Heritage Gateways

Margaret Clark Journals

April 12, 1997

Summary: Introduction to Margaret.

Journal entry: What a day! This is my first day typing on a MacIntosh and I have never used Windows before. I guess even the computer illiterate can learn how to do it.

I am going to be your eyes and ears on a real pioneer wagon trek. I won't be riding on the wagon, but I'll be walking the same trail. I have many ancestors who traveled across this same trail. Some of them walked. Some of them rode on horses and some of them rode in wagons. But they willingly participated in the great trek of Mormon pioneers. My great grandfather, William Wetzel, walked across the prairies when he was 6 years old. His job was to herd the family animals while his mother and father drove the wagons. The story is told that he walked the whole way barefoot so that he wouldn't wear out his only pair of shoes. William was 96 years old when I was born. He was one of the last living original pioneers when he died a year later at the age of 97.

I am excited to be walking the trail. I know it will not be like the pioneers of 150 years ago, but it will still be a fun time. I am hoping I can walk all the way. This will be the hardest part for me. I want to talk with all the other people who will be there. I want to see the places the pioneers saw and live some of their experiences. And I want to tell you what I see and what it is like . If you have questions, you can ask. We will have a great time together.