History of William Woodward 1833-1908

8/6/2019 History of William Woodward 1833-1908

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HISTORY OF WILLIAM WOODWARD 18331908

Release and Preparations

On Tuesday, December 4, 1855, William received theMillennial Star, No.49, Vol. 17. Listed in this edition were the names of the Elders who were releasedto emigrate to the mountains. Williams name was among those released, with the

time of release set for February 1, 1856. His comments were, This gave mesatisfaction, as I was desirous to go home.

When his twenty-third birthday anniversary arrived on January 4, 1856,William notes this in his diary:

I ascended a hill overlooking the sea in the morning, andsang a hymn, and engaged in prayer thanking the Lord forpreserving my life up to the present time, and asking him to blessand preserve me through this present year.

The rest of the month, he spent in preparations for leaving England, alongwith the regular tasks. He didnt have money to get the proper clothing and otherthings which he felt he needed for the journey. On February 5, he states hisfeelings, I was rather depressed in my mind, as I was going to the Valley, andthe way appeared dark. He was able to purchase cloth for an overcoat and suitand vest. A tailor, Mr. Grove, made his suit gratis. Another tailor, Mr. Oliver,made the overcoat. February 19, he purchased enough shirting to make fourshirts, and some of the Saints made them for him. On March 13, he received a


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letter from a young man he had baptized, Michael Earl. He requested William tocome and be measured for a pair of boots. So the way had been providedwherein he might have the things he needed for his trip back to America.

On March 6, some of the Saints attended a meeting and receivedinformation on emigration by handcarts. On the eighth, William received a letter

from Apostle Franklin D. Richards telling him not to sail on the first ship, butrather to sail on March 22.

Beginning the Trip Home

April 17th, 1856, was the day William received word to leave for Liverpoolimmediately, and sail on theS. Curling. Elder Wheelock gave William tenshillings, or the amount of $2.50, and he proceeded to collect his things at thetailors, and some of the Saints. He was ready, and took a cab at 4 a.m. to EustonSquare. About 6 oclock the morning of the 18th, he got on the railway car forLiverpool. When he had paid his fare and luggage fee, he was left with only one

halfpenny, or one cent. That evening he saw Elder Richards, who gave him hispassage ticket on theS. Curling to Boston.

On April 19 he left by tug for the shipS. Curling . . . a fine vessel of1,898 tons register burthen. There were on board about 702 passengers mostlyWelsh the balance English, Irish, & Scotch. The whole under the Presidency ofElders Dan Jones, John Oakley, & David Grant. The tug towed the ship downthe Mersey River, where it left them. The captain of their ship was SamuelCurling, and he had already taken a shipload of Latter-day Saints to America theprevious year. Before nightfall, a council meeting was held, and the shipscompany was divided into eleven wards with a president for each. Rules andregulations were formed and work, prayer and meeting periods planned.

For two days the sea was calm and they moved little. Then a good windcame up and they began to move in the right direction. The 29th and 30th werestormy and miserable. By the end of the second day of storm, the Americanelders met together in prayer and asked for calm and a change of wind. Theydecided to fast until they were called together again. The following day, May 1,1856, the wind had changed, and the fast was broken after prayers ofthankfulness.

On the fourteenth of May, they saw birds and fish, and estimated theirdistance from Boston at about 900 miles. That night a great number of porpoisesplayed about their ship. On the twentieth, William said the weather was cold andfoggy and the ship lay still during the morning. The captain of the ship caught

four codfish. The next day, Cape Cod was in sight, and they prepared to try toround the Cape.

Arrival at Boston

May 23rd, a steam tug towed the ship into Boston Bay. After the inspectorshad checked the ship the following day, William was kept busy marking boxes asthey were hauled up the hatchway. The day of the 25th, William had the job of


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guarding the ship from 3 to 6 a.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. Some of the Elderspreached on the deck of the ship during the day. The next day the passengersprepared to leave the ship by railway cars or wagons.

From Boston they traveled to Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Toledo. Onthe way to Chicago, a small boy with whom William had been friendly on board

ship died, and he composed a poem to the parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Parry.William said he sat down immediately and began to write the following poem:

Weep not for him thats dead & goneBecause his spirits fled;Its gone unto a better placeHis bodys with the Dead

Altho theplantyn barchis gone,Youll have him soon again;The meeting will be great indeed;

With you he will remain.

His mortal form it will be changdFrom sickness unto health;Youll have your Brigham back againWith him eternal wealth.

Sweet little boyhell come againThis earth will be his homeYoull clasp him in your arms again.On Zions shore hell roam.

Dear friends, I sympathize with youThe trial is realityBut Jesus will restore your childIn immortality.

The childs name was Brigham Bernard Parry, and William tells a littleabout him and his mother:

Brigham was a pretty little boy I had tossed him in my armsseveral times on the ship S. Curling. His mother watched over him

during his illness with a devotion that I admired.We arrived at Chicago late in the eveningthe child was

buried at Chicago .

At The Mississippi River

It was Saturday, May 31, 1856, that they took the cars to Rock Island.Because it was afternoon before they left, they did not arrive until about 11 p.m.,


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and it was here that they saw the Mississippi River. Sunday, many of the peoplebathed in the Mississippi while they waited to move on. They were not allowed totravel on Sunday, but early the next morning preparations were made to leave thecars. They boarded the ferry boat, Davenport, and crossed into the state of Iowawhere they again boarded cars to take them to Iowa City. Arriving at Iowa City

about 2 p.m., they discovered several brethren waiting at the railroad depot forthem.

Elders W. Walker, C. G. Webb, & J. A. Hunt, brethren thatcrossed the plains in 1852 in the same company that I didwereat the Rail Road.

I drove a team from the depot to the Camp of the Saintsabout two miles west of Iowa City. Our company arrived at thecamp about 6 p.m. I received a kind welcome from Bro. DanielSpencer, President of the camp. A good feeling existed in the heartsof the Saints that were in camp previous to our arrival.

Our company swelled the number of the camp to about1,400 souls. . .

The brethren were full of business fitting up Hand-Cartsfor the journey across the Plains.

Organization of the Handcart Companies

Some years later, William wrote a description of the organization of thehandcart companies, and why they came to be in the emigration of the Saintswestward. It is fitting that this be inserted here as an introduction to this era inthe history of the trek westward:

Much has been written about the Pioneers, and the MormonBattallion crossing the plains, but I have never seen anything likea history of the Hand Cart Emigration of the year 1856. It was anew scheme for the depositing of a numerous people to Salt LakeValley. This plan was to bring as many people as possible, for assmall an amount of money as could be possible. That the poor ofEurope might find homes with their Co-Religionists in the Valliesof the west.

In 1853 a 10 company of Emigrants had been sent acrossthe plainsten persons to a wagonand this was a success. The

Emigrants came by New Orleans and up the Rivers to someoutfitting point and then proceeded across the Plains. Coming byNew Orleans, & by steamboats up the Rivers was often attendedwith many deaths, and to obviate this, a more northern route wasselectedNew York & Boston & the railroads south of the GreatLakesvia Chicago, Rock Island, & Iowa City.

It was the constant desire of the authorities of the Church toplan for the people for their temporal & spiritual welfare. And the


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returning missionaries were held to labor for the welfare ofMormon Emigrants till they arrived in Salt Lake City.

