Transcript

Transcript for Heber R. McBride autobiography, circa 1868, 28-46

In October 4th was called to go after the Immigrants and only had about 24 hours notice and one pair of horses and waggon as there was 2 men to go with each team of 4 horses[.] goot all ready and got to Huntsville about noon on the 5[.] he had everything ready when I got their[.] I found it was an old friend of mine[.] his name was Marshell Hunt but he had one wooden leg but a jolly old fellow all the same[.] I was a little surprised at that for he was a married man and had 4 children[.] we hitched up and drove down to Ogden City and camped in the tithing yard and then found 3 more teams going on the journey[.] was well aquainted with all of them

Oct 6 this morning some getting grain and other things they needed for the journey[.] Hyrum Rose and myself was looking around for something to make a fiew to cook some breakfast when Lester J. Herrick came along and asked to go with him and got our breakfast so we went[.] when we got back and all got ready to start it was getting late in forenoon[.] drove as far as Uinta and camped for noon then went through Weber Kanyon [Canyon] and camped at Mr. Robinsons in Weber Valley for the night and got hay for our horses

October 7 did not start very early this morning crosses the Weber river 2 or 3 times and camped for the night at Ben Simons Ranch and turned out but did not herd our horses

Oct 8 this morning rather cold and looked like storm[.] travled through upper Weber Kanyon corsses the river a number of times and where there was no road we cut brush and made one[.] camped for the night on lost Creeck where there was plenty of grass

Oct 8 this morning got a good start and the road pritty good with a fiew mud holes but got along and made a good drive up Echo Kanyon and saw the riffle pits and the works that was done to keep the Johnstons army from coming into the Valley[.] camped for the night in Echo Kanyon[.] we had just camped when 4 teams came and camped with us from Davis County making auit a company of us all on the same business

Oct 9 we was now away from civilization altogether and the roads was good[.] we began to drive pritty hard we drove past Cache Cave at the head of Echo Kanyon and camped for the night on Baer [Bear] River[.] all things begin quiet and no sign of Indians[.] we turned our horses out without a night herder but nothing disturbed them

October 10 found the horses all right this being about the time we was expected to be gone we began to wonder what was to be don but thought we would go as long as we could get anything to eat as some was better supplied than others with provisions[.] we all cooked together and our horses coud get plenty of grass and do very well on that if we did not drive to hard[.] we drove around the quaking asp ridge and camped for the night on Yellow Creek or as it is sometimes called bitter Creek[.] after we had all gone to bed and most of us asleep[,] it must have been about midnight[,] 3 or 4 men road past our camp driving a small band of horses as hard as they could run and they came from the direction that we turned our horses and we thought it was our horses that they were running of[.] we was all up in a very fiew minutes and wondring what to do[.] some thought one thing and some another and some so excited they did not know any thing[.] I was in favor of waiting till daylight but most of them wanted to go and try and find the horses but it was so dark I said it was impossible to find anything and the whole Country was covered with Scrub sagebrush which made walking almost impossible in the dark but away they all went some one way and some another and some of the most timmed staid at camp and keped the fire burning so we could find our way back[.] I buckled on my pistle and started back up the road to a freight train that was camped[,] when we passed them about 2 miles up the creek[,] to see if any one had passed their camp[.] thought if it was all right they would keep the road[.] when I got near the camp the guard sang out - who comes there[?] I shouted back to him a friend looking for horses[.] he then told me if I was a lone to walk up as he had me covered[.] I shouted back[,] alone and on foot[.] so I went to him and had a talk with him but there had been no horses came up the road[.] then I thought the horses was gone for good but I think he was a little doubtful and thought me some kind of a spie so he went with me part way back to camp and we was challenged by their night herder and had a talk with and he had seen some more of our boys that had been out looking for our horses[.] so the man that was with me was all right then[.] he begged my pardon for being so suspicious of me[.] I told him he was all right for I would have done the same if he had come to my camp and would have held him prisonor till morning but him and me and the night herder shook hands and parted good friends

when I got back to Camp most of the boys had come in and it was not long before they all got in to camp but found no horses[.] so we talked the matter over for awhile and then concluded to go to bed but some was so excited they sat up by the fire till morning[.] as soon as it was light enough to see we was all up and ready for business but we found our horses all right[.] they had gone of about 4 miles up on a high ridge

