Hall, Almira Jane Reid, Autobiography, 46-59.

Related Companies
David H. Cannon Company (1861)
Related Persons
Martha Bailey
William Bailey
Sophronia Priscilla Reid Barlow
Clark Barzee
Mary Stewart Barzee
David Henry Cannon
Heard Cheney
Josephus Darling Cornwell
Lemuel J. Cornwell
Mary Davis
Charlotte Eldridge
Thomas Eldridge
Charlotte Eldridge
William Wood Hall
Almira Jane Hall
Elisha Hyrum Harrison
Josephus Sidney Alford Huddleston
Elam Russell Sperry
Elijah Thomas
Wiley Thomas
John Thorpe

We got loaded up[,] hitched on to the Eldri[d]ge wagon and lift [left] Council Bluffs an[d] crossed the muddy Missouri River on the 15th of May 1861 on a steam ferry boat. We traveld about ten miles that evening when we stopd for to make our first camp on plenty of good grass for the cattle[.] We had 2 yoke of steers and 2 yoke of cows. We did not travel very fast for we wanted to get the cattle in good condition and strong so that they could stand the trip. We come on to Loup Fork to a ranch that a man owned by the name of Murr[a]y. There Eldrige an[d] his wife met an old friend from England. We camped there 3 weeks during that time Eldrige wanted everything weighed for to see how much load was on the wagon. He said there was to[o] much and it would break down. He was afraid it could not stand the trip over the plains. I see where the trouble was but I never said a word for if I did it would knock things all to pieces. I let William my husband and Eldrige talk it all over. I gave the girls a wink for to keep still but Eldrige was a little too particular about the luggage when William said well I will go back to Big Grove and I’ll have my wagon fixed. I’ll be back here by the time the trains are ready to cross Loup Fork River and I’ll go then. Eldrige see that William was agoing to carry out his idea of getting independant of Eldrige and go any how. So Eldrige began to draw in his complaints about the luggage. I stood perfectly silent. I thought I would keep still. We had got started for Salt Lake and I was willing for to put up with the inconvenient way as I had to do so we could get to Salt Lake with the church that I believed that God had set up for the last time never to be thrown down no more. The next week after this talk and settlement about going on to Salt Lake, but here I must say that for to lighten the burden we sold a ten gallon keg of molasses for the price we gave for it in Council Bluffs to Murry and some other things I forget exactly what they were, any how Eldrige and his family eat out of our grub pile; but neither I nor William never felt to grumble at him. I no [know] that Eldrige had some provesions but it was not very much. We was not so little souled so we could not help them with a willing heart and then complain about it afterwards. The emigrant company came along about the middle of June so we all got ready and hitched up the team onto the wagon we started for to go to the company of emmigrants. We soon came to the Company and joined with them. We had to go on a ferry boat part of the way over the Loup Fort [Fork] River then ford the rest of the way over the river through the quick sands. That was one stream of water that us women did not wade through it was to[o] deep for us. I know my husband waded through he drove the team and annother man one of the company he lookd at our team he see that they was not large so he hitched on 2 big long legid [legged] yokes of his cattle ahead ours so that we got through the quicksands quite easy. I shall never forget that man with his kind looking face and his kind way[.] he offerd his team and helped to drive throu[g]h the quick sands of the loup fork River but we all got over the River in safety[;] none of the company had any serious trouble. We campd with the Company that night. There was sixty five wagons in that Company our wagon was sixty six but one man his name was Sperry he had his wagon out. He did not keep in with the Company he travld along; but kept in sight of the company so the Captain of the Company had our wagon put in the second ten where Sperry left the Company. We travld on untill we come to Wood River Center. This was a trading post 200 miles west of the Missouri River an[d] 300 miles east of Fort Lariemie [Laramie.] There the company laid over a day or two. I was a little acquainted with the trader and his family. I sold my feather bed to the trader for 5 dollars. I was glad to do that rather than throw it out on the plains. I got a pair of gogles for my husband and some medicines at the trading post. I had bought the feather bed 3 years before. I paid 13 dollars for it but for to make a little more room in the wagon for the rest of the company I cheerfully sold the feather bed. We used quilts and a buffalo robe that my husband had bought from the Indians the rest of the road. We all traveled on[.] after leaving this trading post we come near the Wood River crossing. The Captain said for the camp quick[,] it lookd it would rain so the company comenced to prepair for the camp. William got the cattle unyoked; I hurried up the tent we got our beding out of the wagon we could see the big black clouds coming up in the west. We had just got the tent fixed an our beding in a pile in the middle of the tent when the rain began to come down. Eldrige and his family were in the wagon. We was not fifteen minutes doing this when the rain the wind the lightning oh for the heavy peals of thunder that come[,] it shook the earth so that some of the Company was afraid it would strike us. In ten minutes the water was an inch deep all over in the tent but soon it was ancle [ankle] deep. It was worse outside we could see when the lightning flashd. My husband he took the buffalo robe an rolld up in it like the Indians and lay down. The girls raped [wrapped[ in quilts and shawls. I took a quilt an rapped up my boy and laid him down on the other beding that was in a pile. It rained until midnight. We all did sleep some I know that I did not sleep much watching the tent for fear it would blow down but it did not. It was awfull dark you could not see any thing only when the lightning flashed. When daylight came the rain had ceased to fall. The air was warm the sun rose so bright and pretty as though it never had raind. I thought how good to have the warm air and sunshine for we was all soking wet from the rain. We all soon got up for to get some breakfast for we could not get at the cold grub and the storm would not let us cook but Eldrige and his family got into the crackers and some cold vi[c]tuals in the wagon. They did not get wet in the wagon like we did in the tent and Eldrige did not forget to laugh and taunt us in the tent but we let it pass as though it was all fun. We soon got some breakfast then the Captain said may be we had better lay over that day so some of them went washing their clothes. We had to spread out every thing to dry we had in the tent. Our tent was the only tent that stood the storm. All the rest of the tents of the company blowd down flat to the earth our tent was the A tent in shape. About ten oclock the Captain an some of the leaders of the company began to see the river a raising. It was getting deep. It was a small stream[,] the night before the rain came the Captain says I guess we had better get ready and cross the river as soon as we can, or we will have to stay here a week before we can cross the river. So we all gatherd up our traps and the men went and got their teams we all began crossing the river and traveld over ten miles of creeks and byos [bayous] or sloughs that was leading from the river over the low lands. When we had passed the most danger of high water the Captain found a good camping place for the night. The air was nice[,] the sky was clear[,] we all could put up our tents and have supper. We rested good that night. That was the last heavy rain we had on the road. It either raind ahead of us or behind us the rest of the time we was on the pla[i]ns. After this about a week one of the cows got alkalied and she began to bloat so bad I got uneasy for fear she would die. It would rip the team. I went to the bitters jug[,] I turned out a pint cup full of the bitters and I askd William to help me pour this down her throat; for to stop the bloating[;] he helped me to give the bitters to the cow. She soon got better for a little while[,] then she began again to bloat so I went an got a half pint more and give her[,] she got over the bloating and got well. We had to travel on several miles after that but that cow was not sick any more. The next day when Eldrige went to the bitters jug he had went 2 or 3 times to the jug when William came up to where Eldrige was at the jug[.] Eldrige says gonnies the bitters is nearly all gone. William took a small dram of the bitters but Eldrige was out of fix to think the bitters was so near out. I told William when was alone that Eldrige need not make a fuss. He did not pay for it and that it was better to save the cow’s life than have the team broke up. I could have said more but I thought best not now. The next day or to [two] after this