Many of the leaders of the Hand Cart Companies are dead. . .. The rest are getting aged, and with them will die much of thehistory of one of the most remarkable episodes of modern times.

In order to supply more information for a better understanding of thehandcart companies, we wish to quote from Great Basin Kingdom:

Handcarts would save the enormous expense of purchasingwagons and teams; they would decrease the food bill; they couldmake the journey more quickly. Every company would be followedby a number of freight wagons which would carry the heavybaggage and supplies. . .

Some nineteen hundred European Saints signed up to crossthe Plains with handcarts in 1856. From Liverpool they sailed to

New York and Boston, thence by railroad to Iowa City, Iowa, whichwas chosen as the frontier outfitting point. The handcarts, whichwere made at Iowa City, were designed to serve four or five personseach, with a burden of perhaps one hundred pounds of food,clothing, and equipment. at Iowa City the emigrants wereorganized into companies of about 100 wagons each (400 to 500persons), with twenty persons to a large round tent, and onewagon and ox team to twenty carts. Pushing and pulling, theytraveled across Iowa to Florence (old Winter Quarters), Nebraska,where they recuperated and then started out on the long journey tothe Salt Lake Valley. When the first two companies reached the

Salt Lake Valley in September 1856, ostensibly in good conditionand spirits, church officials were jubilant.

Preparations of the Willie Handcart Company

Since the episode of the Willie Handcart Company bears such historicalimportance to the Saints and to the settlement of the West, and because writtenwords are so few concerning them and their journey, it is well to let Williams ownwords tell the story as he experienced each day:

June, 1856. Teusday 3rd I went with Bro. Bunker to the woods to chop

logs for hand-cart timber 6 miles distant from camp. The day was hot. When Ireturned to camp in the evening Bro. Tyler informed me, I was appointed Clerkto the camp.

Wednesday 4th Weather warm. I was writing the camp journal. A childdied in camp named John Williams. In the evening a meeting was held incamp. Bros. Tyler & Spencer welcomed our company (That crossed the sea onthe Ship S. Curling) to the camp of the Saints.


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Thursday 5th. I was busy writing the camp journal. The camp were busypreparing for the plains.

Friday 6th. A child died in the camp named Joseph Evans. A meetingwas held in the evening. Elders Ellsworth, Spencer, & Ferguson addressed thesaints. Bro. McAllister sang The Hand-cart song. The band played a few lively

tunes.Saturday 7th. A child in the camp named Jane Ramsay died. The firstHand-cart company, Capt. Ellsworth moved their tents & formed a separatecompany.

Sunday 8th Meetings were held in the morning & afternoon. Elders D.Tyler, D. Jones, T, Thomas, & J. D. T. McAllister preached. I went to Iowa Cityin the evening to take letters to the post office. When I returned to camp Iattended meetings in the 1st Hand cart companies corral. The band playedsome tunes in camp, as a kind of a farewell.

Monday 9th The camp was busy. The 1st Hand-cart company rolled outof camp in the afternoon, for their journey across the State of Iowa. Meeting

held in the evening. David Grant was appointed captain of the Guard. Bros.Tyler, Ferguson, & Grant preached.

Teusday 10th. Catherine James died in camp aged 57 years. I informed agentleman some particulars of our camp that he desired for the press.Meeting held in evening. Bros, Tyler, Grant, & myself preached.

Wednesday 11th The 2nd Hand-cart company, Capt. D. D, McArthur,rolled out of camp for their journey across the state of Iowa. The company leftin fine spirits about 11 a.m.

Thursday 12th Bro. Spencer left camp for St. Louis. The day was verywindy.several tents were blown down.

Friday 13th A child died named John Lewis. Late at night P. Birmingham

& T. Lucas came to campthey left D. D. McArthurs company with theirfamilies: They felt the journey was too much.

Saturday 14th James Ferguson left camp to learn the true position of theHand-cart companies. P. Birmingham & T. Lucas with their families returnedto D. D. McArthurs company. These Bretheren left their company a littledisaffected; after some counsel from Bros. Ferguson & McAllister they agreed toreturn & join McArthurs company. They did not like to stay in camptheytherefore went to Iowa City & staid till a conveyance was engaged to take themto their company. The day was quite windy.

Sunday [June] 15th Morning fine. 10 1/2 a.m. Attended meeting. Bro. C.G. Webb & myself preached. Bro. Tyler bore testimony to what we said.

Afternoons meeting: Elders G. W. Davis & E. Bunker preached. In the eveningthe saints met & received some good instructions from various brethren.

Monday 16th James Ferguson returned to camp in the afternoonhegave good reports of the Hand-carts companies. Bros. Birmingham & Lucaswith their families had rejoined their company.

Teusday 17th Weather fine. Bishop Tyler was around to collect $25.00,the expenses of James Ferguson & the folks that returned. I gave one dollar.


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George D. Grant came to camp with 16 mules. I went to Iowa City, Post Office.Br. Giles played a few tunes on his Harp in Bro. Spencers tent.

Wednesday 18th I went to the Post office to Iowa City. Bros. ErastusSnow & Daniel Spencer came into camp about 10 p.m. They were both from St.Louis. Bro. Snow left the Valley on the ____ of April. The Saints had had a

severe time in the Valley the last winter.Thursday 19th I went to Iowa City on business for the Church. A meetingwas held in camp in the evening. Bro. E. Snow & Daniel Spencer addressed theSaints. Edward Bunker was appointed Captain of the 3rd Handcartcompany. D. Grant Capt. of the 1st hundred; G. W. Davis Capt. of the 2ndhundred; John Parry capt. of the 3rd hundred of Capt. Bunkers company. The3rd Hand-cart company were mostly from Wales & crossed the sea on the shipS. Curling. Bros. Bunker & Tyler spoke a short time after the company wasorganized.

Bro. David Grant came into camp during the meetinghe had beenhunting for some of the mules that had strayed during the day. Bro. Grant

being appointed to go with the 3rd Company, & the mules not being found Bro.Spencer desired me to go & hunt for them.

A boy named Larz Peter Adolphsen & myself started to hunt for themules 10 in number about 11 p.m. We rode all night on mules. During thenight we found two of the mules.

Bringing the Mules Back

Friday [June] 20th During the night we had ridden about 18 miles. Not seeingany mule tracks on the road I determined to turn back towards camp. Themules that we had found being obstinate, we had to keep going towards

Warsonville. Arriving at some houses, where there were corrals, we got theanimals in one of them & fed them. After the mules were fed & we had takenbreakfast & were ready to start for camp, the other eight mules came on theroad where we were. We fed the mules & breakfasted at Mr. Warsons. I paidhim one dollar ($1.00) for expenses.We drove the mules towards camp. Theywent very well for about one mile, then they were obstinate. After manyfruitless attempts to drive the mules to camp I concluded to get them into acorral & send to camp for help. I got the mules into Mr. Youngs corral about 3miles from Warsonville. I then sent the boy Peter to camp. During the day twoof the mules jumped over the fence, but I got them into the corral again.

