Transcript

On June 9th, 1859 We were organized at Florence or Winter Quarters...The Company consists of 258 Souls, English, Scotch, Irish, Welsh, Swiss, Danes, Norwegians, Swedesand Americans. We possess 57 Carts 4 persons apportioned to each Handcart. Each handcart's supposed to carry 250 lbs., 20 lbs. being personal clothing & the balanceprovisions.

We make a start at 5 P.M. marching our [out] of Camp in Indian file feeling as Jolly as if going on a Pick Nick [picnic] and after testing our Carts in harness over fourmiles of rolling ground we camped at a place called Spring Creek. The 8 wagons that are to accompany us are old, well worn and are going to give us trouble; the axle of one. . .breaks which will detain us here until repaired. After a good time around the Camp Fire at night getting acquainted we gather for Prayer and then retire to rest. . . .

June 10 . . . We remain here all day. We have a meeting for the purpose of settlingbusiness in relation to Handcarts and. . . we are also addressed by G.Q. Cannon and R.F.Neslen who give us some very useful information in relation to our Journey and the blessings promised to us if we are faithful.. .Everything being satisfactory we are Commended to God our heavenly Father and after Prayer. . . we take up our lodging on the Cold Cold ground.

June 12. Sabbath morning; and there is no objections to us performing a Sabbathday's Journey. . . After a pleasant travail good roads we form our camp. . . We are in Company with some of our brethren from Salt Lake en route on missions. As is natural they are besieged with questions about friends and relatives in the Valley. . . we turn our attention to the misquetoes [mosquitoes] of which there are thousands here; A dreadful fight is kept up all night, next morning we were showing each other the many wounds we had received in the engagement. . . .

June 13 . . . We make an early start in the cool of the morning with the intention of making a good days' travail; and . . . halted after making 16 miles. We now reach the Platt[e] River and camp at Fremonts. We are visited here by Indians who. . . bargained to pull our handcarts for us if we would pay them. We give them something to eat and [they] seemed satisfied. Many of us bathe in the River and are much refreshed, theSisters do their washing. . . .

June 14. During the night we have a thunder storm, and this morning the...road is [in] excellent condition for travail. At 1/2 past 1 we are all standing by our Handcart in the regular order waiting for the word of command from the Captain to march. The rain that fell during the night has freshened up all nature; the sweet Brier's fragrance is pleasant as we pass by the bushes that grow along our road of traval; our spirits feel refreshed and enlivened and as we march along, the favorite Hymn and song can be heard all along the line, and we seem to be getting more reconciled to our novel style of traval which certainly is a new departure. Strangers think so as they stand and stare at us. We have good roads today and a fine breeze to fan us as we Jog along very pleasantly. A flock of Sheep is two or three days travail ahead of us, and occasionally one or two fall behind foot sore which we gladly take care of. . . .

June 15 . . . It is a beautiful morning and everything favorable for a long pull a Strong pull and a pull altogether. We only make a 9 miles and Camp. . . at 4 P.M. Another sheep dropped by the way and falls into the hands of some of our party. . . altho many of us wont have a smell of it. . . .

June 16 . . . are overtaken by the rain; But not being heavy we Keep on, and get a little wet but presently it fairs and we have excellent roads and a good time for the rest of the journey. At 5 P.M. we reach the Platt Valley and here we Camp. . . We are pleased to find here two families living here belonging to the church, one Scotch and the otherWelsh. They are very kind to us. Our wagons which carry our Baggage arrive in Camp at 11 P.M. In crossing a creek one of the wagons broke a wheel and this mishap will keep us in Camp one day until mended. . . .

June 17. Remain in Camp all day until the wagon is mended. The Sisters are busy washing and fixing up their clothing. Br. Brown's Train Camp here with us. . . gives us some pleasant Company and. . . a good time Singing and dancing. . . .

June 18. A thunder storm prevents us from moving out early. We make an attempt at 11 for must not lose time; roads are soft and pools of water are formed along the route which makes very bad traveling. We reach Cleveland at 5 P.M. very tired. . . .

June 19. At 5 A.M. have morning prayer and start on the Road again; it is quite cool, and the roads soft thro' late rains. We are met by a party of Brethren from Geneoa whoare sent by the Saints there to help us in . . . Before arriving there we are overtaken by a heavy thunder storm. We all get drenched to the skin or as the Scotchman [says] "through and through" . . . .