I see Eldrige drinkd out the last of the bitters and then when that was gone [we] had to go without bitters. We traveld on to near Chimney Rock. Some of the other cattle got alkalied a little. I had found out some other remedy good for alkalie from the brethren in the company so I resorted [to] them and I done like the brethren said I did ask the Lord in Heaven for to bless the cows and oxen with health an strength for to draw loaded wagons with our food an clothing. I had to assist in waching the cattle from the Alkaly waters so that none of the cattle would get alkalied. One night I dreamd that a traveler came along on horse back. He seemed to know all about every circumstance of everything in the Company. This traveler says to me your cattle are small but they will stand the trip better than some of the biger ones. Your cattle will all be sick a little but none of them will die. You will get through your journey all right but you will have to get you a wagon at Laremie [Laramie]. I lookd. I thought I saw a wagon with a kind of a blueish lead colord box on it and bows on it ready for the cover to be put on. I thought it had come from Leavenworth, Kansas. About 3 weeks before we got it the traveler told me that Eldrige and his family and me and my family would have to separate. It would be better for us both. I lookd at him a little botherd in my mind. I did not like to tell him why I humbled to this kind of a way of traveling at present. When he says I know all about it you need not fear but you will have to get parted. Then he went off as he went out of sight[,] I woke up from sleep. I found I had been dreaming. I will own the truth I was completely got at the traveler how he should know me like he knew all about the Company and everything. How I had felt in mind in crossing the plains and the different scenes that was coming along began to show out the next day. I did not tell the dream neither did I hint at it when my husband says to a rancher about fifty or sixty miles below Laramie have you got a wagon you would like to trade off. The rancher says I have one but it needs a little fixing but he wanted to much for it more than we could pay. After he quit talking with the rancher I says to William there is a wagon in Fort Larimie for us when we get there. It has come from Fort Leavenworth with a Kansas man. William [asks] how do you know. I says I saw it in a dream. he says when. I says the other night after Eldrige was so funny. Now we had got a long into the Indian nation and some of the Indians had brought some Antelope meat for to trade off to the emigrants[.] So Eldridge traded with the Indians for some of this kind of meat. Eldrige was greatly elated over this meat. There was some fried for supper and Eldrige eat very harty of this Antelope meat. I says to the girls don’t eat much at night for fear it will upset you. I gave my boy a small piece that night. I eat a small piece myself for to see how nice it was; but I felt like I had better let it alone. So I did not eat but very little. My husband seem to like the meat pretty well. We had several frys of the meat but very little of it would do me. My boy said he did not like it but in about 2 days Eldrige was taken with a bad case of diarheah. It turned in to C[h]olera. My husband gave me the whip for to drive the team while he stoped off a ways from the train for to take care of himself. I drove the team for about 5 miles before time for to camp at noon. He did not come along like had had done before. I felt a little troubled when I see Eldrige so sick he could not walk. He had to get up in the wagon an ride for fear my husband was sick to but got to camp I unyokd the cattle and then began to look for my husband. When barzee says I have got him. He is in my wagon. I went and asked him if that meat wanted to run. He said yes, a little but he was better. Barzee says I gave him some flour stird up in vinegar. I had him ride aways. I thought you had[.] you could drive the team[.] he says how is that other man. I says he is a little better. Then I thanked Barzee for his kindness to my husband. I went an got some dinner for them all with Mary’s help. She was such a good girl I could depend upon her help. Well we got dinner an William come and eat a little dinner and drank some good tea that seem to do him so good that he was so he could help yoke and hitch up the cattle in the afternoon and drive the team and he walked. While Eldrige eat dinner and rode in the wagon. I will explain how this was. There was ten of us belongd to the one wagon an team. There was Eldriges 3 little girls and my one boy. My sister an the welch [Welsh] girl (Mary Davis). My sister got in with a family by the name of Cornwell. There was the old man and his wife, their youngest son named Josephus Cornwell. The old lady wanted my sister to help do the cooking and wash up the dishes and my sister could ride with her. So I said nothing against it for it was better for my sister as she was pleased with the chance of riding and her board. But there was an nother family wanted Mary Davis for to do the camp work for them but they could not let her ride. The girl did not go there to sleep but slept in my camp at night. The second day Mary was so much more tired when she come to sleep in my camp at night she says in a low voice to me I don’t think I will go there any more. They say they can not let me ride. They are so heavy loaded. I made her this answer you need not do their work if they won’t give you one ride a day. Then she says it is harder there than hear with you. They say they can’t let [me] sleep there. I says to her you know how we are fixd at present until we get to Larimie then we will split up for William is going to try to trade for one wagon. Then it will be better for us all. She looked a look of surprise when I told her I did not want her to nigger for them like that and she was as welcome with me as my self. Then I told her how William had tryed to trade for one at Chimney Rock but it was not good enough for to travel with. I says it will not be long until we will be at Larimie. God will have us one ready for us. It has a lead colord blueish box on it and it is hacked off on the hind end with a hatchet or a axe for the want of saw for to make it a little shorter. It was to long for to suit the man that ownd it when he done it. You need not drag after such folks. Well says Mary I don’t think I shall go with them any how I am best with you I think. We went to bed and slept good but I was up and out for buffalo chips as soon as it was light enough for to see them good. I did this every morning and get the breakfast while the rest of the crowd could get ready for to eat it. Mary its and eat with us. She did not go back to her slave post any more only to tell them that she could not do the work and walk all the time. The woman says how do you [do] with Mrs. Hall. Mary says Mrs. Hall don’t have so much for me to do. I’ll stay with her. I have to sleep there any way. Then the woman says we have not got no more beding I know. Then Mary come back with us. A few days after this the little children got to quarreling over something. The girls tryd to get it away from my boy. We all calld him Josey because he was little. One of the girls was nearly 2 years older than Josey. One was six months younger than Josey then one was a year ten months younger than he was but they could not get it. They tryd [to] whip him and he whipd them then their mother went and slaped my boy. Then she come and wanted me to whip him. I says theres 3 against one[.] it is not fare for your girls to whip him[,] then you to slap him and then want me to whip him. I don’t tell him to fight[.] I don’t slap your girls and you please let my boy alone. The children wanted some thing that Josey had to play with and they pitchd at him for to get it and he would not let them have it so their mother grabs my boy and spanked him quite hard and made him give up his play things to the girls[.] then she says you won’t make him mind[.] I says I don’t slap your girls[,] he does not take their playthings. You just please let him alone but 2 days later it was at noon we had dinner and I had laid down under the wagon to rest a few minutes before they would hitch up the teams[,] when Josey had found a little stick about six or 8 inches long. Mrs. Eldrige had slaped him for something a little while before[,] he throws the stick right in her face. He then run to me an she after him. I asked what was the matter[.] she says you won’t whip him[,] I will. Well says I you let my boy alone. Then I says to Josey you stay away from then [them]. Don’t go near the girls[,] then I says to her I don’t whip nor slap your girls and your girls has spit in my face 3 or four times. You let my boy alone. I know they are a little and ugly. I then got up and began to fix up things to I could help William yoke up the cattle. The next thing was that Eldrige him self came and took hold of my arms close up to the shoulders[.] I had a tin churn half full of milk in my right hand, I slamd the churn at his face. I