Transcript
Transcript for Simpson Montgomery Molen, Autobiography, reel 5, box 6, fd. 15, item 1
In the Spring of 1847 after procuring a Scanty supply of provisions and clothing, we resumed our dreary march and on reaching what was then called Winter Quarters we joined the main body of Mormon Emigrants with whom we traveled to Salt Lake valley—We traveled in J[edediah] M[organ] Grants hundred and Wil[l]ard [Trowbridge] Snow fifty—The journey was long and tedious consuming over three months time. Roving bands of Indians made frequent visits to our camp demanding presents as tokens of peac[e] and friendship. On the Plains on either side of the Platt river were thousands of Buffulow and our cattle seemed to partake of that wild disposition and Stampedes by our cattle were a frequent occurence[.] one night—when Correlled they got scared at a Buffalow robe and made a dash for more room breaking down two wagons in their exit—and scatered among the herds of wild cattle many of them we never found which weakened our teams and retarded our Progress. Often our teams while traviling on the road would get scared and run and it would be with much dificulty we get them stoped. On arrival in the valley we pitched our tents on what is now the Western part of Salt Lake City near where the old fourt [fort] stood. This was in the fall of 1847 which make us myself and the family Pioneers and founders of Utah