June 20. As was expected we stay here all day until the wagon is fixed, the Saints located here are very kind to us. . . .

June 21. We reluctantly part with our brethem and Sisters of Genoa and commence crossing the Ferries. We learn that Br. Johnstone generously ferried us all free. After all are safely over we pull our carts through about half a mile of heavey sand, and accept aninvitation to Camp with Br. brown's Company of Ox Teams. . . .

June 22 . . . We are detained here until the wagon is righted which stuck in the sand last night. Leaving the sand we have good roads and make 12 miles, Camp at 7.

June 23. It is a beautiful morning. . . We are all standing by our respective Handcarts awaiting the order to Commence our day's march; some are Singing others chatting merrily. Now we are on the move in Indian file...We roll on merrily over goodroads for several miles, taking a rest of 10 minutes every hour when we are facing a new trouble...deceptive holes full of black, inky mud. They are right in our way and we find it a difficult matter to dodge them. One of the girls at my Cart stepped into one and her legwent down to the knee bringing up a lot of slimy black muc; many of the Sisters get theirunderclothes completely spoiled. . . After getting over this dirty mess we make our camp Fork. . . The Baggage wagons dont arrive in camp tonight-having difficulty with the mud holes as we had; as they have the Tents. The old folks will have to sleep on theground without them; this interesting day is closed with prayer. . . .

June 24. The lost wagons arrive in camp this morning at 11 A.M. Stay in camp today. . . .

June 25. We roll out at 7 and travail slowly behind our Wagons, in order that the Brethren of the handcarts may assist the teamsters when the wagons get mired, as thereare many mud holes in our way. After getting over this difficulty we encounter a worse: the roads are covered with heavey sand and we find it very hard work pulling the narrow wheeled carts through the sand. This is the hardest day's work we have met and to makethings worse we can find no place to camp as there is no wood nor water near and it is now 9 P.M. Tired and footsore we lay down on the road. Travailed 20 miles; we willknow tomorrow where we are.

June 26. Sabbath morning, but instead of resting as we ought to we are anxious to make good time and also get out of the sandy roads Country and to where we can get wood and water, so that we can rest in a Christian like manner and be refreshed spiritual as well as physically; so we start for another hard days' work with sand about a foot deep.We rest for noon beside some blessed water and stay by it for two hours and then resume our Journey for 7 miles more, and camp at Prairie Creek. had some difficulty in crossingbut manage all right.

June 27. We roll out of camp at 10 A.M. and are pleased with the good roads; but, oh, the browling scourching sun which seems to take all strength out of us; but we hear ofno Sunstrock….

June 28. Make an early start at 5 A.M. find good roads and like an unbroken chain and in excellent spirits we travail until we reach Wood River a lovely spot to camp, sohere we abide. . We have now reached 150 miles on our Journey to Zion.

June 29. A day of pleasing incidents. First of all the people here are very kind andtender to us many court[es]ies for which we feel grateful. They exchange our brokenwagon giving us a good one in return, they build a bridge across the river so we do not have to drag our handcarts through the River which would have proved a great hardshipfor our Sisters. This is made a day of recreation in hunting and fishing; the Sisters do their washing and a few get into the River to bathe. . . We have had a splendid time today and closed with a very good meeting at night. . . .

June 30. We... travel 11 miles and camp at Nebraska Center. Buffalo are sighted in the distance. . . .

July 1 . . . A heard [herd] of Buffalo pass with a hundred yards of our camp which causes much excitement for the moment. . . The Buffalo are soon out of sight and we are all in marching order again. . . . We have a large number of invalids to-day which ride in the wagons. . . .

July 2. We start at 6 A.M. and pursue our Journey in gloomy silence among dust for 15 miles. Glad to rest for 2 hours, we manage to make other 5 miles and camp at Buffalo Creek. Very good water which is duly appreciated, but no wood. We then have recourseto Buffalo Chips which when well dried make excellent fuel for cooking purposes. The Sisters go round about a camp hunting these chips and return with their aprons full rightup to their chin and dump them down where they wish to make their fire. . . .

