Transcript
Transcript for Hans Jensen (Hals) journal excerpts in "Forty Years Ago Yesterday," by Andrew Jenson in Deseret Evening News, 26 Sept. 1908, 24-25
Friday, 21—Brother A. Larsen from Omaha came to us in the morning and helped us to cross the river on a steamer, and also showed us the way to the station, where Sister Kjar died. It cost us much trouble to get the saints in the crowded cars, as these were also poor and uncomfortable. Some of the saints were left to come with the next train.
Saturday, 22—We continued the journey from Omaha westward. Assisted by Brother Scholdebrand [John Skoldebrand] I was busy with the accounts.
Sunday, 23—We crossed North Platte river. A sister Hansen gave birth to a child (a girl) in the cars.
Monday, 24—We traveled through the Black Hills and passed through the Black Hills and passed through Laramie City. Some of the saints were very sick on account of the heat and the ride.
Tuesday, 25—We arrived at Benton, the terminus of the railroad, where we met two companies of Church teams, about 100 teams altogether. We traveled with these teams about seven miles and camped on the North Platte; during the night we had to sleep the best we could without our baggage.
Wednesday, 26—Teams went back to Benton after our baggage. After they returned, we all got very busy with washing our clothes, raising tents, etc.
Thursday, 27—I was busy with accounts, and all were busy making ready for the journey with the Church teams.
Friday, 28—Accompanied by Captain John G. Holman I went to Benton to make purchases for the company.
Saturday, 29—I again went to Benton and bought goods for $400. On my return to the camp I opened store in a wagon and distributed such provisions to the saints as they needed for the journey over the mountains. Four persons who had died were buried this day.
Sunday, 30—We loaded the wagons and held a meeting in the evening. The instructions from President Brigham Young were read, and the company was organized. I was appointed chaplain of the company that went with Capt. Holman's train. There were about 60 wagons, with 12 persons to each wagon. Church Agent Pyper gave instructions to the company.
Monday, 31—Accompanied by Brother Carl C. Asmussen I went to Benton and bought some medicine which we thought might be useful for the sick on the journey. We also bought guns and ammunition and other things for a number of the brethren.
Tuesday, Sept. 1—We commenced our journey in the wilderness. I traveled free with the Brothers Christensen, on condition that I should help them on the journey.
Wednesday, 2—I returned to Benton with $700 to purchase a pair of mules and a wagon for a Brother Rasmussen, being accompanied by Peter Hansen and Brother Scholdebrand [Skoldebrand]. After making the purchase I was asked to remain in Benton till the next day to receive information about the baggage belonging to the sick.
Thursday, 3—Elder Hiram B. Clawson, Wm. C. Staines and David O. Calder arrived at Benton from New York; they said the baggage belonging to the sick would arrive the next day. In revising the accounts, the brethren returned to me $400, which had been overcharged the company in New York, after which Brother Peter Hansen and I started out with our new teams; after traveling about 30 miles we reached the camp of our company.
Friday, 4—Three mule teams were sent back after baggage; and the ox teams continued the journey. The road was sandy and rough. I administered to a number of sick in the evening and spoke encouragingly to the tired saints at the prayer meeting.
Saturday, 5—We traveled over sand hills and hard roads. Two wagons were left behind but were brought up in the evening. The captain killed a wild animal.
Sunday, 6—Two persons, who had died the previous night, were buried. We held a meeting at which the captain spoke comforting words to the saints.
Monday, 7—We arrived at Veertrigap, where we found a fine camping place. Some of the saints murmured because of the provisions which consisted of bread and meat at every meal.
Tuesday, 8—We arrived at a point on Sweetwater river, where we struck the old emigrant road. The three wagons which were sent back after baggage overtook us.
Wednesday, 9—We traveled up the Sweetwater and camped for the night on that stream. One of our number died, and a little English girl broke her leg. I set the broken limb and blessed her.
Thursday, 10—We arrived at Antelope spring. The weather was cold and the wind, which raised a terrific dust, blowed in our faces all day.
Friday, 11—The unfavorable weather continued. We traveled through the South pass. A messenger was sent to South Pass city with letters. Saturday, 12—We traveled to Little Sandy.
Sunday, 13—Traveled to Big Sandy where we held a meeting, at which Brother Peter Hansen, Andrew Larson and I spoke to the saints in a spirited manner.
Monday, 14—We arrived at Green river. While the people crossed in the ferry boat the wagons were hauled over through the water. Several necessary articles were bought and fresh provisions distributed at this point.
Tuesday, 15—We remained in camp all day. A number of the saints, myself included, suffered with mountain fever.
Wednesday, 16—We traveled to Ham's Fork over a heavy road. One death occurred during the night.
Thursday, 17—We reached the Muddy. Our oxen strayed away during the night.
Friday, 18—Our oxen were brought back about noon; we traveled up the Muddy and saw large numbers of men working on the railroad grade.
Saturday, 19—Our oxen again strayed away during the night, and it took up half the day to find them. We then traveled to Yellow creek.
Sunday, 20—We traveled past Carter and made camp for the night at the upper end of Echo canyon.
Monday, 21—We traveled down Echo canyon and camped for the night near Coalville, Summit county, Utah.
Tuesday, 22—We passed through Coalville, where I met Bishop William W. Cluff; camped on Silver creek, for the night.
Wednesday, 23—We traveled by way Kimballs, or through Parley's park.
Thursday, 24—We crossed the summit of the mountains and camped for the night at the mouth of Parley's canyon.
Friday, 25—We arrived safe and well in Salt Lake City.
The following Sunday, Sept. 27. Elder Hans Jensen was called to the stand in the tabernacle, Salt Lake City, and gave a report of the journey; he recommended that the saints "never cross the Atlantic with sailing vessels any more." And they never did.
The Historian's office journal contains the following:
"Friday, Sept. 25, 1868.Captain John G. Holman's train arrived in Salt Lake City. In this company 37 died crossing the sea, 22 crossing the plains from Benton here, and two today since their arrival."
The Deseret Evening News of Sept. 25, 1868, announces the arrival of Holman's company as follows:
"This morning Capt. J. G. Holman's ox-train of 62 wagons got in, bringing a little over 600 passengers. He had with his train the immigrants that crossed the Atlantic in the Emerald Isle, a number of whom had to go into hospital on reaching New York, and among whom there had been much sickness on the sea voyage. Several were sick when they left the cars at Benton, but the mortality from the trip from that point was not high, considering these circumstances. The passengers are nearly all in excellent health now. Accompanying his train were also six independent wagons, and some 50 persons not included in the 600 immigrants. He (Capt. Holman) left Benton with his train on Sept. 1, and consequently, made the trip in about 24 days, although there were several detentions on the way. This is the last immigrant train of the season."