Transcript

Transcript for "Past Celebrations of Pioneer Day," Salt Lake Herald, 15 April 1897, 8

My father, General Rich, was captain of our company of over 100 persons.  One of the first things that impressed me on the journey was the day on which we overtook the companies at Elk Horn.  The date was June 16, 1847, and there we went into camp until the arrival of the whole pioneer train.  It was on the same day that Mr. Jacob Weatherby, one of the company, who was sent back to Winter Quarters with two companions as escort to Nancy Chamberlain, a poor demented woman who insisted on coming with us and who, the authorities thought, should be sent back to Winter Quarters, was shot by Indians within a very short distance of the camp.  Nancy and the others were unharmed and it was decided that she should be brought with us, rather than run the risk of losing any more lives in an attempt to send her back.

We remained at Elk Horn until Monday, the 21st of June, for the arrival of the artillery.  It consisted of one powder wagon, one cannon, and a boat on wheels, which was provided with a hanging bell, and which, on the journey was used to call the companies together in time of danger.  It was afterwards used for many years at the Temple for the purpose of calling the people to meeting during the existence of the Bowery.

The next thing that impressed itself on my mind was seeing, away off in the distance, a large body of people riding in our direction.  The bell was run and all the companies went into camp until it could be ascertained who they were.  Upon using spy-glasses it was discovered they were Indians.  There were 500 of them in the party, and all rode into camp, 12 abreast, chanting some weird song and waving a large flag.  They had heard of our expected arrival and had ridden out from Fort Laramie to trade with us.  They remained three days, and the chief fell a victim to the charms of my father’s wife and wished to buy her.  He would not take no for an answer, but hovered around camp a number of days in a vain endeavor to gain possession of her.

“The days were not all filled with hard work,” said Mrs. Miller.  “We sometimes we went into camp for a few days’ rest, and as there were musicians along, we often had a dance, the discomfort of tripping the light fantastic on the ground being made light of by the pioneers.”