Pioneer 1847 Companies

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1847: April 24-30 It was a Struggle to Cross the Loup River

Date: April 24, 1847

Crossing the quicksand-filled Loup Fork April 24 was a struggle, but once over, the Mormon pioneers headed southwest across barren country toward the Platte River.

They stayed near the Loup for a few days, then struck south April 27 and reached the Platte the next day near what is now the town of Grand Island.

Most of the time the pioneers tried to march parallel to a river. On a few occasions they had to go across country and complained about the dry conditions which were a hardship on the animals.

Along the Platte there were hardly any trees, but on April 30 a plentiful new fuel was discovered -- buffalo chips.

Source: 111 Days to Zion

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