knock him down; I had hit him in the breast but he jumped up and come at me again. I grabb the tin churn I slamd it again and a kick with it. I set him down again. Then he come again; I grabb him by the hair[,] I kicked at the same time he kickd at me but I kickd faster than he could. I twisted a chunk out as big as my finger I puld it out by the roots. I says you let me alone and my young one. We did sware at each other he backd off; I after him when he see the crowd coming he run. I told him just what I thought of him down pat. I did not see the crowd of people untill they was right on to us. I told him I did not care what he thought of me after he run and made some threats what he would do if I followd him further. The crowd came up and began to ask questions. I says they have got to let my boy alone that’s all. I was really sorry. In about 5 minutes my sister came across the circle of wagons that were formed for a correl [corral] for to drive the cattle and horses and mules that was coming up into the circle or correll. She says Jane have you been fighting. I say yes. I was not agoing to let him lick me and beat my young one around not by a good [d]eal. He come and jamd me against mother Baily’s wagon as I was fixing up the kittles [kettles] and things into the box. He ketchd me by the both arms close up to my shoulders for to [d]rag me around as he pleased[.] I just nickd [knocked] him down with the tin churn half full of milk. I sit him down square. he then come at me again. I gatherd the churn. I knocked him down again: he then got up and come at me again. I grabbd him by the hair on his head I pulld his hair with a good will[.] he kickd at me[,] I kickd at him faster than he could kick me. I pulld a chunk as big as my finger I would not cared if I had pulld it all out. They have got to let Josey alone that’s all. While we was having the scuffle the people began coming around[.] I did not see them at first I was bent that he should not lick me. Thomas (this was his given name) was seeing that the people was coming to where we was scuffling, but I had the best of him so he run as the croud came up for to begin to ask questions. My sister says I don’t blame you one bit. Just as I was through telling my sister the trouble; William came with the cattle for to yoke up for to start with the rest of the company: when my sister says Will, he says what? then she says Tom and Jane has had a fight over the child[.] she says Tom jamd Jane against mother Bailys wagon by the shoulders then she knocked Tom down with the tin churn half full of milk. Then she began to laugh so that she could not say no more. Then Mary came with a sly smile in her face but I did not hear what she told William only this she said I don’t blame her for fighting for they are both mean to Josey. (This was my boy). Just then Thomas Eldrige came up for to help William yoke up the cattle. He turnd very white and he trembled so when he see my sister and Mary standing a few steps from William a laughing sly at him. Thomas began to excuse himself to William about our scuffle while William was after the cattle so we could get ready for to start out with the rest of the company. I shall never forget the look that William gave me for a minute. I was afraid that they would fight but I gave a look at William not to fight if he could help it. I could stand my own ground without him to fight[.] Tom and William talkd gather [together] for a few minutes but Tom laid all the blaime on me. I did not say a word then. But I gave a look to William as much as to say never mind the trouble. We got started out on the road all of the company was traveling along when Thomas Eldrige began to talk to chide me for not letting them whip and slap my boy around whenever his 3 girls could not lick him. Thomas complaind of having my sister to come with me and Mary Davis the Welch girl to come with us. I was full up to the neck[.] facts must come now without angur I must speak the truth. I says when the girls my sister and Mary wanted to come with William and me I did not know you and William was making any agreement about going togather for to hitch on your wagon and not stop for to get our own wagon fixd up as my father had broke one wheel but he said he would fix it all good in a week. They girls and I thought the wagon was loaded pretty well; but we thought that there would be some chance for them to get in with some one that needed a girl for to help them in the company when we got to them. Then he complaind of my boy a riding. I lookd at him saying my boy has as good a right to ride as your girls. They are all to little to walk very much. I and the girls that is (Sophronia and Mary) has not rode a rod in the wagon since we crossed loup fork. I have never begrudged your wife a ride and I don’t now. Then he began about my boy he all most got out the word I had ought not have brought him along intimating that I had ought to have give him away like he was not my child. My blood boild then; but I ca[l]mly said that is my own child and I was honest married to his father in Missouri[,] but he turned such a brute I could not live with him. I left him four months before he was born: then he divorced me and married again by the laws of the United States I am doubly released of his father before I was married to William. I am no bad character my boy is honest born. I promise the God of heaven and earth I would never forsake him nor yet to be set against him I would do the very best I knew how by my child until death parts us. Now you shall not beat him or knock him around and no body else shall. I just think it is the awfullest thing on earth for a mother to desert her child to give it away like it was nothing. I am not a going to meet the great God that made heaven an earth with no such guilt on my conscience, I can tell you. Now you remember that. Then he complaind of us having more luggage than he had. Then I told him I had sold some of the grub and some other things for to make the load lighter and my sister had got a ride with Cornwells and Mary was no burden. She had not rode in the wagon very much. He then said we had not ought to have had Mary and Sophronia’s things along in the wagon. Then I told him in plain words that I would not desert my boy and my sister and I would not desert Mary. I had promised her father I would see her safe to Salt Lake City. I was a going to do it if God let us live to see Salt Lake City. You have treated me just like you did Carns on Keg Creek when he took you in from the hand cart company. Him and his wife nursd your wife when she was confined with Mary Ann. He gave you work and paid you for every thing you done. Then you come with my father to Stickney’s Mill. There father paid you for every thing you done. You treated him no better than you did Carns. I have been good to you and your wife and children. I have been honest in every deal with you. I befriended you and her. You have been too bossy over what was not your own. You wanted me to turn Mary out among these Sioux Indians that looks nice[.] I said I see you at the devil before I would do it. You are not willing for my boy to ride. Now this is my team when we get to larimie [Laramie] I will stop at larimie I will get me annother wagon and go on to Salt Lake City. Now you have fared in the provisions or the grub line equel with us all the way. I have got the breakfast every morning and hunted the buffalo chips. You did not bother after them. I know your wife has to care for the children. That is all right. But you need not to try to boss me around the way you have done. We had some strit [straight] talk. I don’t pretend to write every thing we said to each other on the road as we traveled along. My husband walkd along driving the team. Mary got to ride a while with some of the neighbor teams. That evening when we camped with the company Eldrige and his wife began to fix their own supper. The first meal they had prepared on the road. Mary see them first. I had been washing the cattles necks and put some grease on the sores for to keep the flys and gnats off their necks. When Mary says to me look there at them I lookd and I says let them alone. We soon got supper. I see that they did not have much so I gave them some of my own for to help out. They lookd a little botherd but I never said a word for to hurt their feelings. This [I] did every day for a week. Then they could make their children mind after we had the scuffle and quarrel. I did not get far away from the wagon for fear they would pounce on my boy. I didn’t trust to no one to guard my child. I was his mother[;] it was my place to take care of him. I never did trust them much now it was less. It was after supper when we had fixd the tent and down to bed that I told William all about how the fuss began and how the croud come and how sister come when William was told by her that I was glad. He did not fight with Tom. I should not have done it, but it was self defence and I was not a going to be licked by him unless he was stouter than I was and that they was not a going [to] whip Jos[e]y