Transcript

24^th Friday This is the 21^st anniversary of the Pioneers entering the valley of the Great Salt Lake. owing to some unsettled business with bro Eldredge we could not move camp so lay over, and rested, showing the folks how to use wood, buffalo chips & bakettles. early this morning issued rations to the company. our company is composed of 31 wagons. 136 head of anamile, 31 Teamsters[,] 4 night hearders (who look after the anamile during the night,) 1 Captain his name is Joseph Rollins [Rawlins]. 1 Chaplain, John Parry. 1 Sargent of the guard (Isaac Kimball, 1 Clerk of train, Z[ebulon]. Jacobs & about 375 souls of the emmigrants.

25^th Sat this morning we hitched up. and rolled over to Little Laramie 16 miles & camped. the people not be used to walking were conciderable used. for one I was tired as I walked most all the way.

26^th Sund got the folks out breakfasted. roled 10 miles and nooned on a small stream[.] weather [v]ery warm, in the P.M. drove 8 or 10 miles and camped on a small stream for the night. people not used to it but are improving in health.

27^th Mondy last evening a fellow wanted us to pay toll over his bridge spanning a small stream. we started to make one for our selves[.] when he saw what we were at he told us to go over his which we done. when within a mile of Rock Creek. we nooned on a small stream[.] saw the grave of Elder Anson Call. who died last year while returning home from a mission to Europe[.] in the PM crossed rock creek rightly named, over to Wagon [.oun] 12 or 14 miles and camped for the night, having the beef Cattle belonging to the company to look after and walking all the time, tonight my feet are very sore and aching.

28^th Tues A short distance from camp this morning we met a train of ox teams from Sanpete going to Laramie after emmigrant, we nooned at medicene bow [Medicine Bow]. found Service & gooseberie, relished them very much. Captain Loveland train is traveling near us. as we were starting out one of Lovelands nighthearders accidentally shot himself in the leg while running through the brush after stock[.] a brush caught the hammer of his pistol & let it off, but is not serious[.] in the P.M. came to Old Fort Hollack and camped for the night. here we found a rough lot of fellows. they wanted some of our sisters to go and get a glass of wine with them about 1¼ mile away. I quietly told them, any thing they wanted (Sisters) there were gentlemen could get it without the Ladies leaving the camp. they got quite offended & tried to scare me. told them to go slow or some of them would get triped up. one fellow bristled up. said he was an interpreter & knew h where the Indians were. (told him so did I) & some times set them on the emmigrants out of spite, told him could not help that & he was a d- rascale, did not wish to offend anyone but intended to take care of our women at any risk, he might do his worst & walked on & left him feeling hostile, in a little while it got dark, & notified the roughs to leave the camp, the guards were set & had their instructions in case the camp was molested.

29^th Wednesdy. our neighbour were quiet during the night. hitched up and came over to Pass Creek on the west slope of Bridger Pass. 12 miles and camped. the road was sandy and rough in places, staid the PM. to let the people rest. wrote a letter to Pres Young, giving him a brief sketch of our trip also a list of the Passengers[.] done some laundry business on my own hook. sage brush scarce.

30^th Thursday This morning Captain Loveland & I came over to the Platte 15 Mile then over to Benton 2½ mile, the present terminous of the Union Paceffic [Pacific] Rail Road[.] paid $1.00 for a dinner, it was a square meal & good. then down the Platte river to visit the trains, called at Capn Molans [Simpson Montgomery Molen] train[.] saw several I knew. pleased to see them. on to Capn Momfords [Edward T. Mumford] train (this is mule train) [.] knew most of the boys. concluded to stay all night. we have come over to see the trains for about beef cattle & provisions for our train

31^st Friday After breakfast we went over to Benton. I think it is the wickedest little town of its size in existence[.] it is peopled with the scum of cr[e]ati[o]n of both sex, knocked round untill finished our business & returned to Captain Molans train, boys in both trains treated me splendidly, Cap. Momford is having a little trouble with his men, he wants them to work & they don't want to. Gillaspie [John Gillespie] men are about to mutinize, they say he does not treat them right[.] did not say much. at Holmans [John G. Holman Company] saw Gillispie & Cap Macarthur [Daniel D. McArthur].

