to run down to the bend. I got there in time to see them stampeding the horses. I didn’t think much about the danger, but I guess they did most of their shooting before I got over to the bend. One of the team-masters came along and he said “Boys, you better go back, you might get killed,” then we began to get frightened and on our way back the other boy’s mother came running out to see where we were. Joseph Nelson went to get the horses, but they only got three head of horses back. They ran onto the Indians up in the timber and I am pretty sure that Nelson killed one of the Indians. The Indian grabbed for Joe Nelson’s gun and he pulled it out and killed him. They came in with the ponies and we never were bothered any more with the Indians. Captain Warren’s train was just far enough ahead so they missed them. After that both companies joined and traveled together.

Q. How many were ther in the companies?

I couldn’t tell you how many there were in the company. There were possibly thirty of fourty wagons. I walked all the way across, I never rode any of the way. My mother used to say that I ate green gooseberries and currants until I was green in the face. Those English women made bread without salt, but it never bothered me any. I could eat anything. One old lady – old Lady Bradshaw – who came from Stockport and located at Lehi, Utah -- she used to beat us boys every morning and we would see her on her knees praying. She would start every day that way.

We got along all right, but when we got to the Platt[e] River the stream was high and one boy got drowned in the river. I don’t remember his name, his mother was a widow. The teamsters tried to get his body, but they couldn’t find it. All the wagons were joined together and we forded the river. We had no further trouble until we got to Utah, at least I didn’t. I rather enjoyed the trip all the way. We didn’t have any difficulty in crossing through the mountains. We came down Emigration Canyon, the same road they travel now. They were contructing the railroad when we came along. We got into Salt Lake about the 18th day of August and in Payson on the 21st day of August; I don’t think we stayed over night in Salt Lake.