Forty Years Among the Indians: A true yet thrilling narrative of the author's experiences among the nativesJones, Daniel W. (Daniel Webster)
History
Forty Years Among the Indians: A true yet thrilling narrative of the author's experiences among the natives
Jones, Daniel W. (Daniel Webster)
Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.); Indians of North America; Latter Day Saint pioneers -- Biography
The weather soon became cold and stormy. We traveled hard, never taking
time to stop for dinner. On getting into camp all were hungry and
willing to help. No doubt many of the boys remember the hearty suppers
eaten on this expedition. There was some expectation of meeting the
first train. Brother Willie's, on or about Green river. We began to
feel great anxiety about the emigrants as the weather was now cold and
stormy, and we, strong men with good outfits, found the nights severe.
What must be the condition of those we were to meet. Many old men and
women, little children, mothers with nursing babes, crossing the plains
pulling hand-carts. Our hearts began to ache when we reached Green
river and yet no word of them. Here an express was sent on ahead with a
light wagon to meet and cheer the people up. Cyrus Wheelock and Stephen
Taylor went with this express.
At the South Pass, we encountered a severe snowstorm. After crossing
the divide we turned down into a sheltered place on the Sweetwater.
While in camp and during the snow-storm two men were seen on horseback
going west. They were hailed. On reaching us they proved to be Brothers
Willie and J. B. Elder. They reported their company in a starving
condition at their camp then east of Rocky Ridge and said our express
had gone on to meet the other companies still in the rear. We started
immediately through the storm to reach Brother Willie's camp. On
arriving we found them in a condition that would stir the feelings of
the hardest heart. They were in a poor place, the storm having caught
them where fuel was scarce. They were out of provisions and really
freezing and starving to death. The morning after our arrival nine were
buried in one grave. We did all we could to relieve them. The boys
struck out on horseback and dragged up a lot of wood; provisions were
distributed and all went to work to cheer the sufferers. Soon there was
an improvement in camp, but many poor, faithful people had gone too
far--had passed beyond the power to recruit. Our help came too late for
some and many died after our arrival.
William Kimball with a few men and wagons turned back, taking the
oversight of this company to help them in. Capt. Grant left a wagon
load of flour near the Pass with Redick Allred to guard it. There were
several hundred people with Brother Willie. They had a few teams, but
most of them had become too weak to be of much service. When we left
Salt Lake it was understood that other teams would follow until all the
help needed would be on the road.
The greater portion of our company now continued on towards Devil's
Gate, traveling through snow all the way. When we arrived at Devil's
Gate we found our express there awaiting us. No tidings as yet were
received of the other companies.
CHAPTER XII.
Myself and two Companions sent to Search for Missing Companies--We
find Them--Our Cool Reception at One Camp--Apathy Manifested--Terrible
Sufferings.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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