In the evening Bros. Hodgetts & Davis came to my assistance. We tied

several of the mules up to the fence at night.Saturday 21st Early in the morning we arose, saddled our mules,

breakfasted, & I paid Mr. Young two dollars ($2.00) for expenses then westarted for camp. Arrived at camp about 10 a.m. after riding about 20 miles.When I arrived at camp I found the 3rd Hand-cart company encamped bythemselves.

I bathed in the river & washed myself, as I had sweated considerably. Ameeting was held in the 3rd Cart companys corral in the evening.


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Sunday 22nd Bro. McAllister & I went to Iowa City Rail Road depot toadminister to three sick children.

After attending to the ordinances for the sick, we went into Iowa City &attended a Presbyterian & Methodist meeting. Presbyterian & Methodist, throsome cause had both to meet in the State House. The Presbyterian preacher

addressed the meeting in the morning. I attended meeting in camp in theafternoon; Bro. E. Snow preached.I paid into G. D. Grants hands, in the presence of J. D. T. McAllister, the

sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) to purchase me a No. 3. Charter Oakcooking stove at St. Louis & to forward it to Florence, Nebraska.

I attended to the burying of a child in the evening.A meeting was held in the 3rd Cart companys corral. Bro. Jones

preached in the Welsh language.Several mules strayed from camp.Monday 23rd Bros. E. Snow & G. D. Grant left camp for St. Louis early

in the morning.

Today I commenced to make ox bows. In the afternoon I went to IowaCity.

Teusday 24th A heavy wind came on in the afternoon. I was steaming &bending oxbows thro the day.

I went to Iowa City Rail Road in the evening, to see if a company of Saintshad arrived: they had not.

Departure of Third Handcart Company

Wednesday [June] 25th I was busy making wagon-bows & ox-bows.The 3rd Hand-cart company rolled on their way for the Valley. They left

camp in fine Spirits. The company numbered about souls 3 wagons, 6yoke of cattle, & four mules. Bro. Bunker the capt. of the company had awagon in this company of his own besides the wagons of the company.

Wm. Walker brought news to camp that a company of Saints were atRock-Island, & would be in camp tomorrow.

Thursday 26th I was steaming & bending wagon-bows in the morning.A heavy hail storm & rain storm came on in the afternoon. The tent I was

in blowed down. I was drenched to the skin with rain. Many of the tents incamp were blown down& the emigrants generally in camp got a soaking.

A company of Saints arrived at Iowa City. Elders J. G. Willie, M. Atwood,M. Clough, N. T. Porter & J. Chislett were among the number that I knew. I

went from camp to the Rail Road depot to see the saints that had come by thecars. The roads were very muddy. Some fifty saints came to camp in theevening. The night was very wet.

Friday 27th I was fixing bows on hand-carts. The emigrants came tocamp from Iowa City.

I was dispatched from camp about 5 p.m. on a mule & drove a yoke ofcattle to Bro. Bunkers company 11 miles distant from camp. Had somedifficulty in driving the cattlelost my hat in the woods in heading the cattle.


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Arrived at Bro. Bunkers camp about 10 p.m. Found the company in goodspirits.

Saturday 28th I rode about four miles on the road to see how the hand-carts went. The saints were in fine spirits. I bid the company good by &returned to camp, having rode about 20. miles, Elder J. Van Cott had arrived

in camp with more than 400 head of cattle.It rained considerably in the afternoon. Some tents were blown down.Sunday 29th Attended meeting twice thro the day. James G. Willis & J.

A. Hunt preached in the morning. Dan Jones preached in the afternoon.Weather fine. A good feeling prevailed in camp.

Hunting Cattle

Monday 30th George Brazier & myself were sent to Hunt cattle that werelost from J. Van Cotts herd. Three Indians accompanied us. We rode mules &went about 3 miles south of Washington distance about 33 miles.

July, 1856. Teusday 1st passed thro Brighton, Fairfield, Libertyville, &Pleasant Plains. hunted cattle on the road, heard of three head in differentpersons charge. Rode to Iowaville on the Des Moines River, distance travelledto-day about 42 miles.

Wednesday 2nd The Indians left us & went on south. We returnedtoward camp. Found one steer about 6 miles from Iowaville at Mr. Parsons.Drove about 16 miles. The roads were very muddy.

Thursday 3rd Morning wet. Found another steer. had much trouble inhunting it in the Bushes. Drove to Skunk River about 12 miles. Hunted for aheifer; found her at Skunk River.

Friday 4th After much difficulty I secured the heifer by a lariat, being

assisted by some men. Ferried Skunk River; passed thro Washington, staidover night at the Twelve Mile House. travelled about 24 miles.

Saturday 5th Rolled into camp about 14 miles we travelled this morning.I gave in the bill of expenses to James Ferguson for board etc. on the cattlehunt twelve dollars & fifty cents (12.50).

I received word from Bro. Ferguson that I was to place myself under thecharge of James G. Willie when I was ready too.

Sunday 6th I attended meeting & was edified.From the 6th to the I was assisting the Thorntons Company of

Saints to get ready for the plains.

Organization of James G. Willie Handcart Company

Saturday [July] 12th I was busy thro; the day. In the evening I attendedmeeting. Good instruction was given by Elders Spencer & Ferguson. The 4thHandcart Company was organizedJames G. Willie was appointed Captain ofthe whole company. Millen Atwood was appointed capt. of the 1st Hundred; L.Savage capt. of the 2nd Hundred; myself, capt. of the 3rd Hundred; JohnChislett, Capt. of the 4th Hundred; A. H. Ahmanson, capt. of the 5th Hundred.


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Edward Martin, was appointed Capt. of the 5th Handcart company;Daniel Tyler was appointed to assist Bro. Martin. Jesse Haven was appointedCapt. of the 6th Handcart company, These Captains of companies, hadcaptains of Hundreds appointed. Dan Jones, was appointed Capt. of the wagoncompany; John A. Hunt was appointed Capt. Of the 1st 50 wagons; W. B.

Hodgetts capt. of the 2nd 50 wagons.

To aid in clarifying the above entry of July 12th, we quote from a letterWilliam wrote in his later years pertaining to the handcart companies:

Two more Hand Cart companies were in process of organization 5th &6th under Edward Martin & Daniel Tyler but were merged into one; and twowagon companies, John A. Hunts & B. W. Hodgetts.

Beginning the Journey

July 1856, Sunday, 13th The day was fine. Meetings were held. Iattended. A good feeling prevailed. A meeting was held in the evening in the 4thHand-cart companies camp. Bros. Willie, Atwood, & Savage addressed themeeting.

Monday, 14th Busy preparing to start.Teusday 15th I drove the mule team to town in the afternoon.The 4th Hand-cart company pulled up stakes & encamped in a fresh

place.Wednesday 16th Our Hand-cart company made a start & rolled about 3

miles. I had much difficulty in driving the mule team, assisted by others. Bros.James Oliver, & Alexander Burt, were to take charge of the mule team under

my charge.With each Hundred persons were 5 tents, 5 covered Handcarts & 15

Hand-carts not covered.I went back from camp & assisted in driving Bro. Chisletts team, which

moved along with great difficulty.

