Transcript
Transcript for Memmott, Thomas, Thomas Memmott Journal, ed. H. Kirk Memmott, 2 vols. [1976], 1:81-91
July 22 We have had quite trouble over getting our luggage loaded. All right now. Went out three miles to Captain Murdocks camp. Meet John Woodhouse from Beaver, Utah; a friend of Uncle John Memmotts. Bro . Wm. Gibson is in our camp. Poor old man he is quite a wreck through his drinking.
July 23 Visited the old camp, bidding good bye to old friends & travelli[n]g companions, expect to start across the plains Soon. A meeting in camp tonight. Apostles Lyman & Rich speaking, instructi[n]g us concerni[n]g duties in camp &c. Our tent company organized I being reta[i]ned in charge. Our goods loaded in Bro Blains wagon, he seems a nice little man. Members of our tent: Tho[ma]s Memmott, John Clarke, Emma Clarke, Harriet Jensen[Jerrison], Jos[eph]. Cooke, Harriet Hopkin, Mary Pearson, Emma Ford, Henry Jarvis[,] David Colebear [Coolbear], Mary Colebear, & S[amue]l Stringfellow
July 24 Anniversary of the entry of the Pioneers into Salt Lake Valley. To help our feast today, an old cow got to our bread[,] eating a loaf & six cakes. Instructions given the captains of tents to receive from the commissary all provisions & divide them out. Our tent No 40. Meeting in the evening. Camp organized Charles Oliphant. Chaplain—Bro Lindsay in charge of the English Saints, Christain Hanson of the Danish, provisions distributed, a dance in the evening. Travelled two or three miles.
July 25th Up at 4 O clock intending to start on our journey, but a heavy storm came along & did not travel untill about noon, went 4 or 5 miles. Water bad & wood scarce.
July 26 Crossed the Elk Horn river, Nooning in a pleasant place. Made about 15 miles. Child died & buried.
July 27th Sunday. Bro Gibsons Son came in camp on his way to a mission to England. Passed Captains Miller & Haights <ox> train going down for emigrants (Saints). Passed two trains one for & the other from the Pikes Peak gold mines, travelled quite late camped by the Platte river noon, & night.
July 28th Very hot today. Heavy thunder storm at noon. Many Pawnee Indians about today. Camped on the Same ground as Capt Omar [Homer] Duncans train did Sunday night
July 29th The company with Joseph Huntington crossed the river & found a quantity of wild grapes & currents
July 30th Passed through Columbu[.] a few of us forded the river, the others riding through (ferried) took us most of the day. Camped on the Platte river. Met with Bro Patteson of Payson where father is, who told me it was intended I should be a teamster but through some mistake I was missed
July 31st Met Bro J Hyde from Minersville where Bro George Eyre lives. He spoke well of Bro George. Brother Hyde broke his leg whilst coming down to the frontiers, plenty of wild grapes & currents which make an agreable change when cooked, but bad raw
Augt.1 Made long drives today 18 miles in the morning & the same afternoon, passed Grand Island Capt Murdock has passed crossed the plains 18 times[.] on guard at night from 8 to 11
Aug 2 Much talk with a young teamster from Parowan (Bro Devenport) who saw Uncle John as he passed through Round Valley
Aug 3 A fearful storm last night. Had to rest half day through it. Camped at Wood River. Very swollen through heavy rain. Sister Clark[e] very sick [.] I & Bro Clarke administered to her. Bro J[oh]n Clarke appointed Captain of camp guard.
Aug 4th Camped to night at Wood River Center. We have in our camp 597 passengers, 64 teamsters 4 night guards, Captain Murdock, 402 Oxen, 23 cows, 3 horses, 3 ponies, 7 mules, 67 wagons. We have travelled 175 miles in 11 days. In the evening Bro James Farrar was appointed camp bishop with Robert Kershaw & Bro Stillman as councilors
August 5th As the train went down they left 2 wagons & 12 head of cattle at Wood River. Today received a number of cattle back that had been left[.] Nooned at Nebraska center opposite Fort Kearny[.] Administered to Sister Harney [Hardey] who was sick. Received a ration of Buffalo beef—& lost it. Jos[eph] Huntington killed a rattlesnake
Aug 7th Crossed Elm creek. 221 miles. A child died. Had some buffalo meat. Sister Mitchell from Durham died. Did not move in the afternoon attended funerals.