neither. I says we will stop at Fort Larimie and get us a wagon then we will go on the rest of the road. He said I have been trying to make it different but I have not succeeded yet. I know you have I says and you know that I have told the truth this afternoon about how Tom treated Carns and father and you know he has not actd right with us. I hate the way he wanted us to turn a lone girl out among these Indians, meaning Mary. I won’t do it now it is like cutting her throat. No Sir I’ll not do it. William says Mary is all right[;] she is a good girl. We talked a little more about different things then we went to sleep. He was not on guard so we did not stop talking on that account. We traveled on togather for a week. We was pleasant to each other. We did not have any more serious trouble but I was sorry in my own heart that we had that scuffle[;] so one evening when we met togather and all the company I asked them to forgive me but I must defend myself and boy. I was sorry indeed but I wanted to try to do right before God and with the people. But I would defend my child as well as myself. I had learned by some friends in the company how Eldrige had told that I began the scuffle with him first but I knowd I had not. We was coming near to fort larimie my husband see 2 men about one days from fort larimie, he tried to trade with them for one of there wagons, but he could not get a trade. We had gone on a ways after talking with these ranchers as they was calld then I says to him we will not get a wagon until we come to larimie[.] He says why I says the Lord has one there for us with a lead collord [colored] blueish box on it and bows on it ready for the cover. So we come on until we come opposite fort larimie on the north side of Platte River. It was on the 10th of July about nine oclock when we pulld out of the train an stopd and pulld out our luggage sit it out on the ground unhitched our cattle from the wagon then Eldrige come with a yoke of big bony spotted light brindle oxen for to hitch on to his wagon to go on with. 2 men was with him when William says I have a great mind to take the axe an chop every spoke out of your wagon. Then Eldrige says no you won’t. I had to step in an says no don’t William the Lord will bless us with one[;] don’t. Eldrige could not help but laugh at my saying these words. These 2 men had to laugh at me too. They spoke kindly to William the same as I had done but we had about all we could do for to keep them from clinching. I says now we are parting I will hold no grudge to you. You have a team for to go on we will get a wagon and as soon as we can get one and we will go on too. I will forgive you for all the past it will be better for us both yet. Then his wife sharlotte [Charlotte] says with a grin on her face this is because I spankd Josy’s bottom a time or two. We talkd some more for to make the men get better natured I told them if I ever seen them after we got to the mountains I would help them again. I got William to leave the wagon with the help of the 2 men talking and reasoning. So Tom hitched on to his wagon piled his traps and wife and children in and on he went. I thought it was a queer goodby but I was glad that William an Tom did not fight. In my own mind I really thankd the Lord that they did not. (I will mention here that 2 days before we did part as I have all ready stated in the morning 3 men came around to William and asked him how Eldrige was going on the rest of the road) William said that Eldrige had got the use of a yoke of oxen from one of the Allred brothers for a galvanized gold watch said to be worth $50 but he did not think the watch was so much. Then one of the men said that will do. The Captain says he must not be left behind if he takes one yoke of your cattle. William says that Eldrige has engauged the yoke from Allred when we stop at larimie. I heard every word of it. I knew then that Eldrige had tryd to set every one of the company against us it made it bitter for me for I knew that William would taunt me when alone about how the Mormons would do when they thought they had the chance. Most of them did not know but that he was a Mormon. I did not tell them neither. I bore all the taunts with patients [patience] asking the Lord to give me strength to do so. But to return to my story how we was agoing to do for to get to larimie. The water was so high we could not ford it with a team. I talkd as comforting as I could to William. We fixd up the tent we put our luggage in it. Mary and Josy staid at the tent. Pretty soon the team came along that my sister was with. They stopd my sister jumpd out and come to us. She pulld out a 20 dollar gold piece and gave it to William saying here take this get across the river[,] trade and if the steers is not enough use this money for to get a wagon and come on as soon as you can. William said well: she kissd us all and went on with the company. We was there in the sand. Mary was at the tent. I went to mind the [ illegible ] around the little grove of timber that was near by along the river, I was on the watch for every thing that might pass by but there was not any thing after the company had passed. No not even a rabbit. William had started for larimie for to see how his luck [ sentence unfinished ]. I had thought how he would get over the River for he could not swim water for to save his life. I prayd for him that he might get over safely and that he might be prospered. I really felt like he would get over safely. I saw some Indians on the south side of the river a going along on the bottom land not far from the bench which was high upon to a high Ridge just north of fort larimie. I watched the cattle and the tent to[o]. I was down on the sand and gravel for I saw some boot tracks going to the water to the edge of the river but I did not see an Indians track no where. I see the cattle tracks[,] my own tracks plain enough on the two side[s] of the river. No where I was on [or] no where was there any Indian tracks to be seen. Long about two oclock there came a rancher down from up the platte River. He lived six miles up the River from larimie. He said that he had heard that we were out in the sand and was out of a wagon and that he had one he would trade to my husband if he did not get one at laramie. I told the Rancher I was glad he thot enough of us for to come and let us know about it. He went back home. In about 2 hours came back William with two tall men an 2 long leged horses and a wagon with bows on it. I could see them along ways off before they come to the River. Pretty soon they came across the river on the horses. They tryed the River on the horses. They said the steers was small but they said they would help William to cross over on to the north side if he would give ten dollars. William said all right. They took the steers over and William took a cow and steer yoked togather for to bring the wagon over on to our side of the river from the laremie side. Then they started up the River about 2 or 3 miles where some Frenchmen had crossd a hauling logs over to larimie. While they was going I went up to the tent to where Mary an Josy was and told her that William had got a wagon and the men was going to help him to cross at the upper ford about 3 miles up the river. The 2 yokes of cattle that I had minding was picking a little. We got some supper ready so when William did come he could eat but I had not eat anything since morning but it was no fault of Mary’s. It was not long until we see him coming. He got to us we were so pleasd that words is hard to describe our feelings. As soon as he could he askd me if I see any "Tall Indians": I says no but I seen some short ones on the opposite side over along on the other side near the foot of the bench as we call it. But this was a tall one he lookd like them big Souix [Sioux] Indians. He was sitting down on the ground a fixing some of his trinkets when I was looking where to wade across the River. I see him I went up to him[.] I ask him for to help me across the River to larimie. He seemd to understand every word I said easy. I said I gave him 25 cents he says all right. I thought he had learned the English pretty good by the way he spoke. He pulld off every thing but his brich [breech] clout and we started to wade across. When the water got up to my neck it got up deep he says swim. I told him I could not swim[,] he seem to understand every word I said. Then he told me to stand still for he would see how deep the water was. He went a little ways on[,] then came back to me. He took hold of my hand and he told me to hold up the other hand so I could balance myself better. We walkd through the water. I had to hold my head back so the water would not run into my mouth but it only took this Indian up to his nipples on his breast. That was the diffirence in our hight[.] I do think he was the tallest Indian I ever did see. We waded across an as the water was about knee deep I stumbled over a cobble with my toe[.] that Indian was so quick. He grabbd me just like I was a little young one for to keep me from falling down. So quick