July 3. According to Orders we are a early this beautiful morning. We roll out at 6 A.M. and travail 6 miles without a halt, all doing their very best to record a good days journey, but alas! we learn that one of our provision wagons has broken down, and of course we turn into camp disappointed and discouraged. We camp on Buffalo Creek where we meet a party of Sioux Indians with whom we make friends. We had only been here but an hour when 22 buffalos were seen a short distance from camp. When the Indians got sight of them two of the Indians threw off all the trappings &c off their Ponies and quickly start in pursuit, which is very interesting for us to witness until Indians and Buffalo were lost in the horizon. After being away in hot pursuit for about an hour they returned into camp with strips of Buffalo flesh strung across their ponies which they unload and distribute the pieces very gallently among the sisters; but nary a bit to the men folks. In the evening we have a very good fellowship meeting rendered very interesting by the Company of two of our brethren from the valley. The Indian also attend and are well behaved. . . .

At the hour of retiring to rest, we were startled by a wild Indian cry or yell, for a moment we were at a loss what to think; some of us imagined that our friendly Indianshad turned traitors and their yells or warwhoop was their signal for hostilities. After waiting a few moments in awful suspense we learn that all this noise and very peculiar music was poor Los' method of showing their good feelings, and their merry making onthis occasion was a grand serenade to our Captain… After our fears were quieted weretired to rest.

July 4. Independence day; We honor this great day by rising early and with a strong determination to do a big day's work Prayers that God may favor us to this end. We rollout on good roads; the captain informs in the evening that we have travailed 25 miles, the greatest yet. Camp by the Platt[e] River.

July 5. We learn this morning at Prayers that one of our aged Sisters [Elna Johannesdotter Johanson] from Sweden. . . died during the night. She was 67 years of age and I think too old to come with the Handcarts. We wait here two hours until the Scandinavians complete the funeral rites. . .

July 6. There are 38 invalids who must ride in the wagons as they are too footsore to walk. The roads are very heavy with sand. . . .

July 7. We remain here until a new axle is made for one of our wagons and at 3 P.M. we are on the road again and accomplished 10 good miles before 9 0' clock. There is nocamp tonight as there is no wood nor water. We halt by the Roadside and lie down for the night.

July 8. As soon as it is daylight all are ready to march so that we may find wood and water and there camp and rest. After 7 miles travel we find ourselves side by side with our Friend the Platt River-here we gladly camp. Like the Israelites of old the Spirit offault finding and murmuring is manifesting itself among a few of the Saints and its blighting influence is felt all over the camp. The cause of complaint being scarcety of provisions and against the Captain for not riding ahead and finding proper places to camp. We are detained here until a better feeling is obtained; consequently a general meeting is called. . . . the meeting was turned into a testimony meeting at which a goodeffect was produced with hope it may continue.

July 9. . . We meet an Oxtrain travailing east; they tell us they left two cows on the road that were lame, and that we could have them if we went after them. Two of our boys accordingly went out to find the cows; but instead found wolves and came intocamp with the story that they were chased by them. . . .

July 10. A beautiful Sabbath morning and proves an interesting day to us. Two Ox Trains camped by us. One of the Trains Start in Company with us while the other willobserve the Sabbath by resting. We meet a Train Travailing east. They are from Salt Lake City, and possessing a devilish Spirit, they would be pleased to have got up a fight with us. They were bitter against our Captain. We meet here a large band of Sioux Indians, they are very friendly. . . a contrast with their white brethren who have just left us. Prayer... closes this interesting Sabbath day.

July 11. We start in company with our California travailing friends and the Indians. We pass over 10 miles of sand Bluffs and toughest day we have yet met, the narrow wheels of our carts ploughing into the sand Sweating and pulling ploughing into the sand.Sweating and pulling like mules and with some doubling up. Break a wagon wheel today and camp at buffalo Creek very much used up.

July 12. We try again this morning and find it hard work to get along; it is difficult even to walk the sand being so heavey, so very little progress is made. We howevermake 7 miles but tired and worn out. We find the sand our greatest trouble. . . .

July 13. Once more we try again with the hope of finding better roads and are notdisapointed for in the afternoon we come onto a beautiful plain and excellent road forwheels. We are very much amused by reading the inscriptions on bleached Ox bones written by people who are traveling ahead...intended for us who are coming behind; as a sample; Captain Brown passed here, all well. The notes from this general Post Office are sometimes useful and interesting; and some are filled with bitterness against our people. .

