[Minutes, Quorum of Twelve] June 28. 1847 Little Sandy River-
B[righam]. Young, H[eber]. C. Kimball, O[rson]. Pratt, W[ilford]. Woodruff-G[eorge]. A. Smith, W[illard]. Richards-E[zra]. T. Benson, Mr. [James] Bridger.
Mr. Bridger has been sent for to Fort John. [He said,] they want to take advantage of me-
[W]e make contracts for our Peltries & are furnished by the Upper Gentry-[W]e may have some peltry to go to the States in the Fall. [I]t costs 4 or 5000 /$[s]/ a year to keep up this place. [T]hey X the Black Fork-then a little South of West-under the mountain where the Green River runs thro it about 400 miles in some places [where the] /rocks/ [are] 5000 feet high-[N]othing can go down safe-[P]ersons have been [on] both sides of the River over the Mountains, but cannot [go] by the water. [I]t is a level, high country above-full of crevices-a black rock [is there that is] glazed & [with] rings like Potmetal-[It] would destroy horses feet-[At] about the middle of the Rocks, comes in the Rio Colarado-[I]t winds & twists [a]round-[It] look[s] like old Castles burnt, [and] nothing but brush grows[:] the Soap Weed & Prickly Pear-[W]e call them Lancers-it is covered with musqeet, [and] some Willows-[U]ntil about 200 miles of Tide Water then [there is] cotton weed, Musqeet Tallow Weed-[T]he Muscal grows there-[T]o go by the way of Hastings [is] about 100 miles-I ve been thro 50 times-[I]t leaves at my Station-goes to Weavers River-
Crosses Red Fork & Bear River-then [goes] to [the] Lake. [H]eavy timber [is there]-like Poplar-
Oak, Sugar Tree, Cotton Wood, Pine-[There is] Sugar maple in [the] hollows-[and] plenty of the finest Pine-[There is] no timber on the Edge of the Lake-[L]ittle Streams are well timbered-
[There is an] outlet of Utah 30 miles from Lake to Lake-[with] no timber on it. [T]hree Creeks put into the run, [each are] well timbered-[The] best soil [is there, along with]-blue grass, White & Red Clover-[T]his [is] on the S[outh]. E[ast]. of the Salt Lake-[There is] a good, smart current-
[and] low banks-[The] Salt Lake does not rise much by freshets-the boys said it was 550 miles in going round, they were 3 months-Utah Lake about 15 miles long. Ute Indians & Root Diggers- where they can get something to eat-they live-Weaver River is larger than Bear River-[T]he Indians [a]round Utah will strip a man, if they dont kill him-[T]he Root Diggers use Bow[s] & Arrows-[they] are very wild-you can see their Smoke & tracks & that is all-Mr. Miles & Mr.
Wells, an Englishman is there alone, in charge of the whole [group]-[T]he Snow lies close-the only danger is of its being killed by Frost [illegible] of several places-[T]he South end of the Basin is a good country-they empty into the Lakes on the East side-close to the Calafornia Mountain.
[Y]ou can cross into the Sacramento in 5 or 6 places-[T]his is on the S[outh]. E[ast]. of the Basin as shewn by Fremont-[H]e can only give a description of 10 or 12 miles [on] each side-Coal is very Common-the Streams are well timbered-I[ ]ve seen plenty of Oak, Walnuts, Hackberry &c. I could go 300 miles S[outh]. of the Lake without stopping. S[outh]. of the Utah Lake is a barren Sandy Desert-[and] a valley of 40 or 50 miles extends clean to the Gulf-[Y]ou will find Sheep & vegetation-[T]here is a tribe of Indians that farms, that nobody knows any thing about. it [I]t is in the same vicinity-S[outh]. E[ast]. of the Colorado-[I]f there is a promised land-thats it-[T]he Muscaloras Indians are very wild [and] the Monkey Indians live on a mountain-[T]here is a tree, like a cedar, [that] produces /like/ a juniper berry-[It is] yellow-a small seed the Indians grind-[It has] a spicy taste-[Y]ou may gather a 100 Bushels off one tree-[and] you can eat twice the full of your hat-[T]here are the finest streams & well watered-[A] man may go with Pack animals in about 20 days-[It is] a very hilly country-but a great part of the Country [there is] nothing for animals to live on-[A] little branch of the Ely River is a Copper mine-a whole mountain of it-a good Quicksilver mine [is] there-[with] coal & Iron Ore-& Timber enough-[There is] good Farming ground-the Wild Squash grows there-& wild Grapes-[There are] no grapes about the Utah Lake but plenty of choke cherries-[B]ut [you] could gather immense quantities-also acorns for Hogs-[T]he Utah Lake & South of it is the best land-that good land runs to where the Snow will not lie-[Y]ou can go 200 miles South of the lake [where it is] well timbered-[There are] all kinds of Fish-the Timber runs close to the mountains-Timber [is] all [a]round the Utah Lake-
[There is] not so much Sage-it grows in patches, then meadows-Flax grows in the Valleys-[In]
July 1845-[there was a s]howering 2 or 3 times a day, [and] sure of 1 or 2 Showers [and] very heavy thunders-[There is] not much Wind-[I]f you go S[outh]. of Utah Lake /50 miles/ you strike Surveyor Lake-[I]n one day I could make a map to all. You go down Green River about 5 miles-
[it] goes up the hill to the old houses-[T]hen [there is] 18 miles without water-[T]hen [you go] up Creeks 4 or 5 miles then X [cross] Ham s Fork, a pretty valley-[It]t is more than half way to the Fork-it is [Y]ou go down Green River 5 miles then + 18 miles to the River-Big Sandy is Flat & Shallow. Mr Hastings trail goes S[outh] E[ast] of the Salt Lake. [T]hey have to go down Weaver River about a mile-but you can avoid that-it is about 2 miles from Mr. Miles [Goodyear s] home.
