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]

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