October 11 when we got our horses this morning we was a thankful croud of men[.] when we got started we drove to Fort Bridger but their was no feed so we went down Bla[c]ks fork below Bridger about 10 miles and camped but the feed was very poor so we turned them across the creek and got our supper and then began to wrestle and scuffle and try andpush each other into the creek and some of the boys got pretty wet[.] about 10 or 11 oclock the horses began to cross the creek so we thought we had better catch them and stake some of them and hobble the rest but after we caught a fiew of them the rest made a breake up the road[.] then the fun began for the horses we caught was the oldest and no good to ride but we after them as hard as the old horses could go[.] after chaseing them about 6 miles up the road we got most of them back but some went as far as Bridger before they were overtaken so we did not get much sleep this night but the horse that I road fell down 2 or 3 times so I gave up the chase after going 2 or 3 miles and went back to camp and went to bed and had a good sleep before the rest came back but 2 of the men had to herd them till morning[.] then we travled on down to Hams fork with out any farther trouble but when we got there we was out of provisions for ourselves and no grain for our horses and we did not know what to do as we expected to find the Immegrants here sure but we were disapointed[.] at Hames fork there was a mail station and soldiers station also a telegraph station so we telegraphed down the road but could not hear anything of them so we sent down to Denver[.] then we heard of a company beeing there as they had a stampede and broke 12 waggon toungs and 13 wheels and had to get fixed up there[.] then we concluded that they were comming up the Old Mormon road as the mail and telegraph line went by the Bitter creek rout to Denver[.] then we sent a dispatch back to Salt Lake City to President Brigham Young to know what was best to do[.] we soon got word to borrow what we wanted and he would make it goot[.] then the commesiry was opened for us to take what we wanted[.] we got flour beans bacon and coffee and corn to feed our horses and one stear for beef[.] we went down Hams fork about 2 miles from the station[.] camped for 2 days as the weather was yet quite wram[.] we had to jerk our meet so it would not spoil and I hapened to be all the one that knew how it was done as I had watched the Indians jerk their meat[.] we built a little orel frames of green willow about 4 feet high and wove the frames with small willows cut the meat all of the bones in strips and dipt it into boiling water with a little salt[.] this was a big improvement on the Indians way of doing as they never put theirs in boiling salt water[.] then we spread on the frames and started a slow fire under it and kept it going day and night till it is dry and about half cooked[.] the first night we keped the horses on the river bottoms but there was very poor feed and lots of alkali and we was afraid to keep them any longer there so the next night I took the horses accros the river about 2 miles where they were some sand hills and splended feed[.] Hyram Rose wanted to go with me but I told him to stay and look after the meat for I knew he would not neglect it a minute for we wanted to start early in the morning but of all the nights I ever passed hearding or guarding that was the worst and the longest[.] I have been out cold nights and stormy nights but never was so lonesome as I was that night for just after dark the cyoties began their howling but I did not mind that for I was used to that but when the big gray wolves began their howling and all of them together made me feel very lonesome and a long ways from home[.] I listened to them a while then I got into the saddle and staid in it till I saw the morning star comming up[.] then I rounded up the horses and started for camp and got there about daylight and found everything all right[.] got breakfast and went on our way rejoicing[.] travled about 4 miles and saw 2 wolveriens and one mountain lion[.] Jeff Willson and I tried to get a shot at them but they just keept far enough away so we could not for we had only old time rifels[.] we chased them about 3 miles and gave it up then we had to run and catch the wagons and we had a very long hard run and jeff swore that he spit hot water for 3 days after[.] well we got down to green river and forded over and camped[.] some of the boys was carless about watring their horses and some of them got Alkali and was very sick[.] gave them bacon and lard[.] it helped them some

October 18 this day drove to big sandy to the upper crossing and camped for our sick horses was about give out so some of us went out to get an antelope[.] shot a good many times but got nothing[.] we could see something mooving away up the river that we took to be bufflow and some thought that it was indian horses but it was so far away that we did not go to see

19 Oct found horses allright crossed and went on to little sandy and then on to dry sandy and when we got there we saw the imegrants coming[.] then we thought we would soon be on our way home but we found it was not the company we were looking for but a company of Danish saints under captin atwood and they were very glad to see us[.] we held meeting with them that night and then had a dance[.] they had music but we could not join the dance for we could not dance their way and they could not dance our way so while our boys were watching the dance some of the rest was talking business

