Transcript

"On October 20, at the last crossing of the Platte, we were overtaken by a severe snow storm, which necessitated the suspension of travel for four days. There we lost many head of stock. We were glad to make beef of the dead animals, on account of the scarcity of provisions. At this place we overtook the last handcart company, (Martin's) and assisted in getting the company across the river. I carried many on my back, and assisted others with their carts, making about sixty trips across the water. We contended with severe frost and snow from this point until our arrival at Devil's Gate, where we encountered another severe storm. During our stay at Pacific Springs we lost the best of our remaining cattle, four head of which returned to Devil's Gate, a distance of about eighty miles, and furnished beef to the guard remaining there in charge of the emigrant property, who became almost destitute of provisions. From Pacific Springs west our company, being short of teams, had great difficulty in traveling. At Sandy we received cattle from Fort Supply, which brought us to Fort Bridger, and there we remained until teams and supplies came from Salt Lake City. We reached our journey's end on the 15^th of December."