Belated Emigrants of 1856

Improvement Era

Vol. XVII. NOVEMBER, 1913 No. 1

Belated Emigrants of 1856

BY SOLOMON F. KIMBALL

I

The year 1856, throughout this intermountain region, has often been referred to as the year of calamities, and well might it be so termed, judging it by the condition in which the Latter-day Saints found themselves during that time. The trouble was caused principally by drouth, and by the grasshopper famine of 1855, with the severe winter that followed. Stock on the range died by the thousands, and when the spring of 1856 made its ap- pearance, the people were left in straits nothing short of des- perate.

Up to this time most of the Church emigration from Europe came via New Orleans, and up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Here ,the emigrants purchased ox-teams to take them to the Valley across the plains.

The presidency of the Church, knowing that hundreds of European emigrants were anxious to gather to Zion that season, sent, in substance, the following communication to Apostle Franklin D. Richards, who at that time was presiding over the British mission :

"In regards to foreign emigrants for another year, have them take the northern route through New York and Chicago, and land at Iowa City, the western terminus of the Rock Island railroad. There they will be provided with handcarts on which to haul their provisions and clothing. We will send experienced men to that point with instruc- tions to aid them in every way possible; and let the Saints who intend to emigrate to Utah the coming season understand that they are ex- pected to walk, and draw their carts across' the plains. Sufficient teams will be furnished to haul the aged, infirm and those who are unable to walk. A few good cows will be sent along to furnish milk, and some beef cattle for the people to kill along the road. Now have them gird up their loins and come while the way is open."

As soon as this document reached the British shores, it was published in the Millennial Star of February 23, 1856, and sent

BELATED EMIGRANTS OF 1856 5

broadcast among the Later-day Saints of the European mission. This news spread like wildfire, causing a great stir among those who in the past were unable to pay their expenses to Zion. They could scarcely wait for the day of departure to come. In less than eight months from the time that epistle reached its destina- tion, not less than 750 pilgrim Saints pulled their dust-covered carts through the streets of Salt Lake City to the tune of "Mer- rily on the way we go until we reach the Valley."

There were other Latter-day Saints in Europe who were just as anxious to gather to Zion that season as those who had gone before, and this spirit had taken such a hold upon them that they left their various occupations before arrangements could be made for their transportation. The result was that many of them

VIEW OF THE MISSOURI RIVER AND COUNCIL BLUFFS From "Liverpool Route."

either had to go to the poorhouse that winter or run the risk of a late journey across the plains. They joyfully chose the latter course, and President Richards, seeing no better way out of the difficulty directed matters to that end.

On the 3rd of May the ship Thornton sailed from Liverpool with 764 Latter-day Saints on board, and twenty-two days later the H orison left the same port with 856 more, making in all 1,620 souls. The former company arrived at Iowa City, June 26, and those who sailed on the Horizon reached there twelve days later. Here they were met by the experienced men whom the authorities of the Church had sent to take charge.

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By this time the season was well advanced, and much work had to be accomplished before the 1,620 emigrants would be able to continue on their way. It was necessary to construct more than two hundred and fifty carts, make dozens of tents, buy hun- dreds of cattle, to say nothing of other important matters that must be looked after.

Brother Chauncey G. Webb, who superintended the making of carts, was unable to purchase suitable timber for that purpose, but did the very best he could under the circumstances. He called to his aid every available mechanic in camp to help crowd the work through, while the women folks were busily engaged in making tents. Wiliam H. Kimball and George D. Grant were working diligently buying cattle, while Apostle Erastus Snow,

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LOUP FORK FERRY From "Liverpool Route."

Daniel. Spencer and other Church officials were engaged looking after the spiritual condition of the Saints.

After several weeks had been spent in getting things ready, what is known in Church history as "the belated emigrants of 1856," were organized, according to figures compiled by Assistant Church Historian Andrew Jenson, into companies as follows : Captain James G. Willie's company, consisting of 500 souls, 120 carts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, 45 beef cattle and cows ; Captain Ed- ward Martin's company, 575 souls, 146 carts, 7 wagons, 30 oxen, 50 beef cattle, and cows ; Captain William B. Hodgett's wagon train, 185 souls, 33 wagons, 187 oxen, beef cattle and cows ; Cap- tain John A. Hunt's wagon train, 200 souls, 50 wagons, 297 oxen, beef cattle and cows.