July 14. Start at 7, cross a few Creeks, contend with some more sand, meet a band ofIndians perspire a great deal and finish with Evening Prayer, Traveled 15 miles.

July 15. Make an early start we must make better time as our provisions are gettinglow; a few Sand Bluffs are on our way, but with considerable labor we manage to getover them. We meet 10 Wagons from the Valley. We learn that with this Train is Mother Hardie with the children who were saved from the Mountain Meadow Massacreand were returning to their friends in the East. I was much disapointed innot seeing her as I knew her well, coming from the same Branch as I did, Edinburgh.Enjoy a nice thunder storm.

July 16. A beautiful morning and good roads, and forgetful of all our past vexations, we jog merrilly on for 8 miles and camp for lunch by a well. We meet here a California Ox train going east. They inform us that they have left a cow at their last camp. I in Company with a few others go after the lame cow. We found her apparently dying. It was decided to shoot her and put her out of her misery So I was selected to be the executioner but made a bad fist of it, the Beast turned up the white of its large eyesimploringly so that neither I or the pistol could do our work, the pistol wouldn't go off; but I did so the job was left for some one else. . . .

July 17. Sabbath morning; but seems to make little difference, we must make our Sabbath day's Journey. We set out at 6 A.M. and travel 6 miles and camp at Castle Creek and rest for the day. . . .

July 18 . . . Traveled today 18 miles. Our number of invalids riding in the wagons 38. . . .

July 19. At 9 we are again on the road with everything favorable for a good record; arrive at Shoal Creek and take Lunch after making 7 miles. Travail a little further and by the River side 3 Wagons belonging to a few apostates returning from Salt Lake City are camped. . . " They had gone to the Valley and were now returning with a very nice outfit, a very good evidence of prosperity while there.

July 20. At 7 A.M. we are again on the Pull; but not Candy pull, although I am blessed with three Sweet Sisters drawing the first handcart, one from England. . . one from Scotland. . . and another from Wales. . . I sometimes thought that although they were nice attractive young ladies they would lean too much on the front cross bar of theCart which made it too much for me to drag along. I could have done better without them—and I may also add, without the Handcart too.

July 21. . . . A spirit of faultfinding manifests itself again and unhappiness is the result of the whole Camp; It is to be hoped we will get over it soon. At 15 minutes to 3 P.m. Mrs. Wm. Harris [Jane Carter Harris] gives birth to a Son [Charles Edwin Harris]. Mother and child doing well. . . .

July 22. We... manage 16 miles and Camp near Chimney Rock. It is 34 or 35 feet high, standing on a high Bluff. . . .

July 23. We resume our Journey...and Camp by the River 4 miles east of Scots bluffs; These are very Singular looking, resembling all kinds of archecture. . . castles, towers, monuments and fortifications.

July 24. Sabbath morning; but we must travel and get off these plains before our provisions give out. We meet 11 Ox Teams, all Apostates, from the Valley. They find no fault with S.L. City; they seem to have done remarkably well as their outfits seem to give evidence. We have a general meeting tonight at which many of the Saints bear testimony and a Spirit prevails.

July 25. … Camp by the side of the River with lots of wood and water-a great relieffrom the Buffalo Chips. Still, let us be grateful for them for what could we have donewithout them. . . .

July 26. . . .Sometimes on good roads and again . . . through sand. Camp near theRiver 3 miles west of Rawhide Creek.

July 27. Very warm and bad travail over Soft Sandy roads for 6 miles and Camp nearFort Laramie. Two of our boys sent to the Fort to trade for a wagon wheel to replace the one which was broken on the 11th; fortunately they found one in the river which answered their purpose very well. . . .

July 28. We had no sooner got rolling on the road, when we received orders to return into Camp again as another wagon wheel is broken and we must remain here until another is got. . . We buy one from the Smith at the Ferry. We have a Testimony meeting at night. . . .