Williams List of the 4th Handcart Company

In Williams diary which follows This one, he has listed the names andages of each member of the hundred people in the company under his direction.They are listed according to the tents to which they are assigned. Since this is of

some interest, and pertains to the preceding entry, it is herewith inserted:

4th Hand-cart Company3rd Hundred

No. Tent No. 1 Age1 William Woodward 232 Thomas Stewart 39


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3 Margaret 464 William 125 Ann P. 106 Thomas jun 77 John S. 4

8 William Ledingham 309 Catherine 3010 Alexander 611 William 512 Robert 313 Flora Miller 6114 Andrew Watson 2115 James Oliver 3216 Alexander Burt 1917 Lucy Ward 2318 Ellen Tolfield 44

Tent No. 21 James Laird 312 Mary 293 Joseph 64 Edward 45 Elizabeth 16 James Cunningham 567 Elizabeth 498 George Cunningham 159 Catherine 17

10 Elizabeth 1311 Margaret 1012 John Stewart 3213 Ann 3014 John jun 715 Margaret A. 4 mon.16 James Gibb 6717 May 5618 Isabella Wilkey 4819 Elizabeth Forbes 820 Christine Brown 25

Tent No. 31 Andrew Smith 192 Margaret Kirkwood 463 Robert 214 Thomas 195 James 116 Joseph 5


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7 Elizabeth Kirkpatrick 328 Barbara Kelley 299 Alexander Kirkpatrick 5

10 Margaret Douglish 2811 Ann Tait 31

12 Margaret A. Caldwell 4013 Robert 1714 Thomas 1415 Elizabeth 1216 Agnes 917 Joseph McKay 5718 John McCulley19 Christine McNiel 24

Tent No. 41 James Gardener 272 Hannah 273 Mary Ann 74 Agnes E. 55 Frederick J. 46 John W. 17 Richard F. Turner 678 John Roberts 419 William Jeffries 24

10 Richard Hardwick 6311 Joseph Meadows 3412 Amelia 40

13 William Halley 6614 Catherine 6615 Mary Darney 6516 Hannah 2517 Edward Bowles 5118 Ann 5319 Thomas 1920 Enoch 11

Tent No. 51 George Humphries 472 Harriett 49

3 Ann 164 Edwin 195 Mary 146 Elizabeth 127 Hannah 98 Selina 79 James 2


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10 John Richins 2411 Charlotte 2212 Franklin 10 mon13 Eliza Whitehorn 4214 Joseph 10

15 Elizabeth Panting 2916 Christopher 617 Jane 118 William Page 2119 Jane A. Stewart 3120 Chesterton J. Gillman 66

Weather Warm; Travel Slow

July 1856, Thursday 17th I drove the mule team back to camp for somethings that were needed by our company. Bro. Willie felt displeased because Ihad not brought an ox yoke fitted up, and in meeting told me to go to camp &

bring one. I went with two Bretheren. When I arrived the Saints were holdingmeeting. I found Bro. Ferguson, he said they had done the best they could asthey had no ox-yokes fitted up. John A. Hunt went to the corral & got a yoke. Islept with Bro. Hunt in the camp.

Friday, 18th I returned to our company early in the morning. Our camptravelled about 5 miles & camp.

Saturday 19th Weather warm. We travelled about 12 miles. I unloadedthe mule wagon when I got to camp & went back after some sick people about3 miles.

Sunday 20th Resting today. Several of the 3rd Handcart companiespeople that were left behind came to camp. A meeting was held in the afternoon

& evening; I attended. Several of the emigrants of our company left it & wentback.

Teusday 22nd The weather was warm to day. We drove about 10 miles &camped on the Banks of a small creek. Wood, water, & grass plentiful. Severalstrangers visited camp in the evening.

Wednesday 23rd We travelled thro woods, & over some fine rollingprarie. A woman was sun-struck about noon, & died towards evening. Wecamped on the Banks of Bear Creek. Distance travelled about 13 miles.

Thursday 24th Weather warm. We travelled about 2 miles & camped onBear Creek. The woman that died yesterday named Mary Williams, was put ina coffin & Buried in a graveyard about a mile from camp. A meeting was held in

camp in the evening, myself, Bros. Willie, & Atwood, addressed the meeting. Afamily named Peat, left our company to live in Iowa with Gentiles at the lastcamping ground.

Sickness and Trouble Seekers

Friday [July] 25th Weather warm. We travelled over Beautiful rollingprarie. I drove an ox team belonging to the 4th Hundred. A great many persons


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were sickour wagons were crowded with them. We drove about 13 miles &camped on Bare creek: wood very scarce. At night we were disturbed by anoise which we thot to have come from disturbers. Some men came to searchour company, as they heard we had some persons tied down in our wagons.The sheriff of Powishelk co., from Brooklin, was authorized to look into our

wagons, but found that they came on a foolish errand. This took place about 3miles from our camp.Saturday 26th Morning wet. Roads rather muddy. We travelled about 5

miles & camped on Sugar Creek.Sunday 27th Morning cool & pleasant. Travelled 5 miles to North Skunk

Creek & camped. Held meeting in the afternoon Bro. Savage preached I spoke ashort time also.

Monday 28th We ascended a steep hill & rolled on our way. Passed throa town called Newton, the county seat of Jasper Co. Camped on Cherry Creekabout 2 miles from Newton. Travelled about 14 miles.

Teusday 29th Crossed several creekstravelled over a beautiful prarie &

camped on South Skunk Creek. Travelled about 12 miles. We tried to drive inthe team a wild mulehe cut up all kind of capers. A man left camp to livewith the Gentiles named Henry Newman. A meeting was held in camp in theeveningBro. Willie, & Atwood preached.

Wednesday 30th Morning fine. A child was buried that died yesterday.Travelled about 21 miles & camped in the woods near Fort Des Moines. Feedscarce for the animals.

Thursday 31st We rolled on our way about 6:30 a.m.crossed the DesMoines river on a floating Bridgepassed thro Fort Des Moines city, & noonedon a small creek near the city. Travelled about 6 miles & camped on Walnutcreek. Some noisy men from Fort Des Moines came to interrupt our camp, but

were foiled by the Guard.Friday, August 1st, 1856. Travelled about 14 miles & camped on the

prarie. Several of our company went on to Adel about 6 miles past our camp:The mule team was sent to fetch them back.

Saturday 2nd Morning fine. Rolled on about 6 miles and crossed NorthCoon River; passed thro Adel & camped on Middle Coon River. distancetravelled about 17 miles. Night cold.

Sunday 3rd Travelled about 10 miles & camped on South Coon River.Monday 4th Travelled about 17 miles & camped on Bear Grove Creek.

Arrived about 2 p.m.Teusday 5th Travelled 8 1/2 miles to a spring, where we rested for about

an hour. Crossed a stream of water, travelled thro the day 18 1/2 milescamped on Turkey Creek at Morrisons. Meeting held in the eveningEldersWillie & Atwood addressed the meeting. The remarks were plain & pointed &such as the camp needed.

Wednesday 6th Travelled about 15 miles & camped on a small creek,wood scarce.