he was I could not move half as quick as he did for to save my soul. Then the Indian says see me swim[.] He started back and when he came to where it was deep he swam back. We talkd some more[,] eat supper[.] I told him about the rancher up the river coming down for to tell about a wagon he had to trade us if you did not get one at larimie. Then he says it is cool the team will travel good. Let us put the luggage in the wagon and go part way if not all the way to night. There is sunshine yet and it won’t be dark for a long while. We put the things into the wagon an William went for to get the cattle all togather for to hitch on to the wagon when Mary come up to me saying these words. She squeezed my arm so lovingly[.] Well Jane I felt so uneasy for fear William would get drownded. I know he says he cannot swim water like any other person. After you was gone for to mind the cattle I went into the tent I took Josy with me I did pray to the Lord for to send some one for to help him across the river that he might get a wagon so we could go on to Salt Lake. I do believe the Lord did send that Indian man for to help William over the river. I think the Lord did send him, I said to her. Then we hitchd on the cattle and started for to go to the company. It was six miles up above larimie [Laramie] but the way the road twisted and turned it was seven miles. We had to make the yoke of young cows leaders[.] We had sold the leaders. We put a rope on the new cows horns. I took the rope so as to help guide these new leaders in case they should gee off to far in going up the hills. Mary and Josy got up in the wagon. We all started off. We said farewell to that sand camp. We all of us rode awhile. It was the first time in five hundred miles that [I] could ride a mile on a level road since we left Council Bluffs. The road was good[,] our new leaders kept the road pretty good. William could not keep from talking about that tall Indian how he led him thro[u]gh the river and when the Indian crossed back over to where his trinkets was William started on for larimie. He said he had gone about four rods [and] the Indian was no wheres in sight. When he lookd back again to see where his Indian friend was he could not see him. He could not see him no wheres. The country was open you could see for miles up an down the river nothing broke the view only where there was a small grove of timber or trees and high brush growd. There was a little grove close to where we had stopd in the sand. He said that there was 2 hundred different wagons piles up and stacks around but he did not believe that any of them would run a mile before the tires would fall off from the wheels. He said he was talking with the agent when a Kansas man come up to where he was talking with the agent and said to him I have a wagon I will trade to you. The Kansas man said I have come from Kansas about 3 weeks ago. It is a light wagon. It is a easy running wagon. He told the Kansas man he had a yoke of steers for to trade to him. The Kansas man said all right. Then he went and lookd at the tires was on pretty good. The Kansas man says where is your family. He says across the river near that grove of timber. Then the Kansas man and his Kansas friend that was with him went to get the horses. They soon hitch up to the wagon and they all come over to the river. These Kansas men asked how he come over. He told them that a big tall Indian led him over the river that he could not swim. The Kansas men lookd pretty strait. When they come to the river they took the horses off from the wagon and got on their backs for to try the depth of the water. One of them took him on behind him on the horse. They come over he showd the men the steers. They men said they was nice but they was a little small. Then they said we will help across the river if you will give ten dollars he said all right then so I took old dunnie and Mose for that was there [their] names for to bring the wagon over. When we got up to the upper ford as they calld it they tryd the water first a little ways. They then said come on I was in the wagon (he said) the men each one on his horse was on either side of me and the cattle and wagon between them. Pretty soon the cattle had to swim. Old dunnie started out for the opposite shore. She made Mose go then they started with her. They had to swim 2 thirds of the river. The long legd horses had to swim over half of the way. When we got on this side of the river safe the Kansas men says if we had knowd how deep it was exactly we would have backd out crossing tonight. But you are over safe now we will go back to larimie. So they went back on their horses when they got back over on the Laramie side. They hollows to me the river is raising. You are in luck good by. He then said I could see them Kansas men on their horses for 2 miles a going back to larimie but I lost sight of that Indian so quick. I cannot account for it and to see such an open country you can see so far every way until the hills breaks your view. We was coming to the hills then where the road began to wind around through the hills. So I took the rope that was on the leaders and walkd by their heads for it was beginning to get a little dark so we could better get over the hills. Mary and Josy had laid down in the wagon. William and I guided the team along the road. The clouds rolld up from the north west very black like it was a going to rain but they was very high from the earth. We could not see the stars for the clouds. We come along some of the road I had to feel with my feet. I had on mockinsins [moccasins] so when the road was over gravelly ground I could feel where the wheels had made the ground smo[o]the in the wagon tracks sometimes when the clouds would break apart a little I could see where the loose cattle had traveld along as well as the wagon tracks. We come to where the river bank was very steep. It was on the left hand side of the road. The clouds parted a little so I could see to right there was a low hill to go over but to the left was the river. William says aint the road along the river. I went to see if I could find any road but soon come to a steep hill. The bank was very very steep. It lookd a hundred feet strait down to the water. I then turned to the low hill that I had seen through the broken clouds but I could not trace the wagon tracks with my feet and I could not find the tracks where the loose cattle of the company had went. The gravel was so hard I could not find a dint [dent] no where. I come back to William I says we had better stop until day comes. Look there the clouds are blacker than ever. While I was searching for the road in the dark some of the cattle lay down in the yoke. William we wont let them loose for it is dark[;] we wont [k]no[w] where to find them when daylight comes I says. No the wagon stands good it wont run back nor yet ahead. We had better stay right here until day light comes. We had better let them stay hitchd on to the wagon. Then William went to the wagon he had to wake Mary he askd her for to give him the buffalo robe. Then she says where are we[?] I have been asleep. Then he said we are here between the river and the hills. It is so dark we can not see which way to go so we will stop till daylight comes. She gave him the buffalo robe[,] she laid down again and was asleep. I had taken my station with the lead cattles rope around my wrist and in my hand so if they made the least little move for to start off I would know it. The clouds seemd to get blacker than ever; bit it did not thunder nor yet lightning. William lay down on the ground near the wagon. I was out the length of the 3 yoke of cattle by the leaders laying on the ground by the leaders. All of the cattle lay down in the yoke every one of them and chewd their curds [cuds]. I lay there a thinking over the events of the past[.] no stars could I see. The clouds was black I could not see the cattle for a long while. I had for to keep a hold of the rope so if they should stir I would know it and keep them from running into danger. I thought what a lonely dark place we was in for to camp and what a funny way. I did thank the Lord he had let us see the danger of the river. The Indians will not find us it is too dark so they will not bother us here. I was not afraid. I did not feel afraid. I felt that the God and Lord I believed in would not let any thing hurt us or the cattle he gave us for a team. He would not let us be hurt. While I was pondering these thoughts in my mind it seemed as though there was hundreds of spirits in the air. One says you think you are alone but if you could see the spirits here you would know you was not alone. When I heard these words I tried my best for to see them. The clouds seemd to be darker than ever before. For a while I could not help thinking of what I had heard in the air again. After a while the dark black clouds blowd over. I could see all the cattle in the star light. They was all laying down in the yoke hitched onto the wagon. William was fast a sleep I believe he dropd to sleep in ten minutes after he ly down in the