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History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

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EMIGRANTS IN DISTRESS. 425<br />

burdens without frequent repairs. Some shod the<br />

axles <strong>of</strong> their carts with old leather, others with tin<br />

from the plates and kettles <strong>of</strong> their mess outfit; and<br />

for grease they used their allowance <strong>of</strong> bacon, and even<br />

their soap, <strong>of</strong> which they had but little. On reaching<br />

Wood River, the cattle stampeded, 62 and thirty head<br />

were lost, the remainder being only sufficient to allow<br />

one yoke to each wagon. The beef cattle, milch cows,<br />

and heifers were used as draught animals, but were <strong>of</strong><br />

little service, and it was found necessary to place another<br />

sack <strong>of</strong> flour on each hand-cart. The issue <strong>of</strong><br />

beef was then stopped, the cows gave no milk, and the<br />

daily ration was reduced to a pound <strong>of</strong> flour, with a little<br />

rice, sugar, c<strong>of</strong>fee, and bacon, an allowance which only<br />

furnished breakfast for some <strong>of</strong> the men, who fasted<br />

for the remainder <strong>of</strong> the day.<br />

While encamped on the north fork <strong>of</strong> the Platte,<br />

the emigrants were overtaken by F. D. Richards, W.<br />

H. Kimball, G. D. Grant, and a party <strong>of</strong> elders, returning<br />

from foreign missions, who gave them what encouragement<br />

they could. "Though it might storm<br />

on their right and on their left, the Lord would keep<br />

open their way before them, and they would reacn<br />

Zion in safety." After camping with them for one<br />

night, the elders went on their way, promising to leave<br />

provisions for them at Fort Laramie if possible, and<br />

to send aid from Salt Lake City. On reaching Laramie<br />

no provisions were found, and rations were again<br />

reduced, men able to work receiving twelve ounces <strong>of</strong><br />

flour daily, women and old men nine ounces, and children<br />

from four to eight ounces.<br />

As the emigrants travelled along the banks <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Sweetwater, the nights became severe, and their bedcovering<br />

was now insufficient. Before them were the<br />

mountains, clad almost to the base with snow, where<br />

already the storms <strong>of</strong> winter were gathering. Gradually<br />

the old and infirm began to droop, and soon<br />

deaths became frequent, the companies seldom leaving<br />

62 At this point the country was alive with buffaloes.

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