[T]he only difficulty is [the] thick Oak Saplings-[I]n the Utes Land you must not stick a stake-
[A]ll they are fit for is Slaves-[T]here are 10 Indians on the West side of the Mountains, to 1 on the East side. [O]nly 200 miles S[outh] of the Utah they raise corn, Wheat, Peas &c.-I have bought & eat[en] it myself. [T]here [they] are wild as Beasts-[T]hey are outrageous against White People, because the Spainards killed many, & stole their children. [T]hey cultivate it with the wooden hoe- corn grows pretty, as in Old Kentucky; & the best wheat I ever saw-[W]hen you get to the Utah, you can go strait to it-[T]he Cattle Winter themselves-the grass curses itself-it is a different kind of grass-a second growth-[I]t rains at the Salt Lake all times of the year, but not so much as in the old country-[O]n Green River, 50 miles below the trail-[you] can get plenty of Coal-but like a candle & ashes [it is] white. The whole country is Iron Ore, I believe-I know a lead mine in the Black Hills-it runs in the cracks of the mountains-I see it every time I go to Laramie-it is called the Big Timber Creek-a little branch that runs into it-
[source: Minutes, Quorum of Twelve]
Mormon History, Jun 28, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Monday June 28th 1847. Sent out six men today and staid in to see to and attend Company business.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Jun 28, 1847
The first pioneer company leaves the Oregon Trail. Rather then taking the Sublette cut-off on the Oregon Trail, the group veers west toward Fort Bridger, Wyoming. After crossing the Little Sandy, the company meets Jim Bridger and discusses with him the possibility of settlement in the Great Basin.
[source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
[source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
Mormon History, Jun 27, 1847. Sunday.
[William Clayton Journal] Morning fine but cold. The ox teams started at 5 minutes to 8 and the remainder shortly after. We soon met 8 of the Oregon men on their way back, having over 20 horses and the mules with them mostly laden with packs of robes, skins &c. Several of the brethren sent letters back by them ...One of the Oregon men is returning with us today and then intends to wait for the next companies and act as a pilot for them. His name is "Harris" and appears to be extensively known in Oregon and the subject of much dispute on account of having found out a new route to Oregon, much South of the old one. He appears to be a man of intelligence and well acquainted with the western country. He presented a file of the Oregon papers, commencing with February 11th 1847 and five following numbers for our perusal during the day. He also presented a number of the California "Star" published at Yerba Buena by Samuel Brannan and edited by E. P. Jones. I had the privilege of perusing several of these papers during the day but found little interesting news. Mr. Harris says he is well acquainted with the Bear River Valley and the regions around the salt Lake. From his description which is very discouraging we have little chance to hope for even a moderate good country anywhere in those regions. He speaks of the whole region as being Sandy and destitute of timber and vegetation except the wild Sage. He gives the most favorable account of a Small region under the Bear River mountains called the Cach valley where they have practised caching their robes &c. to hide them from the Indians...Mr. Harris has described a valley 40 miles above the mouth of the Bear River and 30 miles below the Bear Springs which might answer our purpose pretty well if the report is true. It is about 30 miles long and 15 miles wide, and tolerably well timbered. We generally feel that we shall know best by going ourselves for the reports of travellers are so contradictory, it is impossible to know which is truth without going to prove it.
It is 3 years today since our brethren Joseph and Hyrum were taken from us and it was a general feeling to spend the day in fasting and prayer, but the gentile companies being close in our rear and feed scarce it was considered necessary to keep ahead for the benifit of our teams, but many minds have reverted back to the scenes at Carthage Jail, and it is a gratification that we have so far prospered in our endeavors to get from under the grasp of our enemies.
[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 is 3 years today since our brethren Joseph and Hyrum were taken from us and it was a general feeling to spend the day in fasting and prayer, but the gentile companies being close in our rear and feed scarce it was considered necessary to keep ahead for the benifit of our teams, but many minds have reverted back to the scenes at Carthage Jail, and it is a gratification that we have so far prospered in our endeavors to get from under the grasp of our enemies.
[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, Jun 28, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 28th We Parted with Major Harris After doing some traiding with him. He promised to meet us Again on bear River. We travled to little Sanday & nooned. The stream was high. In the Afternoon we travled 2 miles & met Mr Bridger of the fort on the way with two other men going to fort Laramie. He was expecting us & was to have an interview with President Young & the Twelve And also we wished to have an interview with Him. So we immediately turn onto the creek we nooned on & camped for the right & Mr Bridger & his men Camped with us.
