Transcript

11^th [June, 1853]—We left Keokuk at 8 A.M. and travelled 16 miles[.] a good road for 9 miles, then commenced a woeful bad road, the wheels going down to the naves. It was a hard beginning but with patience and perseverance we managed to get through and encamped. I think I never saw a more beautiful location.

12^th—Rose at daylight, got breakfast, yoked and hitched up our oxen, leaving the ground at 4:30 A.M. My poor wife has been ill a long time, and this morning, to my great surprise, she demanded her clothes, intending to leave us. Of course I did not permit her to take her clothes as I expect she will follow us. We travelled 17 miles crossed the Missouri River and encamped on the bank.

13^th—Rolled out of camp this morning at 5:30 and travelled on until we reached the Main camp by 9 A.M. we were to move on again at 10 A.M. We rested to feed our oxen. This has been a long tiresome day by being hindered and entangled with the many wagons. Passed the main body about three miles and encamped in a good place for grass. My poor Margaret has not come up to us yet; I do not know what to do; I am very weak and unable to go back after her. My daughters too are very much concerned about her. This is Sunday and our camp is 44 miles from Keokuk. I fully expected poor Margaret this day, but she has not come as yet. (5 P.M.) It is fearfully hot today. We released our oxen of their yokes. All of our brethren moved on leaving only our three wagons, our own property. We intend to start early in the morning. I am suffering very much from constipation, caused by drinking too much water and excessive continual perspiration. Have no appetite for food.

14^th—Left camp at 5:30 A.M. and travelled 16 miles. My oxen are very good; they clim[b]ed over a steep hill today that no other in the whole company dare attempt to mount.

15^th—Rolled out at 6 A.M. a very hot day, heavy thunder and lightning. I am in better health, but the heat is very sore on me; I drink water all day. I have heard nothing of poor Margaret yet and feel very much fexed [vexed] about it. Our road is bad this day, havey [heavy] thunder, rain and lightning last night. Crossed a brook at 6 P.M. and encamped in a large wood. Our two mile [milk] cows strayed away and we are detained searching for them.

16^th—The cows were found this morning and brought back, they delay us in camp. We expect to leave here at 1 P.M. A very hot day. Remained in camp till 1 P.M. then travelled 12 miles in the afternoon.

17^th—Our road has been very favorable today, and have passed through most beautiful locations, but few inhabitants.

18^th—Left the camp at 6 A.M. passed a few houses or a village called Bethlehem, where the Saints rested after their exodus from Nauvoo. At 4 P.M. Brother Hyde’s wagon got into a hole and capsized; 6 bullocks could not pull it out. All its contents had to be unloaded[.] then they got the wagon out and reloaded it. This accident detained us two hours. We encamped eight miles from Garden Grove.

19^th—At 1 P.M. we left here for Garden Grove. From Sunday the 19^th until Sunday the 26^th we travelled through a beautiful country, but without inhabitants.

The magnificient appearance and form of this land testify that God intended it for a glorious purpose. Jacob’s blessing upon Joseph was, “Unto the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills shall be Joseph’s[.]” Moses said, “Blessed be this land of the Lord.”

We rested this day beside a brook 65 miles from Bluffs or Kanesville.

June 26^th—I feel very sorry this day for poor Margaret, I have heard nothing of her; she had nothing but the old wrapper she wore and no money. I wish now I had given her the clothes as she requested, for she said she did not think I would keep her underclothing; I felt sure she would follow us later having no clothes. I also expected to remain for a time in camp near Charlestown, but did not as all the companies advanced, so it will be hard for her to come now.

Arrived at Bluffs on the 30^th [June, 1853]–and lay there until July 10^th waiting to cross the river. Here I received a card from Margaret requesting me to return her clothes to Boston, in care of a grocer there; it is a village near the place she left us. I delivered her clothes to Sister McPherson and hope she will find a way of sending them to her. I am still very sorry for her, left among strangers; but the Lord knows that I and my family are innocent and gave her no reason for remaining behind.

All the brethren are afraid that we will be too late to accomplish our journey before winter overtakes us. Many returned from this place.

After leaving Kanesville we travelled to North Ferry and crossed the Missouri River. Travelled under Brother Shurtliffe [Vincent Shurtleff] with 18 wagons, 1,000 miles to Salt Lake City.

Tooele City, Tooele County, Utah
January 13^th, 1854

I wrote none from July 10^th 1853 till this day. Our journey from Kanesville was disagreeable, especially when our oxen began to give up and die. They lay dead in every direction, particularly by the road side; Two of mine gave out and brought me to Salt Lake City in safety with my three daughters abd [and] John McKellar my son-in-law.

We arrived in Salt Lake City on Sept. 22^nd 1853 and camped on the Public Square;