Started from Winter Quarters by the orders of President Brigham Young and traveled about 15 miles and halted by a beautiful grove of timber and there waited the arival of the Twelve apostles with president young at their head[.] They reached our Camp on the evening of the 14th of April, 1879 (1847). The next Morning we took up the line of march westward penetrating the unexplored regions of the far west. Singing the songs of Zion telling stories and anecdotes pasing a way the time very agreebley [agreeably] around the Campfires at nights. The second day we reached the Elkhorn River[.] here we made rafts of old dry logs on which we fer[r]ied our wagons a cross the Stream which was about 5 rods wide. After getting all safely , We encamped on the banks of the platt[e] River a Stream of Considerable size flowing into the Misourie [Missouri] River about 30 miles below. There we remained three or four days organiseing [organizing] the Companies of tens 50s fifties and Divisions. The Camp was organises [organized] in two Divisions known as the first and the Second Division. The first was Called Brighams Division[.] the Second was Hebers Division[.] these Divisions were organized into Companies of tens with their Captains[,] Cooks and teamsters[.] Collonel [Colonel] O. [Albert] P. Rockwood took Charge of the first Division and Collonel Stepeen [Stephen A.] Markham took charge of the second Division[.] I was with Collonel Markham in the same wagon under Norton Jacobs he being Captain of the ten I belonged to[.] There were also twenty five hunters organized and set a part to hount [hunt] game for the benefit of the whole Camp. After the Completion of the organization the Camp resumed their Journey westward beside the Platt[e] river[.] at noon we Stoped Near a large Company of Pawnee Indians who came into Camp begging for provisions and trying to get into the wagons[.] Consequently there was a strong g[u]ard placed around the Camp to keep them out of Camp[.] This displeased them And they went off dissatisfied[.] We traveled on untill Late at night the Indians being occasionly Seen at a distance watching the movements of our Camp. We finely struck Camp for the night without fire[.] here we lay by our wagons and teams all night with our guns in our arms Expecting an attack from the Indians. As soon as it was light we harnessed up and started on. The next day we Came to a Missionary Station on the Loup[e] fork an old pawnee village that was Deserted[.] There we stayed the afternoon and night Examining the buildings and cellars built by the natives[.] we found Several Large rooms supposed to be Council rooms built in a round or circular form Sufficient to accommodate Several hundred persons and aranged with Seats all round the inside of the Sturcture [Structure.] There were also Several large Cellars dug in the ground Seven or eight feet deep[.] Some of them measureing from 15 to 20 feet across the Center with a hole on the top large enough to admit a man[.] This was the only entrance to these subterraneous apart ments arranged for the purpose of storing provisions[.] The next morning we started on in fine Spirits Nothing worthy of notice transpired untill we came to the Loop [Loup] fork the River we had been traveling up for several days[.] We at length wished to Cross over the Stream and tryed to find a place for crossing[.] Upon examination we found the bed of the River a bed of quick sand that would not admit of a hors[e] Crossing the water not deep enough to float a raft here[.] we was under the Necessity of Staying two or three days Searching a place for crossing[.] We made several unsuccessful attempts to cross[.] finely [finally] Br Orson Pratt found a place he thought we could cross. He accordingly With his horses and Car[r]iage Made a trial[.] the horses Myring [miring] and plunging in the quick sand untill he got half way over When the horses mired down[.] 20 or 30 men rushed in the stream and dragged the horses and Cariage to the opposite Shore[.] there was then a Council Cal[le]d and it was Decided to cross by putting five or six span of animals to one wagon and if they myred down the men would take hold of them and drag them to the other side[.] in this way we expected to make the Crossing. We accordingly hitched up 5 or 10 teams with five or six span to a wagon and started in plunging and myring along with 50 or 60 men to assist them[.] the remaining part of the men hitching up and starting in one after an other[.] the first crossed finely[,] reached the opposite side of the River all safe[.] the lastof the teams drove over with one span with all the loading without any dificulty[.] being all safe over we traveld about 5 miles and put oup [up] for the Night[.] one of our men having forgoting [forgotten] His gun left it standing against a tree on the other side