We met in Council & spent some hours in conversations. We found him to have been a great traveller And A great knowledge of nearly all Oregon & Calafornia the Mountains, lakes, Rivers, Brooks, springs, valleys mines, Creeks, &c if what He told us was true, He knew of gold, silver, copper, lead Coal Iron, Sulpher & Saltpeter mines.
He spoke more Highly of the great Salt Lake for a settlement than Major Harris did. That it was his [-] & if this people settled in it He wanted to settle with them. There was but one thing that Could operate against it becoming A great grain country & that would be frost. He did not know but the frost would effect the corn. He Said there was A spring at the end of the Salt Lake that produced both Hot & cold fresh water, & Hot & Cold Salt water out of the same Hole or spring, & formed A large body of verdegreece below which the Indians get to paint skins, Arrors &c. He informed us whare to find A mine of silver & lead ore on big timber Creek.
We conversed about A great variety of things. He said he was Ashamed of the Maps of Freemont for He knew nothing about the Country, ownly the plain travled road, that He Could Correct all the maps that had been put out about the western world. He Said if we wanted any of his services to let him know. The American fir Company had paid him $2,000 dollars per year while in their employ.
He spent the time Conversing untill 10 oclok. We then retired to bed. Several of the brethren bought dressed deer skin shirts & pants of [him]. Then they would swap An outside dress for one Hickory or Checked shirt.
We had good grass & water & plenty of musketoes to night. Dis 15.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We met in Council & spent some hours in conversations. We found him to have been a great traveller And A great knowledge of nearly all Oregon & Calafornia the Mountains, lakes, Rivers, Brooks, springs, valleys mines, Creeks, &c if what He told us was true, He knew of gold, silver, copper, lead Coal Iron, Sulpher & Saltpeter mines.
He spoke more Highly of the great Salt Lake for a settlement than Major Harris did. That it was his [-] & if this people settled in it He wanted to settle with them. There was but one thing that Could operate against it becoming A great grain country & that would be frost. He did not know but the frost would effect the corn. He Said there was A spring at the end of the Salt Lake that produced both Hot & cold fresh water, & Hot & Cold Salt water out of the same Hole or spring, & formed A large body of verdegreece below which the Indians get to paint skins, Arrors &c. He informed us whare to find A mine of silver & lead ore on big timber Creek.
We conversed about A great variety of things. He said he was Ashamed of the Maps of Freemont for He knew nothing about the Country, ownly the plain travled road, that He Could Correct all the maps that had been put out about the western world. He Said if we wanted any of his services to let him know. The American fir Company had paid him $2,000 dollars per year while in their employ.
He spent the time Conversing untill 10 oclok. We then retired to bed. Several of the brethren bought dressed deer skin shirts & pants of [him]. Then they would swap An outside dress for one Hickory or Checked shirt.
We had good grass & water & plenty of musketoes to night. Dis 15.
[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, Jun 27, 1847 (Sunday)
The Pioneers crossed the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains. On the following day they met Capt. James Bridger who considered it imprudent to bring a large population into the Great Basin, until it could be ascertained that grain could be raised there. So sanguine was he that it could not be done, that he said he would give one thousand dollars for the first ear of corn produced there.
[source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
Mormon History, Jun 27, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Sunday June 27th 1847. Went out with seven men and came in and went to Council in the evening. John H. Blazzard was tried today for wrestling an ox out of the possession of the guard which had been taken out of the corn field and threatning to fight for it. He was fined 2 dollars which was the first man fined by the High Council. It was put at two dollars not as a precedent in such cases but to prove or show that men should be fined for rebelion.
Isaac Allred from Garden Grove came to my house today which was the first time I had seen him since I left there.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Isaac Allred from Garden Grove came to my house today which was the first time I had seen him since I left there.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Jun 27, 1847
The first company of pioneers crosses the Continental Divide at South Pass and meets Moses "Black" Harris, a mountain man who had lived in the West for twenty-five years.
[source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
[source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
Mormon History, Jun 27, 1847
Pioneer company crosses the flat, almost imperceptible 7,750-foot-high continental divide at South Pass. The elevation is measured by Orson Pratt's barometer to assure they have crossed the high point.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
Mormon History, Jun 27, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] June 27th 1847 Three years ago this day the Prophets Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martered. Though it was Sunday morning we Harnessed up our teams & drove 6 miles to the place whare Brs Pratt & Smith Camped in Company with Mr Harris who has been A traider & trapper in the rocky mountains & travled through Oregon to Calafornia 25 years. We found him to be a man of much experience & knowledge & acquaintance with the Country. He brought A file of Oregon Papers & one Published by S Brannon of Cala-fornia. Many of us had much conversation with him about the Country. He spoke unfavorable of the Salt Lake Country for a settlement but spoke of other places not far off that were good:
He said we generally could go through the pass as late as November but should we get blocked in with snow (we would find A small stream of water 4 or 5 miles from the Devils gate near Independance rock. This stream is 5 miles west of the gate. Follow that up A short distance & it would lead to A road that Crosses it to the west which would lead top through A large plain following to the mountains whare there is but little snow. When you come to the pass or Hill get onto some of them & you will see A large bute. Leave it to the [ ] Hand & follow down [ ] And it will lead into the open valleys. See + below. [Asterisk is Woodruff's.]
