Saga of the Sanpitch Volume 17, 1985 - Sanpete County

especially those who had settled in Sanpete County, or "Little Denmark." However, Niels felt they were not
financially able to leave at that time. In the spring of 1861 their plans were made to leave Denmark for
Liverpool, England, where 955 other members of the church—English, German and Scandinavian--would be
boarding a large ship, "Monarch of the Sea," for the ocean voyage to America.
Karen and Niels were now parents of two little daughters. One, named Yette, had been born in Vrejlev;
the other, Frederikke, named after the coastal city of Frederickshavn, would become my grandmother,, Her
name soon became shortened to Ricky, and thus she was known throughout her life.
Another child, a son, Parley Peter Pratt, was born in 1859. His parents' names and his birth were
recorded in the Asted Parish records; however, they were listed as "Mormon," signifying they were not
Lutheran. His death wasn't there.
Karen, mourning over the loss of her only son, had never quite regained her health„ Though she was
excited about going to Zion, she had mixed emotions about leaving her homeland and the baby's small grave.
Weak and still quite ill when they reached Liverpool, Niels sympathetically carried her aboard the Monarch,
with their little girls trailing behind. On the 16th of May, 1861, the ship lifted anchor for the voyage to
America.
While the girls amused themselves, Karen rested, soaked up the warm sunshine, ate well, and soon
began to smile again. By the time the ship had reached New York, where they were welcomed by Apostle
Erastus Snow in their native tongue, she felt well again and the excitement about Zion had returned. Four
months later on September 12, their wagon train reached Salt Lake. With gratitude, Karen held Yette and
Ricky in her arms, thanking her Heavenly Father for their safe arrival.
Trained as a stone mason Niels found work dressing stone, which he told Karen would be used in
the temple dedicated to the Lord. Karen was often lonesome, but spent her free time watching the
surrounding mountains. Long ago she had accepted the fact she would never see the ocean again; now she
wondered if the mountains would someday become as dear.
Not until 1863, after Karen had given birth to Niels Christian Ephraim, did they begin their journey to
the south. As they traveled, Karen was amazed at the mountains. Would they surround Gunnison, too? When
they finally reached their destination, Niels was excited to see the wide valley with its green fields, but Karen
had eyes only for Mt. Musinia, the Indians' shining mountain, feeling its beauty would give her strength for the
hard days ahead.
Captain Madsen welcomed them with open arms, hot food and shelter, but in just three days Niels
had built his own dugout. It was a simple shelter, true, and theirs, marking the beginning of a building career
for Niels C. Tollestrup throughout Gunnison Valley.
In 1865, Karen gave birth to her last child, Albert Nephi. The most trying difficulties to worry Karen now
was the harrassment of marauding Indians. They had been friendly at first with the newcomers, but as more
settlers arrived and more lands were cultivated, the Indians became bitter. Under the leadership of Chief Black
Hawk, they constantly attacked, burned and pilfered, causing thousands of dollars of damage to property and
livestock. After several deaths occurred among the settlers, Brigham Young gave orders for Fort Gunnison to
be built. Karen was frightened of any Indian, and repulsed by the fighting; even living within the confines of
the fort was a time of trial.
Previously Karen had been busy with her children and her garden; now she found she had much free
time. She taught the girls to sew and to cook Danish food, but the little boys, too young to be trusted, were a
constant worry0 Sometimes, when the summer days were hot and dry and the wind seemed to blow
constantly, did she think of her native home so green and cool? In the autumn, when the Sanpitch River
almost ceased to flow, did she dream of the surging sea and the beautiful Limfjord?
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