July 29. We leave Laramie. . . and climb over a few hills, roads Sandy. An incident happened here which nearly cost the lives of some of Boys. As the Fort was across the River from our Camp, 6 of us proposed to Cross and take a look at Laramie, So we stripped and sent our clothes across by . . . horseback, we took hold of each other's hands as the Current was strong and the water deep. Viewed Laramie and returned getting overthe River in the same order safely; but two or three of our party unloosed a raft tied to the bank and got on, thinking to cross all right, but they found the current too strong; theyhad no power to guide it and. .. the Raft went down the River with the naked men on it until they reach the Rope that is stretched across it, and there they cluched hold of it andworked themselves to the bank; but not without chaffing themselves very much. . . .

July 30. Again we are on the road at 8 and among the hills for the greater part of the day. . . we have traveled over some difficult places and fears are entertained for ourwagons; but by careful management...and the blessing of God they came into Camp safely, a great surprise to all. 2 handcarts missing. I am sent back after them.

July 31. Sabbath morning; our missing Carts arrive early. . . We found ourselves on the road at dark without any place to camp. Neither water nor fuel, so we lay down by the road to await the day light.

August 1. As soon as it is daylight we move on to some place where we can find wood and water for breakfast. We had only been on the road 15 minutes when the Captain called for Volunteers to go back for two Young men who apparently havebecome dissatisfied and remain behind about two days' travail. As volunteers fail to respond, and no wonder, the Captain therefore calls out three men. . . . We therefore goback on our mission whilst the Company travail forward to Camp. These two Young men have the Handcart and property in it, all belonging to the Company, which we must get whether they come on or not. . . we find them. . . at 5 P.M. . . they said they were sick and. . . disatisfied . . . so after considerable talk they both consented to come with us. We were all coming along feeling good when we met 2 Apostate wagons and immediately a halt was made. A Big fellow about 6 feet tall asked us if we would not go back with them; I said certainly not! but [George] Reid and [Richards] Mills had no objections. . . Without any trouble we parted. Mills and Reid going back and we going forward in thepossession of the handcart and contents. We have been on the road since 5 this morning and now we will have travail all night with the wolves howling around us, with our pistols in our right hand and the Bar of the Cart in our Left in case the Brutes came too near us. We were along quietly when Suddenly we both fell over an embankment flat on our faces and the handcart on top us; we got up unhurt for we had fallen among sand. Ben my companion got very much discouraged. I did not seem to care; the Lord had blessed me so to such an extent, it seemed as if I had a charmed life. We concluded to lie down here and wait for morning as we had lost the road. Daylight coming to our relief, we . . . bent oursteps homeward where we were welcomed. I think we must have traveled 70 miles and that without food or rest.

August 2. . . . Remain in Camp all day to give the brethren an opportunity of hunting among the hills for a lost Sister. . . who was not missed until yesterday morning. Largefires are kept up to guide the brethren who are among the hills. They return late with notiding of her. . . .

August 3. We have searched in vain for the old lady who is 73 years old. She may have wondered off ahead of us. We start at 9 on good roads and take lunch by the River.

August 4. We are moving along smoothly when an. . . accident happened—thewagon capsized covering the invilids under it. No one was hurt, only a few scratches.The wagon is soon righted and we find ourselves well on the road again. . . .

August 5. We start with a good resolve to make better progress, our Carts now being lightened up. We travail over Sandy roads, and a barren hilly country, ascending and descending all day which is very tiresome. . . .

August 6. A few of the boys go out this morning early after a lame ox; they return at 2 P.M. so we take the road again. We meet 2 of the Brethren from the Valley going east to meet their friends. . . We learn. . . that we would not get water for 15 miles and that the most of the road is Sandy. We camp immediately as that would be too much to undertake tonight.

August 7. Our Journey had been a hard one; traveled since 4 this morning. 15 miles.

August 8. We are on heavey sand roads. . . we make 20 miles of very hard labor, the worst yet.

August 9. A cold morning. Start in advance of the wagons. Travail 16 miles and Camp where there is no water; but we soon find some by digging for it, tastes alklie [alkali]. We count many dead oxen on the road. 30 are numbered today. One of the Danish Brethren missing today.

August 10. Several of the boys go out early to search for the missing brother. We start at 8 A.M. over good roads which always puts us in good humor. Travel 17 miles and Camp at willow Springs; where we find the mising brother.