On the morning of July 15, Captain Willie's company bade farewell to the good people of Camp Iowa, and started on their

BELATED EMIGRANTS OF 1856

CAMP AT WOOD RIVER From "Liverpool Route."

thirteen-hundred-mile journey to the West. On the 28th, they were followed by the Martin company. About the first of August the wagon trains rolled out, making in all 1,550 souls, 95 wagons, 266 carts, 633 oxen, beef cattle and cows, all bound for the City of Great Salt Lake.

The country for two hundred miles ahead was beautiful be- yond description, and the roads in condition nothing short of per- fect. Game was everywhere plentiful, and the finny tribe filled every stream. Grass was waist deep in places, and the wild flow- ers in full bloom. Groves of timber dotted the land, and delicious fruits hung on every bush. Honey could be bought for a song, and milk was had for the asking. There was no place on earth where the birds sang sweeter. All nature seemed to smile.

While the late pilgrims, a God-fearing people, Were pushing their way through the rich prairie land,

Every inducement that 'postates could conjure

Was offered fair maidens to win heart and hand.

While the four belated companies were passing through that beautiful country, the anti-"Mormons" along the route did every- thing possible to induce the daughters of Zion to remain with them, and the temptation was so great that a number of the girls accepted their offers. With this exception, and the death of one man, the journey from Iowa City to Council Bluffs was nothing more than a pleasure trip. Several days were spent at Florence, Nebraska, mending carts, taking on new supplies, and getting

INDIANS OF THE PLAINS

YELLOW BEAR An Arapahoe Chief. MA-NIM-IC A Cheyenne Chief.

LITTLE RAVEN

An Arapahoe Chief.

WHIRLWIND

A Cheyenne Chief.

BELATED EMIGRANTS OF 1856 9

ready for the remainder of one of the most remarkable journeys that was ever recorded in the annals of history.

On the morning of August 17, the Willie company made another start, and eight days later was followed by the Martin company. On the 2nd of September the Hodgett and Hunt trains pulled out, all headed for the west. They made light drives the first few days to get everything in good working order, and to make any little changes that were necessary. If all went well with them they would reach the Salt Lake Valley before snow fell ; and if not, there was no telling what would happen.

During the afternoon of August 29th, the Willie company came suddenly upon a band of redskins which gave the emigrants quite a scare, as the Indians were on the warpath that season, killing men, women and children all along the route. As good luck would have it, they proved to be of a friendly nature, and it was quite a treat for the old country people to behold the real live redman in his natural state. After purchasing some buffalo meat and a number of trinkets from them, the company pushed on. They had not gone far when they came to the place where the members of the Babbitt party were massacred by Indians, a few days before. A Mrs. Wilson was taken captive by Indians after they had beaten out her child's brains and murdered the remainder of the company. Colonel Babbitt was not with his party when this trouble occurred, but was killed by the Cheyennes, soon after. As soon as the Willie company gathered up the mutilated dead and buried them, they quickly moved on with feelings better imagined than described.

Just before daylight on the morning of September 4, the red- skins ran off all of Captain Willie's beef cattle, which afterwards proved to be nothing short of a calamity, as their food supply had already commenced to run short. Several days later they met Henry Banichter, who gave a thrilling account of the massacre of the Margetts' party, who were on their way from Salt Lake to Europe. The Indians took Mrs. Thomas Margetts captive, after killing her husband, child and traveling companions. Mr. Ban- ichter was the only one of the party that escaped. Thomas Mar- getts was a brother to Philip Margetts, the veteran actor.

When the Willie company reached a point about three hun- dred miles west of Florence, they barely escaped being trampled under foot by a herd of frightened buffalo that came rushing in behind them at breakneck speed. The roads by this time were somewhat rough, and much rawhide had to be used on the rickety carts to keep them from falling to pieces. Some of the axles wore through before the journey was half ended, causing much trouble and delay all along the road.

THE HAND-CART MISSIONARIES OF 1856.

The original of this rare portrait belongs to Major Richard W. Young. It needs only a glance to tell that the men are a group of stalwarts. The picture was taken in England, in 1855, when the men composing the group were filling missions in Great Britain. The oc- casion of their coming together was to arrange a plan for dispatching emigrants from the Missiouri river to the Salt Lake valley by hand- cart trains. All are now dead. The names of the eighteen men in the group are: Top row, left to right: Edmund Ellsworth, Joseph A. Young, William H. Kimball, George D. Grant, James Ferguson, James A. Little, Philemon Merrill. Second row: Edmund Bunker, Chauncey G. Webb. Franklin D. Richards, Daniel Spencer, Captain Dan Jones, Edward Martin. Third row: James Bond, Spicer Crandall, W. C. Dun- bar, James Ross, and Daniel D. McArthur.