It is 275 1/2 miles from fort Laramie to the South pass.
At 9 oclok this morning I passed the dividing ridge that seperates the dividing waters of the Atlantic And pacific. We Camped at noon on muddy creek the waters of which run into the green river & the pacific. I drank its waters for the first time in my life that I tasted of waters runing into the pacific. We had a warm dusty day. I conversed considerable with Mr Harris about the country. We camped at night upon dry Sandy. Whole distance 15 1/4 mil.
+ [Asterisk is Woodruff's.] 3 miles above the gate look to the South. You will see an open pass in the Mountains. Go through that & let your Course be west till you top the Hill out of the great plain. Then look to the south. You will see a square bute. Leave that to the left. Go on & cross the green River. Then let your Course be west to Bridgers Fort; (And I think) He said we should go by blacks fork.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
He said we generally could go through the pass as late as November but should we get blocked in with snow (we would find A small stream of water 4 or 5 miles from the Devils gate near Independance rock. This stream is 5 miles west of the gate. Follow that up A short distance & it would lead to A road that Crosses it to the west which would lead top through A large plain following to the mountains whare there is but little snow. When you come to the pass or Hill get onto some of them & you will see A large bute. Leave it to the [ ] Hand & follow down [ ] And it will lead into the open valleys. See + below. [Asterisk is Woodruff's.]
It is 275 1/2 miles from fort Laramie to the South pass.
At 9 oclok this morning I passed the dividing ridge that seperates the dividing waters of the Atlantic And pacific. We Camped at noon on muddy creek the waters of which run into the green river & the pacific. I drank its waters for the first time in my life that I tasted of waters runing into the pacific. We had a warm dusty day. I conversed considerable with Mr Harris about the country. We camped at night upon dry Sandy. Whole distance 15 1/4 mil.
+ [Asterisk is Woodruff's.] 3 miles above the gate look to the South. You will see an open pass in the Mountains. Go through that & let your Course be west till you top the Hill out of the great plain. Then look to the south. You will see a square bute. Leave that to the left. Go on & cross the green River. Then let your Course be west to Bridgers Fort; (And I think) He said we should go by blacks fork.
[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, Jun 26, 1847. Saturday.
[William Clayton Journal] ...Elder Pratt has gone ahead with the barometer to try to find the culminating point or highest dividing ridge of the South Pass as we are evidently at the east foot of the pass. Fremont represents that he did not discover the highest point on account of the ascent being so gradual that they were beyond it before they were aware of it, although in company with a man who has traveled it back and forth for seventeen years...At 20 minutes past 2 we moved onward, ascending again on pretty high land where we found good traveling. The latitude at our noon halt was 42 [degrees] 22' 42". After traveling seven miles this afternoon we arrived on a level spot of lower land and some grass, and inasmuch as we have found no stream as laid down on Freemont's map since leaving the Sweet Water, neither is there much appearance of any for some miles farther, the wagons halted while President Young and some others went over the ridge to the north to look for a camp ground as some of the brethren said the Sweet Water was close by...Elders Kimball, Pratt and some others are some miles ahead and not having returned at dark, a number of the brethren were sent to meet them. They soon returned in company with Elder Kimball who reported that he had been on as much as six miles to where the head waters of the Atlantic divide from those of the Pacific, that Elder Pratt was camped there with a small party of men direct from Oregon and bound for the U.S. It is now a certainty that we are yet two miles short of the dividing ridge of the South Pass by the road. This ridge divides the headwaters of the Atlantic from those of the Pacific and although not the highest land we have traveled over, it may with propriety be said to be the summit of the South Pass. The Wind River mountains appear very high from this place but on the south there is very little appearance of mountains, Table Rock itself appearing but a little elevated.
[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, Jun 26, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Saturday June 26th 1847. Went out with 8 men again.
Had a hard rain at 3 oclock & a police meeting at my old house just before dark to consult on the best way for the police to meet what was called Hydes Bogus policy[.] We generally thought best to be still & not take sides.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Had a hard rain at 3 oclock & a police meeting at my old house just before dark to consult on the best way for the police to meet what was called Hydes Bogus policy[.] We generally thought best to be still & not take sides.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Jun 26, 1847
Orson Pratt records in his journal: "We obtained much information from him [Major Moses Harris whom the pioneers had met en route] in relation to the great interior basin of the Salt Lake, the country of our destination. His report like that of Captain Fremont's is rather unfavorable to the formation of a colony in this basin, principally on account of the scarcity of timber."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
Mormon History, Jun 26, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 26th We Started this morning at 8 oclok & travled untill 1 oclok & nooned again on the branch of the Sweet. Much larger than [the] original Stream in consequence of the melting of the vast body of Snow on the wind river range & the Hills that surround us. The watter run into many of our waggons, whare we camped at noon there was A large quantity of strabury vines in bloom & white Clover.