of the river[.] went back the next morning to get it[.] he tryed to cross the river afoot but was unable to do so as the quick Sand would let him sink down so he could scaracely get out of the water[.] he made several unsuccessful attempts to cross and was obliged to come back to Camp with out his riffle[.] At this place we had a strong guarde to protect our animals from the Indians[.] they made an attempt to run off some of our horses that Night. The next morning We started on[.] nothing of interest occured that day. The next day we stoped for noon turned our animals loos[e] to feed[.] While we were preparing Dinner there came up a gust of wind with Some rain and hail[.] the animals was ordered to be brought into the correll [corral] lest they should stray off in the storm. So I with the rest of the men brought my horses into the Correll until the rain was over. In about an hour it Cleared away[.] one of the Bretheren had been out and Came in wet[.] he went to his wagon to get his Coat[.] at the same time I started with my horses to take them out to feed[.] As I was leading them along by the hind end of his wagon he took hold of his coat to pull it out of the wagon[.] it Caught the hammer of his riffle and fired it off[,] the ball passing through a bundle of Cloth[e]s out through the hind gate and struck one of my Mares braking her shoulder bone to pieces. I at the time was between the horses opposite there [their] fore legs[.] had the mare [not] stop[p]ed the ball it would have Struck me[.] So we Lay over untill next morning. Finding the Mares Shoulder very much swelld and in great Misery It was thought advisable to Shoot her and put her out of her misery. So I got Luke Johnson to kill her[.] This left me with but one animal to my wagon which was a great annoiance to me the whole Journey as I was obliged to depend on the Charity of the Bretheren for a horse. However Colonel Markham managed to get a horse for me of one of the hunters[.] There were Several extra horses in Camp[.] the hunters was successful in killing game Suplying the camp with wild meat such as antilope [antelope,] hares[,] wild ducks and geese pirairy [prairie] hens &tc[.] We now began to get into the Buffalo Country[.] the first I saw was near the head of grand Island in the Platt[e] River[.] After we got among the buffalo we was glutten with buffalo beef[.] One day as our horses was feeding at noon I saw 5 or 6 Antilope passing by[.] I took my rifle and Started after them[.] one of the hunters Called after me and ordered me to Come back saying you are not one of the hunters and no man is alowed to hunt game but those that are chosen to hunt[.] so I Came back a good deal out of humor As I thought I could kill game as well as some of the hunters[.] So I gave up all hopes of hunting and as I had been raised on the frontiers and had become very fond of the Sport it was a great cross to my feelings to be denied the privilege of hunting game in a country where it was so plentifull[.] We continued our Journey up the platt[e] River with out a track Chart or giuide [guide] only the hand of the Lord to lead us[.] President young and Hiber [Heber] C[.] Kimball going ahead of the camp from half a mile to 3 miles telling the Camp to follow their track which invariably proved to be the best rout[e] to travil[.] We finely halted to let our teams recruit a little for a day or two the Camp having the privilege to go a hunting all except enough for a strong guard to take care of the wagons and teams[.] So I incompany with several others went out to try our skill in killing game. We had not gone far before Brother [Wilford] Woodruff Came galloping after us Calling to us to hur[r]y back to Camp telling that president young and Kimble [Kimball] had discovered a large body of Indians Coming toward Camp So we hurried back as fast as we could go
The pioneers having all come to gether orders being given[.] the old Cannon was Loaded and fired several times Making the hills farely tremble[.] This was done to frighten the Indians and to let them know that we had big guns in Camp[.] Through the Night the guard was doubled with an occasional salute from the old Sow as she was called by most of the boys[.] Morning Came and no appearance of Indians. Breakfast being over the teams all in readiness We Started out five teams a breast with a line of rifle men on each Side of the wagon and teams. In this way we traviled all day Seeing fresh signs of the Indians through the days travil but no discovery of them was made. The excitement being over we resumed our customary mode of the traveling. game now be came Scarce[.] The hu[n]ters finding now that they could get fresh meat becoming a rarity. Our mess being without meat for several days. Colonel Markham Said to me Barney I wish you would go and take your gun and get go and