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Episode at Indiantown

Thursday [August] 7th I rode on a mule to find out some particulars atIndian Town. Crossed the Nishnabotna River about 5 miles from camp, & afterabout 2 miles travel arrived at Indiantown. Met with a Brother named Joseph

Seltcer who treated Bros. Willie, Atwood, Savage, Chislett, & myself to dinner.He & family were in the Church & felt well in the Work of God. Drove on about6 1/2 miles & camped on Walnut Creek. Travelled about 15 miles. Isaac Smitha member of our company lost at Indian Town 6 Soverigns, 1 Mexican dollar, 1United States 1/2 dollar, & 1 dime. I went back to Indian Town with the muleteam. Bro. Oliver; Isaac Smith & two women as witnesses went to town in thewagon with me. Met Bro. Seltcer on the roadhe returned to town with mehad a search warrant from Esquire Smith I. P. Mr. Brewsters house wassearched but we could get no trace of the money. Staid at Indian Town allnight.

Friday 8th Returned to the camping place in the morning. Loaded up my

wagon & followed after the company. Camped at night on West NishnabotnaRiver, distance from Indian Town about miles.

Saturday 9th Travelled about 10 miles & nooned on Silver Creek.Travelled about 6 miles further & camped on Keg Creek. Meeting held in theevening Bros. Atwood, Savage, & Willie, preached.

Sunday, 10th About 4 p.m. we left Keg Creek. Travelled about 9 miles &camped on Mosquito Creek. Grass was tall where we camped.

Monday 11th Rode on a mule ahead of the company to Council BluffCity, formerly Kanesville. Visited some friendssaw Elder James McGaw agentfor the Church. Travelled on to Missouri Riverwas ferried across on the steamferry boat Nebraska our company arrived safe across the River. Saw Elders

William. H. Kimball, Cunningham, Moses Clough, Andrew L. Siler, & others.We camped at Florence in Nebraska.

Teusday 12th Morning fine. The 3rd Hundred signed receipts for theirconveyance from Iowa City to Florence. A meeting was held in the eveningElders McGaw, Willie, & Atwood addressed the meeting. Many of our companyagreed to leave the company.

Search for Hoop Iron

Wednesday [August] 13th Rode to Omaha City to purchase some hoopiron for skanes for Handcartscould not get any in town; crossed Missouri

River & went to Council Bluff City. Put my mules & wagon up at the stageoffice. I slept over night at sister Maces. I was very sick over night. Bro. Blacket& sis Davenport went with me to town.

Thursday 14th I purchased 61 lbs. of Hoop iron & some small fixies to fitup hand-carts. Drove to Missouri River & crossed it at Florence. As soon as Igot to camp with the iron etc. the Bretheren went to work fixing up the carts.

Friday, 15th Splendid weather. Grasshoppers very numerous inNebraska & have been for some time. I was taken very sick in the afternoon


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with fever. I had my head bathed with cold water which greatly relieved me ofpain. Bros. Willie & Atwood administered to me with anointing with oil & layingon hands. I got better from that very time. I was at Mr. Davenports while I wassick.

Saturday, 16th In the afternoon Bros. Atwood, & Savages Hundreds

rolled out of camp to the Pappea. My Hundred received carts that had hadskanes of hoop iron put on them.Sunday, 17th I was busy getting my hundred ready to rolling for the

Pappea. I was taken down quite sick with fever. I was led to Mr. Davenports,where my head was bathed with cold water which made me feel some better.William H. Kimball & G. D. Grant took me in their carriage to the Little Pappea,6 miles. I was some better when I arrived there. Mr. & Mrs. Davenport rodealong, also their daughter Melissa who is going on to the Valley. My Hundred,Capt. Chisletts & Capt. Ahmansons companies were in camp when I arrivedthere. The mule team and Captain Willie arrived in camp at dark.

Monday, 18th Some of our cows strayed off, & went to camp. Four men

went back to camp after them. James McGaw & William. H. Kimball & WilliamLatey came to our camp. In the afternoon we rolled on to the Pappea Creekabout 3 miles & camped, Bros. McGaw, Kimball & two other bretherenreturned to Florence when we arrived in camp. Another wagon was added tothe 4th Handcart company to haul provisions along.

Teusday 19th This morning I was sick with chills & fever. I rode in awagon. The day was very warm. Today the handcarts went ahead of thewagons. Ferried across the Elk Horn river & drove on to Raw Hide creek &camped. Distance travelled about 10 miles.

Wednesday 20th Our company was delayed in consequence of Bro.Savage having to go back to the Pappea after a cow. We drove on to the Platte

River 11 miles & camped. Wood & water & grass plenty.Thursday 21st I had a chill this morning. We drove 13 miles to the Platte

River: staid there till 5 p.m. then drove 5 miles and camped; no wood norwater.

Friday 22nd Our camp rolled on 5 miles before Breakfast to Shell Creek.The folks partook Breakfast at this place. After two hours stay, we rolled onabout 12 miles & camped on the Platte River. I was quite sick during the day.Sister Gearey had her left foot run over while travelling.

Saturday 23rd We rolled on about miles to the Loup Fork Riverferried our wagons & handcarts across the stream & forded our cattle. A cow &calf was killed for the benefit of our company; camped on the banks of the

river.Sunday 24th Travelled about 14 miles & camped on the banks of the

Loup Fork. Grass, wood & water plentiful.Monday 25th Rolled out of camp about 7 a.m. Bro. Griffiths went back

on a mule to hunt for 3 cows. After travelling about 8 miles we ascended somesteep bluffsteams had to double, Travelled about 12 miles farther andcamped on the banks of a lake.


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Teusday 26th Rolled out of camp about 7 a.m. and travelled about 15,miles camped near the Loup Fork. Wood, water, & grass plentiful. A King-boltof one of the P. E. Fund wagons broke this morninga wooden one was put inplace of it.

Wednesday 27th Left camp about 7 a.m. Travelled over heavy sandy

roads most of the day: nooned at some wells of water, camped on the openprarie near a slough. Distance travelled 15 miles.Thursday 28th Started at 7 a.m. rolled on to prarie creek & nooned:

crossed the stream after dinner & rolled on several miles; travelled about 15miles thro the day & camped on the banks of a creek a dispute arose in ourminds as to the name of the creek some supposed it was Wood River. Wood &water plentiful, grass scarce. An old man named Haley belonging to myHundred was lost in the evening on the road. Diligent search was made for himbut proved fruitless.

Babbitts Wagons Attacked by Cheyennes

Friday [August] 29th A tremendous storm of rain arose this morning &lasted for several hours. A large number of men hunted this morning for Bro.Haley, & found him about two miles from camp. He could scarcely speak whenfound. Left camp about 1 p.m. after travelling about 3 miles, met severalOmaha Indians, who were out hunting Buffalo. One of the Indians presentedus a note from Capt. Stewart U. S. Army to Mr. Babbitt, informing us that aband of Cheyennes Indians a few days since, had fallen upon Mr. Babbittswagons, killed two of his teamsters, a little child, & it is supposed that thechilds mother was killed also. One teamster was wounded & 1 escapedunhurt. We passed the Omaha camp, & camped on the banks of a creek;

travelled about 8 miles. Many Indians visited our camp to trade Buffalo meat.Saturday 30th Rolled out of camp about 7 a.m. Passed a band of

Californians with a large herd of horses for the States. Passed the graves ofBabbitts teamstersour men covered up the graves with soil as considerablestench arose from the dead. Travelled oncrossed a creek & nooned. JosephElder & Bro. Savage hunted for a yoke of cattle on the prarie caught them.Drove on & crossed Wood River, drove near the stream & camped on its banks.Made a good days drive. Mr. Babbitt came into camp this evening, a youngman was with him, also a woman named Mrs. Stewart. Babbitt engaged for oneof the independent wagons to take her thro to the Valley.

