When but nine years of age my parents moved to Clinton County Missouri, where we resided until May 10 ^th 1864. In which year the revolutionary war closed. At this time my father being very much depressed by condition of affairs and having heard of the great wealth of the west. decided to take his family, now eight in number and seek his fortune in the so called Golden State of California.

We crossed the plains with ox teams. traveling at that time was very hazerdous the whole country being infested with hostile indians by which we were twice attacked, but Providence protected us, and we were allowed to reach Sweetwater Nebraska, in safety, where we met with another emigrant train, of which Simon Shelby Higginbotham, who afterwards became my husband was one of the party.