Transcript

Transcript for Tripp, Enoch B, Autobiography, in Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Collection, 1828-1963, reel 17, item 13, 19

At Florence, I was assigned to Phileman [Philemon Christopher] Merrill’s company as captian of one of the ten. Brother Merrill was captain of the company with S[amuel]. A[mos]. Wooley as captain of the guard. When fully organized we started westward traveling on the average about fifteen miles per day. The company was called together for prayer every night and morning.

One night, while we camped on the Platte, our cattle stampeded. It was so dark we had to wait for daylight before we could go in search for them. The men mounted their horses and covered the plains looking for the stray cattle. They found them in small bunches scattered here and there. Many of them were among the buffalo that roamed the area by thousands. We spent several days rounding up the lost cattle and when all but a few head had been gathered, we resumed our line of march with more care and caution every night when making camp. We would drive our wagons into a round circle. Every ten wagons were in their places with each wagon tongue to the hind part of the wagon ahead forming a corral for the cattle at night. Every man cooked by his own wagon outside the corral. We continued on our journey day by day with peace and safety until we reached the mountains where for convenience for traveling the company was divided. Our ten wagons went with Brother Samuel Woolley. After this we made better progress in traveling through the mountains and in getting feed for our animals. Thus we continued onward day by day with peace and safety. Our animals held up well in spite of the length of our journey. We reached Salt Lake City without incident where I found my wife and children well. Hearing of my arrival, Presidents Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball rode down in their buggy to welcome me home and to bless me.