Robert Caldwells collar bone was broken by one of the cows.

Sunday 31st Started about 7 a.m. drove a few miles & watered our cattle.Left Wood Riverstruck across the Prarie to near where the road strikes for thePlatte. Met 4 Californians who gave us favorable reports from the Valley.Babbitt passed us & drove on to Fort Kearney. Travelled about 18 miles.

September 1856 Monday 1st Started about 7:30 a.m. crossed two drycreeks, & Elm Creek; watered the cattle & nooned. Drove on to Buffalo creek &camped. A cow was killed in the evening. Bros. Jost & Elder, killed a Buffalo


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some distance from camp. Several bretheren with hand carts went & brought itto camp late in the evening.

Teusday 2nd The meat was divided among the camp, & we started about9 a.m. crossed a dry creek, & rolled on to Buffalo creek; nooned& crossedBuffalo creek. Drove several miles farther & camped on Buffalo creek.

Wednesday 3rd Elizabeth Ingra aged about 76 years died early thismorning & was buried near camp. Two buffaloes were killed thro the day. Wemade a good days drive.

Cattle Lost In Night Stampede

Thursday [September] 4th More than one half of our cattle were gone thismorningthey had stampeded thro the night. Men were sent in differentdirections to hunt for our lost cattle. A. W. Babbitt came up with our camp thismorning: T. Sutherland was in company with him. Capt. Smotts tram wasopposite our camp this afternoon.

Friday 5th Bro. Savage & others went hunting the cattle again to-day.Bro. Siler & other bretheren visited brother Smotts train. Bro. Smoot & O. P.Rockwell came to our camp in the evening.

A council was held in the evening. Bro. Smoot & O. P. Rockwell staidover night at our camp.

Saturday 6th Bro. Smoot & O. P. Rockwell this morning addressed theSaints at the request of Bro. Willie. This morning our camp removed about 5miles distant, where water was better & wood handier. Bro. J. B. Elder & A.Smith were sent back to hunt for our cattle. Our wagons were taken to ourfresh camping at twice, as we had not team enough to move them all at once.Bros. Smoot & Rockwell left us this evening for their camp.

Yoking Wild Cows

Sunday [September] 7th Council held in the morning, camp calledtogether. Bretheren addressed the meeting. We yoked up wild cows & preparedto start to morrow. A party of returning Californians came to our camp on theirway to the States.

Monday 8th A man named Henry Baaichter came into our camp thismorning on horseback, said he had been without food for 50 hours, & that T.Margetts, & Mr. Cowdey were killed some 70 miles from here. We travelledabout 11 miles & camped on the banks of the Platte River. This day I did not

have a chill. I drove team.Teusday 9th Roll out of camp, travel over some sandy Bluffs & noon,

camp on Skunk creek at night near where it empties into the Platte River.Wednesday 10th Left Camp. Crossed skunk creek, & camped near a

cold spring of water. Road thro the day very bad.Thursday 11th Roll out of camp, cross Carrion creek, camp at night on

the banks of the Platte River. A Buffalo was killed in the evening.


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Friday 12th Camp rolled on to North Bluff Fork, crossed the stream &camp on its banks. Bro. F. D. Richards & company with Bros. Elder & Smithcame up with us at night. A meeting was held in camp. Bro. Richards spoke tothe saints also Bros. D. Spencer & C. H. Wheelock.

Council and Reprimands

Saturday 13th A meeting was held in the morning. Bros. Richards,Spencer, & Wheelock addressed it. A severe reprimand was given to LeviSavage for speaking before the camp in an improper manner to Bro. Willie, &also in speaking as he did at Florence. Bro. Richards & company crossed theNorth Fork of the Platte, we crossed also. Wm. Haley, of my Hundred aged 66years died in the afternoon. Travelled about 3 miles.

Sunday 14th Travelled about 14 miles & camped on the banks of thePlatte. Joseph Elder killed two Buffaloes in the evening.

Monday 15th Richard F. Turner died this morning aged about 64 years.

Ascended the Bluffs after nooning. Three Arrappahoes (Indians) came up withour camp. Camped at night on the open prarie. Cattle were chained to thewagons during the night.

Teusday 16th Camp called up about 4 a.m. in about one hour thecompany was in motion. Descended the Bluffs & nooned on the Platte River.Set our cattle feed, & then rolled over some very heavy sandy roads & camp forthe night.

Wednesday 17th Rolled out of camp, travelled along the banks of thePlatte & camped, roads sandy. The wind blew terrific thro the day.

Thursday 18th Roads sandy, (I injured my thumb. Bro. Cantwellsdaughter was bitten with a rattle snake yesterday.) Ascended the Bluffs & were

soon into Ash hollow. Camp on the Platte. Sis. Stewart lost herself. Strolledfrom the camp.

Friday 19th Several bretheren went in search of Sis. Stewart, but did notfind her. I found her in the afternoon in ash hollow as I with severalbretheren went to cut an ash log for hand cart axels. Handcarts were mendedthro the day.

Saturday 20th In the afternoon we travelled a few miles & camped.Sunday 21st Roads sandy. Morning wet, travelled till evening & camped

on the banks of the Platte. A child died in the evening named Wm. Leason.Monday 22nd Travelled about 19 miles & camped on the banks of the

Platte River. Jesse Empy aged 31 years died during the day. Night rather cold.

Teusday 23rd Some good road thro the day, camped on Platte River.Wednesday 24th Travelled about 14 miles, camped near Chimney Rock.

A cow was killed after we arrived in camp. A meeting was held in the evening.Thursday 25th Travelled till we arrived near an old Trading Post &

camped. Road good thro the day.Friday 26th Rolled on & camped at Scotts Bluffs by a small creek, cedar

wood plentiful. An Bryant, aged 69 years died.Saturday 27th Ascended a steep hill & rolled on to Horseshoe creek.


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Meeting with Apostate Mormons

Sunday 28th Met some apostate Mormons from Salt Lake. We wereinformed that A. W. Babbitt & the two young men with him had been killed bythe Cheyennes (Indians). Met a company of U. S. dragoons. We camped on the

Platte.Monday 29th Rolled out of camp, passed an Indian agency, also, severalIndians. Joseph B. Elder & myself left for Fort Laramie to obtain letters etc forthe camp. A young man, Stephen Forsdick lived at the Fort who had been tothe Valley and was formerly a schoolmate of mine. He was an apostateMormon. returned to camp with a letter from F. D. Richards to J. G. Willie &one to myself from W. H. Kimball also some other letters to bretheren in camp.

Teusday 30th A cow & calf was killed this morning. Dustin Amy & othersfrom Salt Lake passed our camp this morning, reporting news from the Valley,good. The company crossed Laramie Fork & camped about 2 miles west of FortLaramie travelled about 6 miles. I & several others went & traded at the fort for

flour, bacon, rice, crackers, sugar, etc. Several soldiers visited camp. L. M.Davenport eloped to the Fort with S. Forsdick.