We travled in the forenoon 11 miles & in the Afternoon 7 3/4 miles & camped Again upon the branch of the sweet water that we nooned upon. We camped opposit the table rock & near the summit of the South pass or dividing ridge And I was quite asstonished at the road & country to day considering that we were crossing what is called the South pass of the rocky mountains. It was the best road we had had for many days & had it not have been for the wind river range of mountains full in view on our right & the table coverd with eternal snow, & some snow banks 10 feet deep by the side of the road as we passed along & the table rock on the left I should have thought myself traveling over the beautiful prairies of Illinois & Missouri except the country was coverd with more sage that prairie grass the road for many miles & Also the valley or plain of beautiful grass lying North of table rock was perfectly strewn with vary handsom Cornelian stones. I saw more in one hour this evening than I ever saw during my whole life either in the rude state or polished & set in breast pins in all the Jewellers shops I ever saw in my travels in the world from the sice of a goose egg to A pea. Distance of the day 18 3/4.
Elders Kimball Pratt G. A. Smith & Brown continued on to take in observations with the Barrom-eter on the dividing ridge & they continued on to the waters of the green river 7 miles from us that run into the pacific while we were on the Sweet water that runs into the Atlantic; they supposed we should come on to them And As they did not return several of us mounted our Horses to go in search of them. Soon After we started we met Br Kimball on his return after us. He informed us that the Brethren were camped with about one dozen men from Oregon on their way, to the States & they would stay together over night.
+ During our travels to day I walked most of the way with Professors Pratt, & Carrington And our conversation turned upon the subject of the original formation of God, Angels, men, & Devils the beget-ting of Spirits in the eternal world, & who by, the begetting of Children on the earth, the Death of men & children & the resurrection of All. Each one gave his views, opinions, & reasoning & many interesting remarks were truly made And Any person who should chance to read these lines I wish them to understand that the Ideas given upon these points were not given as doctrin but opinion untill sum thing better should present itself or be decided by revelation.
One of the most important Items If true was presented by Professor Pratt upon A Subject that Heretofore has been entirely out of the reach of All mankind from the days of Adam to the present time As far as is revealed to us. It was upon the subject of the original formation of the first God. We all admitted in the first place that which we believed to be an important truth ie the eternal formation of matter spirit, intelligence in some form or other. We also Agreed in the opinion that Neither God nor man Always had from all eternity the same formation that they now have but did exhist in some form for if we Admitted the fact that one being exhisted in the present form all might have exhisted in the same form as well as one.
Then the question arose how did God recieve his present formation? The Answer given by Professor Pratt was sumthing in the following language:
He sayes I throw out my Ideas not as doctrin but for you to look at. You know when A Chemist goes to work to Analize or try new experiments they often have to try many times before they put a thing perfect & take certain processes which are unnecessary and are afterward laid aside And pursue the most perfect Course that can be [pursu]ed. It may reasonably have been the case with the first being [form]ed which may be Called God. As eternity was filled as it were with particles of intelligence who had there Agency, two of these particles in process of time might have joined their interest together exchanged ideas found by persueing this course that they gained [double?] strength to what one particle of intelligence would have & afterwards were joined by other particles & continued untill they formed A combination or body though through a long process.
Yet they had power over other intelligences in consequence of their combination, organization & strength And in process of time this being body or God seeing the the Advantage of such an organization desires company or A companion And Having some experiance goes to work & organizes other beings by prevailing intelligences to come to gether & may form sumthing better than at the first. And After trials of this kind & the most perfect way sought ought it was found to be the most expeditious & best way to recieve there formations or bodies either spiritual or temporal through a womb.
[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 in the forenoon 11 miles & in the Afternoon 7 3/4 miles & camped Again upon the branch of the sweet water that we nooned upon. We camped opposit the table rock & near the summit of the South pass or dividing ridge And I was quite asstonished at the road & country to day considering that we were crossing what is called the South pass of the rocky mountains. It was the best road we had had for many days & had it not have been for the wind river range of mountains full in view on our right & the table coverd with eternal snow, & some snow banks 10 feet deep by the side of the road as we passed along & the table rock on the left I should have thought myself traveling over the beautiful prairies of Illinois & Missouri except the country was coverd with more sage that prairie grass the road for many miles & Also the valley or plain of beautiful grass lying North of table rock was perfectly strewn with vary handsom Cornelian stones. I saw more in one hour this evening than I ever saw during my whole life either in the rude state or polished & set in breast pins in all the Jewellers shops I ever saw in my travels in the world from the sice of a goose egg to A pea. Distance of the day 18 3/4.
Elders Kimball Pratt G. A. Smith & Brown continued on to take in observations with the Barrom-eter on the dividing ridge & they continued on to the waters of the green river 7 miles from us that run into the pacific while we were on the Sweet water that runs into the Atlantic; they supposed we should come on to them And As they did not return several of us mounted our Horses to go in search of them. Soon After we started we met Br Kimball on his return after us. He informed us that the Brethren were camped with about one dozen men from Oregon on their way, to the States & they would stay together over night.