kill some meat for I am nearly Star[v]ed[.] I cannot eat that Strong Bacon[.] In reply I said Colonel call on your hunters for meat[.] you are one of the Committee that cohese [chose] the hunters and if you wanted me to hunt why did you not Choose me as a hunter[.] I am not one of the hunters so you will have to go to them that are . He said the reason I did not have you Chosen was because I wanted you to take care of the team and wagon[.] you know the care of the whole Division rests on me So I could not take care of the wagon and team. I said then to take care of the wagon and team is my Business and I will doit. And the hunters must you your meat[.] Besides the hu[n]ters report that there is no game to be seen in the Country[.] Do you think I can kill game when there is none. This ended the Dialog for this time[.] We continued our journey. The next day after the horses was turned loose to grase [graze] for noon. the Colonel Came to me again and Said Barney I shall starve for I cannot eat any thing we have in our wagon[.] I do realy wish you would go and try to kill Something. I said Colonel you know the hunters have killed nothing for the last eight or ten days and they Say there is no game to be found. Now you want me to go a hunting where there is nothing to kill[.] when the game was all round us I had not the previelege to take my gun and go after Some antilope that was pasing by[.] when we were Stop[p]ing for noon with out being Call Back by porter Rockwell one of the Chosen hunters and you stood by and said nothing to him about it[.] My feelings was hurt at that time[.] How ever If you will find a man to take care of the team and let me Choos[e] a man to go with me I will go and See if I can find any thing. The Colonel said he Would do so. I then chose John Norton to go with me. We had not gone more than a half mile from Camp untill we saw three Antilope laying down two or three hundred yards ahead of us[.] they jum[p]ed up and ran about half a mile and stoped. I [said to] John if we are car[e]full we will get one of them[.] so we managed to get in about 200 yards of them[.] I [k]now John you have the best rifle[.] try a Shot at one of them[.] he pulled away and at the Crack of the gun one of them went hob[b]ling off[.] We followed up presently[.] I got a shot which brought him to the ground it proved to be a nice fat buck[.] We soon took out its intrails [entrails] Cut it in two each taking a half[.] Started for the train that was travling, on a ridg[e] round a horse Shoe bend[.] We Struck a Cross falling in with the rear team which proved be the revenue Cutter. This is the name of a leather boat We had along with us for the purpose of ferrying the streams of water[.] We threw the Antelope into the Boats. the Colonel Soon noised it through the Camp that Barney had killed an Antilope the firs[t] that has been killed for the last 10 days[.] At evening Colonel Markham[,] Colonel Rock wood [Rockwood] and the twelve geathered [gathered] A Round the Boat each sliceing off a piece to broil on the Coals[.] The Antilope Soon disapeare [disappeared] with out my getting a Smell of it. This was the very thing I wanted for that gave me Notoriety, among the officers and shagrined [chagrinned] the hunters. The next day, I killed two more[.] After this I had full liberty to hunt when and where I pleased and no one dare Say a word against it[.] The next day I had the good fortune to kill three more Antilope[.] by this time the eyes of the whole camp was on me as being as good a hunter if not the best in Camp. I continued to bring in from one to three Antilopes [.] Finely, one Brother Heber C[.] Kimbal[l] Came to me and asked me if I would be his hunter and furnish him with meat. I told him I would[.] I then was numbered with the hunters for the Camp of pioneers[.] at this Joseph Hancock one of the principle hunters chose me for his partner[.] After this him and I hunted to geather [together] the ballance of the time furnishing the Camp with more meat than any other two in the Camp. The rest of the hunters having poor luck. One day at noon one of the officers had Said to Porter Rockwell port what is the mat[t]er[?] you dont kill anything[.] here is Barney[.] he brings in Some thing every day. Port said oh he kills does and all. I could more than twenty does a day if I would. But I dont want to kill old Suckling does. The answer was better does than nothing[.] Well sais Port I dont want to kill anything but nice fat Bucks[.] I thought that would do to tell[.] The next they at evening Port Came in with an Antilope Skin[n]ed and dressed up in nice order. Saying see here what a nice buck I have got[.] Some one Spoke up and said Barney has brought in a buck and a doe. Sais port I could have killed haff [half] a dozen does if I wanted to. I came to Porters nice fat buck. I