Missionaries and P. P. Pratt

Wednesday [October] 1st Bro. Siler with 4 wagons under his chargereturned towards the fort to wait for the wagon companies behind. Bros. Willie,Atwood, Savage, Christiansen, Ahmansen & others returned to Fort Laramie totrade. They took the mule team with them. I had charge of the company duringthe day. Went about 8 miles & camped. David Reeder, and William Read, bothdied thro the day. Some missionaries from G. S. L. City passed our camp &

informed us that Bro. P. P. Pratt & others were encamped about 4 miles west.Bro. Willie & others returned to camp in the evening.

Thursday 2nd Morning fine. Several missionaries came to our camp thismorning. Bro. P. P. Pratt, came to camp & addressed the Saints, said that thetwo great parts of the Gospel preached in the Valley was Agriculture & HomeManufacture

Letter Describing Trials

From this last entry until November 9, 1856, William has left blank pagesin his journal. Whether he meant to go back and fill them in, we do not know. In

1907, however, he did write a letter to President Joseph F. Smith in which he tellsthe formation of the handcart companies, the particulars of the trip, and many ofthe Trials and hardships which they had to endure. He also gives credit to thosewho were influential in the rescue. Following is the letter in its entirety as it hasbeen preserved:

Franklin, IdahoPrest Jos. F. Smith


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Dear Bro. After meeting with the Hand Cart veterans on the 3rd

inst. various reflections passed through my mind. and I thought I wouldpen some of them down for your inspection, The Hand Cart camp wasformed in May (I think) in 1856 and the site was selected by Daniel

Spencer. I arrived in camp on June 2nd with Dan Jones, Company(mostly Welsh). This company crossed the sea on the ship S. Curling,some 703 passengers. Some passengers staid in the States, but the mainpart came on to Camp near Iowa City. Two ship loads of Saints leftLiverpool before our company; the Caravan, and Enoch Train. Whenwe arrived in camp it was fine weather. Daniel Spencer was President ofthe camp, and all affairs pertaining to the emigration appeared to beunder his direction. James Ferguson was his assistant; J. D. T.McAllister was commissary, Danie1 Tyler, Bishop; Chancey G. Webbsuperintended the making of Hand Carts, assisted by several of thebretheren, returning missionaries and others. Bro. Webb was very

industrious, he was a mechanic. I remember the following missionaries,besides those named above: E. Ellsworth, D. D. McArthur, Spicer, L. W.Crandall, Truman Lenard, Edward Bunker, John A. Hunt, and B. W.Hodgetts, and of our company Dan Jones, David Grant, John Oakley,Wm. Butler, Jno. McDonald & Wm. Woodward.

The next day after our arrival in camp W. Woodward was madehistorian of the camp sexton, & postmaster.

Soon after our arrival E. Ellsworths company was organized withJohn Oakley & Wm. Butler his assistants & some of our emigrants wentto his company. D, D. McArthurs company was organized with S. W.Crandall & Truman Lenard assistants, with some of our ships company

to swell his numbers. These two companies left in the early part of June,E. Ellsworths company 2 or 3 days ahead of McArthurs. McArthur droveup to Ellsworths company the first night out.

Quite awhile after these two companies were gone, the 3rdCompany was organized, Edward Bunker Captain, with David Grant &Jno. McDonald his assistants. This company was nearly all Welsh.

These companies left in good time, and reached the valley beforeOctober Conference. I consider the people were weakened in the start:rations 10 oz. of flour a day, 4 oz. of bacon a week with a few otherthings, but the substantials were deficient. Instead of 10 oz. of flour aday 20 oz. would have been little enough, The stragglers were begging at

the farm houses through Iowa for milk, buttermilk, & anything theycould get.

Sometime in July Jas. G. Willies ships company came to camp.After a time this company was organized: Jas. G. Willie, President;

Millen Atwood Capt of 1st Hundred Levi Savage capt of 2nd Hundred, W.Woodward, capt. of 3rd Hundred; John Chislett capt of 4th Hundred; A.H. Ahmanson capt. of 5th hundred; this 5th Hundred wereScandinavians.


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Leaving Camp

We left camp the latter part of July, when we ought to have been atMissouri River. Two more Hand Cart companies were in process of

organization, 5th & 6th under Edward Martin & Daniel Tyler but weremerged into one; and two wagon companies John A. Hunts & B. W.Hodgetts.

The companies had to wait for carts & cattle. Although John Taylorwas in the States he did not seem to have anything to do with ourcompanies. Geo. A. Smith was also in Washington & Erastus Snow cameto our camp before the 3rd company left.

In the companies were cripples, and people who had to be hauledall the way. It was intended for every hundred people to have one wagonwith 3 yoke of oxen or 4 mulesthese were for hauling provisions, tentsetc., and they hauled several of the people. Little children had either to

be hauled in carts or wagons of our company. In our company one manhad a crazy wife & he hauled her as long as she lived, another manhauled his sick brother near all the way to the valley. One old man blind& ruptured unable to walk a 1/2 mile a day, some 66 years old, with norelatives along, was a hand cart passenger, rode as long as he lived, agood old man too, for he was in my hundred; some 5 men over 60 yearsof age died in my hd. on the way.

We never ought to have left Mo. River. It was about August 17thwhen we left the River: we had 6 wagons when we left Florence and wasallowed a pound of flour a day. While at Florence a meeting of ourCompany was heldI had been sent to Omaha & Council Bluffs, when

Levi Savage told of the cold & suffering might be expected on the trip.Bro. Willie assumed all responsibility & Bro. Savage was condemned forhis recital of what might be expected on our journey. Bro. Willie gave methe information when I returned from Council Bluffs. Every word spokenby Bro. Savage came true.

Several families with teams joined our company at Florence andtravelled with us. After passing Fort Kearney on opposite side of Platteriver we Lost many of our cattle one dark night. It stormed during thisnight, & ravines twenty feet deep were full of water in the morning. Someyoung men went to hunt for these cattle & had to go miles in the hillsbefore they could cross these streams. Our cattle were not found.

While camped at North Bluff Fork of Platte, F. D. Richards &company overtook us. This company besides Bro. Richards were thefollowing Daniel Spencer, C. H, Wheelock, Jas. Ferguson, Geo. D. Grant,W. H. Kimball, W. C. Dunbar, C. W. Webb, Dan Jones, J. D. T.McAllister, Jas. A. Young, N. H. Felt, Jas. McGaw, & Jno. Van Cott.These names I remember although it is more than 51 years ago.

Next day a meeting was held at our camp. F. D. Richards hadheard of the remarks made by Bro. Levi Savage at Florence, and severely


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condemned them. He said he had heard remarks made by Bro. JohnTaylor at New York who spoke of the lateness of the season, and Bro. F.D. Richards said he told Bro. John Taylor he could wash his hands fromit & he would take the whole responsibility of the emigration on himself.James Ferguson prophesied that the storms would divide and pass us

by; in fact we would be free from them.

