[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] May 1st 1847 + This was an interesting day to the Hunters of the Camp of Israel. It was vary cold Ther stood at 30° with strong North wind. The Hunters put out & the camp started on the Journey. Before Breakfast [we] travled 6 miles & camped on the Prairie in sight of A Herd of Buffalo of 200 feeding on the Bluff to our right. Three ownly of the Hunters started out after them. They rode near them & left their Horses & cralled upon them to get a shot but they frightend the Herd & they run away.
A little previous to the main Herds being seen 3 Bulls were discoverd on the Bluff. O. P. Rockwell & two others went after them & wounded two but got neither of them.
We had not travled more than 2 miles before we discoverd Another large Herd of about 200 5 miles Ahead of us. The Hunters got together held a council & waited untill the Camp all came up. We were determined to get some of the Buffalo if possible.
We travled together untill we were within one mile of the Buffalo. We then made A Halt, & 15 Hunters started out.
Amasa Lyman & myself of the Twelve made two of the Number. We all travled together on to the Bluffs within A few rods of them & there divided out into companies. Br Grover & Luke Johnson went together into the Bluffs. O. P. Rockwell & Br Brown took the entire left & so we divided into companies on the right left & center.
I was in a company in the centre of the Herd & we all made A Charge upon them from the Bluffs & rushed on to the Plain. The Herd ran vary fast down the ruff Bluffs into the plain but when we came on to the Plain we soon came on to them each company singled out his game. We made choice of Cows generally. Then rushed up by the side of them & fired upon them with our Pistols such as Horse Pistols Rifle Pistols &c which are much better to carry than rifles as they are vary comberson in runing.
The first that we gave chase to was A Buffaloo Cow with her Calf. I rode by the side of her & fired two Balls from my Pistols into her. The other Brethren with me also fired into her untill we killed her. We cut her throat. I then run my Horse to the Assistance of another Party who had wounded one. That one was also soon dispatched.
I then saw O. P. Rockwell had 3 Bulls at bay on the Prairie. Br Pack & myself run our Horses to his assistance & Br Kimball came up at the same time. We surrounded them & commenced upon them. They bolted ahead. I put spirs to my horse & run in ahead of them. Was in about one rod of them they all Pitched at /me/ & gave me chase for fight & I had to be quick to get out of their way but soon cleared.
The two of them Broke for the Bluff. Br Brown Put for them. Rockwell Kimball Pack & myself stuck to the old Bull. I fired 2 Balls into him. Br Kimball one, Br Pack one & He fell dead. And we cut his throat & also shot a calf that was with him. The two that had left us that Brown was after was in the Bluffs more than a mile from us. Br Kimball & myself gave chase to them & as we got in about 20 rods of the Bluff we saw two come out & run for the main Herd. We gave chase for awhile but they were fresh & my Horse had run near 10 miles in the chase so we gave up the Persuit.
I returned to Br Brown in the Bluffs & found that one of the Bulls He Had given Chase to was near dead had lain down. But Br Brown Had no more Powder or Ball But Before I arived He Had got up & run into the Herd on the Bluff. So we all returned on our Chase ground to gather up the meat we had Killed. In all 3 Cows one Bull & 5 Calves making 11 in all.
Br Solomon Hancock went out in the morning onto the Bluffs to kill Buffalo on foot. He did not come in at night. We felt concerned about him. Early in the morning He came in Had Killed a 3 yer old Cow & watched it over night to keep the wolves from eating it & wolves came upon him. He shot one the rest run away.
This made 12 Buffalo in all that the Hunters Killed to day which we considered was doing vary well considering that we were nearly all strangers to that mode of Hunting. Is but vary few of us ever saw a wild Buffalo Before in our lives. We dressed our meat. Waggons came from camp to take it in.
A Part of this Chase was through one of the largest Prairie dog towns nearly ever seen. It was nearly ten miles long & 2 wide & full of Burrows nearly evry rod & great danger of a Horse steping into them & falling. There was no accident Happend at all to any one which was truly a blessing. My Horse stumbled once & came nigh falling but no harm done. This was the first Buffalo Hunt I ever took part in or saw.
We travled to day with the camp. 18 miles. We discoverd Indian fires on the south & west of us.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, April 1847
[Heber C. Kimball] Leaves with the pioneers to relocate in the valley of the Great Salt Lake.
[source: Kimball, Stanley B. (editor), On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1987]
[source: Kimball, Stanley B. (editor), On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1987]
Mormon History, April 1847
Amos Davis: Divorced Elvira Hibbard . April 1847
[source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
Mormon History, Apr 1847
[Black History] Apostle Parley P. Pratt writes concerning William McCary, "This black man has got the blood of Ham in him which linege [sic] was cursed as regards to the Priesthood"
[source: Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood, http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/node/62]
[source: Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood, http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/node/62]
Mormon History, 1847, April
President Brigham Youngs pioneer company left Winter Quarters on the journey west (see D&C 136).
[source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chronology of Church History, http://scriptures../ldsorg.org/chchrono/contents]
[source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chronology of Church History, http://scriptures../ldsorg.org/chchrono/contents]
Mormon History, 1847 April
The Mormon pioneer company led by Young leave their winter quarters in western Iowa and head west. Young has been plagued by self-doubt, but a February vision of Smith renews his confidence.
[source: Whitney, Helen, Timeline: The Early History of the Mormons, A Frontline and American Experience Co-Production, //www.pbs.org/mormons/timeline/]
[source: Whitney, Helen, Timeline: The Early History of the Mormons, A Frontline and American Experience Co-Production, //www.pbs.org/mormons/timeline/]
Mormon History, Apr 30, 1847. Friday.
[William Clayton Journal] ...Having the privilege of copying from Brother Bullock's journal, I will now record the names of the standing guard as organized April 16, also the men selected by Brother Tanner to form the gun division as ordered Saturday, April 1745 . . .
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 30, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Friday April 30th 1847. Clear & cool cark and drizzly in the evening[.] Some of Sarpys team came in from Pawnee village with peltryarrainged the guard as usualno more of importanceup late watching dissenters teams
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 30, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 30th O Pratt took observations on the north Bank of the Platt river 17 miles from the last station at 6 1/2 A.M. Of the Barrometer mercury stood at 27.716 Attached Ther. 50° detached Ther. 48° S.E. Wind fair. At noon Lat 40°42'37". At 6 1/2 PM 17 miles west of morning station Bar 27.935 Inch. Alt. Ther 43.5° det Ther 41.5°. North wind. Fair.
We travled to day 16 miles & camped without wood or water. The wind Blew Hard in the evening. The Ther stood at 41°. The grass was short affording but little feed. 16.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We travled to day 16 miles & camped without wood or water. The wind Blew Hard in the evening. The Ther stood at 41°. The grass was short affording but little feed. 16.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Apr 29, 1847. Thursday.
[William Clayton Journal] The wagons started at 5 o'clock this morning before breakfast to find more grass as this is all eat off. We traveled till 6 1/2 being about three miles, and then turned out the teams to feed. The morning very cool. There seems to be very little rain in this country and no dew. Breakfasted on Goose and mouldy bread . . .
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 29, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Thursday April 29th 1847. Clear Cool Still day. There was a meeting at the stand for the purpose of letting out the land in the South of town in lots of 5 and ten acres each to the highest bidder in making fence[.] The avrage proportion of fence is one rod to the acre and the land nearer town being more desirable is let out to the one who will make the most fence pr acre.
It sold at from two to four rods per acre[.] There was lots taken I believe to make 1200 rods of fence.
I came home from the "Land sales" and wrote awhile & went around the town as usualarranged the guard. Had a wind and rain storm in the evening.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
It sold at from two to four rods per acre[.] There was lots taken I believe to make 1200 rods of fence.
I came home from the "Land sales" and wrote awhile & went around the town as usualarranged the guard. Had a wind and rain storm in the evening.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 29, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 29th A Cool morning. The camp started at 5 oclok without feeding. Drove 3 miles & stoped & Bated & Breakfasted. The Hunters went up the Island. Grand Island is well supplyed with rushes & cottonwood; Wood Creek is Heavily wooded for this country. We are begining to get a good bide of grass for our Horses & Cattle.
Professor Pratt at 7 h 30 m AM took a Bar observation on wood creek at our camping place. Mercury in the Bar. standing at 27.979 inch Attached Ther 61.5° detached Ther 60.2°S. wind. Fair.
We travled 8 miles & nooned. Travled in the afternoon 10 miles & camped on the Borders of grand Island. The Island of this place was thickly coverd with rushes upon which we fed our Horses. I went out with the Hunters. We saw about 30 Antelope & 8 deer. The Antelope would play around on the large plains & keep out of our way so we should not shoot them. They mostly went towards wood creek which we had forded in the morning & left to our right. The ford was good. We shot 4 geese. I shot two of them & one deer but did not get the deer. We find places on the main land bordering upon grand Island coverd with white substance resembling salt & taste quite saltish. We camped for the night. Distance of the day 20 m.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Professor Pratt at 7 h 30 m AM took a Bar observation on wood creek at our camping place. Mercury in the Bar. standing at 27.979 inch Attached Ther 61.5° detached Ther 60.2°S. wind. Fair.
We travled 8 miles & nooned. Travled in the afternoon 10 miles & camped on the Borders of grand Island. The Island of this place was thickly coverd with rushes upon which we fed our Horses. I went out with the Hunters. We saw about 30 Antelope & 8 deer. The Antelope would play around on the large plains & keep out of our way so we should not shoot them. They mostly went towards wood creek which we had forded in the morning & left to our right. The ford was good. We shot 4 geese. I shot two of them & one deer but did not get the deer. We find places on the main land bordering upon grand Island coverd with white substance resembling salt & taste quite saltish. We camped for the night. Distance of the day 20 m.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Apr 28, 1847. Wednesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Morning fine and pleasant, no disturbance from Indians . . .
Our course for the first 7 miles was a little East of South over a very level prairie and green with grass. The largest wild onions grow here I have ever seen. After traveling about 7 miles we turned South West, being within a mile of the main Platte and opposite to Grand Island. We traveled till half past 2 and then stopped to feed having come about 11 miles today. The roads extremely dusty and the strong wind blows it into the wagons and everything is covered. We are now near to timber and a good chance for grass for the cattle. At 4 P.M. we moved again and traveled till 6, having travelled about 4 miles and during the day about 15 miles. We have camped about a quarter of a mile from the timber and there is plenty of grass to fill the stock tonight. The water is also clear and cool and good tasted. The evening is cloudy and very cool, which affects my head some. Suppered on some antelope and went to bed early.
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Our course for the first 7 miles was a little East of South over a very level prairie and green with grass. The largest wild onions grow here I have ever seen. After traveling about 7 miles we turned South West, being within a mile of the main Platte and opposite to Grand Island. We traveled till half past 2 and then stopped to feed having come about 11 miles today. The roads extremely dusty and the strong wind blows it into the wagons and everything is covered. We are now near to timber and a good chance for grass for the cattle. At 4 P.M. we moved again and traveled till 6, having travelled about 4 miles and during the day about 15 miles. We have camped about a quarter of a mile from the timber and there is plenty of grass to fill the stock tonight. The water is also clear and cool and good tasted. The evening is cloudy and very cool, which affects my head some. Suppered on some antelope and went to bed early.
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 28, 1847
Parley Parker Pratt: Sealed to Martha Monks 28 April 1847. One child: Ether.
[source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
Mormon History, Apr 28, 1847
Parley Parker Pratt: Sealed to Ann Agatha Walker 28 April 1847. Five children: Agatha, Malona, Marion, Moroni, and Eveline.
[source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
Mormon History, Apr 28, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Wednesday April 28th 1847. Clear & cool.there was a little rain last night. I was around as usual[.] Went to Walter Gardners wedding a while in the evening
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 28, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 28th + At 6 1/2 A.M. Bar. stood at 27.968 Attached Ther. 59° detached Ther. 60 wind N.N.E. Fair. A Plesant morning. 16 miles from the Platt River on Plain Creek. We travled to grand Island & camped on its banks for nooning.
I went out with the Hunters. Caught Nothing but one wolf & a goose. In the Afternoon we travled 6 miles & camped on Wood Creek. Formed a circle put our Horses inside & had good defense. We saw many deer in the afternoon run across on the Island. President Young thought it not prudent to travel up the Island Hunting lest we get into an Indian Ambush. 15 m.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I went out with the Hunters. Caught Nothing but one wolf & a goose. In the Afternoon we travled 6 miles & camped on Wood Creek. Formed a circle put our Horses inside & had good defense. We saw many deer in the afternoon run across on the Island. President Young thought it not prudent to travel up the Island Hunting lest we get into an Indian Ambush. 15 m.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Apr 27, 1847. Tuesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Arose soon after 5. The morning fine and pleasant. During the night the guard fired twice but they supposed they were wolves they fired at. I went back to old Indian village before breakfast, and also with O. P. Rockwell, to see if any tracks of the lost horses could be found. He followed one track some way into a bunch of willows, but having no arms we returned. At 1/4 to 8 the wagons commenced moving and travelled till 1/4 after 2 being about 12 miles, nearly a South course, the design being to go to the main branch of the Platte. President Young, Kimball and others went forward again to point out the road. O. P. Rockwell and some others started back to hunt the horses about the time we started . . .
