Transcript

Again, the time came for them to move on!!! This time to complete their journey to Utah. The front of the wagon was loaded with stoves, the back part with things necessary to sustained them along the way and when they arrived at their destination. This wagon needed two teams of oxen to pull it.

They went with the 8th Hand Cart Company under Captain George Rowley. Besides having to worry about stampeding buffalo, they had to contend with rumors of General Johnston's Army following them.

Occasionally the Indians would be seen roaming about from one side of the valley to the other and on occasions they would come to visit us. In order to maintain a friendly feeling we would often give them some of our supplies, although we felt we could hardly spare them. We were compelled, when not traveling, to guard our oxen, to prevent the Indians from stealing them.

We were called together morning and night, by the sound of a bugle, to receive our instructions.

Sundays we had meetings, and regular services were conducted: this added much enjoyment, and comfort and pleasure to our journey.

The only thing that attracted our attention while traveling were the various tribes of Indians wandering about in their wild way, The herds of buffalo, deer and antelope, now and then the sound of some wild animals, and the howling of the lone coyote. Sometimes we would have dances on the grass and enjoy ourselves as best we could. During the days while journeying along, everyone walked. Ofttimes we would go along laughing and singing the songs of Zion.

When we were going through Wyoming the days were getting hotter and longer, and dryer. The dust kicked up by hundreds of feet, hung around us like heavy clouds. Often the winds would blow up more dust and sand lashing it into our sore and blistered skin.

On the entire journey of three months, not more than a half dozen white persons were seen outside our company, not even a house was seen from Elk Horn River, near Omaha, to Salt Lake City, excepting a government post at Laramie, Wyoming and a trading post about twenty five miles from Fort Bridger, also in Wyoming.

When they were ready to cross the Continental Divide they were met by Brigham Young, who was sent to inspect the land. He ordered that the stoves be unloaded here—"They were not necessary to preserve life." Besides this, in coming down the pass they would cause the wagon to run over the oxen.