Arrival at Fort Laramie

When we arrived at Fort Laramie there was a letter from Bro.Richards directing the families travelling with us in private wagons toremain at Laramie till the wagon companies east of us arrived, & thentravel with them. It must have been two weeks or more before the wagoncompanies arrived. These people could have out travelled us, and wereno detriment to us in the least. I have since thought Bro. Richards hadlost his head, in so advising people to wait as if summer would be

perpetual. I had read of Geo. A. Smiths company in 1849 being caughtin the snow east of the South Pass & having cattle, pigs, & chickensfrozen to death. And it had been counsel not to cross the plains.

An Express from the relief train met us about Ice Springs in theSweetwater Valley, C. H. Wheelock, Jos. A. Young, Steve Taylor and aBro. Garr, Some of these bretheren advised us to give out all the flour wehad at night to our famished people. We did so. A snow fell on us thatnight about a foot deep. It was a sorry sight, over 400 people with handcarts, short of bedding, & to sleep on the cold ground. One thought isenough for a lifetime.

James G. Willie and Joseph B. Elder started out to find the relief

camp, & found it on the Sweetwater. They came to us next night. Had itnot have been for the timely aid sent us, it seems we must have allperished. A few might have got to Fort Bridger; but the women & childrenthe sick & feeble would have succumbed to the cold & hunger. Teams &help with food & clothing sent by the good people of Utah to our rescue,God bless them. Levi Savage who was censured for his truthfulstatement at Florence, was I think the best help we hadresolute &determined his whole soul was for the salvation of our company.

Finishing the Journey

In crossing the Rocky Ridge two of our teamsters abandoned theirteams. Millen Atwood & myself took the teamsters placesBro. Savagewas with uswe picked up all the stragglers & our wagons were filled.We had about 3 steers & 3 Arkansas cows to our wagons & toiled alongas best we could. We arrived at a small stream with a steep hill to pull upafter we got over the creek. It was dark at night, all other teams gone,Levi Savage went to camp. Teams were gathered to help us & relieve ourloads, & teamsters sent to relieve us, & best of all bread sent to feed our


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hungry loads of people. What kind boys they were who were sent to ourhelp. Prest. Brigham Young seemed to be inspired and seemed alive tothe occasion. God bless his memory.

We arrived in the City on Sunday Nov. 9, 1856. We buried 68 ofour people. We were dirty & lousy, body lice by the hundreds were on our

people. But few of those who were in charge of Hand companies are aliveto day. I was the youngest returning missionary & I was 74 Jan. 4 thisyear. (1907) I think only D. D. McArthur of St. George & maybe LeviSavage in southern Utah (remain).

Excerpts from theGreat Basin Kingdom elaborate a little further to explain some of the reasons for the delays of the company:

. . . the last two of the five companies which left Florence in 1865were delayed until late in the season. Due to a misunderstandingbetween the Liverpool and American agents, the handcarts for these

companies had not been built, and they had to wait until this could bedone. . . Further delays were experienced at the Winter Quarters stagingarea.

Preparations In the Valley

InBrigham Young we read a detailed description of the events which weretaking place in the Great Salt Lake Valley while the handcart companies were indire circumstances, and the preparations for the rescue:

At the opening of the fall conference on October 5th, 1856,

President Young took up with great vigor the subject of bringing in ourbrethren and sisters from the plains.

I will now give this people the subject and the text for the elderswho may speak today and during the Conference. . . . many of ourbrethren and sisters are on the plains with hand-carts, and probablymany are now seven hundred miles from this place, and they must bebrought here; we must send assistance to them. The text will beto getthem here! . . . . and the subject matter for this community is to send forthem and bring them in before the winter sets in.

. . . . and when we get them here, we will try to keep the samespirit that we have had, and teach them the way of life and salvation; . . .

. This is the salvation that I am seeking for, to save our brethren thatwould be apt to perish, or suffer extremely, if we do not send themassistance.

I shall call upon the bishops this dayI shall not wait untiltomorrow, nor until next dayfor sixty good mule teams, and twelve orfifteen wagons. I do not want to send oxen. I want good horses andmules. They are in this territory, and we must have them; also twelvetons of flour and forty good teamsters, besides those that drive the


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teams. This is dividing my text into heads; first, forty good young menwho know how to drive teams, to take charge of the teams that are nowmanaged by men, women and children, who know nothing about drivingthem; second, sixty, or sixty-five good span of mules, or horses, withharness, whipple-trees, neckyokes, stretchers, load chains, etc., and

thirdly, twenty-four thousand pounds of flour which we have on hand.In response to President Youngs appeal, before two days hadelapsed, fifty-one teamsters had volunteered, fifty-four teams were madeready, and the following goods were brought forward to aid the needyemigrants as listed in President Youngs history: twenty-six thousandsix hundred sixty-eight pounds of flour, thirty-one and a quarter bushelsof onions, twelve pounds of dried meat, five bushels of oats, one hundredsix quilts and blankets, fifty-three coats, eight cloaks, fifty-one pairs ofpants, fifty vests, one hundred thirty-four pairs of boots and shoes, sixty-seven hoods, one hundred seventy-four pairs of stockings, seventy-twopairs of socks, nine pairs of mittens, fourteen sacks, one buffalo robe,

two overshirts, two chimises, four neckties, thirteen hats and caps, threeboys suits, eight pairs drawers, fifteen jackets, twelve bonnets, sevenshirts, four handkerchiefs, one rug, three yards lindsey, two aprons, onepair gloves. Thus did the Saints in the valleys give of their own meagrestores to aid the suffering emigrants.

Retold Hardships of the Trail

Probably many personal experiences could be related also, if they werereadily available. Cecil Woodward, one of Williams sons told three of theseexperiences which he remembered his father telling:

When little hope was left, and the rations that remained weremeager, a man in Williams company came to him and asked how muchflour remained in his share. William told him how many ounces were his,and the man immediately asked for the entire amount. William went toCaptain Willie and related the situation. Captain Willie directed Williamto give the man his full share, as none would live anyway. But asWilliam returned, he told the man that he couldnt have his flour, forYou shall share with the rest.

The rescue party had killed a deer and tied it to one of the horses.As they came through the snow with the deer, the camp of starving

people could not believe that they were seeing real men and horses.William said they looked like angels when they saw them coming towardthem through the snow.

A number of years after the trek, William was at a generalconference in Salt Lake. He met a woman who had been one of hisHundred. She reminded him of some good rawhide shoes which wereowned by one of the men in the party. William did remember them, andshe then asked if he ever wondered what had happened to them, after


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which she told him that she had taken them one night and made soupwith them.

From these three experiences we can see the extremity of theirsituation, and feel that they probably realized the impossibility of any ofthem ever reaching the Valley unless help should come.

Arrival in the Valley

Following is the first entry in Williams journal after the blank pages:

November 1856Sunday 9th Crossed the little mountain, passed Captain Smoots

train, and got into the Valley where the sun was shining brightly. F. D. &S. W. Richards came to meet us on the Bench near the mouth of thekanyon. We formed according to our hundreds, & rolled into the city,when we arrived at the Council House. The Bishops of the several wards

took the people to their wards & they were comfortably provided for. Istaid at W. H. Kimballs.

Source: William Woodward, William Woodward, 18331908, typescript copy, LDS ChurchArchives.

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History of William Woodward 1833-1908

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