Oct 20 this morning a meeting was called for the purpose of seeing how many would rather go home than go on down the road for Captin Atwood was sure we would have to go as far as the Platte river and perhaps a good deal farther[.] some was very ready to go back and help these Danes to get into the Valley[.] so Captin left it to Joseph Wolley as he was the oldest man in our company[.] so he called Isaac McKay[,] Jeff Willson and me and we talked the matter over so it was concluded to send all those that was not good rustlers and some that was homesick[.] so 8 men were chosen to go back home and the poor and sick horses making 4 teams of 4 horses[.] my partner went back so did Mr. Wolleys partner[,] one of my horses and one of Mr. Wolleys[.] so him and I were partners[.] so we did not get a very early start this morning and drove as far as the South pass and camped on sweetwater

Oct 21 Old Man Wolley lined us up this morning and looked us over and said well boys I think I have got a croude that is able now to drive through hell and chase the Devil out of his den[.] we started on our way this morning quite happy as there was no drones nor sick horses[.] we did not cross the rocky ridge but went round to the right and missed the ridge interley and camped for the night at antelope Springs

Oct 22 found horses all right and drove over a very butifull country and camped on a little creek[.] I did not know the name of it[.] camped about 2 hours then traveled over a very nice country and came again to sweetwater[.] it snowed a little all day and we thought by morning we would have 6 inches of snow or a foot but I guess it was to cold to snow for the wind blew very hard and cold all night

Oct 24 very cold this morning but no snow[.] did not find our horses till nearley noon so we just made one drive[.] drove down and crossed the river 3 times right close together[,] that gives it the name of the 3 crossings of sweetwater[,] and went down and camped at Divels [Devils] gate on the sweetwater[.] it seems to be getting colder and the wind blowing harder

Oct 25 very cold this morning[.] started out early to try and make the platte river to day[.] passed independence rock crossed sweetwater Bridge[.] there are a company of soldiers here[.] went on to a small stream called Greesewood [Greasewood] Creek[.] nooned about 2 hours[.] just as we stoped for noon Capt. Taylor was starting out with 3 or 4 wagons and did not want us to stop for noon[.] he was the man that was to wait at the mouth of Echo Kanyon for us and take charge of the Company but he got in a big rush so we did not pay any attention to him[.] we nooned about 2 hours and when we started out it began to rain very cold and the wind blew allmost a hurricane[.] raised [rained] about an hour then turned to snow and so cold that a man could not stand it to drive very long for it blew right in our face[.] one would drive as long as he could and the other walk behind the wagon[.] it snowed so hard and fast that we could not see where to go just had to guess at it[.] at last it got dark and we lost the road intirley and got away down a deep hollow and could go no farther but the wind did not blow quite so hard[.] then we took what blankets and quilts we could spare and put on our horses and mules to kep them from freezing to death for they were very warm for we drove them very hard[.] we took the harness of and put on a blanket or a quilt then put the harness on to kepp them from blowing of[.] then we got as many as could get into one wagon with what bed clothes we had and put in the night the best we could without any supper but it was a long cold night for the wind blowed very hard till 2 or 3 in the morning but we all layed still till daylight this morning[.] it was clear and very cold and when we got up the snow was about 16 inches deep in the ravine where we were and Mr. Wolley told me to go down and see if it did not lead to the Plat[te] River or perhaps to the road and if I found the road to fire of my gun[.] as the ravine took a turn to the right I soon lost sight of the wagons but as I went farther down the snow was not so deep[.] after walking about one half mile I came to the road as I could see the sage brush on each side[.] then I gave the signal and wated till the wagons came down[.] then we went down about 12 miles to the Plat River to the place where my Father was buried in October 1856[.] when we got down to the river the snow was about 8 inches deep and we was very hyngry haveing no supper nor breakfast but it did not take long to get a bite for we did not have much to eat for we had to go so much farther than we expected that our provisions was about gon[.] and there was the emegrants in the snow and did not know what to do as they were all from the Old country and was not used to that kind of life and they were very glad to see us as they had very poor fires[.] we took some of our horses and went down on the river and got a lot of green wood and some went with 2 waggons about a mile away and got some fine Cedar wood and others cleared of the snow so that all the emigrants could get out on the bare ground and then made a fire so that all could be warm[.] and then we got to see all of them men women and children but we were very buisy loading till quite late at night[.] then they sang songs till warned by their Captin that it was time for prayers and then we all went to bed but the guards and night herders but I awoke in the night and found it was snowing[.] I felt very sorry for the poor emegrants as they were almost wore out being so long on the road and now having to suffer with the cold