Aug 8th Nooned on Buffalo Creek, crossed it at evening. Saw some Antelope & turtles. Camped without water.
Aug 9th No water in camp. Started about 6-45 & about 11 O clock reached the Platte River. All very thirsty [.] At night on guard.
Aug 10th Sunday. Very hot, travelled through some heavy sand, quite a hilly country. An indian encampment in sight. At noon some Sioux indians came in camp. Capt Murdock gave them some flour the chief having a certificate that they were friendly. The Sioux we see here appear finer looking men than some Pawnees we saw.
Aug 11 Heavy sands. Nooned at Skunk creek & camped at night at Pawnee Springs. A fine spring of nice cold water. No wood now, for fuel nothing but Buffalo chips & Sun flowers.
Aug 12 Called upon to pray this morning at camp prayers. Crossed Cairn creek this morning, & passed the junction of the Upper & Lower Platte; crossed two more creeks in the afternoon, camped on the river, plenty of grass & water, no fuel, a heavy storm
Aug 13 Roads muddy & heavy[.] travelling by the river to avoid heavy sand hills, camped by a splendid spring of cold water, a few miles north of the river
Aug 14 Roads still heavy. Camped noon & night on small streams
Aug 15 Crossed Rattlesnake creek. Capt Duncans train one day ahead. 350 miles on the road. Four births in camp. I & J[oh]n Clarke on guard from 11 to 2. Camped on the river
Aug 16th Crossed several creeks to day, this after noon crossed the heaviest sand hills on the road travelling only 6 miles. Camped about half a mile from the river by some springs
Aug 17th Had a good bathe in the river. Crossed two streams. Duncans train still one day ahead. Passed Ash Hollow (on the opposite side of the river). The grass on fire behind us.
August 18th The Prairie still on fire behind us[.] Good road & travelling all day. A Danish Sister had her foot run over today. Passed a large Prairie dog town. Chimney Rock in sight a long way off. A Sister picked up on the road from Duncans train; telling to come along, not a day ahead.
August 19th Crossed a wild hilly country, quite a change to the character of the country. A Danish brother died. Chimney Rock in plain sight. At prayer meeting this morning, Captain Murdock rebuked Chaplain C Oliphant for interfering with matters not in his charge. Buried the dead brother.
August 20 Good road. Nooned opposite Castle Rock[.] The telegraph & mail station & an ox train in sight across the river. Chimney Rock & Scotts Bluffs in sight.
August 21 Very cold, thick fog & heavy dew Nooned opposite Chimney Rock
August 22nd Very stormy night. Nooned about 2 miles beyond Scotts Bluff. Afternoon travelled along Spring creek, lots of trout in it, camped on it at night lots of Musquitoes [mosquitoes].
August 23 Laramie Peak in sight. High banks on the river, & water very muddy. Camped by a grove of timber.
August 24th Sunday. On the route one month[.] Two men from Duncans train came in. Black Hills in sight, plenty of timber, water muddy, passed three trading camps & an old indian camp.
August 25th About 11 AM crossed the Platte opposite Fort Laramie, rapid current water about 4 feet deep. A Danish brother came near drowning but saved by one of the night guards. <Nooned> Camped a few miles above the ford on the South side of the river. A Traders camp near[.] Many indians & soldiers around. Duncans train crossed yesterday at the same place. Started again about 4-30. Descended a very steep hill, Another heavy storm, every one wet through the second time today, but plenty of wood for fire tonight to dry with. At prayers Capt. Murdock cautioned all to keep with the train, as many Indians are around. All the men to carry their arms.
August 26th Entered the Black Hills. Road very steep, fine view of Laramie Peak from base to summit. Passed a tree with an Indians dead boy up in it (indian mode of buriel). Poor feed & no water tonight
August 27th Nooned at a nice spring, just as we started the heaviest rain storm we have had came ons. On guard at night. Many wolves around.
August 28th A very heavy road. We travelled around some 20 miles to avoid the river which is much swollen by heavy rains. Two wagons broke down[.] Lots of wild fruit, plums &c
August 29th Layed over while noon & repair wagons[.] travelled 14 miles, into the night, making 40 miles in two days
August 30th This morning about 50 head of oxen missing Night herdsmen having been found asleep. Drove on about 8 miles without them[.] Nooning on A La Prele creek. Afternoon a more open & less rugged country. Platte River in sight. Camped on Box Elder creek. Lost cattle found.
