The first night on the island was my turn to stand guard with the stock, with George Grant. The storm had ceased, and we were within about 3 or 4 hundred yards from camp when just before midnight we heard an animal coming across the channel. We thought we could see an Indian on him. We hid ourselves and waited for him to reach the land, and when he did that, the mule brayed and we discovered one of our animals had strayed and was just returning. We made the rest of the crossing from Grand Island to the south side without difficulty and continued on to Fort Kearney. At Fort Kearney we lost our guard, but continued on the last lap of our journey. I visited the training grounds at the Fort and saw the recruits learning to ride. It was amusing to say the least. Mr. Stoddard told the officer he had just half enough men, he said each one needed a man to hold him on a horse.

Mr. Stoddard was with us only one day after we left Fort Kearney. He then took the mail, and the passengers, a driver and the Mexican Cook and went on ahead. Food for the stock was now plentiful and we took our time so our horses could regain their strength. They reached Independence, Missouri between May 10, and 15, and we in the latter part of May.

When we reached Independence, we found that Mr. Stoddard had located a camp about three miles southeast of Independence of the property of Mr. Saunders. There was plenty of grass for the stock, excellent water, and everything for an ideal camp.

In this particular time of the year, Independence and its surrounding country was one of the most beautiful localities I have ever seen, and I would not hesitate to say in the world. Spring had just returned, and everything was at its best. All the flowers were in bloom, and the shrubberies and wild fruit of the countryside, besides many orchards, that some pioneer had been forced to leave after he had planted it. Wild plumbs and crabapples in full flower everywhere. There are so many short streams in this locality, varying from two to five miles apart and their banks were lined with trees and wild foliage. Between these streams the rolling hills were as green as a well-kept lawn, and flowers were everywhere. Of all the beautiful places I have ever seen, I cannot recall one so beautiful as this.

From the manner in which we were received in Independence we seemed to feel that the bitterness of the Missouri period of Church History was gone. We found everybody agreeable and friendly, and when the trials and hardships of the last two months were recalled, you will remember how much we appreciated this feeling. As I recall that two months now, I cannot see how we endured such privations. The pack outfits and the equipment were inadequate, and our supplies insufficient. Then too, we were traveling at the worst time of the year; there was much snow to hinder us, and the feed for our stock, on which our lives depended, was poor quality and scarce. The Indians were a source of anxiety and worry; every river we crossed was full of danger, and lurking in their depths were perils and hazards constituting a constant danger to the lives of men and beasts alike. Many times, at the same moment, we were suffering the pangs of cold and hunger and no immediate chance for relief. I recall now, that just before we reached Fort Laramie our last five or six meals consisted of boiled corn, plain and simple, and we were thankful for it.

Sometime before we left Salt Lake City, a certain Supreme Court Judge of the Territory of Utah, had found it convenient to leave. He went to California, down the coast to the Isthmus of Panama, across the Isthmus and up the east coast to Washington. His attitude toward the Saints while he was in Utah was anything but friendly, and his visit to Washington was for the purpose of reporting to the President on conditions in Utah as pertaining to the Mormon people. His report was packed with cruel lies and misrepresentations calculated to arouse the Government against the Saints. He stated the people were in rebellion against the United States, and that all the public records had been burned. The President, without investigation, ordered an army of 2,500 men to Utah and take the necessary steps to restore peace and order. The army was to leave from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and we were now camped within 25 miles of that place.

Another thing that created a new sentiment against us, was the presence of Eph Hanks, whom rumor with the aid of local publication had associated with the murder of Captain Gunnison and his men south of Salt Lake City about 150 miles on the Sevier River. I think this happened in 1856. Advance rumors from the Judge and Mr. Hanks served to start another wave of bitterness. The Judge was more or less discreet but Hanks often doing things contrary to better judgment. When we reached Independence Hanks was living with a man of poor reputation, this made it uncomfortable for him when he heard of us he wanted to live with us, and Mr. Stoddard finally permitted him to do so. His conduct around the camp was most unbecoming. He would remove all his clothing and behave in the wildest Indian fashion. We could not impress upon him that his life was at stake aside from the embarrassment we suffered ourselves. Finally they hunted him to hang him, and for fear he might be held in disfavor if he was found in camp, Mr. Stoddard compelled him to leave, and that was the last I ever saw of him.