At 1/2 after 6 O. P. Rockwell, Joseph Mathews, John Eldridge and Thomas Brown returned from hunting the 2 lost horses. They reported that they went back to within about 2 miles of where we encamped on Sunday and looking off towards the river they saw something move in the grass at the foot of a high mole. They proceeded towards it thinking it was a wolf, when within about 12 or 14 rods Porter stoppt to shoot at the supposed wolf. The moment he elevated his rifle 15 Indians sprang to their feet, all naked except the breech cloth, and armed with rifles and bows and arrows. Each man having a rifle slung on his back, and his bow strung tight in his hand and about 20 arrows. The Indians advanced towards them but the brethren motioned and told them to pucacher and held there rifles and pistols ready to meet them. When the Indians saw this they began to holler, 'bacco' 'bacco.' The brethren told them they had no tobacco. One of the Indians came close beside J. Mathews horse to shake hands with Mathews but kept his eye on the horses bridle. When nearly within reach of the Bridle Brown cocked his pistol and pointed at the Indian shouting if he did not leave he would kill him. At which, the Indian seeing the pistol ready to fire retreated. The Indians made signs to get the brethren lower down the river but the brethren turned their horses to come to camp thinking it unsafe to go nearer to the timber where they expected more Indians lay in ambush. When the brethren turned to come back the Indians fired 6 shots at them with their rifles and the brethren immediately faced about at which the Indians fled towards the timber below. The brethren did not shoot at the Indians, even when the Indians shot at them. They saw the tracks of the horses which are missing and returned satisfied that the Pawnees have got them, and no doubt intended to get the horses on which the brethren rode, but they met with too stern a reception to risk an attempt. Some of these same Indians were amongst those who came into camp when we stopped for dinner near their village, and proves that they eyed the horses pretty close, and also proves that they have followed us close ever since. The brethren run great risks indeed, but got back safe to camp without harm...
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
At 1/2 after 6 O. P. Rockwell, Joseph Mathews, John Eldridge and Thomas Brown returned from hunting the 2 lost horses. They reported that they went back to within about 2 miles of where we encamped on Sunday and looking off towards the river they saw something move in the grass at the foot of a high mole. They proceeded towards it thinking it was a wolf, when within about 12 or 14 rods Porter stoppt to shoot at the supposed wolf. The moment he elevated his rifle 15 Indians sprang to their feet, all naked except the breech cloth, and armed with rifles and bows and arrows. Each man having a rifle slung on his back, and his bow strung tight in his hand and about 20 arrows. The Indians advanced towards them but the brethren motioned and told them to pucacher and held there rifles and pistols ready to meet them. When the Indians saw this they began to holler, 'bacco' 'bacco.' The brethren told them they had no tobacco. One of the Indians came close beside J. Mathews horse to shake hands with Mathews but kept his eye on the horses bridle. When nearly within reach of the Bridle Brown cocked his pistol and pointed at the Indian shouting if he did not leave he would kill him. At which, the Indian seeing the pistol ready to fire retreated. The Indians made signs to get the brethren lower down the river but the brethren turned their horses to come to camp thinking it unsafe to go nearer to the timber where they expected more Indians lay in ambush. When the brethren turned to come back the Indians fired 6 shots at them with their rifles and the brethren immediately faced about at which the Indians fled towards the timber below. The brethren did not shoot at the Indians, even when the Indians shot at them. They saw the tracks of the horses which are missing and returned satisfied that the Pawnees have got them, and no doubt intended to get the horses on which the brethren rode, but they met with too stern a reception to risk an attempt. Some of these same Indians were amongst those who came into camp when we stopped for dinner near their village, and proves that they eyed the horses pretty close, and also proves that they have followed us close ever since. The brethren run great risks indeed, but got back safe to camp without harm...
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 27, 1847 (Tuesday)
Mrs. Hunter, wife of Captain Jesse D. Hunter, of the Battalion, died at San Diego, Cal.
[source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
Mormon History, Apr 27, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Tuesday April 27th 1847. This morning I & the Marshal went to the ferry & told Br Higbee the ferry-man not to take any one over who had not paid his tax, for there were now great numbers going off through disafection & we took this plan to secure their portion of supporting the police. Some paid it willingly while others mad[e] bitter complaints. I was around as usual & wrote considerable[.] In the evening it was like for rain.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 27, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 27th O. P. Rockwell & others went again in search of the Horses & were gone all day. We continued our Journey [A?] South course to try to get on the platt river. We came on to some beautiful green grass & saw a great quantity of Buffalo sign but found no wood or water. Travled 12 miles & bated our Horses in a green valley.
Just as we were starting in the Afternoon we rose a small Bluff & saw two Antelope before us in the valley. Brs Young Kimball & myself were together. Br Brown & another Brother was on another side of the Hill & saw him also. Br Brown first fired upon him. Another man & myself fired also. We all Hit him with our Balls but He did not fall. We rode up to him & cut his Throat to Bleed him & He run about 10 rods & fell. This was the first Antelope we have Killed. He was dressed & put on board of the waggons & we continued on.
In a short time we saw 3 more at the top of a mound looking at us. Br Brown & myself went after them But they went onto the flats & we could not get to them so we left them. Turned about 10 degrees east of South went to a Creek & camped. Our cattle & Horses were vary dry not finding any water through the day.
We had A Heavy Storm of thunder lightning wind & some little rain which lasted about an hour. A rifle went off in Br Brown waggon by accident. The Ball went through a bag of cloths (set it on fire through the waggon) & Broke A leg of a fine Horse which broke up one team.
In the edge of the evening O P Rockwell & the Brethren with him returned & reported that the Indians Had stolen the two Horses & they were attacked by 15 Indians who were in Ambush in the grass. They came upon them determined to take their Horses from them. They kept them off by their Rifles & Pistles. The Indians were armed with guns & Bows & when they found they could not skare the Brethren they then professed friendship to get to them. But the Brethren were resolute & determined not to move but to fight first though ownly 14 to 15 men.
The Indians finally rushed upon them to ketch the Horses by the bit & the Brethren drew their pistols upon them determined to fire & do their best & the Indians seeing their determination broke & ran but fired their guns upon the Brethren & the Balls whistled around them but no one injured. They did not fire upon the Indians not wishing to kill them if they could Help it.
Distance of the day 20 m. 16 miles sw from our last stations. About half way between the loop fork & Platt rivers. The meridian Alt of the sun gave for the Lat 41°9 26 0 h 30 m. Bar stood at 28.053. Attached Ther 87°. Detached Ther 88°. S.S.W. wind fair.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Just as we were starting in the Afternoon we rose a small Bluff & saw two Antelope before us in the valley. Brs Young Kimball & myself were together. Br Brown & another Brother was on another side of the Hill & saw him also. Br Brown first fired upon him. Another man & myself fired also. We all Hit him with our Balls but He did not fall. We rode up to him & cut his Throat to Bleed him & He run about 10 rods & fell. This was the first Antelope we have Killed. He was dressed & put on board of the waggons & we continued on.
In a short time we saw 3 more at the top of a mound looking at us. Br Brown & myself went after them But they went onto the flats & we could not get to them so we left them. Turned about 10 degrees east of South went to a Creek & camped. Our cattle & Horses were vary dry not finding any water through the day.
We had A Heavy Storm of thunder lightning wind & some little rain which lasted about an hour. A rifle went off in Br Brown waggon by accident. The Ball went through a bag of cloths (set it on fire through the waggon) & Broke A leg of a fine Horse which broke up one team.
In the edge of the evening O P Rockwell & the Brethren with him returned & reported that the Indians Had stolen the two Horses & they were attacked by 15 Indians who were in Ambush in the grass. They came upon them determined to take their Horses from them. They kept them off by their Rifles & Pistles. The Indians were armed with guns & Bows & when they found they could not skare the Brethren they then professed friendship to get to them. But the Brethren were resolute & determined not to move but to fight first though ownly 14 to 15 men.
The Indians finally rushed upon them to ketch the Horses by the bit & the Brethren drew their pistols upon them determined to fire & do their best & the Indians seeing their determination broke & ran but fired their guns upon the Brethren & the Balls whistled around them but no one injured. They did not fire upon the Indians not wishing to kill them if they could Help it.
Distance of the day 20 m. 16 miles sw from our last stations. About half way between the loop fork & Platt rivers. The meridian Alt of the sun gave for the Lat 41°9 26 0 h 30 m. Bar stood at 28.053. Attached Ther 87°. Detached Ther 88°. S.S.W. wind fair.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Apr 26, 1847. Monday.
[William Clayton Journal] This morning about half past 3 an alarm was sounded. I immediately got out of the wagon and learned that three of the guard who were stationed to the North East of the Camp had discovered some Indians crawling up towards the wagons. They first received alarm from the motions of one of our horses, and noticing this they went towards the spot and listening heard something rustle in grass; they first suspected they were wolves and fired at them. Only one gun went off and six Indians sprung up and run from within a few rods of where they stood. Another gun was then fired at them and the Camp alarmed. A strong guard was placed all round, and a charge of cannister put in the Cannon. The day was just breaking when this took place and the moon had just gone down. The air being extremely cold and fires put out I retired into the wagon till morning and arose again at half after 5. After daylight, the footsteps of the Indians could be plainly seen, where they had come down under the bank and sometimes stepped into the water. No doubt their object was to steal horses, and they had a fair privilege, if the guard had been found asleep for the Camp was only formed in a half circle and some horses tied outside. However the prompt reception they met with will have a tendency to shew them that we keep a good watch and may deter them from making another attempt. Orders were given for the tens to assemble for prayers this morning instead of two in each wagon, which was done. President Young told me this morning that as soon as my health will permit, he wants me to assist Brother [Thomas] Bullock in keeping minutes &c as Brother Bullock is hard run, having to take care of a team and attend to other chores.
The camp started out about 8 o'clock. I started at 7 1/2 on foot and travelled four miles, then waited for the wagons. There no road here, Consequently, President Young, Kimball, G. A. A. Lyman and others went ahead on horse back to point out the road. The horse teams travel first to break the strong grass so that it will not hurt the Oxens feet. The hunters started out in different directions keeping only a few miles from the wagons . . .
About 8 o'clock Joseph Mathews came into Camp from seeking his horses and stated that an Indian had rode a horse off a little before and he supposed it was Brother [Jesse] Little's horse, which was missing. Dr. Richards mare was also missing. Brother Mathews stated that he went out to see for his Black man who was out watching his team, and as he arrived he saw Brother Little's horse as he supposed going towards the river. He ran towards it to turn it back to camp, but as soon as he commenced running the horse sprang to a gallop, which made him suppose there was an Indian on him, but he could not see the Indian. As soon as he gave the alarm 5 or 6 of the brethren mounted their horses, and pursued on the course pointed out to the river, but could neither see nor hear a horse nor Indian. When they returned, President Young and Kimball and a number of others went out on horseback and searched till near 11 o'clock, but likewise proved unsuccessful. The brethren have been repeatedly warned not to let their horses go far from their wagons, but every time we stop they can be seen around for more than 2 miles. These are 2 good horses and the owners feel bad enough, but it will be a warning to others to be more careful.
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
The camp started out about 8 o'clock. I started at 7 1/2 on foot and travelled four miles, then waited for the wagons. There no road here, Consequently, President Young, Kimball, G. A. A. Lyman and others went ahead on horse back to point out the road. The horse teams travel first to break the strong grass so that it will not hurt the Oxens feet. The hunters started out in different directions keeping only a few miles from the wagons . . .
About 8 o'clock Joseph Mathews came into Camp from seeking his horses and stated that an Indian had rode a horse off a little before and he supposed it was Brother [Jesse] Little's horse, which was missing. Dr. Richards mare was also missing. Brother Mathews stated that he went out to see for his Black man who was out watching his team, and as he arrived he saw Brother Little's horse as he supposed going towards the river. He ran towards it to turn it back to camp, but as soon as he commenced running the horse sprang to a gallop, which made him suppose there was an Indian on him, but he could not see the Indian. As soon as he gave the alarm 5 or 6 of the brethren mounted their horses, and pursued on the course pointed out to the river, but could neither see nor hear a horse nor Indian. When they returned, President Young and Kimball and a number of others went out on horseback and searched till near 11 o'clock, but likewise proved unsuccessful. The brethren have been repeatedly warned not to let their horses go far from their wagons, but every time we stop they can be seen around for more than 2 miles. These are 2 good horses and the owners feel bad enough, but it will be a warning to others to be more careful.
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 26, 1847
[U.S. Religious History] The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod was officially organized.
[source: Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
[source: Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
Mormon History, Apr 26, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Monday April the 26th 1847. This morning I & the Marshal rode to Belview to take a letter to Mr Miller the agent.
We got there about noon & the agent not being at home left it with his clerk, who seemed well pleased as to the policy we were taking with the Indians. We were well recieved & Sister Groesbeck who was there give us our dinners.
While there we were informed that four Omaha womens went out near to the big spring where we first camped after crossing the river, to get some corn and while there were attacted by some souix we we afterwards learned they were, who killed two and wounded one more of the women. They fled to the village and gave the alarm whereupon about 150 Omahas & ottoes started after them on horse back and over took & killed seven, who they found in a deep ravin. There were two Omahas killed in the conflict one by an otto through mistake.
While on our way home we saw the party in the prairie returning[.] We came home abouthad good pleasant ride after being so close all winter[.] Belview is on this side of the river just below the lower ferry where I crossed last Augt
After I came home I had to go and arrainge the guard for the night & was out till ten oclock
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
We got there about noon & the agent not being at home left it with his clerk, who seemed well pleased as to the policy we were taking with the Indians. We were well recieved & Sister Groesbeck who was there give us our dinners.
While there we were informed that four Omaha womens went out near to the big spring where we first camped after crossing the river, to get some corn and while there were attacted by some souix we we afterwards learned they were, who killed two and wounded one more of the women. They fled to the village and gave the alarm whereupon about 150 Omahas & ottoes started after them on horse back and over took & killed seven, who they found in a deep ravin. There were two Omahas killed in the conflict one by an otto through mistake.