August 31st Sunday. A fine horse of Capt. Murdocks died. Passed a small wagon train going to Laramie. The old mail stations along this route are <mostly> deserted, the mail following another route. This causes us to have plenty of firewood. Crossed Deer Creek, nooning on the Platte. Some indians around.
Sept. 1 All of us getting very hungry, had to get extra rations of flour. Captain Murdock very kind to the emigrants in all things, especially so with provisions, a pity commissa[r]y John Woodhouse is not so. Two Sisters (by birth) died this morning[.] A Danish sister sick of possessed of evil powers. It took five strong men to hold her. Administered to her Bro Patteson being mouth. In her worst possessing Bro Patterson said it was the power of the devil, when he paused & in plain English said 'That is true', Nooned on the Platte & buried the two sisters. Camped just past the Plattes Bridge.
Sept. 2nd Most of the able bodied men at the Captains request assisted to repair the bridge over the Platte river, I amongst them
Sept. 3rd Travelled about 16 miles this morning, No water, passed through Rock avenue & by the Alkali swamps & Springs, nooned at Willow creek. In the afternoon went with Bro Patteson & Edward Stevens deer hunting in the mountains. Could see the Rocky mountains, Duncans camp, Independance Rock & the Sweetwater river
Sept. 4th. Wet stormy, cold day, entered the Rocky mountains & camped on the Sweetwater.
Sept. 5th. Crossed the Swets Sweetwater. passed Independance [Independence] Rock. A camp of soldiers there, passed Devils Gate Nooning on the East side. Independance Rock is a large mass of granite rock standing alone. Devils Gate is an opening in the Solid mountain rock, through which flows the Sweetwater river[,] the cliffs on each side being some 400 feet high, passed the Saleratus [saleratus] lakes, gathering a little. Crossed two creeks this afternoon. On guard at night. A young brother aged 19 yrs (a Bro Francis) died this morning
Sept. 6th Road threading through the Mountains, often appearing quite closed off, but windi[n]g round through passes brings us through, some antelope in sight[.] Passed the grave of a man who was shot in July 6th by a W. Young or Smith (not known which) Young was shot on the 8th
Sept. 7th Sunday. Many Soldiers at a station near a crossing of the river. Forded the Sweetwater three times today. Wind River mountains in sight, snow on their summits. In the afternoon after passing through a Rocky narrow pass came in full sight of the snow capped mountains. Crossed the river again & then camped.
Sept. 8th Went 14 miles this morning, passed Ice Spring[.] nooned on Warm creek[.] Camped at night in a small valley on Saleratus Creek
Sept. 9th Apostles Amasa M. Lyman & C C Rich with Brs Jos[eph] W. Young, Elias Blackburn, W[illia]m. [-] Cooper[,] Hosea Eldridge, F. M. Lyman & others came in camp about midnight last night. Mailed a letter to father by them. Cold nights & mornings now. A child about 10 yrs old died last night. In morning prayer meeting Bros Lyman, Rich & Young spoke to us. Nooned at a Spring by the Rocky Ridge. At noon Captain Murdock called me and Andrew Anderson & two Swedish or Danish brethren to go & guard a Station where some flour for the emigrants was stored. The Station keeper in charge refusing to stay unless some one was with him, the indians being sometimes very troublesome. Had to go about three miles across the mountains to the station. Found the keeper (Bro. Silver) with his wife & Son there. He was a Frenchman, & his wife an English woman from Birmingham. He had been a Mormon but had left the church.
Sept. 10th Mr Silver entending to go to Salt Lake as soon as the last train passed we helped him today to get ready. They were kind to us providing us good beds & food. Informed us that quite a body of indians were there some 10 days ago & were quite saucy. Don’t know what we four old countrymen (green) would have done if they came upon us
Sept. Very sick last night, but some better this morning. helped brand cattle, new business to us.