August 11. Start ahead of the wagons and at Grease Wood Creek, we find ourselves surrounded by a large Camp of Indians. They seem quite pleased to meet with us. Trade a little with them. We camped there, and while we were all busy getting the evening meal, brother John Y. Smith's little baby daughter Martha was asleep in the handcart. Itstarts to rain; Sister [Francis McKay] Smith came out of the tent to bring the baby in. There in her place was a little Indian boy. She screamed of help and about 1 block away she could see a Indian Squaw walking backwards. The baby had on a little pink sunbonnet, Sister Smith could see it, she ran after the Indian, caught her and held her until the men got here. We break Camp to move. Just before starting, a Indian man came for the little Indian boy.

We move 5 miles this night reach Sweetwater at 10 P.M. traveled 20 miles today. In the morning we were followed by a band of 8 Indians and the Chief. They offered a beautiful white horse, Buffalo, robes, beads, anything for white baby. Brother Smith, through his knowledge of Indian ways and customs and his unusual way with them, was very successful in making friends with the Indians which was of great assistance to us inhelping us get through safely.

August 12. . . We cross the Sweetwater all right and then roll merrily on, passIndependence Rock and Camp at Devils Gate; here the last of the provisions are rationedout to us . . . One of the oxen dies today; A band of Upshaw Indians pass here with 3 prisoners and 12 Scalps hanging to their saddles. . . A chief of the Sioux followed us for a couple of days to get one of our girls for which he offered Six Ponies. Of course. . . thelady would not listen to it.

August 13 . We lose another ox during the night, and a few of the Danish brethren and Sisters, without questioning how the oxen died and what their trouble (was), cut out the choice pieces and eat with a relish. We rest here and arrangements are made to leave the oxen here to rest and recuperate while the Camp move on. In the evening we enjoy ourselves in the dance. .

August 14. Sabbath morning. Call to a general meeting when we are addressed by captains of Gen. Br. Scroggins thinks the Sisters are too familiar with Strangers of Gentile and Apostate Trains that we meet and instructs the Saints concerning the Sin of Selfishness . . Time is given to the saints to bear testimony, and a good time is enjoyed.

August 15. The morning smiles upon us encouraging us to be up and doing. . . We leave this part of the Sweetwater and arrive at a trading Post where to our great astonishment we meet the long lost old Sister [Elizabeth] Watson whom we gave up for dead on the evening of the 31st of July. . . .

August 16. We resume our Journey. . . We are now at the 2nd crossing of the Sweetwater, where we meet Br. Leishman and Andrew smith who have come to meet their relatives who are with us and bring us more food. They have a nice covered wagon.We Ford the 3d and 4th crossing of the Sweetwater…Travel 16 miles.

August 17. Continue our travail over Sandy roads. . . and camp by the river at 5 P.M. Travai1.18 miles.

August 18. Ford the River again and travail 6 miles and breakfast. We walk at agood rate, keep the right hand road to avoid 2 crossings and reach Strawberry Creek andhere we Camp, make today 20 miles.

August 19. Rather cold this morning. Travel briskly and make 6 miles before breakfast. Start again at 10 and ford the last crossing of the Sweetwater. . . We cross the South Pass of the R Mountain; Hitherto, we had always looked at the water as it ran east, and now over the Divide all the Streams run we[s]t. Some of the Saints are out ofprovisions.

August 20. We leave Pacific Springs at 7 and travel over good roads and arrive at Little Sandy at 5 P.M. Many of the Saints are away behind as they could not walk quiteso fast. I am sent back to pilot them. . . .

August 21. Sabbath morning; The rest of the Saints that could not reach camp last night arrive this morning. The poor oxen are pretty well used up. The Captain thought that it would be well for them to rest here. . . and also a few that are footsore and sickwhile the body of the Camp move on. We arrive at Big Sandy. We are now in tightcircumstances; Many feel dissatisfied as there is little to eat, and plenty to do. We are now getting rather disorderly in our marching, a number are marching ahead, having left the main body. . . .

August 22. All the Saints concentrate here and move on to Green River for it is here where we were promised relief from the Valley. We ford the River in 2 hours. This has been the most difficult job we have had yet, some of the handcarts being nearly carried down the stream. Out of Provisions. A strange horseman rides into camp, and asks ifSister McKay is in this Camp. She stepped up to the horse. He handed her a sack ofFlour, salt sugar and a slab of bacon, and disapered. We are looking hourly forprovisions. The Captain is trying to buy some flour at every Trading Post in sight butreturns. . . unsuccessful. . . .