buffalo robe. I was thankful to God in heaven for the wagon but I could not go to sleep until after the clouds passd away. Then I see the cattle all quiet then I fell a sleep. It must have been after midnight as near as I could tell by the stars when the clouds rolld off. I slept until about good day light when I heard a clink of the chains in one of the yokes. It startled me. I awaoke right up but the cattle was all laying still chewing over their cuids [cuds]. I lookd around I see it was getting light so I slipd the rope off my wrist out of my hand. I gets up and go over the ridge to the right for to find the road that the company had passed over the day before. I soon found that I was right in stoping where we did. I hurried back to the team and William was still asleep. So was Mary and Josy. As I was coming up to the team they all began to get up from laying down. Then William wakd up. I says to him, the road goes over the hill here. He says how do you know[?] I says I have been over the hill and found it. There is no road long by the river. It is a God send we stopd where we did if we had went much long[er] by the river we[,] cattle and all would have been drownded. Go look for yourself. He went a little ways but soon came back to where me an the team was saying I guess you are right. Let’s go on so we started on. We could [see] pretty good it was coming more lighter every minute. When we got over the hard gravely hill the road was plain to be seen all along so we both got into the wagon. The new leaders kept the road good. We traveld 2 miles and found the company just as the sun was rising we got up to them. Some of them of the company was just getting up. Some of them see us a coming an they laughd and as we got up to the company they hailed us saying you have got here. Well done for you. William unyoked the cattle and startd them to where the rest of the cattle was on pretty good grass. Mary had just woke up about ten minutes before we found the company. William says we are all here. Yes, but where are we going[?] he says we are going for to find the company. Then pretty soon we all seen the camp and came to it just as the sun was a rising. But Josy he did not wake until the cattle was unyoked an gone out to eat grass. Then he rubd his eyes an lookd around and says have we got up with them again? I told him yes. So we got our breakfast and then we learned that Eldrige went into the sixth ten where he got the yoke of cattle of the Allred brothers. The company had us to take our place in the 2nd ten where we had been before Eldrige an we had parted.

Here I start an nother chapter. The company stoped for to mend breakages in their wagons and shoeing some of their horses and some of the company had their oxen shod but there was a young man sick in the camp. (His name was Hyrum Harrison his fathers name was Elijah [Elisha] Harrison. This young man had brain fever. He had been sick two weeks.) So I learnd that the camp stopd for to give him rest while they did do up such work as I have said. It give William a chance for to look over our wagon and see if it was all right. We examined the wagon all over. I helpd to fix the tent into a wagon cover. I was glad of the tent so I could make a wagon cover. When Mary come around behind the wagon she says look here they have chopd this box of[f] with the axe or hatchet. Guess they did not have a saw. What a funny color this is. It is a kind of sod color yet it is a blueish look. I said it had been hacked off for want of a saw the Kansas man had said because he thought it was to long to suit him by a foot. More than this it is the very identical looking wagon that I saw in the dream when Tom wanted me to leave you with the Indians an I would not do it. I did not say any more for I was afraid I would make her cry. I thought to much of her for to hurt her feelings. She was such a good girl. Prety soon Mary says it is a God send to us any way. So we laughd a little then she was a busy a fixing her things so we would be ready the next day when we should go on with the company. That day at noon they see that Hyrum Harrison was not long for this world. The company most of them went to see him and keep him company. The Rancher’s wife come in the afternoon. She lookd at him[,] [he] seemd to know her from all the rest of the company. Pretty soon she went back to her tent. Some of the women asked her if she thought he would live long. She said no. He was struck with death at noon. He will be gone a little after midnight. They asked her if she could tell what was the matter with him. She said it was all in his head. There was something on the top of his brain near the skull on top of his brain. I cannot tell you right how I understand it. But these white women was dumbstruck for to hear this half white Indian mexican woman tell exactly what was the complaint this young man was dying with. I fixd up every thing for the night so we all could have a good rest. We had our supper in good time. We had the beds all right. William went to bed so did Mary an Josy but I see that poor sick soul all alone. I went to the tent there was one woman there. She was holding one of his hands[;] some other man was a holding the other hand. The woman says that is good you come. His nails digs right into his hands until they almost cut the blood out if we don’t hold them. Pretty soon she had to go out of the tent then she asked me for to hold to his hand. I took hold of one hand like she had. I held it for a while so that he would not sink his nails into his hand when the cramps come on. Pretty soon the man let go of the hand he had been holding and went out of the tent. This woman come in again and nother [another] woman came in to the tent to[o]. He was sinking fast. They did not try to hold his hands any more but I held them for an hour then they began [to] grow weaker. The woman went out again and never come back. I was alone with the dying for a half an hour[.] pretty soon one of the men came into the tent. He says are you all alone: has the woman gone[?] I said yes. The women went to their wagons I guess then his father came in. but they soon went out again and talkd togather. I still set there a watching him. Pretty soon his father and 2 men came in. One of the men says he is nearly gone. They set there about twenty minutes when he breathed his last breath. One of the men had a watch. He pulled it out of his pocket and lookd at the watching saying it is twenty five minutes past twelve. They began to talk of fixing him for burriel. I got up and started to my wagon when his father says can you lend me a rag or something for to wash him to lay him out. I went and got a coarse towel. He says thank you that will do. I says it is a little coarse; but he said it is all right. Then I went to bed in the wagon. This was the first night for me to lay down in the wagon or morning it was nearly. It was after one oclock but the camp was up at sun rise. We had our breakfast. All the camp had heard that Hyrum Harrison was dead. They dug his grave under a big oak tree. It was of the scrubby kind. They burried him there. I shall never forget how I did hate to leave him there. Yet I knew he was better off in the spirit world where he would never suffer any more. He would be with his friends there in heaven. I believed he had a mission in the spirit world. But it was hard for me to part with him is [as] we was almost strangers here on earth. It was some time after this circumstance happened when some of the company was getting in a hurry for to get on to Salt Lake as we calld it. So they divided the company. The fastest to go a head and the slow one follow on as fast as they could come with out killing their teams. Our ten was behind in the roll that day. We took turns that is the first ten was mostly horses and mules but the second ten was made up of oxen and cows but some had horses. The third ten had some horses[,] some had oxen and cows yokd together. The fourth ten was the same way with their teams. The fifth ten had horses and oxen for their teams. The sixth ten had horses and cattle for teams but they took turns in going lead next to the first ten every day along the road. So our ten came in last for the other last companys was faster. The next morning the fastest ones went ahead so it throwd our ten in last company[,] but we kept up pretty close to the other company. They did not get 2 days ahead of the slow company as they call us but the last company did not run their teams so they would not have bad luck but the Captain Wil[e]y Thomas did get a little sick. This was the captain over the last company but he got better but the head company got sick. They lost their horses and mules 2 or 3 times. Some of them lost their oxen for some died and it seem all was wrong. Wily Thomas said they should not be in such a hurry. The company traveld that way for ten days when the last company was a mile behind the other head company the head Captain came back[,] David M. Cannon[,] for to see how the last company was getting along. He met Wily Thomas and some of the other