looked[.] I thought that it was rather poor for a buck So I took up the Skin and examined it and found it was an old Suckling doe Skin[.] I called out See here boys what nice tits Ports buck has[.] it must have gave a good mess of milk[.] the boys Saw that it was a doe Skin. Then they hooted Port for his nice buck[.] Port scotched [stalked] around for a while in a terible rage. We Crossed the Platt[e] River at fort Larimie [Laramie] on the 15th of June[.] from there we followed the Origon [Oregon] road untill we came to the upper crossing of the Platt[e] River[.] here we had considerable trouble as the river was very high and rapid[.] Colonel Markham and I made araft [a raft] of old dry logs on which we crossed three Wagons[.] there were two or three other rafts made but the Currant being too strong the rafts were abandoned and it was decided to make two large Canoes and lash them to geather [together] for aferry [a ferry] boat[.] This being decided Myself and seven others was sent up the River 7 miles to a grove of large Cottonwoods[.] We selected two large trees 3 feet through[.] of these we made two large Canoes 30 feet long. We then cut two other trees and hewed them down to 2 inches thick and straightened the edges making planks of them 14 inches wide and 30 feet long. We then loaded them on our wagons and drove back to Camp. We then lashed the two Canoes to geather [together] and fastened the 2 plank[s] on the Canoes length wais [lengthwise.] Then we landed them in the river and ran a wagon on the plank that was far enough apart to to be under the wheels of the wagon[.] we then run it acrost the river which was quick and easy done in this way. The wagons was all Soon over[.] the Stock We swam acros[.] We were now ready for another Start[.] at this time there was A Company, of Origan [Oregon] Emigrants Came up and wanted us to ferry them over the river[.] This we Soon done being 60 or 70 wagonas [wagons] of them for which they payed flour bac[o]n and groceries[.] by this means our Stock of provisions greatly replenished[.] After the Crossing was affected we resumed our Journey traveling and hunting game as usual[.] Nothing out of the Common Course of things occurred until we Came to gren [Green] river[.] The River being very high here again we were under the necessity of building rafts to Cross the River on[.] at This place several of the men were sick with the Mountain fever[.] I being one of the number[.] All being Safely Crosed over We continued our Journey[.] nothing out of the Com[m]on Course of events occuring untill we Came to Bear River[.] At this place we campt over Sunday[.] While out a hunting I dis Covered [discovered] the tar or oil Springs[.] I tried Some of this oil and found that it would burn like a lamp. It also proved to be an excellent Remedy for Sore back horses and galded Shoulders. We then proceeded to the head of Echo Canyon[.] Here the Camp was under the necessity of laying over two or three days on account of President B[righam] Young Being sick. No[t] getting better. We continued our Journey and struck Camp a little be low the mouth of Echo Canyon on the Weber River[.] President Young getting worse and not being able to travel the Company was Divided[.] Colonel Rock woods [Rockwood's] Division Remaining to take Care of the President[.] Colonel S. Markham after receiving instructions from the president proce[e]ded with his Division[.] We crossed over the Mountain struck on big Canyon Creek[.] Working our way up the Creek Cutting willows making fords and bridges for a pas[s]age afor the train[.] We left this Stream[.] passed over the big Mountain and Came on another Small Stream[.] followed it down a short distance then Cros[s]ed over the little Mountain and Came on emigration Creek[.] followed it down to the Mouth Making the road as we went[.] at the Mouth of the Canyon it be came very Rocky which delayed the Camp one day. I wishing to see the great Salt Lake valley Worked my way down the creek through the brush and entered the valley[.] I went on a little rise of ground Cast my eyes over the valley Saw the great Salt Lake glittering in the Sun in the distance[.] I then returned to Camp[.] by this time the Road was nearly Compleated through to the open valley[.] at the same time Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow made an assent of the Mountain on the left hand Side of the Canyon[.] Reached the sum[m]it and Cast a Cheerfull Look the futer [future] home for the Exiled Saints And on the 22 day of July 1847 the advanced Division of Pioneer Camp of Latter day Saints drove into the great Salt Lake valley. . . .
[An excerpt of Barney's diary was also published in "Excerpts from a Journal of the Trek," in Campus Education Week Program, comp., Voices from the Past: Diaries, Journals, and Autobiographies [1980], 36.]