Transcript

Transcript for William Willes journals and reminiscences, 1851-1885; Reminiscences, circa 1867-1880, 45-46

I was detailed to act as Captain of Ten in the train under the charge of Milo Andrus, who was a terrible bully and tyrant and very much disliked by all. Many oxen died from being overdriven and overworked on account of my being merciful to the animals he brutally dismissed me from my position and set me to drive the horse herd, which I did for six weeks but sickness overtook me and compelled me to resign. We encountered a large herd of wild buffalo, which ran across our train while in motion, and knocked down and tore off the horn of one of the oxen. Our hunters shot three of them which furnished us with meat for several days We met a large number of the Indians who were quite friendly.

Arrived at Hams Fork early in October, and when there started from the camp on foot in company with Thomas Colburn travelling night and day taking short rests with our lodging on the ground covered with our blankets and arrived in Salt Lake City on Saturday 11 o'c[lock] A. M. 20th Oct 1855 exactly seven years from the day of my baptism when within a few yards of my wife's residence she crossed the street, and seeing me directly recognized me by my eyes. we had been separated 4 years and 2 months; when she took me home my children did not recognize me; My little daughter Annie thought I was "and old [....i..]".