John R. Young wrote: "In the spring of 1862 I was called by the bishop of the Santa Clara Ward to drive an ox team to Omaha on the Missouri river, to get some cotton gins and spinning jennies for the benefit of the ward. . . .  For three weeks [at Omaha] I aided in purchasing teams for the immigrants and brought up the rear end of that year's immigration. After all our companies had started back, I received orders by telegram from Pres. Young to buy more teams and wagons and to clear out the Church warehouse at Florence.

"On the 17th of August I started for Salt Lake with 22 wagons and teams, but only 10 teamsters, and we traveled 100 miles before I got additional help. . . .

"Near Fort Laramie we overtook Capt. Wm. H. Dame's train of 50 wagons. As he was prostrate with mountain fever, we blended the trains and I took charge of them until we reached Ft. Bridger. . . .  I . . . reached S. L. City the same day that Capt. Dame did."