+ During our travels to day I walked most of the way with Professors Pratt, & Carrington And our conversation turned upon the subject of the original formation of God, Angels, men, & Devils the beget-ting of Spirits in the eternal world, & who by, the begetting of Children on the earth, the Death of men & children & the resurrection of All. Each one gave his views, opinions, & reasoning & many interesting remarks were truly made And Any person who should chance to read these lines I wish them to understand that the Ideas given upon these points were not given as doctrin but opinion untill sum thing better should present itself or be decided by revelation.
One of the most important Items If true was presented by Professor Pratt upon A Subject that Heretofore has been entirely out of the reach of All mankind from the days of Adam to the present time As far as is revealed to us. It was upon the subject of the original formation of the first God. We all admitted in the first place that which we believed to be an important truth ie the eternal formation of matter spirit, intelligence in some form or other. We also Agreed in the opinion that Neither God nor man Always had from all eternity the same formation that they now have but did exhist in some form for if we Admitted the fact that one being exhisted in the present form all might have exhisted in the same form as well as one.
Then the question arose how did God recieve his present formation? The Answer given by Professor Pratt was sumthing in the following language:
He sayes I throw out my Ideas not as doctrin but for you to look at. You know when A Chemist goes to work to Analize or try new experiments they often have to try many times before they put a thing perfect & take certain processes which are unnecessary and are afterward laid aside And pursue the most perfect Course that can be [pursu]ed. It may reasonably have been the case with the first being [form]ed which may be Called God. As eternity was filled as it were with particles of intelligence who had there Agency, two of these particles in process of time might have joined their interest together exchanged ideas found by persueing this course that they gained [double?] strength to what one particle of intelligence would have & afterwards were joined by other particles & continued untill they formed A combination or body though through a long process.
Yet they had power over other intelligences in consequence of their combination, organization & strength And in process of time this being body or God seeing the the Advantage of such an organization desires company or A companion And Having some experiance goes to work & organizes other beings by prevailing intelligences to come to gether & may form sumthing better than at the first. And After trials of this kind & the most perfect way sought ought it was found to be the most expeditious & best way to recieve there formations or bodies either spiritual or temporal through a womb.
[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, Jun 25, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Friday June 25th 1847. Went out on Guard to day with 8 men. Nothing of importance.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Jun 25, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 25th We travled 8 3/4 miles & nooned upon A branch of the sweet water in as good grass As we have had on the way. Early in the Afternoon we began to ascend the [high?]est & longest Hill that we have passed over on the Journey. We travled about 5 miles before [we] reached the top. On the way up the brethren found snow Banks 20 or 30 rods long from 5 to 10 feet deep about 1/4 of a mile from the road. They brought some to me & I ate some.
The road was vary rocky a part of the way over the Hills. We passed by 3 Mo camps who had passed by us. We travled in the Afternon 11 1/2 miles & camped for the night on A small branch of the sweet water. The Chain of the wind River mountain seemed quite near us & covered with vast quantities of Snow & we are so near the top of the mountains & surrounded with snow that the air feels like winter.
Whole distance of one day 20 1/4 mils. Our teams fed upon white Clover to night. We are nearly at the head of the sweet water.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The road was vary rocky a part of the way over the Hills. We passed by 3 Mo camps who had passed by us. We travled in the Afternon 11 1/2 miles & camped for the night on A small branch of the sweet water. The Chain of the wind River mountain seemed quite near us & covered with vast quantities of Snow & we are so near the top of the mountains & surrounded with snow that the air feels like winter.
Whole distance of one day 20 1/4 mils. Our teams fed upon white Clover to night. We are nearly at the head of the sweet water.
[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, Jun 24, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Thursday June 24th 1847. Started at sun rise for Bel-vue[.] The company was small at first. Men however were falling in or over taking us for miles.
When we had gone about half way we stopped to organize the company which we did by appointing Jesse P. Harmon & Alexander Mc[.] Rae Lieutenants and dividing the the company into two platoons over which each officer commanded[.] Harmon taking the first & Mc[.] Rae the second platoon[.] I then selected Thomas Rich, Daniel Carns, William Meeks[.] Jas W. Cummings, Luman H. Calkins, and George D. Grant as picket guard and also sent them on ahead with orders to go into Belvue and report our arrival and tell Mitchel that we were at his service and only wanted his written orders.
This precaution was necessary because we knew he was only the Pottawattamie agent and had no authority on this side of the river among the Omahas. And not only so we knew him also to be a most infamous rascal and an inveterate enemy to us.
