Transcript

“Our Company,” says S. R. Parkinson, of Preston, Idaho, “were ten miles this side of Laramie when this occurred, but runners flying for their lives overtook us telling of the dreadful massacre.

“Instead of camping that night, Capt. Fields ordered the train on, traveling all night and notifying every one we met of the massacre at the fort.  Prior to this time our train for various reasons had been divided, eighteen wagons, among them George Dunford and his family, going before, under command of Capt. Isaac Groo.  As I had the only mule team of the train, Capt. Fields asked me to go ahead and bear the news to them.  At Deep Creek I overtook the other train, and we took another forced march.  We were accompanied by the terrified mountaineers and others whom I had warned en route.  At every trading point they gathered up their ponies, wagons and belongings and joined us, for the greatest fear rested on all when they heard of the uprising of the Indians. . . .

“By the time we reached the Sweetwater country, our cattle began to give out, we could not travel as before.  Capt. Fields, alive to the emergency, and fearing a belated entrance into the Valley, bought up a lot of cattle there, which was a great help to the emigrants, expecting to make good his outlay when they reached the Valley.  This wise and humane act, however, proved a sad pecuniary loss to him, though such a great blessing to his company, for he failed to make good his outlay.  Later, stripped of his earthly possessions, he left the chosen people for California, where he soon died.  While those who remained under his care with their descendants have helped to build up and make beautiful the Zion of our God.”