men. He inquired how his company got along. Wily says you don’t get ahead so fast as you thought you would. You are having a heap of trouble. It seems I think that the company had better all go togather or their will be more loss. Some of your company will have more. We have had a little sickness but we have not lost any yet. We have not lost none of the cattle or horses yet; Captain Cannon and Wily had quite a talk then Captain Cannon went back to the head company. We traveld on this way for 2 days more. Then the 2 companys agreed for to unite togather again for the rest of the journey for the first company was only a half a mile ahead of the last company and the boys that herded that night said it was hard work for to keep the cattle and horses from getting mixd up. The boys of the last company was laughing and telling about it the next morning. Wily Thomas says we will ketch the fast ones if they dont be carefull. We traveld on that day and at noon there was not a half a mile between the two companys any we stopd for dinner and rest the teams an hour. Captain come again to talk with the head men of our company. Then some of the men talk togather about traveling. The men of the last company come back to the last company an said that Captain Cannon said we would re unite in camp that night. I shall never forget one little witty woman that said I think the fast ones is afraid we would ketch them any how. And they will do this for to keep us from over taking them in their fast traveling ahead. Yes said one young man they haint [aint] got very good night herders with them an they want their stock taken care of while they sleep themselves. There was some more talk in the way of jest but I will not take time to write it down. This little woman was a good kind woman in every way but I do not know her name and the young mans name I did not learn. There was about 3 hundred persons in the company and the numbers of wagons had increased to seventy two. So the company got hitchd up. We all started out on the road. We traveld on all the afternoon but we all campd early that evening. There was plenty of wood and we was not far from the River. There was a good feed for all the stock to so the men of the company says to the other men let us build a Reunion fire here so we all can set around it. The women will not get chilly in the evening air. We all can have a social talk together. So the fire was built[;] it was burning nice and bright. I had got wood for our own camp use; and I got 3 or four good sticks for to join with them. I was agoing to be out behind in Reuniting. So I carried my sticks. They was pretty good sized ones. I went up and threw them on the fire with the Rest: myself: I did not think of all the croud taking a strit [straight] look at me. I thought to myself I am not a going to be backd out. I know that much. I set down with the rest of them I lookd around I saw William out in the shade of the fire light. He made as though he had just come to the croud he lookd a little ugly at me for puting wood on the fire in token of union; but he did not abuse me when we went back to our wagon. The next day was a long stretch. We all got ready and started out in good time so that we could make good time for the next night where there was good feed for the stock and teams. It was a long drive that day: but we campd in pretty good time. It was a good company place. There was grumbling done the company but you must take no notice of that Captain Cannon said the next morning as we assembled at prayrs that it was a long days drive yesterday. We could not help it for to get to feed for the stock. They was a part of our salvation for to help us on our journey over the plains and we would have a long one today but we must make the trip. We would get to feed and water. So all of the company got ready and started out on the road. We had a pretty good road and not many hills to clime over. We all came in camp in good time: It was pretty good feed and close to the river so all cold have plent[y] of water and wood to. We had a short drive the next day. Old father Chenny [Cheney] had died. We stopd to burry him on Cherry Creek. He was 69 years an ten month old at his death. He was burried like the first one back down near the Mexican Ranchers place. We traveld on after this was completed. We did pretty well there at that camping place. There was no alkaly there to do any hurt. The next day the captain found good grass. It was splendid but all the camp had to carry water nearly a mile. It was so steep down to the water. He says give the cattle and horses a good drink before we start them. We will make for this grass to camp over night. We will start early in the morning. It will be cool and the stock will be full of grass and we will be to the River by noon tomorrow. They wont hurt for want of water; we campd on the grass place. William and Mary went for water. I hunted up wood got supper ready when they come back. We did have enough water for to get supper but some of the company did not have any water. They said (when I says we try to look out for this kind of campings. Mary and William come pretty soon) William says let us make this do over for it is a hard place for to get down to the River. I made this answer supper is ready. Come let us have supper. This tea will rest you; we eat our supper. All the company prepared their evening meals. There come a good dew on the grass that night. The stock did not wonder [wander] about much. They eat and seemed to be satisfied. The camp was calld up the next morning in good time. I was up when the call was made getting out of the wagon; but the rest of the family did not wake until the call for all the camp to get out for the days travel. I had breakfast ready pretty soon we eat our breakfast while we was eating one of the company passing by our wagon says your on time I see. Yes says I we must be ready when the croud is ready. He went on to his wagon he says is breakfast ready? to his wife. She says not quite yet. Then he says to her them folks there has got theirs and they are eating when I passd by them. He was pointing over to where we was in the camp. His wife says I know I know that woman is up early I have see[n] her out early all the way meaning me. I did not hear any more of their talk an I did not listen for that: but we all soon got ready an started out on the road to travel. We got to the River about one oclock. There was some grass there. We camped there. The captain said we had better rest. It was a long road the next day. It could not be helpd so we all rested there that afternoon. We stayd there that night. The camp was calld up at day light. We all got our breakfast and the stock was fetchd up: we yoked up the cattle the horses was all there and harn[e]ssd and all hitchd up and we was out on the road. We had a long drive that day and some grumbler comme[n]cd at the Captain. My husband was disgusted at them: I was no better. But we had a pretty good camping place. I happen to come near to where an old man was setting down. Some of the grumblers had just passd by this old man had been across the plains twice before this time: he was going his third trip now for Salt Lake. We got to talking about the long drive that day. I askd him how far we had come that day. The old man says about 15 miles. I says its an awfull long road: for that short distance. I don’t mean for to complain about it. The old man says indeed the road has wound around between the hills. We could not go over them you know. They are to steep. We have come at least 25 miles for to make 15 miles strit [straight] west to Salt Lake on our Journey. I thankd the old man for his explaining the difficulty. I told him I was not a grumbler. I went to my camping place but I see that the cattle was all right first. We had our supper and went to bed a listening at the grumblers from our own camp place. Now these that grumbled as much as the slowest kind of people in the company. The next day we come to the Sweat water [Sweetwater] country just a few days after we crossed on the new platte bridge. We had crossd this bridge on the head on the north platte river in the morning. We had fordid [forded] the platte River at what was calld fort dodge for to avoid some very high hills some 3 days before. We was recrossing it on the new tole [toll] bridge on the head of platte river. We now left the platte River for good. We had to wind around these very high steep hills that I have been talking about with the old man. He explaind it all just as I have wrote. We come to the sweat water [Sweetwater] country and then we travld on to Indepen[den]ce Rock to camp. There it was a pretty looking country. You see the Salaratus beds as they calld them for miles and alkaly beds too. We had for to look out for not to let the cattle get to these alkaly beds, for to drink the alkaly neither. We was very carefull for to get the cattle to the sweat water [Sweetwater] first so they could drink their fill then they would not touch the Alkaly. While we was coming through this country the company gathered some