August 1^st Early this morning collected the cattle & Provisions & drove 18 mile to Rawllings springs, saw teams coming in the distance, went and piloted them to the road, the trains went the old Emigrant & stage road & crossed the Platte at the old ford striking off at Pine Tree station to come this way. In crossing the river Thursday a young bro by the name of James Powell age 19 was drowned while crossing[.] he got into the deep water and was carried out of sight. his boddy could not be found, it cast a gloom over the camp. he was the eldest son of Sarah Powell a widdow[.] he was her main support, she being a cripple. it nearly breaks the old ladys heart. The reason we are going by the old Sweetwater rout[e] is on acct of feed & water. as the road builders are thick down bitter creek, we nooned camped for the night in some low hills[.] about a mile up in the hills is a beautiful spring, long way to fetch water, but it is good when got. feed & sage good. pleased to get back to our own camp.

2^nd Sunday. drove 12 miles to a small spring creek and nooned. as Isa[a]c Kimball & I look after the beef cattle owing to the Indians being bad our feet are sore. in the P.M. drove team and let one of the boys take the gun and go with the cattle, came to a small lake or pond. & camped. made 12 miles. the shores of the lake are very soft. & hard to get down to the water. wood very scarce, in the evening a meeting was called. I was called on to speak, gave a few every day remarks about traveling, how to get along and have patience for the longest journey comes to an end sometimes

3^rd Mond After trudging through the sand for about 7 miles we saw a buffalo cross the road a head of us. Isaac & I got some of the brethren to look after the cattle, & we started out in pursuit but could not find it, so walked on 3 or 4 miles and came to camp[.] while we were out Kimballs gun went back on him so we could not get an antelope. he tried to shoot[.] The gun would not go off, tireder now then we were[.] was hard to find[.] foot sore Hungry & thirsty[.] in the PM drove the cattle alone, over sand hills for about 3 miles[.] I came near giving out the heat was so oppressive & the sand so deep & hot. made 7 or 8 mile & camped on Sage Creek. coming along we got after a rabbit[.] a fellow in his hurry to shoot at it came near shooting 2 or three of us. I shot & killed it for him.

4 Tues Isaac & I started out with our charge, while passing along all the mornings more particularly while passing through Whiskey Gap which is a very rough & dangerous place. have been thinking about Indians, it seemed as though I could allmost smell them, have called Isaac's attention to subject, for the last two days and had felt uneasy, we had passed the gap, a short distance, Isaac wanted to turn the cattle into the brush and us to look for berries[.] I resisted some time[.] he still urged[.] finley I consented, staid there about 10 minutes and could not stay any longer, felt so uneasy. we then took the cattle out onto open ground, while looking round found Indian signs[.] called Isaacs attention to them. he said In his opinion we had better wait untill the train would come up. I thought so to, & we did wait. came on to sage creek[,] it was dry. on over a sandy and hard road to travel to the Sweet water making 20 miles or a little over. toward evening a couple of Lovelands [Chester Loveland] men came to our camp to tell us a couple of Indians had drove off 50 head of their anamils, they had followed & recovered all but 6 head[.] the boys all but two took the head recovered and went back to camp while the two men had followed the Indians across the sweetwater. overtook them[,] killed one Indian outright, and shot the other in the back as he was trying to hide in the rocks, the Indians when over taken threw down their arms and wanted to be good. the boys wanted to take them, alive. the indians through tretchery came near overpowery [overpowering] the boys, who had to go to shooting for dear life[.] one of the boys threw his Indean from him. Indian made a pass at him when he shot Indian dead. the other boy was not so quick & came near loosing his life but shot the fellow in one of his legs. and again <in the back> as he was running into the rocks, he fell down but got up again and got out of sight. when the boys jumped on their horses, gathered the 6 and the two the Indian rode. and started for camp leaving Indian where he fell never knowing how many might be lurking round. they arrived safe at camp and the horses belonging to the Indians were powerfull horses, the boys chased them about 25 miles before over hawling them. calculating the time and distance it could not have been over half an hour before we came through whiskey gap that the same Indians passed along[.] for my part it suited me just as well the way it was, it throughew us on our guard

5^th Wed. Last night about 10 oclock our anamiles made a break. as though severely frightened, they ran a short distance and the boys got round them and brought them back, from their motions I am satisfied Indians were on the opposite side of the stream. trying to get them away. we did not sleep much. Owing to Loveland being behind and one dash made on him Cap Rawling’s concluded to lay over untill he could catch up & we could be close together for safety. spent most of the day prepareing for the reds in case they should give us a call.