While on our way home we saw the party in the prairie returning[.] We came home abouthad good pleasant ride after being so close all winter[.] Belview is on this side of the river just below the lower ferry where I crossed last Augt
After I came home I had to go and arrainge the guard for the night & was out till ten oclock
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 26, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 26th Early in the morning before the break of day 2 Indians crept upon their Hands & knees Approaching the camp to steal some Horses. They got within 3 rods of the guard before they were dis-coverd. They first thought them to be wolves & snaped at them. They rose up & ran & two of the guard fired at them. 4 others rose up out of the grass making 6 in all. The bugle was sounded And all arose up to arms not knowing but there was A large party nearby but we saw no more.
I started out in the morning with the Hunters. We saw 8 deer 4 Antelope but caught nothing.
We travled 8 miles & camped for noon. On the opposite side of the river we saw through our glasses the relicks of an old Indian town. We saw 8 trails leading to it with 6 & 8 abrest each. In the afternoon we travled 17 miles & camped on clear creek with a hard gravel bottom the first one of the kind we had met with on the road.
We killed one wild gose & saw fresh Buffalo signs whare we camped. This was the first signs of the kind we had seen on the road.
The travels to day was like a level desert except the dividing ridge between the two rivers. The grass was dry & sandy mostly level & nearly without water. We travled to day from 10 to 20 degrees west of south.
We camped under a High Bluff in a half moon. Brs Young, Kimball, Richard's, & myself went on to a high Bluff to view the country.
Just at dusk A tremendious alarm was given through the camp that Indians had Cralled up & taken Porter Rockwell & his horse & made off with him. Many men mounted there Horses & made off after him with all speed but it was soon discoverd that Rockwell was in the camp but two Horses were gone. Dr Richards & Br Little & about 20 men mounted & armed went in search of the Horses But found them not. It was believed the Indians took off the Horses.
Distance of the day 15 miles. Lat of this place is 41°17'21". Barometer 28.445 inch Attached Ther 85° Detached Ther 87°. S.S.W. wind. Fair.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I started out in the morning with the Hunters. We saw 8 deer 4 Antelope but caught nothing.
We travled 8 miles & camped for noon. On the opposite side of the river we saw through our glasses the relicks of an old Indian town. We saw 8 trails leading to it with 6 & 8 abrest each. In the afternoon we travled 17 miles & camped on clear creek with a hard gravel bottom the first one of the kind we had met with on the road.
We killed one wild gose & saw fresh Buffalo signs whare we camped. This was the first signs of the kind we had seen on the road.
The travels to day was like a level desert except the dividing ridge between the two rivers. The grass was dry & sandy mostly level & nearly without water. We travled to day from 10 to 20 degrees west of south.
We camped under a High Bluff in a half moon. Brs Young, Kimball, Richard's, & myself went on to a high Bluff to view the country.
Just at dusk A tremendious alarm was given through the camp that Indians had Cralled up & taken Porter Rockwell & his horse & made off with him. Many men mounted there Horses & made off after him with all speed but it was soon discoverd that Rockwell was in the camp but two Horses were gone. Dr Richards & Br Little & about 20 men mounted & armed went in search of the Horses But found them not. It was believed the Indians took off the Horses.
Distance of the day 15 miles. Lat of this place is 41°17'21". Barometer 28.445 inch Attached Ther 85° Detached Ther 87°. S.S.W. wind. Fair.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Apr 25, 1847. Sunday.
[William Clayton Journal] Arose soon after five, shaved and changed some of my clothing. The morning very pleasant, wind west...P.M. Elijah Newman was baptized by [Tarlton] Lewis in the Lake for the benefit of his health. Brother Newman has been afflicted with the black scurvy in his legs and has not been able to walk without sticks, but after being baptized and hands laid on him he returned to his waggon without any kind of help seemingly much better. Soon after 5 P.M. a meeting was called at the wagon of President Young and remarks made by several, and instructions by President Young, chiefly in reference to the guard and the folly of conforming to gentile military customs on an expedition of this nature. After dark the twelve and some others met together opposite the presidents wagon, to select men to go a hunting Buffallo &c. as we proceed on the journey. It was ascertained that there are 8 horses in the company which are not attached to teams. Then eight men were selected to hunt on horseback viz. Thomas Moulsey, Thomas Brown, John Brown, O. P. Rockwell, John S. Higbee, Joseph Mathews. Then there was selected 11 men to hunt also on foot viz. John Pack, Phineas H. Young, Tarlton [Lewis], Joseph Hancock, Edmund Ellsworth, Roswell Stevens, Edson Whipple, Barnabas S. Adams, Benj[ami]n F. Stewart, Jackson Redding and [E.] Glines.
It was also noted that all the twelve have the privilege of hunting when they have a mind to. After some remarks and cautions in regard to chasing the wild buffallo the company were dismissed, and I retired to bed soon after 9 o'clock, the evening being very fine and pleasant.
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
It was also noted that all the twelve have the privilege of hunting when they have a mind to. After some remarks and cautions in regard to chasing the wild buffallo the company were dismissed, and I retired to bed soon after 9 o'clock, the evening being very fine and pleasant.
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 25, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Sunday April 25th 1847. Clear fine warm day. This morning I took the old Chief Capt Caw to Br Cutlers to breakfast the other two took breakfast with Br D. Spencer all being agreed the last evening.
The council met this morning about 8 to give them an answer about the corn. They told him when the agent came home they would conclude their arraingements & that they felt willing to help them & then expressed their good feelings towards them &c which seemed perfectly to satisfy them. They then wanted some few presents & Br Taylor gave them some calicos & I & Br Spencer gave them a small sack of crackers[.] They went away now satisfied.
At eleven oclock there was a meeting at the stand. Elder Taylor spoke, relating his travels to and from England & spok very emphatically about the manners & customs of the Missourians. Two of whom were then on the stand.
The Council met at six oclock & agreed to levy per cent on the present assessment of the police tax which was all of importance done.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
The council met this morning about 8 to give them an answer about the corn. They told him when the agent came home they would conclude their arraingements & that they felt willing to help them & then expressed their good feelings towards them &c which seemed perfectly to satisfy them. They then wanted some few presents & Br Taylor gave them some calicos & I & Br Spencer gave them a small sack of crackers[.] They went away now satisfied.
At eleven oclock there was a meeting at the stand. Elder Taylor spoke, relating his travels to and from England & spok very emphatically about the manners & customs of the Missourians. Two of whom were then on the stand.
The Council met at six oclock & agreed to levy per cent on the present assessment of the police tax which was all of importance done.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 25, 1847
Parley P. Pratt gives a talk belittling those wayward Saints who would follow a "Black man who has got the blood of Ham in him which lineage was cursed as regards the Priesthood." Pratt refers to William Carey, an accomplished musician and a Black/Indian "Prophet" who, after joining the Church, had started his own following.
[source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
Mormon History, Apr 25, 1847
[Brigham Young Sermon] The President now said he would make some remarks, he was well pleased with the proceeding of the camp thus far, he had no doubt the Lord had led us & would continue to lead if wee were faithful. All these matters were right; but there was some items of business he would mention. It was necessary there should be a daily report from the several Tens that their men were all on hand that the roll should be called twice a day to ascertain if any were missing'"he would also speak of the guard his Horse got Killed through carelessness of the guard, they [were] so technical about countersigns [and] keeping the men on their post that they would let a horse choke to death & not go and relieve him. I then asked the privilege of making some remarks with reference to the conduct of the guard as I was the officer of the first watch & knew that the Horse was not killed during my watch & the men attended to their duty faithfully. I then asked [if] a man should be permitted to leave his post during the time of his watch observing that one of my men did do it for a short time but soon returned. The President replied [that] if a man saw any difficulty among the horses or cattle in any part of the camp it was his duty to go and relieve them even if he had to disobey his officer & then report himself and the officer, and with regard to a countersign it was perfect nonsense in this camp and he wanted all gentile technicalities to be laid aside. such regulations as were common in an army of such persons was not applicable to us. And he wanted the Brethren to learn one principle now. There was much said about oppression in this church. he would ask if the Twelve oppressed anybody? The answer by the congregation was no. The earth said he is composed of small particles, so [is] the Knowledge of God [in] small degrees making use of every little principle as it was manifested to the mind. The more a man had of the Spirit of God the more he was disposed to break off every yoke, while many [of] the Elders that were in authority were disposed to tyrannize over those placed under them as had been manifested in the Army (referring to the Mormon Battalion)'- The President also recommended that the several Tens select two men each to cook and that they be exempt from all other duties. -- Fullerton, Nebraska [Norton Jacob Diary, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.. Also The Mormon Vanguard Brigade of 1847, Ronald Barney, ed. Logan: Utah State University Press, 2005. 115-116]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
Mormon History, Apr 25, 1847
[Brigham Young Sermon] Meeting held about 6 P.M. near Brigham's wagon '" did not attend. A. Farr and myself being out on the prairie watching the horses. Some arrangements were made about the guard they being enjoined to watch closely the horses and cattle that they do not break loose '" It was also suggested by President Young that each 10 form a mess of itself, and eat together thereby saving a great deal of food, that would otherwise be wasted. -- Fullerton, Nebraska [Horace K. Whitney Journal, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah..]
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
Mormon History, Apr 25, 1847
[Brigham Young Sermon] I never saw so many elders gathered together in such trying circumstances, I am satisfied with you all, and I am satisfied the Lord is leading this camp. I am filled with thankfulness all the time. I had thoughts of the Jews coming into companies to cook, and it will be easier for all. Have persons appointed for the purpose. We do not anticipate any attack by the Indians to kill any of the men, but to steal horses. The purpose of the guard is to look after horses, and to give alarm if they are near. In regard to cooking, leave it to you, whether there be two appointed for that purpose. Also suggest that the captains call the roll every morning and report to the majors and they to the colonel. Let no man now from this time out go with their guns from the camp any more to hunt but persons will be appointed to hunt the buffalo and bring them into camp, but if the brethren will keep to shooting we shall not see a single buffalo. We are emigrating for our own benefit and it is folly to have watch words. I would not give one rye straw for a guard who will not go from one end of the camp to the other, if a horse was dying, a wagon tipping over or burning. We must do the thing that is necessary. What are we organized into a military body for? To form ourselves into such a body that we would defend ourselves against a thousand Indians and whip them too. I want to make men understand what is wrong and what is right. If you see an Indian creeping up, give it too him, but if he walks upright you can see him. There is not a man here but knows a man walking upright. An Indian creeps on his belly always. We do not wish to be governed by the nasty, stinking rules of the gentiles. It is the business of the guard to keep watch of the cattle, and give an alarm if the Indians are coming. Indians know enough to carry white flag, and come in peace. If any man makes a disturbance in the morning, the guards have the privilege of pulling them back into their wagons, or putting them under guard. You acknowledge the Twelve to be the leaders of this people. Do you see any oppression in them? No. Men have to improve on small principles, every man that God ever did call on will call to lead the people, will break off every yoke of oppression instead of putting one on. The elders of Israel ought to do the work. Every principle that comes out, learn it. Give men who have authority into this church. They will put on the gentle yoke of oppression. Have the Twelve ever wanted you to make covenants with the uplifted hand? When you see men so full of [-] to make covenants, you may mark it that they are preparing for the burning. The season of our oppression is not knowing enough and now learn, brethren, the principles of righteousness, and act up to it, we want men of sense. -- Fullerton, Nebraska [General Church Minutes. Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 1 (2002)]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
Mormon History, Apr 25, 1847
[Black History] PP Pratt links "blood of Ham" to priesthood curse,
[source: http://www.xtimeline.com/events.aspx?q=Bif200802111550260291166]
[source: http://www.xtimeline.com/events.aspx?q=Bif200802111550260291166]
Mormon History, Apr 25, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 25th Sunday A plesant morning. The order of the Camp is that there be no fishing Hunting or labour of any kind on Sunday except such as is actually necessary.
4 Antelope appeared before us on the plain on the opposite side of the river. We could see them with the naked eye but far more clearly through our spy glasses. There sides & belly were white & backs brown. These were the first Antelope I ever saw. About 10 oclok also 4 Elk appeared on the opposite side of the river which we looked at without glasses. These were the first Elk also I ever saw.
The day was mostly spent in resting man & beast untill 4 oclok. The camp gathered together for a meeting & were addressed by a number of the Brethren Among whom was G. A. Smith & B Young who spoke upon principle upon Breaking off the yoke from the saints. Some pretended to say that the Twelve were oppressing the People. But is it so? No, But if most men that are on the earth those in the Church not excepted should rule & lead this Church they would have many yokes put upon them that we are all the while trying to take off their shouldiers. Many other good things were said.
The guards were placed out as usual to guard the camp during the evening.
A company of Hunters were appointed to go fore-ward of the Camp to ketch game. There were 7 Horseman & 10 footman. The quorum of the Twelve also had the privilege of Joining the Hunters when they Pleased. A Meriadian Alt of the sun gave for the Lat 41°20.31.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
4 Antelope appeared before us on the plain on the opposite side of the river. We could see them with the naked eye but far more clearly through our spy glasses. There sides & belly were white & backs brown. These were the first Antelope I ever saw. About 10 oclok also 4 Elk appeared on the opposite side of the river which we looked at without glasses. These were the first Elk also I ever saw.
The day was mostly spent in resting man & beast untill 4 oclok. The camp gathered together for a meeting & were addressed by a number of the Brethren Among whom was G. A. Smith & B Young who spoke upon principle upon Breaking off the yoke from the saints. Some pretended to say that the Twelve were oppressing the People. But is it so? No, But if most men that are on the earth those in the Church not excepted should rule & lead this Church they would have many yokes put upon them that we are all the while trying to take off their shouldiers. Many other good things were said.
The guards were placed out as usual to guard the camp during the evening.
A company of Hunters were appointed to go fore-ward of the Camp to ketch game. There were 7 Horseman & 10 footman. The quorum of the Twelve also had the privilege of Joining the Hunters when they Pleased. A Meriadian Alt of the sun gave for the Lat 41°20.31.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Apr 24, 1847. Saturday.