October 27 this morning we were all up very early so as to finish loading as we had to take all the oldest and most feeble of the men and the woman and children as we were the first to reach them and didint know when another company would come so we had about 70 old men woman and children[.] well we got ready about 10 oclock and bid the camp goodbuye[.] some felt very bad to think that they could not go but we told them there would soon be more teams after them[.] our wagons was pritty well loaded the people and there baggage and tents but we did not have but very little to eat for we had to go so much farther than we expected to that our grub and grain was allmost gon and if we did not meet some teems on the road we was in a fair way for going hungrey for the emigrants was just as bad of as we were[.] well we drove about 20 miles this day and camped on antelope Creek but when we camped there was not much snow in the night[.] one man died

October 28 this morning when Hyrum Rose and I brought the horses into camp we were surprised to here that there was a death in camp and all felt very sorrey[.] his name was George Holmes [Hulme.] the ground was froze so hard we had to moove the fire and dig his grave[.] we rolled him up in his blankets and layed him to rest and that took so much of our time that we only made a short drive about 6 miles to Greesewood Creeek and now we were out of the snow but we had lots of work to do for we had to put up all the tents and get all the wood and help some of the people to cook

October 29 all well this morning but not much to eat but bread and beans boiled in salt water and no grain for our horses but we made a very hard drive to day and the wind blowed very cold[.] we tried to get some provisions at a soldier Station at sweetwater bridge but the officer in comand said he could not spare any but we crossed the bridge and went a fiew miles and camped for noon not far from a freight train of about 10 or 12 wagons[.] then 2 Soldiers came riding up and demanded toll for crossing the bridge[.] some of the boys told them to go to hell and get toll[.] some of the men came down from the freight camp and said that was they way they tried to serve them so they came down to help us out if there was any trouble but when they saw they could not scare a fiew dollars out of us they went away saying they would come back with a company of Soldiers any compell us to pay but we onley laughed at them so that was the last we saw of them[.]

we asked the boss if he could help us any in the shape of provisions[.] he said he would help us all he could as he was going to camp their and rest his teams for a fiew days so when we came along we told him we expected to meet teams before now with provisions and grain going down to help the emegrants so we only wanted enough to last 2 or 3 days for we might meet same any day[.] so we got some provissions but no grain as they were only driving Oxen and was loaded with machinery for a grist mill[.] we camped at Devils Gate on the Sweetwater for the night

October 30 up very early and made a good drive and camped on Sweetwater again for the night but things did not look just right so put camp guard[.] Hyrum Rose and I went with the horses

October 31 this morning the wind is blowing very hard and cold and when we got ready to start the snow began to fall and it was so cold we did not camp for noon[.] about 2 oclock the wind went down and was quite plesent[.] Isaac McKay and I went out with the horses to night as my old pard was not felling very well

November 1st nice and pleasant this morning[.] did not start very early only made one drive and camped at Antelope Springs and herded the horses again to night

November 2nd the wind blowing very hard and cold this morning so we did not start till late as our horses are begining to fale with hard driving and no grain yet and we are all bigining to feel quite uneasy about our horses[.] we drove and camped on top of the south pass for the night[.] Hyrum Rose and I went out withe the horses but the wind blowed so hard and cold and it was so dark and something frightened the horses every little while and they would give a snort and away they would go the wind blowing so hard they could not here us whistle to them and they got broak up into little bands and we could do nothing with them[.] so along about 2 oclock we found our way back to camp and made a fire bhind a big bunch of willows and waited till morning[.] then we found them scattered all over the country[,] some of them about 4 miles from camp

November 3rd we hitched up as quick as we could and got down of the ridge as soon as we could[.] when we got down to the pacific springs we got out of the wind and snow and it was quite pleasant[.] and when we got down to little Sandy we met 4 wagons loaded with grain and provisions so we got all we wanted for they told us we would meet teams nearly every day with grain and provision going down to meet the emigrants[.] we camped on Dry sandy for the night[.] we had a goot time for it was quite plesent and now we had plenty to eat and grain for our horses

November 4th drove in the horses in very early this morning as we wanted to make a good drive not [now] that we had plenty of grain to feed[.] camped again on big Sandy again for the night[.] the grass being so good Hy and I did not go out to herd till about 10 oclock[.] the night being plesant had no trouble with the horses