6^th Thurs. visited Lovelands train last evening. they were pretty well excited about the Indian business. after brakfast, Isaac & I took the beef cattle and came over to the three crossings of the sweetwater. I cannot recollect when I have been so tired and given out[.] our feet were sore & blistered. having walked 18 miles streyht a head. sun very warm. roads dusty & cattle contrary. I was so weary I stretched myself out on the ground with my feet in the water where I had put them to take the fire out. & went fast asleep. do not know how long it must have been, some time say ½ or ¾ of an hour, after dinner we took the cattle again very reluctantly, as our feet were so sore, and used up generally[.] tried to get some of the brethren to relieve us. not much. they had got a severe attact of Indians on the brain & could not be persuaded. the roads were very sandy & heavy. about 3 miles from camp found Indian signs. put a load in my gun & went skirmishing up amongst the rocks to see what I could see., made 7 miles[.] well do I remember this place. it is where in 62[,] I took a bath & then took sick and came so neer dieing[.] roads very sandy

7^th Friday Today has been very warm. drove about 19 miles and nooned at the Junction of the roads[,] one going up the Sweet water & Seminole cutoff. in the PM. Isaac & I took a stroll a short distance from the road after antelope and could not get any. came on to sage creek 5 miles & camped for the night, at noon today a couple of the sisters tried to put me in the creek, but landed where they intended me to go. Yesterday and day before we saw fires on the top of several mountains and whiskey gap the signal used by indians in time of war.

8^th Sat As Isaac & I were some distance ahead of the train we each had a shot at antelopes. of course missed. Called at Antelope Springs[.] had good cool drink of water. This is a favorite camping place, trudged on to rock springs and nooned making 16 miles. my feet are very troublesome in the P.M. came over 8 miles to a small stream that empties into the sweet water we camped neer its mouth. Wood scarce & hard to get, it was on this camp ground in 64 that sister Cobb said she had found out a new way to make tea[.] when I asked her how[,] she said, take the tea[,] chew it fine, take a drink of water and let it steep inside and you get the whole strength, simply because her son James was to lazy to get wood or water to steep in a cup

9^th Sunday Coming along this morning had a shot at an antelope at long range[.] hit where I missed before[.] came over to the sweet water 17 miles & nooned. coming from the west here is where we first strike it, from the east we leave it[.] wind & dust very uncomfortable. came on 5 miles and struck Paciffic Creek (over the South Pass) came down 4 miles & camped for the night very tired & ready to rest. wood scarce[.] in our corall found a grave board name and date gone.

10^th Monday. Came over to Big Sandy 22 miles and camped. sun very hot. drove beef cattle most of the way. when I got to camp nearly give out. had some washing done. washed my self & found the largest gray back I ever saw. the first & I hope the last I have found on the trip. very amusing to see the people male & female in out of the way places & in wagons hunting the varmens [vermin] & destroying them

11^th Tuesdy drove 16 miles & nooned. very warm[.] grasshoppers very thick & depositing their eggs. wholesale. this P.M. came over to the big bend <Sandy> & camped. sage & wood long way off.

12^th Wedns by getting out early we reached Green River & forded over first & camped just below the ferry. making about 10 miles. plenty of wood & rain

13^th Thurs. Out early & came over to Hams Fork[.] 22 miles and nooned. In the P.M. drove 8 miles & Camped. We found a good many scorpions. One got up on a man and frightened him conciderable[.] nothi[n]g of impertan [importance] or out of the regular rotine.