The first afternoon George Grant and myself spent roaming among the woods and flowers near Independence, we saw a great many interesting things, and spent the afternoon among them. At eventide we tried to return to camp but in spite of all we could do, we could not locate ourselves. Finally we came to a small opening in the trees were a man was working and asked him if he would please tell us where Mr. Saunders’ property was, and he said this is it and your camp is right there in that grove. It was about 700 feet away.

Next we visited the Temple lot. I had heard so much about the place where the Temple was to be built in which to receive the Master when he deems it proper to come and assume the reigns of Government, that I felt it would be a mistake to not visit this historic and sacred place at this time. It is located about two miles from the River in the western part of the town. It was east of the Court House about one half mile.

We had been encamped in Independence about two weeks when the feel of things suggested to Mr. Stoddard that we had better seek another campground. For several nights before we did move we had heard men prowling around in the woods near camp. They never bothered anything or anybody, but we feared they were looking for a chance to justify some violence.

Mr. Stoddard had been in pretty close touch with a friend of his in northern Independence, and often acted on his suggestions, and headed his warnings. He was an apostate from the Church, but held no enmity for Mr. Stoddard. Many times he warned us of the efforts of our enemies to get hold of Mr. Hanks, and it was at his suggestion that Mr. Stoddard sent Hans away. Mr. Stoddard told Hanks to take the Mexican cook and go to the stock and get a horse for each of them and a mule for a pack animal and go west into Kansas and cross the Caw River and wait there for us.

The morning we left Independence we were together in front of the courthouse and a group of bystanders either to cause some trouble or some embarrassment, laid claim to some of our mules. Mr. Stoddard refused to consider their demands and let it be known that we were unafraid. There was considerable argument but when we attempted to leave were not molested.

From Independence we went in a northwesterly direction toward Fort Leavenworth. We had to cross the Caw River, and we landed on an Indian Reservation, the Delaware tribe, and after some explanation we were permitted to camp on their ground. Travelers, as a rule were allowed to remain over night only, and we were to cut no more of the trees than were necessary to cook our food and keep warm. We gained these privileges when the Chief found we were waiting for mail to be taken west. We were now about 9 miles below Fort Leavenworth. At this camp we had excellent water and good feed for the stock. We found the Delawares were fond of whiskey, and almost everyday they would pass our camp on the way to the Fort for another supply.

As soon as we were located in camp Mr. Stoddard at once became interested in the preparations the army was making to go west. His dress was that of a typical mountaineer. He wore a small leather cap, and his face was covered with a heavy long beard. His jacket and trousers were made of buckskin, with three or four-inch tag-locks hanging on each sleeve, and as far down as his knees on his trousers. He wore good heavy shoes and leggings. Perhaps the most conspicuous part of his dress were the large Spanish spurs he wore. He was a character to always command attention and possessed the faculty of easily making friends. He had not made many trips to the Fort until he had made friends with the officers in charge of activities there. When they asked him where he was from he promptly answered that he was from California. He was asked many questions about his travels and experiences especially when he was in Utah. Always careful to keep his connections with Utah concealed, but in other matters answered correctly.

The officer was very much surprised to find that the Saints in Utah had not robbed, and plundered, and otherwise molested them. Mr. Stoddard told him that as far as he knew everything was alright in Utah. With this advantage, he soon became in possession of the whole campaign of the army and what their intentions were. He made these trips to the Fort every day and at night he would tell us the happenings of the day.

Other men were operating for the benefit of the Saints as well as Mr. Stoddard and one evening told the following incident. A man by the name of Williams was buying mules for the government to be used in the campaign against the Saints. He was not a member of the Church but was evidently friendly, if not friendly it was because of the fact that his father and mother and many of his friends were in Utah. He had early established a reputation for buying the best of mules. One day the commanding officer, in the presence of Mr. Stoddard asked how he secured such good mules. Mr. Williams told him in as few words as possible that he had many good friends in Utah, who were no doubt in need of more good stock, and in as much as they were going to get everything the army took out there, he wanted them to have the best. In breaking the mules the boys had their problems and nearly every day an outfit out of control would come down past our camp, otherwise our camp life here was uneventful.

Here we maintained our guards, both night and day. And here also, our Mexican cook returned to camp. After about ten days in this camp, we were joined by a party from St. Louis consisting of A.O. Smoot and Mrs. Parley P. Pratt. They were to be our passengers West to Utah. At about this time also we were joined by a company of converts from Texas also headed for Utah. A man by the name of Box was in charge of the party. He was a very wealthy man. Mr. A.O. Smoot came east with the mail about two months earlier and had gone to St. Louis to attend to some business matters. It was there that he found Mrs. Pratt, and she made the trip with him to Independence to connect with the mail, and from there found our location and came to our camp. Meeting the Box party was purely incidental, but finding us so near ready to leave decided to travel with us. It was very fortunate for us that they did.

