Transcript

I was assigned to the Ira Eldredge Ox Train. There were fourteen of us assigned to one wagon including two sic women. One woman was so sick they feared she might be buried on the trail, but she recovered and was soon well enough to walk at least part time.

For fourteen years the Saints had pushed hand cars, driven oxen, horses, or mules across this trackless desert, over mountains, and trough streams. Sometimes wagons were overturned in rivers, or down steep mountains ane all the food and clothing were lost. Occasionally a man or oxen would be lost in the swift current or in quick sand. Some companies were attacked by Indians at night and wagons burned, food, horses and oxen stolen and clothing scattered across the sage brush. Babies were born and people died all dedicated to a common cause.

As we traveled we saw many herds of buffalo and occasionally one would be killed and the saints would have the joy of meat for a few days.

The best meal I had was just before we arrived. As we came down through Emmigration Canyon, I and the other girls walked ahead of the company into the valley. We were greeted with a slice of bread and butter and a large baked potato. It was the first potato and butter I had from the time we started on the plains.