A short sketch of each, taken in part from an old copy of the Deseret News, will be interesting:

Edmund Ellsworth married Elizabeth, the oldest daughter of President Brigham Young. He assisted in the management of his father-in-law's business, and built the first flour mill in Soda Springs. He settled finally in Idaho.

Joseph A. Young, a son of President Brigham Young, was the well-known railroad pioneer and lumberman, and the first superintend- ent of the Utah Central Railway, the stretch of road between Salt Lake and Ogden, now a part of the Oregon Short Line system. He is the father of Major Richard W. Young.

William H. Kimball is well-known in Utah history as an Indian scout and typical pioneer. He lived in Coalville and Summit county for many years, and died December 29, 1907.

BELATED EMIGRANTS OF 1856 11

George D. Grant, one of the Prophet Joseph Smith's bodyguard, was a brother of Jedediah M. Grant, and was a fearless and faithful defender of the people during the Indian troubles and the Echo Can- yon war.

James Ferguson was a writer and actor, and one of the most bril- liant of the pioneer figures of those times. He was the father of Mrs. David Keith, Mrs. Kate Burton, James X. Ferguson, Barlow Fersruson and Ferg Ferguson.

James A. Little was a nephew of President Brigham Young, and a brother of Feramorz Little. He assisted largely in the preparation of the "Compendium," in connection with Franklin D. Richards, and wrote the history of Jacob Hamblin, the Indian scout and interpreter. Mr. Little later moved to Mexico and died there, Sept. 10, 1908.

Col. Philemon Merrill was in the Crooked River battle at which David Patten was slain. Col. Merrill was shot through the body, bnt was healed through the administration of the elders. He spent the lat- ter part of his life in Utah and traveled much in the settlements relat- ing his experiences to the young people.

Edward Bunker moved to the south in the early Utah days, found- ing Bunkerville.

Chauncey G. Webb was the father of Ann Eliza Webb, and a leading citizen of Utah.

Franklin D. Richards, the beloved apostle, whose history is well- known to all the Saints, presided over the British mission at the time this portrait was taken. As a frontispiece of the Era, we present a photograph of the venerable apostle as he was known to the younger generation before his death, on December 9, 1899.

Daniel Spencer was one of the educated and strong figur s in those days, and was the President of the Salt Lake stake of Zion when he died, in 1868. Among his large family of children are. Claudius V., John D., Mark, Henry W., Samuel G., and Josephine Spencer.

Captain Dan Jones, a noted seaman, opened up a large part of the Wales mission, and died many years ago.

Edward Martin was one of the pioneer photographers of the state, having a gallery between First and Second South streets on Main street, Salt Lake City. He was well known in the local militia for many years.

James Bond died in the early 60's. He was a printer with the Deseret News in pioneer days.

Spicer Crandall established a flour mill in Springville, and the picture here given is said to be the only one ever taken of this patriarch.

W. C. Dunbar, well-known actor and singer, whose name is a part of the theatrical history of Utah, died in the Twentieth ward, Salt Lake City.

James Ross was famous in early days for his ability to quote the scriptures. He was called the "Walking * ible." He was gifted with a good memory and with eloquence, though a self-educated man.

Daniel D. McArthur had a notable career as police officer in Nau- voo. He filled two missions to the British Isles, and was a captain of No. 2 handcart company, and major of commissary, and colonel in the Salt Lake militia. He was a deacon, seventy, high priest, bishop, president of a stake, a patriarch in the Church, and died in Si. George. Tune 3. 1908.

FORT LARAMIE From "Liverpool Route."

On the 12th, North Bluff Creek, 613 miles west of Iowa City, was reached, and about this time the company's provisions had run so low that Captain Willie was compelled to cut the rations to fifteen ounces for men, thirteen for women, nine for children, and five for infants. Just before dusk there arrived in camp Elders Franklin D. Richards, George D. Grant, William H. Kimball, Joseph A.Young, Cyrus H. Wheelock, Chauncey G. Webb, James Ferguson, John D. T. McAllister, William C. Dunbar, Nathan H. Felt, John Van Cott and Dan Jones, all returning missionaries from Europe, who left the river after getting the last "Mormon" emigrant company of the season started on its way.