[William Clayton Journal] ...Evening I walked over to O. Pratts wagon, and through his telescope saw Jupiter's four moons very distinct, never having seen them previously. I went over to my wagon and looked through my glass and could see them with it, but not so distinct as with Orson's . . .
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 24, 1847 (Saturday)
The Mormon Battalion was ordered to erect a fort on a hill near Los Angeles.
[source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
Mormon History, Apr 24, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Saturday April 24th 1847. Clear fine warm day. I was around as usual & writing.
There was a council at the Council House at 7 oclock which met to confer with the Otto chief Capt Caw, who came here to have an interview with us[.] He said he was well satisfied and wanted us to stay here as long as we wanted to[.] He did not care how long for he believed we were his friends & would do him good.
He claimed this land and said the Omahas had no right to it. Neither did he want us to pay them anything for being on it. He did not require us to pay him any thing unless we could as well as not[.] If we could he would be glad to have us draw him some corn from Mo if not it would be just as well.
He manifested hard feelings towards the Omahassaid they had killed our cattle and that he had not permitted any of his men to molest any thing we had, and many more things said he all as a friend. He manifested a good spirit
After council they came home with me and staid all night. They behaved very [well] nor did they seem any way inclined to take anything. I believe they are far above the Omahas and in fact I think he told the truth.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
There was a council at the Council House at 7 oclock which met to confer with the Otto chief Capt Caw, who came here to have an interview with us[.] He said he was well satisfied and wanted us to stay here as long as we wanted to[.] He did not care how long for he believed we were his friends & would do him good.
He claimed this land and said the Omahas had no right to it. Neither did he want us to pay them anything for being on it. He did not require us to pay him any thing unless we could as well as not[.] If we could he would be glad to have us draw him some corn from Mo if not it would be just as well.
He manifested hard feelings towards the Omahassaid they had killed our cattle and that he had not permitted any of his men to molest any thing we had, and many more things said he all as a friend. He manifested a good spirit
After council they came home with me and staid all night. They behaved very [well] nor did they seem any way inclined to take anything. I believe they are far above the Omahas and in fact I think he told the truth.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 24, 1847
On the trek westward Orson Pratt sets up his telescope and shows the pioneers the moons of Jupiter and other astronomical sights.
[source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
Mormon History, Apr 24, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 24th A Plesant morning. Professor Pratt took an observation on the south bank of the fording place on the loop fork 4 miles from the Missionary station. Took a meridian observation of the sun for the Lattitude. Found to be to 41°22'37".
The camp now wer busiy in concocking plans to cross the river. They drew together timber & rails to build two rafts & began to put it together. But some of the Brethren made another trial to cross with waggons by putting in several Hors & mule teame. They went a little Hier up than we did & got over with much less difficulty & the more the ground was trod in the water the smother & Harder it grew. So the whole encampment turned there waggons back to the ford & abandoned the raft & by unloading one half of there baggage could cross in safety & the whole encampment came over in that way by doubling teams & going back & forth untill all were over. Each captain with his ten assisted each other over, & so in this way all Israel who were present went over (not Jordan) but the Loup fork of the Platt river in safety without damage to man or beast. We felt thankful in our Hearts to our God for his mercies unto us & that we were on the South side of the river.
We all loaded up our waggons & drove 4 miles & Camped for the Sabbath on the bank of the stream. After our waggons were placed the Twelve & took a walk on the High table land to make observations with our glasses of the surrounding country. Professor Pratt made a Barometrical observation at this place at 15 m past 7. Barometer stood at 28.56 inch Attached Thermometer 64° detached Thermometer 61°.5.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The camp now wer busiy in concocking plans to cross the river. They drew together timber & rails to build two rafts & began to put it together. But some of the Brethren made another trial to cross with waggons by putting in several Hors & mule teame. They went a little Hier up than we did & got over with much less difficulty & the more the ground was trod in the water the smother & Harder it grew. So the whole encampment turned there waggons back to the ford & abandoned the raft & by unloading one half of there baggage could cross in safety & the whole encampment came over in that way by doubling teams & going back & forth untill all were over. Each captain with his ten assisted each other over, & so in this way all Israel who were present went over (not Jordan) but the Loup fork of the Platt river in safety without damage to man or beast. We felt thankful in our Hearts to our God for his mercies unto us & that we were on the South side of the river.
We all loaded up our waggons & drove 4 miles & Camped for the Sabbath on the bank of the stream. After our waggons were placed the Twelve & took a walk on the High table land to make observations with our glasses of the surrounding country. Professor Pratt made a Barometrical observation at this place at 15 m past 7. Barometer stood at 28.56 inch Attached Thermometer 64° detached Thermometer 61°.5.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Apr 23, 1847
John Taylor: Sealed to Sophia Whitaker (born 1825 in England) 23 April 1847 at Winter Quarters. Seven children: Harriet Ann Whitaker, James Whitaker, Hyrum Whitaker, John Whitaker, Helena Whitaker, Moses Whitaker, and Frederick Whitaker.
[source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
Mormon History, Apr 23, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Friday April 23rd 1847. Clear fine warm day with a good cool breeze. I & Allen went a hunting & killed some birds
Today weighed my baby which weighed 19 pounds[.] I weighed all my children this day one year ago she weighed then 8 pounds and the others[.] O! where are they now!!Hush Hunted for my cow, arrainged guard, as usual.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Today weighed my baby which weighed 19 pounds[.] I weighed all my children this day one year ago she weighed then 8 pounds and the others[.] O! where are they now!!Hush Hunted for my cow, arrainged guard, as usual.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 23, 1847
William Smith: Suspended from Strangite offices after trial 23 Apr. 1847 for sexual misconduct
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
Mormon History, Apr 23, 1847
[Brigham Young Sermon] President Young told the people if they wanted any iron to purchase it of father Case as he had not been paid by the Government for the services he had rendered them as a favor while he lived here. -- Beaver Creek, Nebraska [Horace K. Whitney Journal, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah..]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
Mormon History, Apr 23, 1847
[Brigham Young Sermon] A little after dark President Young called the captains together to council which was the best way to cross the river. -- Beaver Creek, Nebraska [Pioneering the West 1846 to 1878: Major Howard EganÂ's Diary. Howard R. Egan, ed. Salt Lake City, 1917. 29]
Mormon History, Apr 23, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 23d At 6 oclok O Pratt made A Barometrical observation. Mercury standing at 28.697 inch Attached Thermometer 36° detached thermometer 34°· Vary little wind from west. Fair. Also took an altitude of the sun for the time, and also A Meridan Altitude of the Sun for the latitude. Found it to be 41°25'29".
While wattering the Horses at a creek at the station last evening Brother G. A. Smiths Horse mired & pitched foreward & Jumped onto him trod upon his feet & breast & held him fast in the mud untill I caught him by the bit & backed him off. I was fearful He was badly injured but at last found that He was but little hurt.
+ This was A day of Adventures to the pioneer Camp. In the morning 12 of us started on Horsback to search out a ford across the dangerous difficulty & troublesom loup fork of the Platt river. We went down the stream some distance & several men waided across the stream & found the water so deep & so much quick sand we concluded to drive Hier up to the old Pawnee village. So we returned to the Camp. Harnessed up our Horses. My gray Horse named Titus had the belly ake or bots yet I started out with him & the Camp drove up with some little difficulty to the old Indian village or a little below it & men commenced searching out a ford & found the whole bed of the river one universal dody of quick sand which if a Horse or waggon stoped it would begin to sink down.
We had two channels of water to cross with a sand bar in the middle. The deepest water was from 3 to 4 feet deep & vary rapid & about 300 yards strait across. Some places of quick sand was found so soft as to sink man or beast instantly in & the more He strugled to get out the more He would sink. But we calculated to avoid such places as much as possible.
As I was forward with my 10 or the first ten it fell to me to make the trial. Professor Pratt having a strong pair of Horses went forward and I followed him. I had two yoke of cattle & my horses on my Carriage with about 10 hundred on. I immediately saw as soon as I started that the Cattle did but little good. Were slow & in the way. We would stop & begin to sink. I Jumped out of my carriage into the water up to my waist. About 10 men came to my assistance with a drag roap & hitched to the oxen & assisted me in getting across the first stream but with great difficulty.
I stoped on a sand bar out of water. My Horses & waggon immediately began to sink & by treading the ground a little it would become a perfect quagmire.
But though we were sinking in it the men had to leave the waggon whare it was. For O Pratt in trying to cross the second stream had sunk into a bed of quick sand and all men had to go to his relief to get his Horses & waggon out.
The Horses were taken from the waggons the load taken out & carried to shore by hand & the waggon drawn out by the help of men. I took off a part of my load or most of it in a boat & went through the second stream empty & got out two other waggons done in the same way. But it was so tarrific the rest of the camp would not follow suit.
So their were 6 men of us in all to spend the night to gether without horses & waggons to guard against the whole Pawnee band that were Camped below us on the same side of the river should they feel disposed to come upon us. There numbers were not known but it was supposed they numbered over 600 warriors. We divided our company which made ownly three of us on guard at a time. Br Pack O. Pratt & myself went on guard the fore part of the night Although I had been in the water during the afternoon I stood guard in my wet clothing one half the night slept in them the other half.
We had not more than got our position for the night untill we were joined by 5 men who crossed the river in a boat. Were sent over by President Young to assist us which made eleven men instead of 6 so we divided our force accordingly. The night past off in peace & no disturbance. Distance from the Missionary station to the ford 4 miles.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
While wattering the Horses at a creek at the station last evening Brother G. A. Smiths Horse mired & pitched foreward & Jumped onto him trod upon his feet & breast & held him fast in the mud untill I caught him by the bit & backed him off. I was fearful He was badly injured but at last found that He was but little hurt.
+ This was A day of Adventures to the pioneer Camp. In the morning 12 of us started on Horsback to search out a ford across the dangerous difficulty & troublesom loup fork of the Platt river. We went down the stream some distance & several men waided across the stream & found the water so deep & so much quick sand we concluded to drive Hier up to the old Pawnee village. So we returned to the Camp. Harnessed up our Horses. My gray Horse named Titus had the belly ake or bots yet I started out with him & the Camp drove up with some little difficulty to the old Indian village or a little below it & men commenced searching out a ford & found the whole bed of the river one universal dody of quick sand which if a Horse or waggon stoped it would begin to sink down.
We had two channels of water to cross with a sand bar in the middle. The deepest water was from 3 to 4 feet deep & vary rapid & about 300 yards strait across. Some places of quick sand was found so soft as to sink man or beast instantly in & the more He strugled to get out the more He would sink. But we calculated to avoid such places as much as possible.
As I was forward with my 10 or the first ten it fell to me to make the trial. Professor Pratt having a strong pair of Horses went forward and I followed him. I had two yoke of cattle & my horses on my Carriage with about 10 hundred on. I immediately saw as soon as I started that the Cattle did but little good. Were slow & in the way. We would stop & begin to sink. I Jumped out of my carriage into the water up to my waist. About 10 men came to my assistance with a drag roap & hitched to the oxen & assisted me in getting across the first stream but with great difficulty.
I stoped on a sand bar out of water. My Horses & waggon immediately began to sink & by treading the ground a little it would become a perfect quagmire.
But though we were sinking in it the men had to leave the waggon whare it was. For O Pratt in trying to cross the second stream had sunk into a bed of quick sand and all men had to go to his relief to get his Horses & waggon out.
The Horses were taken from the waggons the load taken out & carried to shore by hand & the waggon drawn out by the help of men. I took off a part of my load or most of it in a boat & went through the second stream empty & got out two other waggons done in the same way. But it was so tarrific the rest of the camp would not follow suit.
So their were 6 men of us in all to spend the night to gether without horses & waggons to guard against the whole Pawnee band that were Camped below us on the same side of the river should they feel disposed to come upon us. There numbers were not known but it was supposed they numbered over 600 warriors. We divided our company which made ownly three of us on guard at a time. Br Pack O. Pratt & myself went on guard the fore part of the night Although I had been in the water during the afternoon I stood guard in my wet clothing one half the night slept in them the other half.
We had not more than got our position for the night untill we were joined by 5 men who crossed the river in a boat. Were sent over by President Young to assist us which made eleven men instead of 6 so we divided our force accordingly. The night past off in peace & no disturbance. Distance from the Missionary station to the ford 4 miles.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Apr 22, 1847. Thursday.
[William Clayton Journal] Arose soon after 5 o'clock, my face very painful again caused by the cold. There has been no trouble from the Indians and all is peace and safe. The cannon was prepared for action, and stood all night just outside the wagons. There was considerable joking this morning on account of two of the picket guard having their guns stole and Colonel [Stephen] Markham having his hat stole. The owners were found asleep while on guard and those who found them so, took their guns to be a warning to them, but it is difficult for men to keep awake night after night, after traveling 20 miles in the day taking care of teams, cooking &c . . .
At 12 1/4 we arrived on the East bank of "Be[a]ver river" having travelled about 10 miles. This stream is from 20 to 25 feet wide swift current, clear water and pleasanted tasted, the banks tolerably well lined with timber. Here we stopped to feed. Some of the brethren went to fix the fording place a little, the banks are steep on each side and the water a little over two feet deep. At 2 P.M. started again the ox teams first. When [passing] the river a number of the brethren stood on the west bank with a long rope which was hooked to the wagon tongue and they assisted the teams up the bank. The wagon I rode in crossed at 20 minutes after 2 and in a little while all were safely over. We proceeded on till half past 5 when we arrived at the Pawnee Missionary station which is about 7 miles from "Beaver River" . . .