14^th Friday This morni[n]g I was fearfully frightened by finding a large scorpion on my thigh. It had crawled up the inside my pants leg[,] managed to get if off without stinging me. no tongue can tell how thankful I was to get off free without injury, as it was by mere accident I discovered it as I did[.] it was an unwelcome visitor and hope never to have such a fright again. This A.M. crossed the muddy saw the grading of the U.P. made 12 miles in the P.M. drove about 12 miles and camped on the muddy. This morning as the people were picking up their beds quite a number found scorpions in them but none recieved a sting, warm dry & Dusty.

15^th Sat after wa[l]king untill give out rode to camp about one mile from Burns Station, making 17 miles[.] just before going into camp crossed the muddy which was very bad. Most of the people had to wade the streem, I carried several sisters over. My feet gave out and had to quit[.] one bro was carr[y]ing one of the sisters over, when his foot caught some thing and he went head long under the water, throwing the sister over his head, she was wet through and nearly frightened to death[.] several sprang in to the rescue. no damage done beyond a wetting. we had a good laugh[.] after we had been in camp a short time Sister Sarah Johnson breathed her last[.] she was aged 72. this P.M. we trudged up Quakingasp hill, a long and strong pull., camped at Pioneer Hollow. here we layed sister Johnson to rest, to await the call of her Creator, the digging was very hard. I blistered my hands before the grave was completed.

16^th Sunday, this morning Isaac & I trudged on a head, to see some of the boys on the road. they were to far away[,] did not see them. met Albert R. Carrington, glad to see him[,] told me about home & friends, he is working on the road. Isaac & I then went over to Charles Kimballs Camp, on Bear River, saw several I knew[.] back, to the road called at bro Mires he invited me to dine[.] how could I refuse a square meal[?] I did not[,] so set to, and had a good time [.] felt 10 lbs heavier, bro Myres old acquaintance of mine also his good lady. her maiden name was was Reed[.] in the PM came over to Needle Rock & camped. making 23 miles through the day. about one hour after reaching camp Sister Mary Green paid the debt of nature breathing her last. She was aged 74, it seems hard after enduring what they have, when so near their haven of rest to pass away. we burried her that evening.

Aug 17^th Sund. I came on a head over the Echo Caॱon & crossed over the mountain to John W. Youngs camp. he has an extencion contract grading the U.P. Road. here met several acquaintances also Mrs. Ella Empey. gave her quite a start. she did not know I was in the country[.] thought it was my Ghost but awful dirty. took dinner, plasant time talking over home news. Camping down the Caॱon saw a good many of my old frends at work on the road. camped about 8 miles from the Mouth of Echo Caॱon. this evening commenced making up the compani[e]s book, while standing near the road, the stage came along. and who should be on it but T.B.H. Stenhouse from New York. looked well[.] glad to see him[.] he is going on to the city, he kindly offered to take me along but cannot leave the train[.] sent love to the folks

18^th Tuesday Started out and footed it to the mount of the Can[y]on, met some of the boys, rode to grass Creek. met bro & Sister Copley, pleased to see them[.] took dinner, then on to Coalvill[e] called on several of my acquaintances[.] The train nooned at Grass Creek[.] on to the head of silver creek making 30 miles[.] it was late when we camped[.] this morning as we started out met the stage. in it was Father Carrington on his way to England, I was surprised as well as pleased to see him looking so well.

19^th Wed Started out and walked over to Wm Kimballs 3 miles[.] when I arrived there who should I see but my dear Sister Zina[.] I was so glad to see her. she is out on a short visit, left her after a short chat, and came over to Furgasons & nooned. here Zina overtook us. she has been playing nurse to Albert Merrill who is very sick. his bro Frank Merril[l] was driving the carriage. when they had bated there team they offered me a seat in their carriage to come on to the city, which I accepted of course, got my valice, got in, and we started for home; rolled slow Parley Caॱon out onto the bench where I could catch a glimpse of the valley I have so long looked for, then came a view in the distance of the “city I love so well[.]” My feelings can be better imagined than described on viewing mountains[,] valley, lake & city. After an abcence of 15 months & a few days, to see them, made my heart overflow with gratitude to my Father & God for his preserving care over me, in the course of time we arrived in the city traveling along the streets & viewing scenes so familiar to my gaze.