November 5th this morning very plesant[.] got a good start and camped on Green River for the night and took the horses about a mile away from the river away from alkaly [alkali] and get good feed[.] the days are warm and plesant though it freezes very hard at night

November 6th did not start quite so early this morning[.] met some more teams going down the road[,] got another suply of grain and provisions but missed some teams that went the Bridger road and we came up the muddy and camped on blacks Fork for the night[.] had to take the horses away of to the hills to get good feed as there was nothing but salt grass along the river

November 7th started very early this morning and camped on the muddy for the night[.] as we was warned to look out for horsthiefs along the muddy route we put out a double guard in camp and sent an extry man with the horses[.] we had to take the horses up into the Ceders to get good feed and it was quite a job to watch them[.] Isaac McKay went out with us[.] Hyrum had gon up on top of a hill to turn the horses back and Isaac and me was watching that they would not get into the road and run off and while we standing listening for the horses we herd 2 men comming down the road talking[.] we steped behind a ceder tree as the moon was shining very bright and when they got close enough we steped out into the road and called them to halt which they did pritty quick and of course they could not give the countersigh[.] we had to make them prisoners but they were not carrying any guns that we could see so I told Mck to take them to camp and the captin would know what to do with them and be sure and keeep them in the road and walk behind them if they made a breake to get away shoot the first one that started[.] for I did not know but that they were there to draw our attention while others stole our horses[.] so when they were gon I began to rustle through the ceders for they were pritty thick[.] I soon began finding some of the horses[,] I thought about half of them[.] then I began to wonder what had became of Hyrum and did not like to leave the horses that I had[.] everything was very quiet and could hear any sound a long way of and as Issac had to goe about a mile and ½ to camp it would be sometime before he would be back so I tried to content myself the best I could but I had my eyes and ears open for any sight or sound but I begun to get quit[e] nervous but after waiting about an hour I heard Hyrum comming and then he shouted Oh Hebe I answered back and we soon had all the horses to gether[.] I told him what had hapened he said he followed the horses to the top of the ridge then some thing scard them and he had to follow them a long while before he got around them[.] Isaac soon came back and we keept a sharp look out for our horses till the morning star came up then we started them for camp

November 8th the men we had taken at night proved to be men that had been working at Fort Bridger and started out on foot to get the Stage in the morning so when the stage came along they got on and started for Salt [Lake] City[.] but we all thought if we had not been herding that we would not had all our horses this morning[.] when we started this morning we began to ascend the quaking asp ridg[.] we had to drive very slow as it was 10 miles uphill but a very smothe road and was quite warm today[.] but when we got to the top the road was just as good to come down but much steeper and we just turned loose and the way we came down was a fright for it seemed all to try who could go the fastest and old Man Wolley said he could beat any man down to bear river but I don’t remember[.] the emigrants was nearly scared to death for they thought they were in another stampede[.] well we crossed Bear River and camped at meedle [Needle] Rock for the night[.] got super and had a fiew songs and some of the boys had a time wrestleing till it was very late and began to look very storm[.] Hy and I soon found the horses for there was find feed all over the country and they did not go very far from camp

November 9th got a very early start and came over the devide and down past Cache Cave and then into Echo Kanyon[.] the road being good and it seemed as the nearer we got home the faster we wanted to travle and it was all the way down grade[.] we made a 21 mile drive in about 4 hours and nooned in Echo Kanyon for about 1 hour as we wanted to make Coalville that night and we made it all right[.] got there about dark[.] when we got there Bishop Cluff met us and showed us where to camp and had plenty of wood and hay all ready for us and places for all the old people and women with small children to go to but there was not many went prefering to stay in camp[.] I asked one woman with some children why she did not go into a house where she could be warm[.] she said here and her children was not fit to go into anybodys house in the condition they were in and we all thought she was the nicest woman in camp for there was some that was very seedy[,] at least we found it so[,] but had to make the best of it for they were not any of us had only 1 change of under clothing with us as we only started out for about 10 or 12 days journey and was 35 days <and> it would be 3 or 4 days more before we got home

November 10th all ready to start early this morning for the people are in high spirits to think they will soon be in the valley and meet their friends and be at the end of their journey[.] so we mad[e] a hard drive and camped for the night in Parleys Kanyon and not being room to form a camp had to let our wagons stand in the road for the night and I think a good many of them never went to bed at all they were so excited[.] for Hy and me had orders to bring the horses in just as soon as we could see the morning star[.] we took the horses up on the mountain across from the camp and we could see the fires burning all night

