"Emigrants for Utah," St. Louis Luminary, 17 Feb. 1855, 50.
- Related Companies
- Company Unknown (1855)
OFFICE OF THE LUMINARY, ST. LOUIS, February 16, 1855.
It is intended that the remainder of our European emigration destined for Utah the present year, will sail during the months of February and March, from Liverpool via Philadelphia, Cincinnati and St. Louis, to a point on the Missouri River, hereafter to be determined as a point of outfit for the plains. That portion of those now on their way hither, via New Orleans, as also those going from St. Louis, will be shipped hence to the same point on the Missouri. All others from the Eastern States, or British Provinces, who intend crossing the plains this season, will do well to concentrate at St. Louis, and report themselves at this office, during the month of April, or early in May, and embark hence under our general arrangements.
Those of Northern Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, who chose to journey by land across the country, should also rendezvous at the same place on the Missouri—which will hereafter be made known through the columns of the Luminary,—and there I will meet them personally, or by my agent, to organize them into companies, and give them such instructions, and adopt such regulations as will be necessary for their security in crossing the plains.
My assent will not be given for any Saint to leave the Missouri River, unless so organized in a company of at least fifty effectual well armed men, and that too under the command of a man appointed by me; one who will carry out my instruction.
Behold here is wisdom! "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Every male capable of bearing arms, should provide himself with a good rifle, or other effectual fire-arms, and ammunition.
I will furnish at the point of outfit, for such as desire it, wagons, oxen, cows, guns, flour, bacon, &c.
Choice wagons made to order and delivered at the point of outfit, with bows, projections, &c., will be about $78, without projections, $75. Oxen, with yokes and chains, from $70 to $85 per yoke; cows from $16 to $25 each.
My experience, derived by six journeys over the plains, enables me to know what kind of teams and outfits are wanted for the plains.
Those wishing me to supply them in part or in whole, should lose no time in sending in their orders, which in all cases must be accompanied with certificates of deposit or drafts on some good banking house in the eastern cities or St. Louis, for the amount to be expended in filling such orders, the deficit or excess will be settled with the parties at the point of outfit.
One wagon, 2 yoke oxen and 2 cows will be sufficient (if that is the extent of their means) for a family of eight or ten persons, with the addition of a tent for every two or three families. Of course, with that amount of teams only the necessary baggage, provisions and utensils can be taken, and then the persons ride but little.
Those who have a surplus of means after paying their tithing and making provisions for their own outfit, should contribute to the "Perpetual Emigrating Fund," according to their means and faith, so that other long tried and faithful Saints who lack means, may receive aid through that channel.
In as much as many individuals and small families of limited means desire to hire a passage over the plains, I propose to fit our teams and emigrate all such from the Missouri river to Salt Lake in connection with P. E. Fund Emigrants, and under similar regulations, by their advancing $40 each, with the understanding that if, when the accounts shall have been adjusted by the P. E. Fund Co., it is ascertained that the cost of their emigration has exceeded that sum, the balances shall be paid in Utah, and if less it shall go to the profits of the P. E. Fund. 100 pounds luggage, besides provisions, will be the extent allowed any P. E. Fund passenger, or $40 passenger; provided, that extra freight will be taken for the latter at $10 per 100 pounds.
All persons wishing to avail themselves of this opportunity, must send in to me their names, with the amount of their luggage, and the money as soon as they decide upon it, in order that active preparations may be making for the immense labors attending it.