Short Rations--Wagons Unloaded of Their Freight and Loaded With
Emigrants--Myself and Company Left to Guard the goods--One Sister's
Discouragement.
The winter storms had now set in, in all their severity. The provisions
we took amounted to almost nothing among so many people, many of them
now on very short rations, some almost starving. Many were dying daily
from exposure and want of food. We were at a loss to know why others
had not come on to our assistance.
The company was composed of average emigrants: old, middle-aged and
young; women and children. The men seemed to be failing and dying
faster than the women and children.
The hand-cart company was moved over to a cove in the mountains for
shelter and fuel; a distance of two miles from the fort. The wagons
were banked near the fort. It became impossible to travel further
without reconstruction or help. We did all we possibly could to help
and cheer the people. Some writers have endeavored to make individual
heroes of some of our company. I have no remembrance of any one
shirking his duty. Each and everyone did all they possibly could and
justice would give to each his due credit.
All the people who could, crowded into the houses of the fort out of
the cold and storm. One crowd cut away the walls of the house they were
in for fuel, until half of the roof fell in; fortunately they were all
on the protected side and no one was hurt.
Many suggestions were offered as to what should be done, some efforts
being made to cache the imperishable goods and go on with the rest.
Accordingly pits were dug, boxes opened and the hardware, etc., put in
one, while clothing, etc., were put in another.
Often these boxes belonged to different persons. An attempt was made by
Brother Cantwell, to keep an account of these changes.
This caching soon proved to be a failure for the pits would fill up
with drifting snow as fast as the dirt was thrown out, so no caches
were made. The goods were never replaced.
Each evening the Elders would meet in council. I remember hearing
Charles Decker remark that he had crossed the plains over fifty times
(carrying the mail) and this was the darkest hour he had ever seen.
Cattle and horses were dying every day. What to do was all that could
be talked about. Five or six days had passed and nothing determined
upon.
Steve Taylor, Al. Huntington and I were together when the question,
"Why doesn't Captain Grant leave all the goods here with some one to
watch them, and move on?" was asked. We agreed to make this proposal
to him. It was near the time appointed for the meeting. As soon as we
were together, Capt. Grant asked if anyone had thought of a plan. We
presented ours. Capt. Grant replied, "I have thought of this, but there
are no provisions to leave and it would be asking too much of anyone
to stay here and starve for the sake of these goods; besides, where
is there a man who would stay if called upon." I answered, "Any of us
would." I had no idea I would be selected, as it was acknowledged I was
the best cook in camp and Capt. Grant had often spoken as though he
could not spare me.
That a proper understanding may be had, I will say that these goods
were the luggage of a season's emigration that these two wagon trains
had contracted to freight, and it was being taken through as well as
the luggage of the people present. Leading these goods meant to abandon
all that many poor families had upon earth. So it was different from
common merchandise.
There was a move made at once to adopt this suggestion. Accordingly,
next morning store rooms in the fort were cleared and some two hundred
wagons run in and unloaded. No one was allowed to keep out anything but
a change of clothing, some bedding and light cooking utensils. Hauling
provisions was not a weighty question.
This unloading occupied three days. The handcart people were notified
to abandon most of their carts. Teams were hitched up and the sick and
feeble loaded in with such light weight as was allowed. All became
common property.
When everything was ready Brother Burton said to me, "Now Brother Jones
we want you to pick two men from the valley to stay with you. We have
notified Captains Hunt and Horgett to detail seventeen men from their
companies to stay with you. We will move on in the morning. Get your
company together and such provisions as you can find in the hands of
those who may have anything to spare. You know ours is about out. Will
you do it?" I said, "Yes." "Well take your choice from our company. You
are acquainted with the boys and whoever you want will stay." I had a
great mind to tell him I wanted Captains Grant and Burton.
There was not money enough on earth to have hired me to stay. I had
left home for only a few days and was not prepared to remain so long
away; but I remembered my assertion that any of us would stay if called
upon. I could not back out, so I selected Thomas Alexander and Ben
Hampton. I am satisfied that two more faithful men to stand under all
hardships could not have been found.
That night we were called together and organized as a branch. Dan W.
Jones, Thomas Alexander and Ben Hampton were chosen to preside, with J.
Laty as clerk. The rest of the company was composed of the following
names: John Cooper, John Hardcastle, John Shorton, John Chapel, John
Galbraith, John Ellis, John Whitaker, William Handy, William Laty,
Edwin Summers, Rossiter Jenkins, Elisha Manning, Henry Jakeman George
Watt, George Watts and ------ -----
Captain Grant asked about our provisions. I told him they were scant,
but as many were suffering and some dying, all we asked was an equal
chance with the rest. He told us there would be a lot of worn out
cattle left; to gather them up and try to save them.
They consisted mostly of yearlings and two-year-old heifers, some one
was taking through.
The storm had now ceased to rage and great hopes
were felt for a successful move. We were daily expecting more help and
often wondered why it did not come. Next day all hands pulled out, most
of them on foot.
After getting my camp regulated a little and giving some instructions,
I got on my horse and rode on to see how the train was moving along.
All were out of sight when I started. After traveling a few miles,
I came upon a lady sitting alone on the side of the road, weeping
bitterly. I noticed she was elegantly dressed and appeared strong and
well. I asked her what was the matter. She sobbingly replied, "This
is too much for me. I have always had plenty, and have never known
hardships; we had a good team and wagon; my husband, if let alone,
could have taken me on in comfort. Now I am turned out to walk in this
wind and snow. I am determined not to go on but will stay here and die.
My husband has gone on and left me, but I will not go another step."
The train was two or three miles ahead and moving on. I persuaded her
after a while to go on with me.
This lady, Mrs. Linforth, and her husband now live in San Francisco,
California. They could not stand the hardships of Zion; but I believe
they are friendly to our people.
After overtaking the train and seeing them on the move. Captain Grant
asked me to go back with instructions for the brethren left with me;
then to come on next day and camp with them over night.
On calling the company together at the fort that night, I told them
in plain words that if there was a man in camp who could not help eat
the last poor animal left with us, hides and all, suffer all manner of
privations, almost starve to death, that he could go on with me the
next day and overtake the trains. No one wanted to go. All voted to
take their chances.
On taking stock of provisions, we found about twenty day's rations. No
salt or bread excepting a few crackers. There was at least five months
of winter before us and nothing much to eat but a few perishing cattle
and what game we might chance to kill. The game was not very certain,
as the severe storms had driven everything away. The first move was to
fix up the fort. Accordingly Brother Alexander, being a practical man,
was appointed to manage the business; Brother Hampton was to see about
the cattle.
I followed the train this day to their second encampment and the next
day traveled with them. There was much suffering, deaths occurring
often. Eph Hanks arrived in camp from the valley and brought word that
some of the teams that had reached South Pass and should have met us
here, had turned back towards home and tried to persuade Redick Allred,
who was left there with a load of flour, to go back with them. The men
who did this might have felt justified; they said it was no use going
farther, that we had doubtless all perished. I will not mention their
names for it was always looked upon by the company as cowardly in the
extreme.
If this had not occurred it was the intention of Captain Grant to have
sent some one down to us with a load of flour. As it was, by the time
any was received, the people were in a starving condition, and could
not spare it.
From the third camp, where I saw the last of the brethren, an express
was sent on to catch the returning supplies and continue on to the
valley, giving word that the train was coming. I know nothing more
of them except from reports. As I am writing mainly from my own
observations, I will simply state that after great suffering and much
assistance (hundreds turning out to help) the emigrants were finally
landed in the valley.