The government station is a quarter of a mile below, or south where Father [James] Case lived as government farmer and received $300. a year for it, but when Major [Thomas] Harvey learned at the last pay day, which was last November that Father Case had joined the Mormons he very politely dismissed him from government service. The Sioux came down sometime ago and burned up the government station houses, blacksmith shop and every thing, but the missionary station they did not touch. This place according to my account is 134 miles from winter quarters, and a lovely place to live. Before dark the President called the camp together and told them they might use the fodder and hay for their teams but forbade any man carrying anything away, even to the value of one cent. He said he had no fears of the Pawnees troubling us here but we had better be prepared lest the Sioux should come down and try to steal horses. A guard was selected and a picket guard to watch the ravine to the north . . .
The variation of the compass is about 12 degrees at this place. The latitude []. I again introduced the subject of fixing machinery to a wagon wheel to tell the distance we travel, describing the machinery and the time it would take to make &c. Several caught the idea and feel confident of its success . . .
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
At 12 1/4 we arrived on the East bank of "Be[a]ver river" having travelled about 10 miles. This stream is from 20 to 25 feet wide swift current, clear water and pleasanted tasted, the banks tolerably well lined with timber. Here we stopped to feed. Some of the brethren went to fix the fording place a little, the banks are steep on each side and the water a little over two feet deep. At 2 P.M. started again the ox teams first. When [passing] the river a number of the brethren stood on the west bank with a long rope which was hooked to the wagon tongue and they assisted the teams up the bank. The wagon I rode in crossed at 20 minutes after 2 and in a little while all were safely over. We proceeded on till half past 5 when we arrived at the Pawnee Missionary station which is about 7 miles from "Beaver River" . . .
The government station is a quarter of a mile below, or south where Father [James] Case lived as government farmer and received $300. a year for it, but when Major [Thomas] Harvey learned at the last pay day, which was last November that Father Case had joined the Mormons he very politely dismissed him from government service. The Sioux came down sometime ago and burned up the government station houses, blacksmith shop and every thing, but the missionary station they did not touch. This place according to my account is 134 miles from winter quarters, and a lovely place to live. Before dark the President called the camp together and told them they might use the fodder and hay for their teams but forbade any man carrying anything away, even to the value of one cent. He said he had no fears of the Pawnees troubling us here but we had better be prepared lest the Sioux should come down and try to steal horses. A guard was selected and a picket guard to watch the ravine to the north . . .
The variation of the compass is about 12 degrees at this place. The latitude []. I again introduced the subject of fixing machinery to a wagon wheel to tell the distance we travel, describing the machinery and the time it would take to make &c. Several caught the idea and feel confident of its success . . .
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 22, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Thursday April 22nd 1847. (Clear fine warm day, good breeze. [crossed out])Clear cold morning[.] North wind but turned out to be a fine day. I was around as usual.
At dark there was another council tonight at the Council house at which the committee to visit the Omahas, made their report. They had seen both the agent Mr Miller and the Omaha Chifs all of whom manifested plain enough that they were all consenting to the killing of our cattle and were putting up their young men to do it
They had a long talk and seemed willing to stop them in case we would draw two hundred dollars worth of corn from Mo which Miller had bought there for them. I came home after council at ten oclock.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
At dark there was another council tonight at the Council house at which the committee to visit the Omahas, made their report. They had seen both the agent Mr Miller and the Omaha Chifs all of whom manifested plain enough that they were all consenting to the killing of our cattle and were putting up their young men to do it
They had a long talk and seemed willing to stop them in case we would draw two hundred dollars worth of corn from Mo which Miller had bought there for them. I came home after council at ten oclock.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 22, 1847
[Brigham Young Sermon] The people were called together soon after our arrival to hear some instruction from President Young '" He told them he did not want any of them to take any thing away from here, except what they brought with them, not a farthings worth, excepting fuel & feed for their horses & cattle. '" He then spoke about a guard being appointed tonight '" he said there should, at the best calculation, be 20 men at a time (making 40 in both watches '" he also warned the brethren about putting all their horses and cattle into [the] yards, when they could be better guarded than to be scattered indiscriminately, one in one place and another in another '" He further said that if we had an attack from Indians, it would be from the Sioux, not the Pawnee for the latter knew that the former were in the country and were watching them '" that the Sioux when they came to make an attack, always came down a little ravine that lies north-east of us '" he moreover told them it was necessary that the cannon should be got out, and that they should practice the gunnery or cannon loading business a little, (that is, without firing), which those appointed to that business, did, for some time this evening. The farmer's buildings where they lived are across the creek about 1/4 a mile, '" there the Sioux also burned a number of buildings including a blacksmith shop '" our wagon is nearly opposite the Missionaries building '" near this place we shall probably ford the '"Loup Fork'", and some of the brethren are going in the morning in search of a suitable fording place '" It has been quite warm and sultry the latter part of the day. -- Beaver Creek, Nebraska [Horace K. Whitney Journal, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah..]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
Mormon History, Apr 22, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 22 We crossed the looking glass 15 minutes to 9 & then continued a westerly course. There were A good many auter on the looking glass. We arived at Beaver Creek at 12 oclok. There are some Beaver on this creek about one mile above its mouth.
Professor Pratt took the meridian observation of the sun by the sextant for the Lat which was found to be 41°25'15". Also found the magnatic needle to vary about 12 degrees east, And found the Barometer at half past 12 = 28.711, the attached Thermometer standing at 68° And the detached thermometer at 67° & Also took an observtion of the sun for the true time in the morning. It is 10 miles between the two creeks which we travled this forenoon.
We Crossed Beaver Creek at half past 2 oclok. The road runs about south west. The water was about to the deds of our waggons. It was a rough steep bank to come out of. About 12 men hitched a hook & roap to the tongue of each waggon & puled them up. Beaver Creek is lined with scattering timber cotton wood & willows.
We travled 7 miles & came to the Pawnee Mish-ionary station & camped for the night. The Bluff was skirted with some Oaks on the North side of the road in the Hills. We kept a guard through the night as we were in danger of the Sioux on one side, and the Pawnees on the other.
President Young addressed the Camp & told them when they left in the morning not to take away any thing ownly what they brought with them unless it was sold them by Brother Case who had had charge of the Station for a long time & the goverment was owing him a good deal & if He felt disposed to sell any thing that He had in his possession & report to Goverment He could do so.
During the evening Professer Pratt made some observation. At 15 m past 7 oclok the Barometer stood at 28.7 inches attached Thermometer 64° detached Thermometer 60°· North wind & fair. Also at 8 oclok 52 m found the double altitude of the pole star to be 80°25'15" from which the lattitude was deduced [viz?] [ ]. O. Pratt Also took the angular distance of sun & moon for the Longitude at Beaver Creek ford also the altitude of the moon for the true time.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Professor Pratt took the meridian observation of the sun by the sextant for the Lat which was found to be 41°25'15". Also found the magnatic needle to vary about 12 degrees east, And found the Barometer at half past 12 = 28.711, the attached Thermometer standing at 68° And the detached thermometer at 67° & Also took an observtion of the sun for the true time in the morning. It is 10 miles between the two creeks which we travled this forenoon.
We Crossed Beaver Creek at half past 2 oclok. The road runs about south west. The water was about to the deds of our waggons. It was a rough steep bank to come out of. About 12 men hitched a hook & roap to the tongue of each waggon & puled them up. Beaver Creek is lined with scattering timber cotton wood & willows.
We travled 7 miles & came to the Pawnee Mish-ionary station & camped for the night. The Bluff was skirted with some Oaks on the North side of the road in the Hills. We kept a guard through the night as we were in danger of the Sioux on one side, and the Pawnees on the other.
President Young addressed the Camp & told them when they left in the morning not to take away any thing ownly what they brought with them unless it was sold them by Brother Case who had had charge of the Station for a long time & the goverment was owing him a good deal & if He felt disposed to sell any thing that He had in his possession & report to Goverment He could do so.
During the evening Professer Pratt made some observation. At 15 m past 7 oclok the Barometer stood at 28.7 inches attached Thermometer 64° detached Thermometer 60°· North wind & fair. Also at 8 oclok 52 m found the double altitude of the pole star to be 80°25'15" from which the lattitude was deduced [viz?] [ ]. O. Pratt Also took the angular distance of sun & moon for the Longitude at Beaver Creek ford also the altitude of the moon for the true time.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Apr 21, 1847. Wednesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Arose at 5, my face easier, but swelled and my gums raw. Took breakfast on fish and coffee, but ate no bread it being very dry and hard I could not bear to put it in my mouth. At 7 started on foot the ox teams being gone ahead. Some appearances of rain, and a slight shower fell. Wind North East and pretty cool. At 1/4 to 9 an Indian rode up to the first wagon and appeared very friendly. Soon after 6 or 8 others came running on foot. They came from the timber about a mile to the left. At 10 we arrived at a fork in the road, the one on the left leading to the new Pawnee Village, and the one to the right leaving the Village some distance to the South. A consultation was held by President Young with father [James] Case, relative to the roads crossing the river &c. when it was concluded to take the right hand road. We proceeded accordingly and at 12:00 came in sight of the new Pawnee village, in an open spot on the south bank of the Loop Fork, between two bodies of timber. The village appeared to be about three 3/4 mile South of the road we were on. At 12 1/2 we were opposite the village, and could then see distinctly upwards of 100 lodges, set pretty close together, and appeared to be ranged in several lines, and set in good order. We proceeded until we arrived at a long narrow lake by the side of the timber and near to the river. At 1 P.M. the encampment was formed on the bank of the lake and a guard instantly placed at the passes, as many of the Indians had followed us, although they had to wade the river, but it is very shoal. One of the Indians presented several certificates from persons who had previously traveled through their village, all certifying that the Grand Chief of the Pawnees was friendly disposed, and they had made him presents of a little powder, lead, Salt &c. Heber gave them a little tobacco and a little salt and President Young gave to the chief some powder, lead, salt and a number of the brethren gave a little flour each. The old chief however did not seem to think the presents sufficient, and said he did not like us to go west through their country, he was afraid we should kill their Buffalo and drive them off. Brother [Charles] Shumway told him we did not like Buffalo, but this does not appear to give him much satisfaction. However there was no appearance of hostility. In fact, all that came to camp seemed highly pleased to shake hands with our brethren and would run from one side to another so as not to miss one. A number of the squaws were on the opposite side of the lake with mattocks digging roots. Brother Shumway says there are about twelve thousand of the Pawnees in this neighborhood, and it is reported that there are five thousand warriors. We did not see many of them. [] Sarpy is at their village trading, and it is uncertain whether he will endeavor to use an influence for us or against us. We have no fear however, because their only object appears to be plunder, and it is the calculation to be well prepared by night and day. During the resting hour I spent the time writing in my journal. At 2 1/4 P.m. the ox teams started out again and the horse teams soon after. The weather had been calm and pleasant for a few hours, but about 2 or a little before, some heavy clouds began to gather, and thunder was heard at a distance. About 1/2 after 2 the rain began to descend heavy, accompanied by heavy peals of thunder and vivid lightning which continued till about 4 o'clock. A strong north wind blew up, the rain and thunder ceased and the weather grew very cold. We traveled till 5 1/2 and the encampment was formed on the Loop fork of the Platte river. After the encampment was formed and teams turned out the brethren were all called together and some remarks made by President Young advising them to have a strong guard around the camps tonight. He called for volunteers to stand guard and about 100 volunteered amongst whom were all the twelve except Dr. Richards. This guard were divided into two companies of fifty each, one company to stand the first half the night, and the remainder the last half. Those of the twelve who stood took the first watch till 1 o'clock. Brigham and Heber both stood on guard. Out of the companies a party were stationed as a picket guard some distance from the Camp, the balance stood near the camp. The night was very cold, with a strong wind from the north East, and in the middle of the night it rained considerable. Our course this morning was about west. This afternoon, north West, we are now within 3 miles from the bluffs on the north. We have travelled today about 20 miles, the roads being good and very level. This grass here is short but looks good. The Buffalo grass is very short and curly like the hair on a buffalo robe. The spring grass don't seem to be as early here as at the Elk Horn, [] and the last years growth not being burnt off, will be rather a disadvantage to the spring companies. I have noticed all the way on this bottom from the Elk Horn that the ground is full of wild onions which appear far richer and larger than any wild onions I ever saw. I have no idea that Corn would grow here for the land is very dry and loose and sandy, and appears poor. The country is beautiful and pleasing to the eye of the traveler, although you can only see one kind of scenery for several days.
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 21, 1847
William Clayton Begins writing Heber C. Kimball's diary of the pioneer trip to the Great Salt Lake.
[source: Smith, George D., An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, p.lxiii, A William Clayton Chronology, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[source: Smith, George D., An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, p.lxiii, A William Clayton Chronology, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 21, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Wednesday April 21st 1847. Like for rain this morning. I took my seed wheat to mill so pushed was I for bread stuff[.] I was around as usual. The committee went to the Omaha village today as before mentioned[.] In the evening we had a rain
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 21, 1847
[Brigham Young Sermon] The President Spoke he said you see a man full of covenants and getting his brethren to covenant with him and you will find a man binding bundles for the flames, he says brethren learn. -- Looking Glass Creek, Nebraska [Giant of the Lord, Life of a Pioneer. James S. Brown Journal. James Stephens Brown, ed. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1960.]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
Mormon History, Apr 21, 1847
[Brigham Young Sermon] President Young moved that 100 men should be called out. One half standing one half the night and the other half the other half the night. Colonel Markham then called upon all those who would volunteer to step out one side which was done, and they were soon arranged in companies of 100 with a captain of each. -- Looking Glass Creek, Nebraska [Horace K. Whitney Journal, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah..]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
Mormon History, Apr 21, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 21st Cloudy with a light sprinkle of rain. Wind in the east. Our road runs west to begin with. The ox teams started at 7 oclok the Horse teams at 8. 5 minutes to 9 An Indian appeared on a mound mounted on a poney about 5 miles from us. He went out of sight & again appered. He then approached the camp full speed. Was met by the brethren & shook hands. Was soon followed by others. Were 8 in all. They went through the encampment & then returned with us. The road runs 20 degrees South of west 7 miles then turned 10 degrees North of west.