The missionaries were very much depressed in spirits over the condition in which they found the Willie company, and they promised to push on to the Valley as rapidly as posisble and make the authorities there acquainted with the facts, then return to their relief with the first party that left Salt Lake. The next morn- ing, after giving the Saints many words of encouragement, and singing them several rousing songs, the Richards' party drove on.

On the 15th, several Arapahoe Indians were met, who gave a detailed account of an attack made by the Sioux on a large emi- grant train some distance ahead, killing quite a number of them. It caused the hand-cart people to wonder how it was that the Indians had been so merciful with them, while other emigrants were being slaughtered on all sides. They could not help but believe that the Lord had softened the redman's heart in their behalf.

During the night of the 17th, the first frost of the season was experienced. The next day Ellen Cartwell was bitten by a

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14 IMPROVEMENT ERA

large rattlesnake, but not fatally injured. That evening a Sister Stewart was lost, and found just in time to save her from being devoured by a pack of hungry wolves.

The company reached Fort Laramie on the 30th, where they found plenty of buffalo robes, and what provisions could be se- cured for them that had been purchased by the Richards' party. The next day they met Apostle Parley P. Pratt at the head of a company of missionaries, on their way east. They camped to- gether that night, and Elder Pratt delivered a powerful address on the subject of the gathering. The next morning they bade him farewell for the last time, as he was killed some time after.

On the 12th of October, Captain Willie cut the rations of his company to ten ounces for men, nine for women, six for children and three for infants. On the 14th another reduction was made, and on the 19th the last ounce of flour in camp was doled out to the hungry emigrants. That evening the first snow of the season

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FORDING THE UPPER CROSSING OF NORTH PLATTE From a painting by George M. Ottinger.

made its appearance, and by morning it was about eighteen inches deep on the level.

On the 9th of September the Hunt and Hodgett companies were ferried across Loup Fork, and six days later crossed Wood River. On October 2 they forded the Platte, thirty miles east of Chimney Rock. During the afternoon of the 7th a number of their teams stampeded, and a Sister Stewart was killed during the runaway. They reached Fort Laramie on the 9th, and on the 19th arrived at the upper crossing of the North Platte. The Hod- gett company doubled teams that afternoon and forded the river. The next morning the snow was so deep that they were unable to travel.

The Martin company's experience up to this time was similar

BELATED EMIGRANTS OF 1856 15

to that of the Willie company, except that they had not lost their beef cattle. During the afternoon of the 19th they arrived at the last crossing of North Platte, and rested for a short time, as they had been drawing their carts through heavy sand all day. The river at this point was wide, the current strong, the water deep, and the bottom covered with rocks. The weather was threaten- ing, and a piercing wind was blowing from the north. After a late dinner, they crossed over, and before they had fairly reached the other side, the storm that had overtaken the Willie company at the Three Crossings of the Sweetwater broke over them in all its fury, the result of which was terrible.

(to be continued)

Why I Am

The aim of my existence is that I may have more joy Than sorrow, in the sum of life, — build more than I destroy ; That I may seek and find the truth, and in the search be glad ; Be much more moved by love of good than by the fear of bad ;

To freedom gain, and ne'er forget that others, too, have rights — That mine "turn in" where theirs begin, no matter what's my

might ; To keep proportioned, and to grow in head, and hand, and heart — To put in practice what I know to be the better part ;

To let the spirit have its share of culture every hour. And keep the passions in the place of servants to will-power ; To be submissive to the will of those I should obey, Yet be a gallant leader, still, of others — on my way ;

Outgrow the power to love a lie, or any other wrong, By sacrificing for the Truth and helping Right along ; To be effect, and then be cause, of light, and love, and life ; To learn, obey, and then make laws, — enjoy eternal life ;

To go the road that God has gone, who once was mortal man Of perfect type ; if I am such a one, become a God I can. And why not? — if man is His child, and a brother to His Son, The Man-God, Jesus, who on earth showed how the race was won,

And says to me : "Be ye like Me, do ye as I have done, Be one with Me, as I and He, My Father, God, are one ?" If God had not intended that I Divine might be, Why, then, confer the image of Divinity on me?

Thus making my appearance clear a necessary fraud, A being in His likeness here that never can be God? provo, utah George H. Brim hall.