We had been joined by this party but a day or two, when a certain man came to Mr. Stoddard and demanded payment of a note he held against President young for $3,500.00 the idea seemed to prevail that this army preparing to enter Utah would practically annihilate the Saints, and they had better grab what they could. Mr. Stoddard knew nothing of this note and protested, but Mr. Smoot knew of the existence of the note, and after a few minutes council they decided that if possible at all they would pay the note. All our stock and provisions and wagons were not worth the amount. I am not positive but from my observation I really believe they intended to take all we had and leave us to it, had it not been for Mr. Box. After we had pooled all we had of value, we were still about $500.00 short of the amount. Among the possessions of Mr. Box was a negro woman who was his slave. She was a very splendid specimen of the race, and as a final gesture in the settlement she was offered for a settlement in full, and she was accepted. From this kindness on the part of Mr. Box, we were allowed to retain our belongings and go our way. As for the Box party, it developed that it would be impossible for them to travel with us, so they departed ahead of us, leaving about July 1st, we had also intended to leave with the mail on the 1st of July, but when Mr. Stoddard had made all the preparations and went to Independence for the mail he was told that the U.S. Government had cancelled its contract with Brigham young and refused to give him the mail.

Mr. Stoddard returned to camp and prepared to leave for home. I did not know at the time, neither do I know now, how five new Schuttler wagons came to be delivered to our camp for our use at this particular time. I am sure they were to be delivered in Utah, but who purchased them, and delivered them to us, I cannot recall. We wee assigned our wagons and mules and we set about to fit the harness and break the mules to work in the time we had to spare. During this time up to the trip to Independence for the mail, Mr. Stoddard had been in touch with the developments at Fort Leavenworth, but when he relaxed and turned to his own work, the Army was ready, and departed to Utah.

At a conference of the entire personnel of the camp we decided to make ready and leave for Utah at once. We did not want the army to know our intentions, nor our activities and inasmuch as they were ahead of us we had to arrange to pass them by and reach Utah ahead of them.

The mail from Utah reached Independence July 1, and we were glad to call and sure enough we had mail from our loved ones and friends. We met the crew and exchanged greetings with them and news items also. From our friends by letter and from the mail crew we learned that the Saints were holding a celebration July 24, in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

We were ready now for the start and on July 3, 1857 we left for the Salt Lake Valley, and we felt sure we were carrying advanced information on the approach of the Army, and we were all filled with the keenest of interest and determined to report to President Young at the celebration July 24, concerning the approach of the Army.

The Young Express Company was organized for the express purpose of obtaining a mail contract from the Government for what other purpose I do not know. Mr. Stoddard had in his care a branding iron belonging to them with the letters YX and when we wee refused the mail and the contract was cancelled and the iron was of no use, so he said, and he entrusted me to take it and hide it where it never would be found, so I took it and placed it in a hole just below the source of the spring we were camped by, that I dug for the purpose, about two feet deep and let it stay there.

Among the new wagons we had there wee two or three that had iron axletrees. These fit very closely into the hub of the wheel. We were careless in greasing them and they became dry, and before the first day was over the wheels locked tight and would not turn. After a little care and a little wear they were perfectly satisfactory. Mr. A.O. Smoot and Mrs. Parley P. Pratt were assigned to my wagon and they rode with me continuously until we reached Fort Laramie.

We were late in the day leaving Missouri for the West and were soon obliged to pitch camp. Perhaps it was our anxiety, but our progress seemed too slow, but we discovered that it was much faster than that of the Army, for before noon July 4 we sighted them a short distance ahead. We were careful not to contact them in any way, not even their outposts. By nightfall we had laid our plans to pass around them, so under cover of darkness we made the detour and came back to the road in the lead. We traveled all night July 4 and all day the 5th until night fall, and as we were looking for a place to camp we unexpectedly happened onto the Box Party and we camped with them and enjoyed a much needed rest, and a supper prepared by them. Here also we did not stand guard over our stock, the first time since we left Salt Lake City, and this because the guard from the Box Party did it for us. I had formed acquaintance with a young lady in this party and we were very good friends, so much that when supper was served she invited me to eat with her and her people, so I did, and was treated with respect.

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