At half past 12 we came in sight of 70 Indian Horses & Mules. Soon we came in sight of a large Pawnee Indian village on the north side of the loup fork & also a large one on the south side of it. We drove on by the villages & they soon began to sally out to Come to us. We camped in a half moon the bank of the river forming A parallel line in front.
The indians to the number of about 200 on the south side of the river came down to the shore. Some waided over. About 75 came into camp including the grand Chief of the Nation with many war Chiefs. We met them before we left the ground & made them presents of about 4 lbs of tobacco 15 lbs lead powder fish Hooks heads flour salt &c. But still they were not satisfied considering our Numbers they thought they ought to have had more & when we left the ground they appeared vary dissatisfied. We however Harnessed up our teams & drove on to looking glass Creek & Camped at its mouth for the night upon the bank of the loop fork.
After our Horses were turned out we were Called to gather & in Consequence of the dissatisfaction of the Indians A guard of 100 men was Called for. The quorum of the Twelve with nearly the whole camp volunteered to stand guard one half the fore part of the night & the other the latter part. We had A picket guard also of 4 men & mules at a time. I with my mule was on picket guard. We had hard wind & rain in the Afternoon which continued A part of the time while I was on guard. I rolled myself up in my buffalo & let the wind & rain beat onto me. We were releaved at about 1 oclok & went to rest. But no Indians appeared during the night.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
At half past 12 we came in sight of 70 Indian Horses & Mules. Soon we came in sight of a large Pawnee Indian village on the north side of the loup fork & also a large one on the south side of it. We drove on by the villages & they soon began to sally out to Come to us. We camped in a half moon the bank of the river forming A parallel line in front.
The indians to the number of about 200 on the south side of the river came down to the shore. Some waided over. About 75 came into camp including the grand Chief of the Nation with many war Chiefs. We met them before we left the ground & made them presents of about 4 lbs of tobacco 15 lbs lead powder fish Hooks heads flour salt &c. But still they were not satisfied considering our Numbers they thought they ought to have had more & when we left the ground they appeared vary dissatisfied. We however Harnessed up our teams & drove on to looking glass Creek & Camped at its mouth for the night upon the bank of the loop fork.
After our Horses were turned out we were Called to gather & in Consequence of the dissatisfaction of the Indians A guard of 100 men was Called for. The quorum of the Twelve with nearly the whole camp volunteered to stand guard one half the fore part of the night & the other the latter part. We had A picket guard also of 4 men & mules at a time. I with my mule was on picket guard. We had hard wind & rain in the Afternoon which continued A part of the time while I was on guard. I rolled myself up in my buffalo & let the wind & rain beat onto me. We were releaved at about 1 oclok & went to rest. But no Indians appeared during the night.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Apr 20, 1847. Tuesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Arose at 5 1/2...John S. Higbee, Luke Johnson, S[tephen] Markham, and some others, started ahead of the camp about noon, and went about 2 miles farther than this place to a lake with the boat and seine. They took over 200 very nice fish, and arrived with them about the time the camp was formed. The fish were distributed around the Camp according to the number of persons in each wagon, generally two to a wagon, and the brethren enjoyed a good supper on fish. I went to the river and washed my feet which were very dusty and sore. I also washed my socks as well as I could in cold water without soap. After Brother Luke Johnson had got through distributing fish, I went and asked him to draw my tooth. He willingly agreed, and getting his instruments, I set down in a chair, he lanced the gum, then took his nippers and jerked it out. The whole operation did not take more than one minute. He only got half the original tooth, the balance being left in the jaw. After this my head and face pained me much more than before. I eat but little to supper and then lay down, but could not sleep for pain till near morning. The evening was very calm and pleasant.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 20, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Tuesday April 20th 1847. This morning earley there was a meeting at the stand of the Bishops Council & Parley & Taylor to take into consideration the best way to herd the cattle secure from the aggression of the Omahas. It was decided for the Bishop of each ward to form the cattle in his ward into a herd & appoint a captain over those who are with the herd, all to be well armed with guns &c to defend the cattle against them
I was ordered to take ten men on horse back and reconoitre the country and see if there were any Omahas lying in their hiding places and if so to scourge them severely.
The Bishop were also ordered to ascertain how many cattle had been killed by the Omahas and make report to the committee appointed last night, so that it might be brought before the agent and Big Elk.
After the meeting I proceeded to raise the company & went about ten oclock & reconoitred to the South of town an the large flat plains & bottom land, untill about three oclock & then came home, not finding any Omahas. We were armed with horse whips &c to give them a severe flogging in case we found. I was very sick with the head ache when I came home.
To day I appointed William Miller in the police as the guard was rundown so low that I could not get along without more help. It was the same Miller that was taken to Carthage for Brigham(on the [Blank] 18th [crossed out])
This afternoon I was around as usual after dinner
Late in the night I was awaked by Br Thos Clark saying that a large boddy of Indians were in town, that they had divided into two divisions and went in[.] I immediately got up and had the police call up men enough to watch them. We padroled town for some hours but found none although there were some seen but not as many as Br Clark supposed to be.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
I was ordered to take ten men on horse back and reconoitre the country and see if there were any Omahas lying in their hiding places and if so to scourge them severely.
The Bishop were also ordered to ascertain how many cattle had been killed by the Omahas and make report to the committee appointed last night, so that it might be brought before the agent and Big Elk.
After the meeting I proceeded to raise the company & went about ten oclock & reconoitred to the South of town an the large flat plains & bottom land, untill about three oclock & then came home, not finding any Omahas. We were armed with horse whips &c to give them a severe flogging in case we found. I was very sick with the head ache when I came home.
To day I appointed William Miller in the police as the guard was rundown so low that I could not get along without more help. It was the same Miller that was taken to Carthage for Brigham(on the [Blank] 18th [crossed out])
This afternoon I was around as usual after dinner
Late in the night I was awaked by Br Thos Clark saying that a large boddy of Indians were in town, that they had divided into two divisions and went in[.] I immediately got up and had the police call up men enough to watch them. We padroled town for some hours but found none although there were some seen but not as many as Br Clark supposed to be.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 20, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 20th A Hard wind through the night. This morning fair but strong SW wind. It covers our wag-gons with sand & dust while Journeying. The soil is universally sandy on the banks of the Platt. The grass is now about 4 inch high scattering not half feed. Their are many water fowls about the Platt such as ducks geese Brant but the most numerous of all are the sand Hill Cranes which flye in large flocks on evry side of us.
25 minutes past 7 we started on our Journey. 2 1/4 miles came to another grove of small & large cottonwoods covering about 40 acres. It was about 5 miles to the table land which was now rising into a bluff. Here the road runs 20 degrees south of west bending to S by W. one mile in which distance we passed 3 Islands in the Platt coverd with timber the largest about 10 acres. Their continues a chain of Islands for miles on the river & some timber on the south side of the Platt.
We came to skull creek B miles from our encampment. 1 1/2 miles to the right of skull creek is A prairie dog village covering about 6 acres of ground. This creek is timbered ownly by a few scattering willows. The river runs about parallel with the river [sic]. Its general Barings are about east & west. After crossing the skull Creek bridge the road runs about SW by W 60 degres west of south for about 15 miles. The Platt is skirted with timber.
Professer Pratt & myself went forward of the Company to take observation. We traveld about 13 miles & stoped bated Horses took observations &c. While on the road we frequently see gopher Hills from one to 6 feet in circumference diamiter & from 3 inch to 2 feet in highth some resembling a potatoe patch which makes it rough waggoning over them. With the exception of this it is the best road on the North side of the Platt river I ever travled being a level dry hard road. Our Standard Thermometer stood to day at 1 oclok 94°.
The company approached us & we continued on 5 mile & the whole encampment came up & we encamped for the night in a circle. Cut down Cotton wood trees to feeds the Horses on the bark. They will knaw off the bark from brouse limbs & sticks 10 inches through as readily as they would eat corn. We have had to feed upon cotton wood all the way thus far. We give each Horse also about 3 quarts of corn per day.
Our fisherman drew a net this afternoon & broat into camp 213 fish Buffalo & Carp which was divided in the camp. We had A Buffalo would weigh 10 lbs & carp 2 lbs & had a good supper. The Platt was a mile wide whare we camped including an Island opposite of us with timber. The distance of the day 18 miles.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
25 minutes past 7 we started on our Journey. 2 1/4 miles came to another grove of small & large cottonwoods covering about 40 acres. It was about 5 miles to the table land which was now rising into a bluff. Here the road runs 20 degrees south of west bending to S by W. one mile in which distance we passed 3 Islands in the Platt coverd with timber the largest about 10 acres. Their continues a chain of Islands for miles on the river & some timber on the south side of the Platt.
We came to skull creek B miles from our encampment. 1 1/2 miles to the right of skull creek is A prairie dog village covering about 6 acres of ground. This creek is timbered ownly by a few scattering willows. The river runs about parallel with the river [sic]. Its general Barings are about east & west. After crossing the skull Creek bridge the road runs about SW by W 60 degres west of south for about 15 miles. The Platt is skirted with timber.
Professer Pratt & myself went forward of the Company to take observation. We traveld about 13 miles & stoped bated Horses took observations &c. While on the road we frequently see gopher Hills from one to 6 feet in circumference diamiter & from 3 inch to 2 feet in highth some resembling a potatoe patch which makes it rough waggoning over them. With the exception of this it is the best road on the North side of the Platt river I ever travled being a level dry hard road. Our Standard Thermometer stood to day at 1 oclok 94°.
The company approached us & we continued on 5 mile & the whole encampment came up & we encamped for the night in a circle. Cut down Cotton wood trees to feeds the Horses on the bark. They will knaw off the bark from brouse limbs & sticks 10 inches through as readily as they would eat corn. We have had to feed upon cotton wood all the way thus far. We give each Horse also about 3 quarts of corn per day.
Our fisherman drew a net this afternoon & broat into camp 213 fish Buffalo & Carp which was divided in the camp. We had A Buffalo would weigh 10 lbs & carp 2 lbs & had a good supper. The Platt was a mile wide whare we camped including an Island opposite of us with timber. The distance of the day 18 miles.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Apr 19, 1847. Monday.
[William Clayton Journal] At 5 A.M., at the sound of the bugle I arose, my face still paining me very badly. After eating breakfast I started out on foot before the wagons started with my rifle on my shoulder. At 7 1/4 the wagons began to move and at 7 1/2 were all formed in double file and proceeded on. After traveling about 8 miles we arrived at a number of small lakes, where were many ducks. A number of brethren shot at them and killed several. At 1 1/4 we arrived at a bend in the river where a small stream runs around an island.
We stayed here to feed awhile, having traveled about 15 miles mostly a western course with the wind South. The roads very good and the country very level on these flat Bottoms of the Platte river which bottoms appear to be from ten to fifteen miles wide. Soon after the camp was formed O. P. Rockwell, Jackson Redding, and J[esse] C. Little came in from winter quarters. They arrived at 10 minutes after 2. They have found Dr. Richards mare which was lost east of the Elk Horn and brought her to camp. They brought me a line from Diantha and one from Ruth and Margaret. In the last was a very gentle piece of information which has caused me to reflect much, and proves to me that Ruth and Margaret's virtue and integrity have for the last year been far superior to mine. In my letter to them I requested them to attend to family prayer in my absence, a thing which I have neglected since leaving Nauvoo. They informed me that they had done that when I was at home but unknown to me, and they had then, and still continue to bear me up before their heavenly father. O what integrity, what faithfulness. I feel unworthy to possess two such treasures, but still feel to try to reward them for it, and may my Father in heaven bless them, and all my family and let his angels guard them, and me during my absence that we may all be permitted to meet again and enjoy each other's Society in this world for many years to come, and eternally in the world to come. O Lord, grant this prayer of thy unworthy Servant, and fill my family with peace and union, and open a way that they may have the necessaries and comforts of life, and thy Spirit to brood over them, and Thy name shall have the praise, even so Amen...I walked some this afternoon with Orson Pratt and suggested to him the idea of fixing a set of wooden cog wheels to the hub of a wagon wheel, in such order as to tell the exact number of miles we travel each day. He seemed to agree with me that it could be easily done at a trifling expense . . .
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
We stayed here to feed awhile, having traveled about 15 miles mostly a western course with the wind South. The roads very good and the country very level on these flat Bottoms of the Platte river which bottoms appear to be from ten to fifteen miles wide. Soon after the camp was formed O. P. Rockwell, Jackson Redding, and J[esse] C. Little came in from winter quarters. They arrived at 10 minutes after 2. They have found Dr. Richards mare which was lost east of the Elk Horn and brought her to camp. They brought me a line from Diantha and one from Ruth and Margaret. In the last was a very gentle piece of information which has caused me to reflect much, and proves to me that Ruth and Margaret's virtue and integrity have for the last year been far superior to mine. In my letter to them I requested them to attend to family prayer in my absence, a thing which I have neglected since leaving Nauvoo. They informed me that they had done that when I was at home but unknown to me, and they had then, and still continue to bear me up before their heavenly father. O what integrity, what faithfulness. I feel unworthy to possess two such treasures, but still feel to try to reward them for it, and may my Father in heaven bless them, and all my family and let his angels guard them, and me during my absence that we may all be permitted to meet again and enjoy each other's Society in this world for many years to come, and eternally in the world to come. O Lord, grant this prayer of thy unworthy Servant, and fill my family with peace and union, and open a way that they may have the necessaries and comforts of life, and thy Spirit to brood over them, and Thy name shall have the praise, even so Amen...I walked some this afternoon with Orson Pratt and suggested to him the idea of fixing a set of wooden cog wheels to the hub of a wagon wheel, in such order as to tell the exact number of miles we travel each day. He seemed to agree with me that it could be easily done at a trifling expense . . .