Salaratus. It was clear on white. The people used it for cooking. I got some but I did not get much like some of the company did. They said they could sell it in Salt Lake but I was afraid may be I would half to throw it out if we loose any of the cattle so I did not get so much. We had campd the second night in the Sweat water Country when I was told by one of the women that Mrs. Eldrige was very sick. I askd what was the sickness. This woman that told me said she did not know rightly. She believed it was a fever. I was sorry indeed for her and the little girls what would become of them[.] I could not bear the idea of loosing her if she was cross at me. This was in the evening that I had first heard that she was sick. I was quiet; but I found out some more about her sickness. I did go and see her in the morning. I took some things I thought she would like. Eldrige himself was out after the cattle. As I said I went to the wagon she was in. I askd her how long she had been sick. She said 2 days that this was the third day. I told her when I heard of her being sick and if I could do any thing to help her I would. Then she says do you think I shall die. I says know [no]. The Lord will not let you die. You must live for to raise your little girls. I will pray for you to get well so you can raise your girls. Tom is so cross. He is to cross to them. I cannot bear it for to see your little girls without a mother. We talk some more about her sickness and the little while of her being sick. I told her I hoped that they all would get well. Just then Eldrige come to the wagon. He gave me a very ugly look of scorn for to think I should come near to where he was. I did not give him no ugly look he did not speak to me. So I did not speak for this reason I did not want to excite his wife and make her worse. I heard him ask his wife what I was there for. I could not hear her tell him. I went back to my own wagon. I helped git ready so we could go with the rest of the croud but Mrs. Eldrige began to get better from the time we had the talk togather[.] Some of the cattle was sick with inflamation in the lungs from breathing the alkali dust some of them died with it but those belongd to the company. Our oxen first one then the other took with a kind of bloody flux. I gave them some ground spice pepper and milk. A slice of fat bacon. They got well then the mouse colord cow that we calld dunnie she was sick. I see some of the men stuying [stewing] tobacco tea. I askd them what it was for. One of the men said it was for one of their oxen it was sick. I says will that cure them of this sickness. The man says yes if you give it quick enough. Tobacco was made for sick cattle. Pretty soon one of the men led up the sick ox by a rope. The other man got the tea and one of them held up the oxs head the other one took hold of the oxs tongue with one hand and with the other hand he pourd the tobacco tea down the oxs neck. Then said he if you can give some tobacco with a piece of salt bacon it will often cure them. The men fixd up the ox so he got well. I went to my own camp I hunted up the tobacco I cut each one of the cattle a piece 2 inches wide across the plug. I went and got a slice of the fatest salt bacon I had, rapped the slice of bacon around the tobacco. I got William for to help me hold their head. I put a piece down every one of their necks. It stopd their nose bleeding like the others had died. In about 2 days more I gave them another dose. They all got well. There was one man by the name of John Thorp he had one yoke of cattle but they was a good yoke of cattle. This was all the team he had. One of his oxen got sick. The captain had said come along as you can. Never mind if you aint in place for some of them got stuck in mudholes. But our ten was in the last of the company that day and as we come around the hill we [see] Thorp with his cattle unyoked[,] the women sitting on the wagon as we come up. He came to William saying I guess I am done. One of the oxen is sick. I am afraid he will die. I walkd up to look at the ox. I see what was the matter. I went back to my wagon and got some spice and pepper and milk. I mixed it in a bottle come back to Thorp saying let me give the ox this it will help him. He says how will you give him that. I says you and william hold his head up hold his nose high. I will pour this down his neck. They fixed the ox so I could open his mouth[.] I shook up the bottle good and sent it the milk, spice and pepper down in a minute but I did not let the bottle go down his throat. Thorp did look at me so strait then he says you are very clever in this kind of business. Then I went and got a piece of salt bacon 2 inches thick and six inches long[.] I says git the ox where we can stand up a little higher and the ox down low so we can hold his head up a little better I will give the ox this bacon. I believe he will get well. We got the ox in a low place while we could hold up his head better. I took a hold of his tongue with one hand[,] I put the bacon down his throat with the other hand. Thorp says are you choking him. I says no but it must get down his throat. We watchd the ox a little while when William says I believe you can come on in about an hour. We went on to camp it was gitting dark when they came up. Some of the men was talking about going back for him. How surprised they was when one of the company heard Thorp speak to his oxen. The whole company was pleased for to see the ox better. One week after this we had helpd him doctoring this ox the other ox took sick the same way but we was in camp this time. They managed to get to camp. It was getting dark but it was not long be fore Thorp hunted up William and me. Thorp says you safed the other ox[,] I believe you can save this ox to. So we went to the place where they stopd and we gave him the same as we had done the other ox. So this ox got well to. When we came on to black fork my sister took sick so she could not do the camp work for the family she was staying with on the road. The old lady says to me I cant wait on your sister will you take her in your wagon. I told her yes I would take her and wait on her. She was my sister. I had a place. She was welcome to stay with me. So my sister come back to me. I nursed her up out of the sickness. I did hear the old lady say as she was going back to her own wagon. There I have got rid of the girl. I will not wait on her no how. I have got off pretty slick any hows. I says to the old lady I never askd you for to wait upon my sister. I am glad she could help you for riding in your wagon. I will take care of my sister. I don’t want you to do it. So that was the end of their kindness to my sister. My own little boy took sick next. My sister she was sick for over 2 weeks so was my boy. Mary was a little sick of 2 or three days but she soon got better. We had got to what was calld big sandy [Big Sandy]. Here was where the government was burned up. My husband was sly, but he did behave pretty well for all the company was kind to him and treated him well. But if he could get any thing that he thought would bother me about the mormons, he was in for it when we was alone but he was very sly about it. So this was a good one he thought and at night he commenced in his usual way. I just simply says there is a just cause I will find it out. He was completely silenced that time. So the next day we was traveling along. The teams was not hurried but was going at a good rate. We was walk[ing] by the teams[.] I happened to be with some more women and Elijah Thomas one of the battalion in 1846 was walking with us. We was close to my husband. I says brother Thomas can you tell us how the mormons come to burn up the government wagons. He says yes . It was in self defence. They he explaind how the government sent them for to kill off all the mormons. Then the mormons was not agoing to set down and let them do any such a thing and when the government wagons was correlld [corralled] here where these black streaks are[,] the mormon boys come up an told the soldiers for to take what clothing and other little nessessaries they really needed and the mormon boys fired the wagons and burns them to the ground. They had no hay prepard for the cattle and mules they thot they could live like the Indians cattle and horses did. But there come a big deep snow and starved the cattle and mules all to death. So when the soldiers then had to walk back a foot the best way they could. My husband heard every word of the explanation as well as I did. He could not blame them neither. It was not long before we all camped for night. After we had got every thing fixd for night we was sitting around the little campfire[.] one of the youn[g] men asked Elijah Thomas some more questions concerning Johnstons army which he explained with ease. Then one of the young men asked him about the battalion army which Elijah Thomas explained in perfect ease. The best was my husband come around sly and set down with the young men for to hear him. This was joy to me for my husband got to hear the Mormons side of the trouble now.