History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

298 IN THE VALLEY OF THE GREAT SALT LAKE.
brought into the valley in the spring, they were
eagerly bought at any price. From four small ones,
costing fifty cents, was obtained a bushel of good-sized
potatoes which were saved for seed.
The immigration during the season numbered some
1,400 souls, who were added to the settlers in the
valley, 31 and who, with the number remaining of
those originally bound for California, made a large
population to clothe, feed, and shelter.
A carrying company was also established 32 in December
for the purpose of conveying passengers and
goods from the Missouri River to the gold regions of
California. In their prospectus, the proprietors set
forth that, residing as they did in the valley, and being
acquainted with the route, they could provide
fresh animals as they were needed and save the loss
of hundreds and thousands of dollars that had been
incurred by former parties through inexperience.
For passengers to Sutter's Fort, the rate was $300, of
which $200 must be paid in advance, and the remainder
on reaching Salt Lake City. For freight, the
terms were $250 per ton, of which two thirds must
also be paid in advance.
A small company under Captain Lamoreaux left
the valley for Green River, and there established a
ferry and trading post; among them were wagonmakers
and blacksmiths, whose services would be invaluable.
When the immigrants of this year arrived in the
valley of the Great Salt Lake, many of them were
31 ' Our cattle stampeded, and at the south pass of the Platte we were
overtaken by a heavy storm, in which 70 animals were frozen. We made our
journey to Salt Lake City, 1,034 miles, in 145 days, arriving Oct. 27th.' Geo.
A. Smith's Autobiog., in Tullidge's Mag., July 18S4. The cattle of the California
Enterprise Company, under Judge Thos K. Owen of 111., stampeded near
the forks of the Platte and ran back 130 miles in about 26 hours; they were
brought aloi-g by Capt. Allen Taylor's company, which received from their
owners a series of resolutions expressive of their gratitude. Hist. B. Young,
MS., 1849, 157-8.
32 Termed the Great Salt Lake Valley Carrying Company. The proprietors
were Shadrach Roundy, Jedediah M. Grant, John S. Fullmer, George
D. Grant, and Russell Homer. Utah Early Records, MS., 101; Hist. B.
Young, MS., 1849, 168.