Transcript

On my arrival at Wyoming [Wyoming, Nebraska] I was appointed to take charge of a company of Scandinavians of over thirty wagons, on the plains. I was joined by more wagons, making in all over sixty, for safety against Indians, as they were very hostile that season, many people being killed, horses, mules and cattle stolen and wagons burned. Many times, ranchers, traders, and also officers at government posts would use all argument possible to induce us to stop for safety. The answer I would give them was, "We are used to Indian warfare, and we have only provisions enough to take us home, if we keep moving, and we would rather run our risk fighting Indians than starve on the plains."

We arrived home safe on the 25th of September, 1864.