November 11th everybody was up and breakfast ready when we got the horses into camp as the mountain was very steep and it was a hard job to drive loose horses down a mountain side but after all we got started just about day light and got into Salt Lake City a little after noon and Drove into the Tithing Yard turned the emigrants over to their friends as they all had friends to take care of them or most of them had and what hadent Bishop Hunter took care of them[.] then the Bishop get us all tickets to go to the theater[.] in all there were 12 waggons[,] 1 stoped at henefer[,] 1 at coalville[,] 1 team belonged to Salt Lake City that left[,] making 11 of us to have tickets

the immigrants did not like to part with us and many shed tears at parting[.] there were some very nice girls came along to help look after the people for there were quite a number old people and children to be looked after[.] 1 girl that had been in Salt Lake City but had been on a visit to New York came with the immigrants[.] she would not come back on the stage as they were no lady pasingers[.] her name was Pruide [Prudence] Brown her parients were there to meet her and I had to meet them[.] I told her I was to dirty to see any one for none of us had been shaved for over 6 weeks and you know how we would look[.] I tell you we looked pretty rough of course[.] the girls and the women wanted to kiss us good by but I objected to any such treatment but when I was talking to Prudies parents she took me by surprise and kissed me before her parients[.] plaged me nearly to death for up to that time I was very bashful[.] we was glad our work was done for putting up tents and getting wood and loading up in the morning for 75 or 80 immigrants was no small job

Nov. 12 onley went as farr as Kays Ward and camped for the night at Sighope Laytons[.] it was getting dark and Hy and I took a little walk to see what was in the town and saw a faimley eating supper as the blindes were up[.] the house was very close to the gate[.] as we stood there a man came along and wanted to know what we were doing[.] just watching them eating Supper and wishing we could help them[.] he asked us who we were[.] we told him[.] come right in this is my Brotherinlaw[.] we were so dirty and rough but we went in all the same and they treated us fine[.] so after supper they asked our name and we told them[.] the lady said she used to know a young man by that name[.] she said they called him Heber and he was a great dancer[.] Hy spoke up saying this is the man[.] then she told me who she was[.] her name was maning[.] what became of your sister[?] one of you married Wm Blood and married Galbrath[.] yes Wm is my husband her[e] they loath [both] are[.] so we talked quite a while and when we got ready to go and thanked them for our supper they told us to bring some more of the boys in the morning and have breakfast[.] we diden like to overdo the thing so we onley got 2 to go with us and her sister was there to help her for they expected more of us of course[.] I talked about the good times we used to have at Mr jostes and they invited us to call on them if we ever came that way[.] so we thankd them very kindley and left[.] then Hy by hell do you know everybody I no but they seemed to know me[.] so we went where our horses were and was soon on the road to Ogden wher we reported to Bishop Chcuncey [Chauncey] West[.] he said when we started he had no idea we would be gon 44 days insted of 10[.] when we sent word to President Young I signed the telegram[.] the answer came in my name[.] it was[“] H R McBride and company borrow what provision you want from the Governimen and I will mak it good and go till you find the immigrant and God bless you Bro McBride[.] Brigham Young[.”] when I read the telegram some of [the] boys took their hats of and shouted [“]Omaha or bust[.”] by the time we got to hamsfork we had 12 teams[.] some had overtaken us and we had caught up with 1 or 12 [2] teams[.] some wanted to go back but we laugh them out of it

November 14 it so hapned I dident get home till in afternoon of this day so I think I done pritty well making a 45 days journey on 10 days grub[.] when I got home they were very surprised for they hadent heard anything since I sent my horse and mother almost fainted[.] as soon as I entered the house she had me in her armes Crying Oh my rough looking boy[.] [“]Mother dont tuch me till I get a bath for I am as lousey as I can be having onley 1 change of clothing in 45 days[.”] and immigrants being on the ro[a]d so long they were in a very bad condition and I never heard from any of them[.] in fact did not know onley 2 girls names in all the outfit[.] one was Pruida Brown the other was pritty little welsh girl[,] her name was Sarah Ann Heughes [Hughes.] she wrote me 3 letters[.] I answered them then I think she got married for I never herd from her anymore