It would have therefore been very easy for him to played the game to engage us in a war with the Omahas and leave us in the difficulty. But suspecting him we determined not to act without the most positive & plain orders. Moreover in case he led us into an engagement and did not mentain his position or attempt to desert or betray us we would have put him to death instanter
Our company here amounted to 53 men and we had two baggage waggons along. Thus arrainged and organized we proceeded onward and stoped on the last high ground in the prairie before going to Belvue while the picket or vanguard aforesaid went on to learn the news[.] After remaining here some time with a strong guard out & taking some refreshments in the mein time, and no return from those who had gone in; we all went to the Cold Spring where the Big camp was when I first came over the river last August. Here we quenched our thirst and regaled & refreshed ourselves well. This place looked now deserted, desolate, and lonesome & the Spring almost entirely filled up but the watter clear & pure as ever. After this we went back when we met our van guard who reported that Mitchel came over while they were there accompanied by Br Hyde[.] The people in Belvue did not yet know anything of this move nor had mitchel done anything towards raising the 100 men spoken of by Br Hydes letter to the Council and had just come over when they had come in town. They informed him that I was on the prairie and was ready for service & only waited for his written orders[.] This seemed to confuse him considerable[.] He confessed that he had no authority on this side of the river and only acted by verbal request of Majr Miller who was the Omaha agent and was absent.
He stated that the man found on the Horn was a Pawnee and had it been his own son as he at first suspected he would have raised the Pottewattimies & went against the Omahas. He seemed now to think that it was only an act of accommodation in him to come over for us and offered to go with us for the man that shot Wetherbee as a mere favor. They told him that it was a Government case and if he did not want us in that capacity we would return home again.so this expedition was but the resuld of folly & ignorance. The Omahas were now gone on their hunt.
When we come to the creek six miles below Winter Quarters we stopped to bait & watter our horses and Harvey Green in an attempt to light his pipe, set his powder on fire and blew up. His horn was full of powder & he had been cautioned several time to stop it but he heeded no one[.] He was badly hurt but recovered in a few days.
We came home about sun set and at dark Myself Carns & Cummings went to see & relate our expedition to Presidents A. Cutler & Morley. They thought very little of the course which had been taken to call out this company and viewed Mitchel in a very unfavorable light. We were together untill about 12 oclock P. M.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
When we had gone about half way we stopped to organize the company which we did by appointing Jesse P. Harmon & Alexander Mc[.] Rae Lieutenants and dividing the the company into two platoons over which each officer commanded[.] Harmon taking the first & Mc[.] Rae the second platoon[.] I then selected Thomas Rich, Daniel Carns, William Meeks[.] Jas W. Cummings, Luman H. Calkins, and George D. Grant as picket guard and also sent them on ahead with orders to go into Belvue and report our arrival and tell Mitchel that we were at his service and only wanted his written orders.
This precaution was necessary because we knew he was only the Pottawattamie agent and had no authority on this side of the river among the Omahas. And not only so we knew him also to be a most infamous rascal and an inveterate enemy to us.
It would have therefore been very easy for him to played the game to engage us in a war with the Omahas and leave us in the difficulty. But suspecting him we determined not to act without the most positive & plain orders. Moreover in case he led us into an engagement and did not mentain his position or attempt to desert or betray us we would have put him to death instanter
Our company here amounted to 53 men and we had two baggage waggons along. Thus arrainged and organized we proceeded onward and stoped on the last high ground in the prairie before going to Belvue while the picket or vanguard aforesaid went on to learn the news[.] After remaining here some time with a strong guard out & taking some refreshments in the mein time, and no return from those who had gone in; we all went to the Cold Spring where the Big camp was when I first came over the river last August. Here we quenched our thirst and regaled & refreshed ourselves well. This place looked now deserted, desolate, and lonesome & the Spring almost entirely filled up but the watter clear & pure as ever. After this we went back when we met our van guard who reported that Mitchel came over while they were there accompanied by Br Hyde[.] The people in Belvue did not yet know anything of this move nor had mitchel done anything towards raising the 100 men spoken of by Br Hydes letter to the Council and had just come over when they had come in town. They informed him that I was on the prairie and was ready for service & only waited for his written orders[.] This seemed to confuse him considerable[.] He confessed that he had no authority on this side of the river and only acted by verbal request of Majr Miller who was the Omaha agent and was absent.
He stated that the man found on the Horn was a Pawnee and had it been his own son as he at first suspected he would have raised the Pottewattimies & went against the Omahas. He seemed now to think that it was only an act of accommodation in him to come over for us and offered to go with us for the man that shot Wetherbee as a mere favor. They told him that it was a Government case and if he did not want us in that capacity we would return home again.so this expedition was but the resuld of folly & ignorance. The Omahas were now gone on their hunt.
When we come to the creek six miles below Winter Quarters we stopped to bait & watter our horses and Harvey Green in an attempt to light his pipe, set his powder on fire and blew up. His horn was full of powder & he had been cautioned several time to stop it but he heeded no one[.] He was badly hurt but recovered in a few days.
We came home about sun set and at dark Myself Carns & Cummings went to see & relate our expedition to Presidents A. Cutler & Morley. They thought very little of the course which had been taken to call out this company and viewed Mitchel in a very unfavorable light. We were together untill about 12 oclock P. M.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Jun 24, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 24th We travled to day 5 miles & came to the frozen or Lee spring and stoped And exhamined it & found the spring to be strongly impregnated with Sulpher. So much so it Could not be drank. The water would boil up out of A peace of Bog ground. Yet all around it it was so cold that After removing the turf about 6 inch A solid body of Ice was found about 18 inches thick. Some of it we cut up with Axes & spades. Near this was small ponds of water salt & saltpeter & sulpher & pertash seemed to be in the body of the water. Pure pertash was found in such quantities on the edges of these waters that the brethren gatherd pail fulls of it [to] raise bread with. Others would fill their Cups with Salt so pure from other mixtures that they used it.
