Transcript

After Staying in New York for nine days we traveled overland as far as Albany and from there to Saint Joes. [Joseph.] This was the region of activity of the Civil War at this time. From Saint Joes we traveled up the Mississippi River as far as Florence now known as Omaha, This was the camping place of the Saints. Nine weeks were spent at Florence making preparations for the trying journey to Zion. All who were able to sew helped in making tents, wagon covers, and other necessary things for their next months.

One terrible accident happened while still at Florence. The weather is very changeable there and the most perfect day may be turned into a very disagreeable one in a few minutes. The day was lovely, but one clap of thunder and a flash of lightening changed it completely. I was suffering my first attack of home sickness and was in my tent while in front were standing Brother George Q. Cannon who was giving orders to the overseerer for the making up of the train and W. D. Young. The thunder and lightening came and the clerk was instantly killed. Brother Young was scalped as though an Indian had done it, while George Q. Cannon was unhurt.

Now the great trials and hardships of crossing the plains came. Dan Miller [Henry William Miller] was the Captain and was a very capable captain. He made his home in Farmington, Davis County.

Traveling was slow, each wagon being furnished with from four to six oxen, there were about one hundred wagons each containing from six to twelve persons. This train carried ammunition for the people in Salt Lake.

President George Q. Cannon was very much concerned about me, for I was a very little girl and he made inquiries about me every day.

The Saints arrived in Salt Lake on the ninth day of October 1862.