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 19, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Monday April 19th 1847. This morning I went to take my mare to Greens Taylors, who had agreed to take care of her and also as many of my oxen as I brought him. Br Bills had returned with my mare. She was dead poor & had not been treated well, I think. I found the people all well & preparing their farms. In the after noon I came home again & crossed the river about very tired
I had not been home but a few moments before the Marshall notified me that there was a special meeting of the council at Br Saml Russells at which I was wanted[.] I went accordingly. It had been called to take immediate action on the matter of the Omahas killing our cattle for they were getting worse every day.
Much was said after which a committee was appointed to go and have an interview with Big Elk on the subject where upon President Alpheus Cutler Daniel Spencer, C. P. Lott and W. W. Phelps were apointed to go and complain of our grievences.
The feeling of the Council & also of Elders Taylor and Pratt were indignant at the conduct of the Omahas and the prevailing sentiment was to stop them if it had to be by harsher means.
I came home about ten oclock.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
I had not been home but a few moments before the Marshall notified me that there was a special meeting of the council at Br Saml Russells at which I was wanted[.] I went accordingly. It had been called to take immediate action on the matter of the Omahas killing our cattle for they were getting worse every day.
Much was said after which a committee was appointed to go and have an interview with Big Elk on the subject where upon President Alpheus Cutler Daniel Spencer, C. P. Lott and W. W. Phelps were apointed to go and complain of our grievences.
The feeling of the Council & also of Elders Taylor and Pratt were indignant at the conduct of the Omahas and the prevailing sentiment was to stop them if it had to be by harsher means.
I came home about ten oclock.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 19, 1847
William Clayton suggests to Orson Pratt "the idea of fixing a set of wooden cog wheels to the hub of a wagon wheel, in such order as to tell the exact number of miles we travel each day." Pratt agrees "that it could be easily done at a trifling expense" but the device isn't constructed and installed until May 12. In the mean time Clayton walks alongside Heber C. Kimball's wagon counting each revolution of a wagon wheel.
[source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
Mormon History, Apr 19, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 19th It was quite cool in the morning. The Bugle Blew at 5 for prayers & 7 for starting. We travled two abrest. Men walked by the side of their wagons. We bore a northerly direction untill about noon when we reached the north Bend of the Platt. Professor Pratt took an observation & found it to be in Lat. 41.27.5. The crossing place of the Horn was in Lat. 41.16.24 making the North Bend of the Platt 10 1/2 miles north of the ford.
We formed into a circle at noon & bated. While nooning Elder Little arived with P Rockwell & two others. They brought the mail. I recieved two Letters one from L Hardy of Mass who informed me that Milton Holmes father & Mother was cut off from the Church & He with them turned Strangites And that Aphia his wife was a great apostate. O Milton Holmes how hast thou fallen. The other letter was from Mrs Woodruff which I read with interest.
Br Little brought many things that the Colonel Kane sent as presents to the 12 & others. I re-cieved A stop Box Marriners compass small enough to carry in the pocket. It was A splendid present. May the blessings of God be upon the head of Col Kane for his good feelings towards the servants of God.
We camped at night near a grove of timber on the bank of the Platt. We formed a circle from edge to edge of the bank of the river. The river on one side was our defence. We drove the tongues of our waggons out ward & fore wheel of each waggon was placed against the hind wheel of the waggon before it and all the Horses & cattle taken inside the Circle so that we were secure against the Indians.
The river was about one mile wide whare we camped & on the north side joining by our encampment. It was deep & rapid. The face of the country during to days travel was on the south side of the river. High Bluffs tuning precepitately to the river on the north side which we travled. A level prairie without any bluffs about 2 miles from the river a rise of table land about 10 feet & continues at a level. No timber except patches on the river. Soil sandy. 22 m.
We formed into a circle at noon & bated. While nooning Elder Little arived with P Rockwell & two others. They brought the mail. I recieved two Letters one from L Hardy of Mass who informed me that Milton Holmes father & Mother was cut off from the Church & He with them turned Strangites And that Aphia his wife was a great apostate. O Milton Holmes how hast thou fallen. The other letter was from Mrs Woodruff which I read with interest.
Br Little brought many things that the Colonel Kane sent as presents to the 12 & others. I re-cieved A stop Box Marriners compass small enough to carry in the pocket. It was A splendid present. May the blessings of God be upon the head of Col Kane for his good feelings towards the servants of God.
We camped at night near a grove of timber on the bank of the Platt. We formed a circle from edge to edge of the bank of the river. The river on one side was our defence. We drove the tongues of our waggons out ward & fore wheel of each waggon was placed against the hind wheel of the waggon before it and all the Horses & cattle taken inside the Circle so that we were secure against the Indians.
The river was about one mile wide whare we camped & on the north side joining by our encampment. It was deep & rapid. The face of the country during to days travel was on the south side of the river. High Bluffs tuning precepitately to the river on the north side which we travled. A level prairie without any bluffs about 2 miles from the river a rise of table land about 10 feet & continues at a level. No timber except patches on the river. Soil sandy. 22 m.
Mormon History, Apr 18, 1847. Sunday.
[William Clayton Journal] This morning I wrote a letter for Heber to his wife Vilate which was sent by Brother Ellis Eames who has concluded to go back on account of poor health, spitting blood &c. He started back with the traders wagon about eight o'clock A.M. The wind this morning E. and S.E. and very cold, with a slight shower of snow. At 10 A.M. 7 more traders wagons came in and stopped about 1/4 of a mile below us, soon after 6 mules loaded with robes and furs. These traders say they have come from the Pawnee village in two days. Brother Roundy got some Buffalo meat from them and give me a little, which I thought tasted very good. I commenced writing Hebers journal and wrote considerable. He wants me to write his journal all the journey. I also wrote considerable in this book. P.M. the weather more moderate and pleasant, the wind has changed near South and the sun shines . . .
At 5 o'clock, the officers of the camp met with President Young, and he told the order for travelling and camping hereafter, which was communicated to the companies by the Captains of 10's as follows.
At 5:00 in the morning the bugle is to be sounded as a signal for every man to arise and attend prayers before he leaves his wagon. Then cooking, eating, feeding teams &c. till 7 o'clock at which time the Camp is to move at the sound of the bugle. Each teamster to keep beside his team, with their loaded gun in their hands or in their wagon where they can get them in a moment. The extra men, each to walk opposite his wagon with his loaded gun on his shoulder, and no man to be permitted to leave his wagon unless he obtains permission from his officer. In case of an attack from Indians or hostile appearances the wagons to travel in double file. The order of encampment to be in a circle with the mouth of the wagon to the outside, and the horses and stock tied inside the circle. At 8 1/2 P.M. the bugles to be sounded again at which time all to have prayers in their wagons and to retire to rest by 9 o'clock. Tonight I went to bed about 7 1/2 o'clock suffering severely with pain in my head and face. I slept with Philo Johnson.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
At 5 o'clock, the officers of the camp met with President Young, and he told the order for travelling and camping hereafter, which was communicated to the companies by the Captains of 10's as follows.
At 5:00 in the morning the bugle is to be sounded as a signal for every man to arise and attend prayers before he leaves his wagon. Then cooking, eating, feeding teams &c. till 7 o'clock at which time the Camp is to move at the sound of the bugle. Each teamster to keep beside his team, with their loaded gun in their hands or in their wagon where they can get them in a moment. The extra men, each to walk opposite his wagon with his loaded gun on his shoulder, and no man to be permitted to leave his wagon unless he obtains permission from his officer. In case of an attack from Indians or hostile appearances the wagons to travel in double file. The order of encampment to be in a circle with the mouth of the wagon to the outside, and the horses and stock tied inside the circle. At 8 1/2 P.M. the bugles to be sounded again at which time all to have prayers in their wagons and to retire to rest by 9 o'clock. Tonight I went to bed about 7 1/2 o'clock suffering severely with pain in my head and face. I slept with Philo Johnson.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Apr 18, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Sunday April 18th 1847. Cold windy day[.] I was at home[.] At six oclock I went to council at the council house. The first business done was to read an Epistle from the Twelve who were gone with the pioneers which reads as follows viz:
"The Council of the Twelve Apostles, to the brethren at Winter Quarters and especially to such as shall hereafter arrive at that place. Greeting.
Beloved brethren
We have now completed the organization of the pioneer company, of which we are members and whom we are about to lead to the mountains, or over the mountains, as we shall be councilled by our Leader in search of a resting place for ourselves, our families, and all who desire to follow us and work Righteousness; and by doing this, we prove to you and all the world that we do not wish to be a whit behing [sic] the first of you, in leaving wife, children, friends, rest or any of the enjoyments of social life; and that we are willing to take a full share of troubles, trials losses & crosses, hardships and fatigues, weariness & watchings, for the Kingdom of Heavens sake; and we feel to say come calm or strife, turmoil, or peace, life or death; in the name of Israels God we mean to conquer or die trying[.] We mean to open up the way for the salvation of the honest in heart from all nations, or sacrifice every [thing] in our stewardship, and if we fail in the attempt; having done all we could,Our Father will not leave his flock without a Shepherd.
In connection with the pioneer Company, we have organized all in your place and vicinity who wish to join the Emegration, into companies of tens, fifties and hundreds, in two divisions, with a President and two councillors to each division with the sanction of their respective companies, and having called the Presidents, Councillors and Captains of hundreds together, have advised with them and decided that all the High Council that is necessary to be left at Winter Quarters; after the present council shall have left, will be the President and captains of Emegration Companies. And where the present Presidents of Divisions and captains shall remove they will leave others similarly organized, with the approval of the brethren, or those who thus enter into the organization.
The brethren now organized, have heard the word and will of the Lord on which this organization is founded, and have given their hearty assent unto it, and any hesitating in carrying out their pledges or acting in concert with their Presidency, as they well [know] will be at the loss of a glory that they can never regain therefore, we say that these instructions generally are more especially to such as shall hereafter arrive at your place; so that they may recieve the principles and instructions that those have had, who have been with us the past winter.
The business of the Saints at Winter Quarters from this time is to journey West, untill further instructions; and while some will have the means to go forward at the springing of grass, others will have to stop and raise some grain to carry with them; and while some will come here prepared, others will have to stop and prepare for their journey; and in wither case all preperation and organization is for journeying and not for a permanent location at Winter Quarters, and if any refractory member should mak their appearance, the Bishops will see that justice is done them and let no iniquity have place in your midst.
It is the privilege of the brethren who remain, or arrive hereafter, to decide, but the Council urgently recommends to them to remove the lesser houses, on to the line, of Winter Quarters, or on the borders of the most populated blocks, so as to defend themselves, by houses, pickets, ditches, &c against the Indians, so that your women & children may not be insulted and abused, and their tables robbed, while they are drawing water, or gathering the fruits of their gardens, or attending to any domestic duties in your absence.
Let the brethren labor unitedly, in making fields, fencing, planting, harvesting &c, all under the direction of their respective Captains of Tens, & fifties, â€" over whom will be the supervision of their Captains of hundreds and Presidents, who will allot to each family all the ground they need or can till, for a garden, in the city of Winter Quarters or its immediate vicinity â€" so that all may share equally in the comforts and luxuries of the table.
The Idler shall not eat the bread of the laborer, therefore let a record be kept, by the Captains of each ten, or his clerk, how each man employs his time, from day to day; and let the same be reported weekly to the clerk of the division or Presidency of the organization; and let one tenth of the avails of each mans labor be appropriated for the benefit of the poor and sick, under the direction of the Bishops, attending to the council of the Presidency; for the poor ye have always with you & the sick often; and he who administers to them, serveth the Lord. Your crops, and cattle will be exposed to the aggressions of the Omahas, and other Indians, and we say to you take care of them, learn to watch as well as pray, for the farther you go West, the more you will be exposed, and if the saints can not watch them safely here, what will they do when they get where civilization or half civilization is unknown. Make good fences around your corn fields, and locate families near sufficient to watch and keep them safe, and let the emegrants be diligent and careful to plow, plant, and fence all they possibly can before they start on their journey. We advise the brethren to keep up a police of their most effective men at Winter Quarters as we have done, for in an hour ye think not, evil may be upon you; and pay them for their services, so that they will not be obliged to neglect your safety, for a loaf of bread, to satisfy their hunger or that of their families.
It is highly important in this dispensation that every brother learns his duty, and acts accordingly, in doing which every one who can, will pay their herdsmen in money, flour, grain, &c.as they shall need, for their comfort, or to prosecute their journey, & not compel them to urge payment of the sisters whose husbands are in the army, the widows, and poor, and let the herdsmen be diligent in striving to deliver all the cattle &c. entrusted to their charge, at the proper time, to those who are emigrating West, & such of those, as can not pay down, agree upon the cattle you shall mark as your own to be held in security, to be paid for or delivered to you at a future day.
It is our wish and council that the Emegration Company now formed, shall follow the pioneers as soon as the grass is sufficient to support the teams, and the Presidents and captains will examine & know that every soul that goes in said company is provided with from 3 to 500 pounds of bread stuff or a year and a half, and as much more as he can get, for we know not whether we can raise corn this summer, as we anticipated at the place of Location. Let the first Emegration company take with them as many of the sisters whose husbands are in the army, as can fit themselves out, or can be conveniently fitted out.
It is wisdom that all the men in the Emegration Company shall be organized into a military body, under their respective Captains of Tens, 50s and hundreds with Charles C. Rich as their Commander-in-Chief, who will see that every man is properly armed, and ready to meet any savage encounter at a moments warning, taking care that caps and priming of all fire locks are secured so as to admit of no accidents; that John Scott Superintendend the artillery under C. C. Rich â€" Horace S. Eldrige be Marshall, Hosea Stout Captain of the Guard on the journey & that the guard to watch during the night and sleep as they have need during the day.