We travled from this place 12 3/4 miles & camped upon the bank of the Sweet water two days 18 miles from one foot of the pass. 3 Companies Camped near us to night. This is the last time we shall see the sweet water on this Journey. We did not bait to day but camped at 4 oclok. Whole distance of the day 17 3/4 miles.
Br Youngs team run away with A waggon. I cought them by the bit Just as they were about to plunge into the stream.
Soon after we camped Br Holman was driving up the [-] with his gun in his hand. He went to punch a Horse with the musel of his gun. The lock Caught in his cloths & discharged into the best Horse there was in camp owned by president Young called his John Horse. He lived A few hours & died. There are many Accidents happen in that way by caring loaded guns with caps upon their tubes.
[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 from this place 12 3/4 miles & camped upon the bank of the Sweet water two days 18 miles from one foot of the pass. 3 Companies Camped near us to night. This is the last time we shall see the sweet water on this Journey. We did not bait to day but camped at 4 oclok. Whole distance of the day 17 3/4 miles.
Br Youngs team run away with A waggon. I cought them by the bit Just as they were about to plunge into the stream.
Soon after we camped Br Holman was driving up the [-] with his gun in his hand. He went to punch a Horse with the musel of his gun. The lock Caught in his cloths & discharged into the best Horse there was in camp owned by president Young called his John Horse. He lived A few hours & died. There are many Accidents happen in that way by caring loaded guns with caps upon their tubes.
[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, Jun 23, 1847. Wednesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Morning fine and warm. After breakfast I went to the top of the high bluff expecting to get a good view of the country west but was disappointed in consequence of the many ridges or bluffs but a little distance beyond us. At 7 o'clock the camp moved forward and immediately after saw a graveyard on the left of the road with a board stuck up these words written on it: Matilda Crowley. B. July 16, 1830, and D. July 7, 1846. On reflecting afterwards that some of the numerous emigrants who had probably started with a view to spend the remainder of their days in the wild Oregon, had fallen by the way and their remains had to be left by their friends far from the place of destination, I felt a renewed anxiety that the Lord will kindly preserve the lives of all my family, that they may be permitted to gather to the future home of the Saints, enjoy the society of the people of God for many years to come and when their days are numbered that their remains may be deposited at the feet of the servants of God, rather than be left far away in a wild country and oh, Lord, grant this sincere desire of thy servant in the name of thy Son Jesus. Amen. After traveling 1 1/2 miles we crossed a very shoal stream of clear, cold water about 5 feet wide. There is [little] grass here but a number of Bitter Cotton Wood trees growing on its banks. There being no name on the map to this creek it was named "Bitter Cotton Wood Creek" to designate it in our future travel...We continued on the banks of the river till 20 minutes past 6 at which time we formed our encampment having traveled this afternoon 8 1/2 miles and during the day [19]. As usual there is plenty of grass on the river banks but no wood. There are some dry buffalo chips and wild sage which answer tolerably well for cooking. The land over which we have travelled except in the several places above mentioned, is perfectly barren except wild sage which abounds but there is scarce a spear of grass to be seen. These granite ridges continue from the Rock Independence to this place, mostly on the North side the river. Here they receed from the river a few miles and then cease. There are two of the Missouri companies camped, one about half a mile and the other a mile west of us, as we are given to understand we have got a long distance to travel without grass or water. It is stated that a man from one of these companies left his company a few days ago and went ahead to examine the route &c. On their arrival here they found him in one of these rocky hills hid up for fear of Indians. He reports that he has been to the "Pass"61 and that we shall find water about 14 miles from here. He has come from the Pass in two nights and hid up in the day time to avoid Indians, but has seen none. He says it is not over 28 miles to the "Pass" from here.
After we camped Burr Frost set up his forge and set some wagon tire and repaired the wheels of the wagon for one of the Missourians . . .
[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]
After we camped Burr Frost set up his forge and set some wagon tire and repaired the wheels of the wagon for one of the Missourians . . .
[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, Jun 23, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Wednesday June 23rd 1847. Met at sun rise to here the report to the company and found that it was going to be a hard matter to raise horses for some would neither go themselves nor lend their horses so I saw the ferry man, Br Higbee and had him not to cross any horses over the river untill we were gone & sent men to press all the horses in town or have the owners go along with them. By this operation we soon brought many horses to bear on the expedition.
Also sent several men over the river & to the upper farms on this side for men & horses. There was several pressed and brought over in a short time. Sent 6 men on guard today.
At 5 oclock the company met again as previously understood to report after being buisly engaged all day in raising horses & men and found that we had thirty horses only could now be depended upon â€"
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Also sent several men over the river & to the upper farms on this side for men & horses. There was several pressed and brought over in a short time. Sent 6 men on guard today.
At 5 oclock the company met again as previously understood to report after being buisly engaged all day in raising horses & men and found that we had thirty horses only could now be depended upon â€"
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
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