Sept. 13th Captain Hornes company arrived at noon. He wanted us to stay, but our instructions being to stay while he came, we declined. Bro Horne appointed four men from his company & relieved us[.] after dinner started on. A very heavy rain storm came on, wetting us thoroughly. The capt put me with a family called Baker. No fire, no supper & had to sleep on the wet ground in my wet clothes, & the crowd in the tent quarreling all night made it the more cheerless night of my life. Had to chain the cattle up to the wagons
Sept. 14th Sunday. Snow on the ground this morning[.] Started on without breakfast & went five miles. I asked brother Woodhead (from Bradford) to let me join them in place of their son Wm left behind in my place, & he kindly consented. Crossed two creeks & the Sweetwater, camped on the River. Many soldiers at the station near by.
Sept. 15th A very cold stormy night, some snow but very comfortable with the Woodheads all very kind to me, slept in a wagon with their son. Passed two wagons bound to meet Capt Millers train. Crossed the South Pass in fine weather. South pass the dividing line between Atlantic & Pacific slopes. Passed Pacific Springs & camped about two miles beyond on the Creek below. Some of the cattle died & Some quite exhausted.
Sept. 16th Cold but fine. Only made one drive of about 10 miles. Camped by a station on a small creek crossing the road. Snow capped mountains in sight. The peaks hid in the clouds.
Sept. 17th A fine frosty morning, but warm day. The snow capped mountains with the sun shining on them, a splendid sight. After fording the Little Sandy[,] camped.
Sept. 18th Nooned on the Big Sandy after fording it. Made two drives today, camped at night by the side of a deep hollow on the river side. But little fuel
Sept. 19 Nooned again by the Big Sandy. thought we would reach Green river to day, but failed
Sept. 20th Crossed Green River this morning. A deep & rapid Stream. This being a year of very high water all the streams were much higher than common. Captain Murdocks train passed 5 days before. No water at noon
Sept. 21 Sunday I took cold yesterday through fording the river & not well today. Crossed Hams Fork this morning. The trains when going down in spring had much trouble to get through here because of high water. Enquired about Sarah Swinden here (a young sister from Sheffield) but could not learn Anything of her. Stacking hay here, looks as though we were getting where some one lived. Two danish sisters died tonight. Camped on Hams Fork.
Sept. 22d Crossed Blacksmiths Fork. Making short drives. Nooned on Blacks Fork. Another Danish Sister died. Now on the Stage route.
Sept. 23 Crossed Blacks Fork twice this morning & camped on it at night.
Sept. 24th Passed Fort Bridger & Henry's Creek this morning. With consent of Capt Horne I left the train in company with Br. Hugh Thornton of American Fork. When the train nooned we went on about two miles further, & then moved out when they were in Sight in the afternoon, leaving the camp finally at Little Muddy. Camped at Soda Springs. Two fruit wagons camped with us. A Sheffield man with them named Brougham
Sept. 25 Started about 6 O clock. W. Brougham gave me some peaches & an apple which tasted very good, went 10 miles before breakfast, Stopping at Quaking Asp station on Spanish Ridge to eat. Nooned at Willow Creek eating in company with two young men from the City. Crossed Bear River & camped 4 miles beyond.
Sept. 26th Started early. Breakfasted at Yellow Creek passing Cache cave, travelling down Echo Kanyon [Canyon], a good road cut in the mountain side. Meeting freight team continually loaded with grain for the mail station filling a contract of Prest Youngs.
Sept. 27 Met Br Thorntons brother who had come out to meet him, bringing some potatoes, melons &c which were quite a treat to us[.] Travelled through Weber Kanyon, crossing & through Chalk Creek settlement
Sept. 28th Passed through Silver Creek Settlement, calling at Bro Nixons, meeting Sister Nixon, & also Sister Alice Straw who crossed the sea with us being from Sheffield. Had a treat in some milk & cheese from Sister Nixon. Travelled along Weber Valley through a wild country. Passed a large freight train in going through Parleys Kanyon <Park>. Saw Bro Jos W Young on the road, passing W[illia]m Kimballs ranch.
Sept. 29th Passed through Parleys Kanyon [Canyon]. Had intended to reach Salt Lake City tonight but failed through losing a steer which we did not find today. Bro H Kimball gave us some peaches.
Sept. 30th Hunting the steer & found him, about noon came in sight of Salt Lake City. O how my heart leaped for joy at the grand sight. The Zion I had so long wished to see. Bro Thornton not going into the city but turned toward Cottonwood about 3 miles from it, I left him & walked alone to the City. Got there middle of afternoon.