The first Company will carry the Temple bell with the fixtures for hanging at a moments notice, which will be rung at day light or a proper time, and call all who are able to arise to prayers, after which ringing of bell & breakfast, or ringing of bell and departure in fifteen minutes to secure the cool of the day till breakfast time &c as th
e bell may be needed â€" particularly in the night season if the Indians are hovering around to let them know you are at your duty, and if any man acts disorderly, punish him severely.
Whenever a Company of 75 men, who do not belong to the present organization Company. shall be organized so as to carry out the principals of the Word & Will of the Lord and these instructions, according to the pattern, with or without families, and provisions enough to sustain each soul 18 months, they may come on till the 1st of July, but in all cases, the brethren must run their own risk for food and not depend on the pioneers, or any company, in advance for support in the least, either for their teams, themselves or families, for we are credibly informed that more than thirty souls of the Oregon Emegrants, perished in the mountains the last season, with hunger; and 100 bushels of corn can esier be raised near Winter Quarters, than 50 bushels at the foot of the mountains.
If a man of the first Emegration Company, who is going to stop, at your place for the time being, should so far forget his covenant in the Temple, and his more recent obligations, and agreements as to retain his waggon or team, from the neccessityes of the journey: it will be the duty of the President to instruct the captains to take the same and apply it where necessity requires, and thus compel the owner to do what he has previously agreed to, for as some were compelled to come in, in ancient days, others must be compelled to remain in in latter days and men who are taken at their word have no reason to find fault.
For the council
Brigham Young Prest
Willard Richards Clerk
Pioneer Camp of Israel â€" Platte river. About Fifty miles from Winter Quarters April 16th 1847.
After the above Epistle was read and accepted the council took up the subject of the Omahas who were at this time committing unheard of depredations, by driving off our cattle. They will lay around in the grass and groves untill an oppertunity offers and then sally forth and drive all the cattle in their power.even some times they will rush in among the herds, when there is no men present and attempt to drive them off before our eyes or they will appear on horse back and run all the cattle that stray off, away[.] The amount of cattle killed by them the past winter & spring is incredible
The object of the council was now send a committee to the Big Elk, the chief & enquire the reason of such conduct.
After which the council took up the police subject again when the Treasurers books were delivered into my hands as clerk of the council. I cam home about ten oclock
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
"The Council of the Twelve Apostles, to the brethren at Winter Quarters and especially to such as shall hereafter arrive at that place. Greeting.
Beloved brethren
We have now completed the organization of the pioneer company, of which we are members and whom we are about to lead to the mountains, or over the mountains, as we shall be councilled by our Leader in search of a resting place for ourselves, our families, and all who desire to follow us and work Righteousness; and by doing this, we prove to you and all the world that we do not wish to be a whit behing [sic] the first of you, in leaving wife, children, friends, rest or any of the enjoyments of social life; and that we are willing to take a full share of troubles, trials losses & crosses, hardships and fatigues, weariness & watchings, for the Kingdom of Heavens sake; and we feel to say come calm or strife, turmoil, or peace, life or death; in the name of Israels God we mean to conquer or die trying[.] We mean to open up the way for the salvation of the honest in heart from all nations, or sacrifice every [thing] in our stewardship, and if we fail in the attempt; having done all we could,Our Father will not leave his flock without a Shepherd.
In connection with the pioneer Company, we have organized all in your place and vicinity who wish to join the Emegration, into companies of tens, fifties and hundreds, in two divisions, with a President and two councillors to each division with the sanction of their respective companies, and having called the Presidents, Councillors and Captains of hundreds together, have advised with them and decided that all the High Council that is necessary to be left at Winter Quarters; after the present council shall have left, will be the President and captains of Emegration Companies. And where the present Presidents of Divisions and captains shall remove they will leave others similarly organized, with the approval of the brethren, or those who thus enter into the organization.
The brethren now organized, have heard the word and will of the Lord on which this organization is founded, and have given their hearty assent unto it, and any hesitating in carrying out their pledges or acting in concert with their Presidency, as they well [know] will be at the loss of a glory that they can never regain therefore, we say that these instructions generally are more especially to such as shall hereafter arrive at your place; so that they may recieve the principles and instructions that those have had, who have been with us the past winter.
The business of the Saints at Winter Quarters from this time is to journey West, untill further instructions; and while some will have the means to go forward at the springing of grass, others will have to stop and raise some grain to carry with them; and while some will come here prepared, others will have to stop and prepare for their journey; and in wither case all preperation and organization is for journeying and not for a permanent location at Winter Quarters, and if any refractory member should mak their appearance, the Bishops will see that justice is done them and let no iniquity have place in your midst.
It is the privilege of the brethren who remain, or arrive hereafter, to decide, but the Council urgently recommends to them to remove the lesser houses, on to the line, of Winter Quarters, or on the borders of the most populated blocks, so as to defend themselves, by houses, pickets, ditches, &c against the Indians, so that your women & children may not be insulted and abused, and their tables robbed, while they are drawing water, or gathering the fruits of their gardens, or attending to any domestic duties in your absence.
Let the brethren labor unitedly, in making fields, fencing, planting, harvesting &c, all under the direction of their respective Captains of Tens, & fifties, â€" over whom will be the supervision of their Captains of hundreds and Presidents, who will allot to each family all the ground they need or can till, for a garden, in the city of Winter Quarters or its immediate vicinity â€" so that all may share equally in the comforts and luxuries of the table.
The Idler shall not eat the bread of the laborer, therefore let a record be kept, by the Captains of each ten, or his clerk, how each man employs his time, from day to day; and let the same be reported weekly to the clerk of the division or Presidency of the organization; and let one tenth of the avails of each mans labor be appropriated for the benefit of the poor and sick, under the direction of the Bishops, attending to the council of the Presidency; for the poor ye have always with you & the sick often; and he who administers to them, serveth the Lord. Your crops, and cattle will be exposed to the aggressions of the Omahas, and other Indians, and we say to you take care of them, learn to watch as well as pray, for the farther you go West, the more you will be exposed, and if the saints can not watch them safely here, what will they do when they get where civilization or half civilization is unknown. Make good fences around your corn fields, and locate families near sufficient to watch and keep them safe, and let the emegrants be diligent and careful to plow, plant, and fence all they possibly can before they start on their journey. We advise the brethren to keep up a police of their most effective men at Winter Quarters as we have done, for in an hour ye think not, evil may be upon you; and pay them for their services, so that they will not be obliged to neglect your safety, for a loaf of bread, to satisfy their hunger or that of their families.
It is highly important in this dispensation that every brother learns his duty, and acts accordingly, in doing which every one who can, will pay their herdsmen in money, flour, grain, &c.as they shall need, for their comfort, or to prosecute their journey, & not compel them to urge payment of the sisters whose husbands are in the army, the widows, and poor, and let the herdsmen be diligent in striving to deliver all the cattle &c. entrusted to their charge, at the proper time, to those who are emigrating West, & such of those, as can not pay down, agree upon the cattle you shall mark as your own to be held in security, to be paid for or delivered to you at a future day.
It is our wish and council that the Emegration Company now formed, shall follow the pioneers as soon as the grass is sufficient to support the teams, and the Presidents and captains will examine & know that every soul that goes in said company is provided with from 3 to 500 pounds of bread stuff or a year and a half, and as much more as he can get, for we know not whether we can raise corn this summer, as we anticipated at the place of Location. Let the first Emegration company take with them as many of the sisters whose husbands are in the army, as can fit themselves out, or can be conveniently fitted out.
It is wisdom that all the men in the Emegration Company shall be organized into a military body, under their respective Captains of Tens, 50s and hundreds with Charles C. Rich as their Commander-in-Chief, who will see that every man is properly armed, and ready to meet any savage encounter at a moments warning, taking care that caps and priming of all fire locks are secured so as to admit of no accidents; that John Scott Superintendend the artillery under C. C. Rich â€" Horace S. Eldrige be Marshall, Hosea Stout Captain of the Guard on the journey & that the guard to watch during the night and sleep as they have need during the day.
The first Company will carry the Temple bell with the fixtures for hanging at a moments notice, which will be rung at day light or a proper time, and call all who are able to arise to prayers, after which ringing of bell & breakfast, or ringing of bell and departure in fifteen minutes to secure the cool of the day till breakfast time &c as th
e bell may be needed â€" particularly in the night season if the Indians are hovering around to let them know you are at your duty, and if any man acts disorderly, punish him severely.
Whenever a Company of 75 men, who do not belong to the present organization Company. shall be organized so as to carry out the principals of the Word & Will of the Lord and these instructions, according to the pattern, with or without families, and provisions enough to sustain each soul 18 months, they may come on till the 1st of July, but in all cases, the brethren must run their own risk for food and not depend on the pioneers, or any company, in advance for support in the least, either for their teams, themselves or families, for we are credibly informed that more than thirty souls of the Oregon Emegrants, perished in the mountains the last season, with hunger; and 100 bushels of corn can esier be raised near Winter Quarters, than 50 bushels at the foot of the mountains.
If a man of the first Emegration Company, who is going to stop, at your place for the time being, should so far forget his covenant in the Temple, and his more recent obligations, and agreements as to retain his waggon or team, from the neccessityes of the journey: it will be the duty of the President to instruct the captains to take the same and apply it where necessity requires, and thus compel the owner to do what he has previously agreed to, for as some were compelled to come in, in ancient days, others must be compelled to remain in in latter days and men who are taken at their word have no reason to find fault.
For the council
Brigham Young Prest
Willard Richards Clerk
Pioneer Camp of Israel â€" Platte river. About Fifty miles from Winter Quarters April 16th 1847.
After the above Epistle was read and accepted the council took up the subject of the Omahas who were at this time committing unheard of depredations, by driving off our cattle. They will lay around in the grass and groves untill an oppertunity offers and then sally forth and drive all the cattle in their power.even some times they will rush in among the herds, when there is no men present and attempt to drive them off before our eyes or they will appear on horse back and run all the cattle that stray off, away[.] The amount of cattle killed by them the past winter & spring is incredible
The object of the council was now send a committee to the Big Elk, the chief & enquire the reason of such conduct.
After which the council took up the police subject again when the Treasurers books were delivered into my hands as clerk of the council. I cam home about ten oclock
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Apr 18, 1847
[Brigham Young Sermon] President Young called the captains together and gave them the following instructions. At 8:30 pm the bugle would sound and all should retire to their wagons and bow down before the Lord and offer up their supplications before going to bed, and all fires should be put out. Also the bugle would sound at 5 am when all would arise and offer up their thanks to the Lord, and at 7 o'clock be ready to start. All the spare hands were to walk by the off side of their wagon with their rifles loaded. -- Winter Quarters, Nebraska [Pioneering the West 1846 to 1878: Major Howard EganÂ's Diary. Howard R. Egan, ed. Salt Lake City, 1917. 26]
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]
Mormon History, Apr 18, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 18th Sunday I wrote A letter Home to Mrs Woodruff By Br Eames who wishes to return back. I perused several papers to day, but did not find much news. Br O Pratt took an observation of his Barometer.
President Young called the captains together & gave them instruction to travel in the morning two abrest & let all who were not driving teams carry their guns & walk by the side of the waggons. Let no man go away hunting to get [out] of sight of the camp. The Bugle was to be blown at half past 8 oclok at night when all was to go to prayers in their several waggons & retire to bed by 9 oclok. The Bugle will Blow at 5 oclok in the morning to arise & pray & two hours will be allotted the camp to dress pray cook eat feed Horses Harness &c & start at the blow of the Bugle at 7 oclok. This is the order of the camp.
Travellers have frequeently spoken of the Platt River. In relation to it I will [say] It is the most singular river I ever beheld. It is from a quarter to half a mile wide & its shores & bed one universal body of quick sand. It is a rapid stream yet many places A person can wade across it. Frequently nearly the whole bed of the river is coverd with but few inches of water & at other places it is deep & Rapid. Notwithstanding it is quick sand Horses & cattle can walk down to edge of the river & drink like walking on the edge of a smooth sea Beach & some times while walking on the apparent hard beach or bed of the river A man or Horse will suddenly sink into the quick sand & the more he struggles to get out the more He will sink & will soon perish if assistance is not near. Many Horses & men have been lost in this way on the Platt. Whare we have spent the Sabbath A man could nearly wade across the river.
We do not travel on Sunday but pitch our tents Saturday night or encamp in the waggons & we do not move untill Monday morning. This is the order of the camp.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
President Young called the captains together & gave them instruction to travel in the morning two abrest & let all who were not driving teams carry their guns & walk by the side of the waggons. Let no man go away hunting to get [out] of sight of the camp. The Bugle was to be blown at half past 8 oclok at night when all was to go to prayers in their several waggons & retire to bed by 9 oclok. The Bugle will Blow at 5 oclok in the morning to arise & pray & two hours will be allotted the camp to dress pray cook eat feed Horses Harness &c & start at the blow of the Bugle at 7 oclok. This is the order of the camp.
Travellers have frequeently spoken of the Platt River. In relation to it I will [say] It is the most singular river I ever beheld. It is from a quarter to half a mile wide & its shores & bed one universal body of quick sand. It is a rapid stream yet many places A person can wade across it. Frequently nearly the whole bed of the river is coverd with but few inches of water & at other places it is deep & Rapid. Notwithstanding it is quick sand Horses & cattle can walk down to edge of the river & drink like walking on the edge of a smooth sea Beach & some times while walking on the apparent hard beach or bed of the river A man or Horse will suddenly sink into the quick sand & the more he struggles to get out the more He will sink & will soon perish if assistance is not near. Many Horses & men have been lost in this way on the Platt. Whare we have spent the Sabbath A man could nearly wade across the river.
We do not travel on Sunday but pitch our tents Saturday night or encamp in the waggons & we do not move untill Monday morning. This is the order of the camp.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
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