August 23. Rose early and started pulling without breakfast. Camp at Ham's Fork.

August 24. Secretary McIntyre sent on a Mission to meet the wagons with provisions for our relief (and) with a message to hurry up. I get the Captain's horse. After bidding farewell to the Saints, I start on my Journey, determing to keep on as long as the horse, which is lame, until I meet them. When (night) came on I camped with an Emigrant Train. I put my horse with their cattle and lay down by the road, not sleep but to listen to their approach. After a few hours I heard the rumbling of the wagon wheels, going at arapid rate. I soon got up and hailed. . . them. . . . They were from Salt Lake withprovisions for the handcart Company. . . They handed me some crackers and dried meat, and didn't intend to stop until they reached there. I lay down again and up at daylight toget my horse and return which took me all day. I arrived at night to meet a happy Company. I felt rewarded for all my troubles in witnessing the joy that seem to animate these souls. I was told that when the brethren rode into Camp with provisions they Shed tears of joy many of them. After provisions are de[a]lt out we move a little further on, as there are a few Gentiles here who do not seem to understand our expressions of joy. . . Now we are out of Nebraska territory and now in Utah although 170 miles from our destination.

August 25. Remain in Camp.

August 26. . . . We have a general meeting around a large Camp fire, when we are addressed by all the Captains. A good Spirit prevails, and afterwards we have songs andrecitations in which the boys from the Valley contribute largely.

August 27. We move from this place at 8 A.M. and ford 2 crossings of Hams Fork and arrive at Minerville. . . .

August 28. We start at 10 and in two hours we are marching in close order through Fort Bridger. The Soldiers turn out to See the novelity: 250 men, women and children pulling handcarts over a wild Desert Country a 1000 miles for a religion which they love and have confidence in. Some of the Soldiers try to induce the Sisters to go no further as Salt Lake is a poor place to live in but it was no go. We... camp by the Muddy. TheCamp is disturbed tonight by a man Shooting off a revolver and riding into Camp bareheaded like a mad man saying that some...Mormon had demanded his horse. We learned afterwards that he was the only person of that stamp around, an Apostate.

August 29. . . We have a death in the camp. . . The Danish attend the rites of burial.She is near the Creek at Hams Fork near the south of the road. . . .

August 30. A wet morning and travail over heavy roads and only manage 8 miles and Camp at Yellow Creek. We meet here Bros. Taylor and Richards who are on their way east to assist with the Emigration. Many of the Saints meet their friends here. . . .

August 31. Another death in the Camp. . . We also learn that the wife of the deceased who strayed from our camp on the 24th inst. . . . was discovered by a party of emigrants dead and partly eaten by wolves. They buried her where they found her near the Green River. In the Evening we are addressed by Bros. Richards & Taylor. We start at 10 A.M. to climb a long hill of gradual ascent 2 miles long and descend on the otherside among much dust. . . .

Sept. 1. Rained all night and continues this morning. Pull over heavy roads; but we do not have much to haul, which is a comfort. Travail 9 miles through the Kanyon [canyon] and lunch; go 8 miles more and Camp a mile within Weber….

Sept. 2. Start at 8 A.M. and cross the Weber Bridge. Take lunch at Kanyon Creek and after crossing & recrossing 6 times, Camp here. There is quite a meeting here with friends and relatives from the Valley who make it very interesting.

Sept. 3. At 9 A.M. we begin fording the other crossings of this never ending Creek and begin to ascent the Big Mountain with double teaming and manage to get to the Top, and in descending we tie the wheels to prevent a run away. Camp at the foot. Travailed today 11 miles[.] We meet here with Bros. Benson, Kimball, and Snow and are addressed by them, and by others.

Sept. 4. We ascend the Little Mountain as we did the other. We fix up a little here preparily to enter Salt Lake our final destination. It is Sunday. A general meeting is called and we are addressed by Bros. Snow and Benson. Many come from the City to escort in and two Bands of Music. We are now in full view of the City and now we've found the place which God for us prepared Far away in the west Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid. There the Saints will be blest. We were marched in procession thro the principal Streets and arriving at Union Square disband into the cares of our Relatives and friends where we find a home.