HANS PETER OLSEN COMPANY 1854

NIELS CHRISTIAN SCHOW 1816-1879
ANDREW PETER SCHOW 1839-1913
MICHAEL JUEL SCHOW 1845-1925

Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868

Hans Peter Olsen Company (1854)

Departure: 15 June 1854
Arrival: 5 October 1854
Company Information: About 550 individuals and 69 wagons were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Westport, Missouri.


Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868
Source of Trail Excerpt:
Bohn, Oluf Veggo, [Life sketch], "Genealogical Surveys of L.D.S. Members," 35 vols., 3:266.
Read Trail Excerpt:We left Copenhagen between Christmas and New Year 1854. The Saints then did cross the great Plains. With ox teams: When we came across one of the big in the after noon. The Train had stop[p]ed for rest. The Buffaloes came by the thousands across the river in two files and came close to the wagons. The brethren did shoot after them and the dust was so thick. That we could not see Wagons, men or Buffaloes for about 15 or 20 minutes. There was 17 Buffaloes shot. I can also not ret remember seeing the Sioux Indians siting by the raad [road] and seeing us in the train of 76 Wagons. There was a great ma[n]y Indians. There was on[e] of the Brethren leading a cow. The cow was fraid of the Indians, and the old man did think that the Indians did hunt his cow. He did strike one of the Indians and the Indian did put a arrow in the cow. at night the cow die. In the morning the Captain did go over to Fort Kearney [Kearny] and did have a talk with the Captain who was a Irishman. The Captain did have a talk with the Indian Chief and would have the Indian who had put the arrow in the cow. The Chief would not give up the Indian. The Captain bought the soldiers over to the Indians. The Indians Whiped the soldiers and did burn Fort Kearney a Mexican company and a big Train and all Three Trains did travel for some any to geter. On the Big Platt[e] river. The brethern did train the cattle over with yokes on. The Oxen got to some high bank and [illegible] not find the way accross. My Father was a good Swimmer. Did Swim to the Oxen and got the yokes of[f] and by so doing did save the a good many Oxen. My mother did give birth a beautiful girl on the Plains. Our Train came to Salt Lake City October the 6, 1854.


Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868
Source of Trail Excerpt:
Borreson, Niels H., Autobiographical sketch, in Biographical sketches 1891- , reel 7, box 8, fd. 1, item 23.
Read Trail Excerpt:Now we were transferred to a steamboat and sailed up the Mississippi River to St. Louis. From there we sailed on another steamboat to Kansas City. Many of our dear brethren contracted cholera and died and were buried there. The rest of us bought oxen and covered wagons and started on the trek across the desert, which took 17 weeks. The Indians took some of our cattle so president Olson commanded us all to carry guns on our shoulders. When we came to Fort Laramie, the Captain with 32 soldiers promised us compensation for our loss. The[y] pursued the Indians but were ambushed and killed by the Indians who then took over the fort.
We finally arrived in Salt Lake City Oct. 5th 1854, and shortly after that my sister Anne Marie Olhus died.


Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868
Source of Trail Excerpt:
Dalley, Johanne Bolette, Reminiscences, 3. (Trail excerpt transcribed from "Pioneer History Collection" available at Pioneer Memorial Museum [Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum], Salt Lake City, Utah. Some restrictions apply.)
Read Trail Excerpt:We reached St. Louis about April 1, 1854. A great many died there also.
[During the several weeks they were encamped in St. Louis they were all very busy preparing for their trip across the plains. Those who had means were buying wagons and equipment, oxen and cows for teams. Many of the men had never driven ox teams, so the captain of the company advised the men to see that their equipment was in good shape and then hitch the teams to the wagons and all be ready at one time to start as a tryout.—Sarah Ann.]
[I, too, have heard Lette relate the funny, but at the time very tragic experience of getting ready to make the trek across the plains from St. Louis. The company of Danish Saints, unfamiliar with the mode of travel by ox teams, could speak no English and the oxen could understand no Danish. When they finally learned how to yoke them up and tried to start on the journey, the oxen were confused and went in every which way, to the bewilderment of all concerned. She called it their "fitout" while we in America call it an outfit. I've heard her relate this incident many times and laugh till the tears streamed down her cheeks.—Rachel Dalley]
We went up to here Kansas City now is and camped on the bank (of the Missouri River). In our company was a man by the name of James Black, whose wife died of cholera at St. Louis. He began paying attention to me, but I did not encourage him, as I disliked him, although I couldn't tell why. He was good looking and attractive in manner. In a way, I was dependent on my uncle, and he and his wife were very persistent in persuading me to yield, although I repeatedly told them all I did not want to marry until I reached Salt Lake City. This marriage was most unfortunate for me and resulted in great unhappiness, for as I became better acquainted with him my dislike increased. Although he was a Mormon, he did not entertain the same ideas in regard to living the principles as I did. He was also ill-tempered and jealous.
We traveled across the plains in Mr. Olson's [Olsen’s] company. I walked every step of the way, wading rivers, climbing mountains, often tired and weary, but always glad my face was turned toward Zion. I would have been happy but for my unfortunate marriage. We had a great Indian scare and exciting times with the buffalo and finally reached Salt Lake City October 5, 1854, after three months of traveling.


Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868
Source of Trail Excerpt:
Dalley, Lettie Bertelson, Autobiography, in Dalley family biographical sketches, fd. 4, 3.
Read Trail Excerpt:We traveled across the plains. I walked every step of the way, wading rivers, climbing mountains, often tired and weary, but always glad my face was turned toward Zion. I would have been happy, but for my unfortunate marriage. We had a great Indian scare and exciting times with the buffalo and finally reached Salt Lake City October 5, 1854, after about three months of traveling. We were in Mr. Olson's Company


Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868
Source of Trail Excerpt:
Hansen, Christian James, Reminiscence, in My Great Grandfather, Christian James Hansen, 1-2, (Trail excerpt transcribed from "Pioneer History Collection" available at Pioneer Memorial Museum [Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum], Salt Lake City, Utah. Some restrictions apply.)
Read Trail Excerpt:From here [St. Louis] we embarked on another flat boat for Kansas City. Here we remained for about 3 weeks until we were rigged out for out [our] journey across the plains. It took us about 2 weeks to go from St. Louis to Kansas City. Brother Empy came from Salt Lake and purchased our cattle for us. Of course we all had to pay for our own or our proportion as we were 10 people to each wagon. I was the teamster for our outfit and drove 4 oxen and two cows. It was a great sight when we were all hitched up, and the cattle ran and stampeded in every direction. Of course were all green hands, except our captain. It’s almost a miracle that none of us were hurt. Wagons were tipped but nothing broken. There were 62 wagons with 3 or 4 men dragging at each team by ropes on the cattle. Some got away and ran until they were exhausted when they were caught, but I can tell you it was a sight that will never be forgotten by those who saw it.
We started across the plains in June. One day as we were camped on the Platt[e] River hundreds of buffalo came among our cattle and right at our camp; we killed 18. Another time when our provisions were nearly gone another herd of buffalo was sent by the Lord to replentish out [our] store. We used to form our wagons into a correll with the cattle on the inside, but one night they stampeded from the guards twice in the same night, but fortunately none were lost. When we arrived at Chimney Rock we had another stampeed with our teams hitched. We had been warned of this as every company who passed this rock with ox teams had a stampeed. There were 2 or 3 accidents. One exen was drowned, while Fording the river at Fort Levenworth. Two days before we arrived in Salt Lake City a baby girl [Josephine] was born to my wife Elizabeth. We arrived in Salt Lake City October 5, 1954 [1854] having been nine months and 13 days from the time we left Denmark


Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868
Source of Trail Excerpt:
Hansen, Jens, Autobiographical sketch, 6-8.
Read Trail Excerpt:
I was appointed captain of the camp, which assignment I had until our arrival at the Great Salt Lake Valley. It consisted of seeing to it that there was order in camp etc. While we stayed in this forest my wife and I wrote letters to our relatives in Denmark. We spent a great deal of time reading the D[octrine]. and C[ovenants]. while waiting for the oxen, wagons and other supplies to arrive.
I spent much time pondering over the laws as revealed by the Lord. Here died the little child previously mentioned we had fostered. Would the parents know where we laid it.
A part of the company was removed from the forest as we received our oxen and wagons we had been waiting for. I was assigned as temporary leader for those who came there until brother H[ans]. P[eter]. Olsen arrived with the rest of our party. The company was organized as follows; H.P. Olsen, as camp Captain, brother Bent Nielsen as wagon Captain. The company composed of sixty wagons and was divided in six groups and each group with its Captain. With every wagon was four oxen, two cows, besides a certain number of reserve oxen. While we camped here my wife [Maren Kathrine Christensen Hansen] took very sick that lasted to June twenty nineth when she died.
Because of the sickness of my wife, I had many difficulties as I had to carry her to and from the wagon in addition to caring for our little child [Joseph Christian Hansen], besides my camp assignment which caused me to get sick. I regained my health shortly after my wifes death.
After a couple of days travel we had to send back for more oxen, which we received from the church. My mentaly disturbed brother, Jorgen P[eter]. Hansen resisted to go with us after the first days departure and he would not follow, but demanded to have his clothes from the wagon. I tried to persuade him to come along, and told him what sorrow he would bring upon our father in Zion, if he did not come, but nothing helped. He said he would lie on the ground until the wolves ate his body. Several of the brethren tried to persuade him and even offered that he could drive all the way but of no avail. I then consulted with our Captain, brother Olsen, who after careful consideration said that we should leave him, as he supposed that he, after our departure, would go to the closest city and seek employment. We did this, but while we waited in camp for the oxen we should have from the church we received the rumor that my brother was still lying there, and as I now as alone without our leader, I called the company together and counseled with them. The result was that some one would go back to him bringing along a rope with which to tie him if he refused now willingly to come, but as he saw and heard this when they approached, he consented to come along.
After receiving our reserve oxen, we continued our travel across the desert. In the beginning we went a new way where the grass was extremely tall and plentiful, which was very helpful for the cattle. The beatiful vast plains layed before us, which at some places were covered with forests, and in between we also came to rivers and small creeks. My brother [Jorgen] Peder Hansen got sick and died in June (no year given). We arrived soon after to the regular used road, that took us by Fort Laramie. To this point thr [the] prairie has been level plains, but now it became more rocky and mountainous. We passed the peculiar rock formation named "Chimney Rock." We came later by "Independence Rock," and soon after we reached the very unusal rock formation, formed by nature called "The Devils Gate." It is a great rock formation that is divided all the way through making an opening for the Sweet Water river to go on its meery way. There was a whole days many wonders of nature to see, which thrilled ones every sight. And especially Echo Canyon which we also came through. It is very narrow and through runs a good stream. The road is partly dugout or cut out of the banks of that stream. When one looks to the right it is like some ancient buildings or ruins. The color of the rock formations are red, yellow and grey, and among them grow the ever beautiful Ceder trees besides many other types of trees, which gives it all a very romantic and interesting sight.
I feel and understand by all of this, partly the greatness and power of the Lord by viewing his hand work. We crossed the large and smaller mountains and entered in through Emigration canyon, where my father [Hans Jorgensen] came to meet us. We were very happy to see each other in the camp of Zion, the gathering place of God's children. My father had now another by the name of Dorthea [Christensen Jorgensen]. My mother [Else Maria Jensdatter Jorgensen] had died aboard the ship that took them from England to America, but because they were so close to land she was buried in America. October fifth 1854 we came into the great Salt Lake Valley and the beautiful laid out City.


Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868
Source of Trail Excerpt:
Jensen, Hans, Reminiscences and diary, 1867-1910, 4-5.
Read Trail Excerpt:When we came to Kansas we received our wagons and lived in them and in our tents in the forest. Here we bought provisions for the trek across the plains. Many died of C[h]olera and among them was my mother. She became ill in the evening and died the next morning. She was buried in the Kansas forest 1 English mile from the town. She died in good faith in the gospel to the last was very ill but didn’t deny the Lord. The whole camp was moved out upon the plains on the western side of the state. Here we received 4 oxen, 2 cows to each wagon and we began to set them in yoke.
There were several companies of English Saints here also and a large number of Meixicans [Mexicans]. My brother Laurits became acquainted with a merchant from Mexico or Santa Fe, and was talked into traveling with him, to my great sorrow. Their company went and we didn’t know it. We now began our trek in the plains. 73 Wagons. Olesen [Hans Peter Olsen] from Zion was captain. The company was well organized all the way through. We made a new road for 330 English miles, through grass as high as the knees. I was at this time sick with cold fever and climate fever, but became well again and could handle the oxen myself. Shortly after we reached the old road we came to Fort Corny [Kearny]. Two days later we killed 22 buffalo. We had an over abundance of meat, many became ill of it. We met a company of missionaries among them were two of the Quorum of 12. Benson to help the company into the valley and Erastus Snow to go to the States on a mission. They spoke kindly to us. We departed happily each in different directions. When we came to Fort Larami[e], the Indians shot 2 cows from our company. Word was sent to the Fort and the soldiers departed and shot the Chief. The Indians killed several soldiers and burned a good part of the Fort. We became afraid and joined with 3 other small companies. We traveled together a long time. We kept strong guard night and day but they didn’t come after us. Another company lost most of their oxen and it was necessary for us to take one from each of our wagons to help them through. Many of our oxen died. We ran out of provisions but there came 16 wagons loaded with flour from Zion to us. They took a number of people with them on their wagons, which were drawn by mules, and we continued rapidly forward. Father Sjaessing stayed with us and showed us the way, and found camping places for us. There came again a small company with provisions for us, and several well known brethren came to us. We reached Salt Lake the 5 October, and camped on Union Square.


Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868
Source of Trail Excerpt:
Larsen, Christian John, Journal 1851-1914, vol. 5 (translation), 198-202.
Read Trail Excerpt:June 5th. We held a council meeting at which complaints was entered against Brother Hans Jensen Strand for unchristianlike conduct and for apostasy against certain principles in the Gospel. His certificate of Priesthood was remanded and he was warned and advised to repent and ask God for forgiveness that he might have a good spirit again. In the afternoon we held meeting and partook of the sacrament and I spoke to the people for some time and the spirit of God seemed [to] inspire and cheer every heart. As the time was now near for our start on the plains, it was decided to draw lots for the animals. Our captain informed us that he had been advised or ordered to take the companies over a new road for several days, but by whom so ordered, I never learned, but, said he, there would be found better grass that way, and he then enquired if the company was willing to do so; all agreed to this proposition. He farther stated that it would be necessary to equip five men with arms, like soldiers, to be on guard on that road, and the following brethren were selected: Wm. Walentinsen, A. Anderson, Fred. Nielsen, Peter Madsen and Brother Ries.
[June] 11th. We held meetings, both in the forenoon and in the afternoon, and partook of the sacrament. Brother C. Schou and I occupied the time speaking; blessed some sick persons and consecrated two bottles of oil.
[June] 15th. After prayer in the morning and breakfast we started and travelled two miles.
[June] 16th. We travelled about 8 miles and then camped. After prayer in the evening it was decided to raise money enough wherewith to buy one more yoke of oxen for each wagon.
[June] 18th. I wrote in my journal and attended meeting in the afternoon.
[June] 21st. I went back to Kansas after the oxen that we had bought, and some of these cattle were yoked up the next day.
[June] 23rd. We broke camp at noon and travelled ten miles that day, and travelled each succeeding day without anything happened of special interest. A few persons were sick.
[June] 29th. One of our sisters gave birth to a baby boy, and I administered to some of the sick and I also baptized one sister in the evening for her health by her own request.
[June] 30th. I was awakened at 4 a.m. to administer to some sisters who were sick. When we camped for the night, I baptized Ove Hansen for his health and also his brother Olin Hansen into the Church, and confirmed him a member by the laying on of hands. The new road which we had travelled so far we found to be very heavy, as there was no tracks broken, and the grass was from 3 to 4 feet high, wherefore, we did not go more than 8 or 10 miles a day, and we found it necessary to easy our loads by emptying our boxes and threw them away, and put our things loose in the wagons.
[July] 6th. This day we took a wrong course and had to turn about and return back the same way the next day.
[July] 8th. This day we also took a wrong course. In the evening a Brother Anders Larsen requested to be excommunicated from the Church, as he would not stay with us longer than we could reach the fort (Fort Leavenworth) in a few days. His request was complied with.
[July] 9th. We had meeting in the forenoon. A few of us spoke in that meeting. Afterwards we travelled a short distance and at last we descended a steep hillside and made camp. The following three days we were kept buzy by getting our wagons down a very steep hill side and making road for them. This was accomplished by hands and with having ropes attached, that were strong enough to hold them back, while the wheels were locked. The cattle were made to swim across the river while our wagons were taken over in the ferry, which was quite a difficult task, altho the distance was not very great. We, wherefore, made camp, to wait for all the wagons and luggage was safely brought over the river.
[July] 13th. Finally we got ready and left our into camp about 11 a.m. and travelled about 10 miles that day.
[July] 16th. We remained in camp and had a very good meeting and several brethren spoke and all seemed to have gained new strength, after the last few days of hard work. Some few sick persons were administered to.
[July] 22nd. Saturday. We struck the old emigration road by the Little Blue.
[July] 23rd. Sunday. We had meeting in the afternoon and several of the brethren spoke. In the evening Brother Rasmus Johanson baptized a small girl and I confirmed her.
[July] 28th. Friday. We passed Fort Kearney and this day we killed the first buffalo.
[July] 29th. While encamped for noon a herd of buffaloes, numbering several hundreds, came from the opposite side of the river, passing very close to our camp, and the brethren killed several of them and afterwards the meat was dried and we all got as much meat as we could take with us.
[July] 30th. Sunday. We held meeting, administered the sacrament and several brethren spoke, and I married Brother Gardner to Sister Nielsen. We had a fine time that day.
[August] 4th. We made our camp about 4 p.m. Apostles E. T. Benson and Erastus Snow and Elder Orson Spencer joined us, coming from Salt Lake City and Erastus Snow spoke to us in our meeting. The other two brethren spoke to the emigrants in Capt. Brown's company in the evening.
[August] 5th. We had a splendid meeting; the three brethren from the Valley spoke to us and we appreciated their presence very much. We were adviced by them to divide our company by two or three divisions, when we had passed Fort Laramie.
[August] 12th. After we had travelled 6 or 8 miles, we were overtaken by Elders Benson and Eldredge, who asked us to send 15 yoke of oxen back to assist an English company who had lost their cattle, and Brothers H. P. Jensen and J. Bentsen were sent back with help. We made camp and there we had to settle some difficulty between Christen Laursen and Niels Beck who had one wagon together and it was concerning the weight of each party's luggage. A committee was appointed to investigate the matter and decide.
[August] 14th. The wife of Christen Lauritzen gave birth to a baby.
[August] 17th. We passed a large encampment of Indians before we reached Fort Laramie. They shot one of our cows, that was lame and we let them have the meat. They also had shot one belonging to Hans Monsen, and it came into our camp wounded, where we had it butchered. We then camped for noon half a mile from the Fort. We crossed the river and passed the Fort, about 4 p.m. Here I mailed several letters.
[August] 21st. Brothers H. P. Jensen and J. Bentsen joined our company again. They reported that the Indians had killed 30 soldiers in Fort Laramie. In the afternoon we crossed the river and camped, joining Richard[son]'s company of emigrants. All with whom we came in contact had something to tell about the Indian fight in Fort Laramie. From that date and for several days after we travelled closer together and made large camps at night.
[September] 2nd. We laid over for a rest. At our evening prayer meeting each captain over ten wagons was requested to investigate the condition of each family and what they were in need of and it was decided to make the next day a fast day.
[September] 3rd. We had two meetings and many of the brethren spoke; we also partook of the sacrament and I gave a boy the ordinance of laying on of hands, and also blessed the baby of Christen Lauritzen and some few who were sick. The spirit of God was greatly felt in our midst and several of the Saints brought voluntary donations or provisions for the needy, as it was fount that several families were in need. I was constantly around among the people, during those five days that we remained here and all were willing to help their needy neighbors.
[September] 12th. A company from Salt Lake Valley brought us some flour and from that time on we were not left in want for anything, as teams would come out to meet us with provisions.
[October] 5th. We this day reached the end of our journey, making our final camp in Salt Lake City at 6 p.m.


Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868
Source of Trail Excerpt:
Neilsen, Christian Emil, Autobiography, 1902, 10.
Read Trail Excerpt:We continued up the river (April 1) to Kansas City and canped [campted] a short distance from there at Westpart where we stopped for some time, perhaps a month. There we got our outfit of teams and made ready for the journey acros the plains.
There the measels broke out in camp. I took them and having no care came near dying. I was bathing in the creck with the measels broke out on me and was sick all the way over the plains. In fact I have never got well of that to this day. The [they] left me with a cough and weak lungs. I do not recolect aney of the journey until on the Plat[te] where the Buffalow was the [they] where [were] so numerous that the[y] hade to correl the cattle to keep them from going with the Bufolow. 13 was killed near the camp. I was geting a little better and went to se [see] the neares [nurse] one then asked to go to the river to Bathe. The[y] tooke me there the watter was but 6 inches but when the[y] left me to Bathe I fainted and would have drowned if some one hade not seen me and helped me out. I do not recolect aney more of the journey til we got nearley to the valleys. When we got in the mountains I could get out of the waggon in the Evning.
October 5, 1854: Jensens Chronolegy says that Hans Peter Olsens companey of Emigrating Saints arieve in Salt Lake City Thuresday Oct 5th 1854, that meney hade died from chloera while crosing the planos [plains]. That is not correct. None died of chloera on the planes but on the Mississippi river.


Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868
Source of Trail Excerpt:
Twede, Christian Frederick Nielsen, Autobiography 1886-1897, 27-30.
Read Trail Excerpt:1854 left England arrived in America April.
We landed about first of April in New Orleans, U.S.A., traveled up the Mississippi River to St Louis from there to Kansas City, then a small town[.] I took work in a saddle shop and stopped there about a month. The boss was a German. He was content with my work but did not pay me all it was worth;
Finally we got ready to start[.] 72 wagons in all[.] some three hundred milch [milk] cows from four to six oxen to a wagon, We broke a new road from Weston six miles from Kansas City[.] We had pilots to stake the road off for us[.] We traveled through tal gras all the time and finally got to Leavenworth by the river[.] We had to ferry out wagons over at that place[.] Then we proceeded onward to Fort Kearney[.] Erastus Snow and Benson met us there and
One morning at 10 A.M. Capt[ain] [Hans Peter] Olsen, the leader of the company ordered halt[.] We drove the wagons together in a circle our wagons close up to each other[.] herd of buffalo came running across the road[.] I will here say that we beheld a sight that lords and millionaires would leave Europe to participate in[.] it was a sight that never can be seen again unless the whole country ar[e] led waist [waste] again for that butifull [beautiful] animal is almost extinct. There must have been 100=1000. It appeared like the waves of the ocean to see them move or gallop. The Capt [k]new the danger having crossed the plains before, Had we not drove into a Camp, we would have been destroyed for they never stop nor go aside. In fact they could not for there was no room, No human being can imagine the sight the awe the impression the noise or roar of so many thousands of wild animals moving all as one.
We captured 22 of these beautiful animals, the friends of the red man, the remnant of Jacob and if a half a dozen painters had been there they would have had a treat and could have made thousands of dollars in working up rare pictures for the European market,
the life in Camp is about as hard to describe for me as the sight of the buffalo—-the ideas of 750 people from all parts of Scandinavia having all at once as by a miracle 22 fine buffalo left right in camp for them to enjoy all free gratis for nothing[.] Wel[l] everyone in camp was a butcher or rather a part of one, one skinned another cut up the meat, then the women got it ready to dry everybody laughing and were as busy as bees. I stood and looked at one of the beautiful heads and the large innocent Eyes and then in the evening I made a pair of shoes of the hide, but they dried so I could not use them. but most of the meat had to be thrown away some days after, We continued our travel day after day and nothing of importance transpired making any note of[.] The Capt said we should kill the rattlesnakes. I killed about nine. some Indiens [Indians] stopped us and asked tribute of us for passing through their land. some 200 miles east of the mountains we made a grand halt. the oxen gave out and the provisions too so we had to lighten up[.] I made a pair of pants for a boy and got 5 lb of flour in pay and I was as happy as a lark. I was in the wagon with a family by the name of Hansen. Bro [Peter] Beckstrom and I was with them as a kind of passenger
when we came to Fort Bridger I took charge of the oxen and drove them into Salt Lake City[.] Before we reached the city my oldest sister Caroline and another sister Marie met me and give me some eggs and bread. we camped in Union Square in the evening of the 5th October 1854.


Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868
Source of Trail Excerpt:
Winberg, Anders Wilhelm, Reminiscences [n.d.], fd. 3, 3-4.
Read Trail Excerpt:On the 9th day of May the Company was ready to cross the plains. There were sixty wagons, which we made into companies, each company having a captain. I was one of the captains. Ten wagons to a company. After traveling for a short distance we found out we did not have enough oxen to pull the loads. Some of the brethren left for more oxen, coming back with 25 yoke. We were then requested to unpack our trunks and do away with all that we could possibly do without. I packed my things in a sack and threw away my trunk as many others did. In hitching some of the wild oxen to our wagons I was run down by one of them but was not hurt very mch.
The road we traveled had never been gone over before. We waded in grass knee deep, and every day would have to cut down the banks of creeks. For this purpose a corps of men traveled ahead with spades and shovels. At one time we were led out of our path coming to a steep bluff near the Kansas River. We could go no further, and so went back to the turning point taking the whole of one day. We had many such stops. Many dangerous roads to cross. At one place on the Kansas river our cattle had to swim the stream. Here one of the boys 18 years of age was drowned.
We finally reached the old emigrant road on July 22nd. What a change it was after we had traveled such a hard road. Walking now seemed easy.
On the 4th of August we met Erastus Snow, P.P. Pratt and E.T. Benson, of the Twelve Apostles, also a Brother Spencer. They stayed over night with us, and before parting next day Apostle Snow blessed the Scandinavian Emigrants. This day we traveled by the Platt[e] River and saw herds of buffaloes. We killed some of them and had a great supply of meat to our journey’s end. A little later we passed an Indian Camp. The Indians shot two of our cows. Further on we met a band of traders and told them what the Indians had done. Thirty of them went down to the camp and demanded the Indian that had shot the cows. They would not tell, so the traders took the Indian Chief and killed him. This enraged the Indians and so there was a battle between them. We had now crossed over the Platt[e] river and heard that the Indians were going to make an attack on us so we prepared ourselves. Late in the night we heard the tramp of horses feet on the other side of the river and thought that the Indians had come, but found out that it was the traders returning.
We were being joined by other companies and by this time there was a large train of us. We camped at Sweetwater for four days to give our cattle a good rest.
On Sept. 4th we passed Devilsgate and met a band of Indians. One of them gave me a new pair of moccasins. We were nearly out of provisions.
On Friday the 12th we met four wagons loaded with flour and we had 4 pounds for each individual in the train. These wagons were sent from the valley together with others who we met later.
On the 16th we met 16 more wagons with flour and we had 30 pounds for each individual in the train and that should last us until we arrive in Salt Lake Valley.
We camped on the Green River on the 18th of September and rested there until Sunday the 23rd. Our cattle, our traveling power was weak, many of our oxen had died and the most of those we had left were weak.
On the 29th we held a dance in the evening.
The 30th of September and the first of October we drove through Echo Canyon.
Brother Olson started ahead of us for the City to have a talk with President Brigham Young. A brother from the Valley whose name I did not learn, took charge of the company. We were told that we had 36 miles left to reach the Valley.
On the 2nd of October we drove through Spring Creek Canyon, a narrow Canyon where we drove over the creek many times.
On the 4th we drove over Big Mountain and part of the wagons drove up on top of Little Mountain and camped.
On the 5th the other wagons drove up and we continued this day, the 5th of October to the City.