Heritage Gateways

Hosea Stout Journals

January 1, 1848

Location: Winter Quarters - 1014 miles left, Nebraska - Location: 41:21:41N 95:56:45W Currently the site of Florence, Nebraska, Winter Quarters was settled in September, 1846 as a temporary resting place for the pioneers. It is located just west of the Missouri river in Nebraska.

Summary: The police go on a police spree.

Journal entry: Saturday January 1 1848. Clear & pleasant day. The police were out on what we called a police spree. There were some persons in this place who were trying to set up a gambling table and to find out how the matter stood several of us went into a drinking spree with some who were concerned in it. They soon got high enough to develop their plans and thus we learned all about it.

At dark the police met at the Council House with their wives and friends & had an agreeable party till Twelve at night. Police commenced on guard by 3 tours per night.

Source: On the Mormon Frontier: The Diary of Hosea Stout 1844-1861 Volume I - Edited by Juanita Brooks. Permission to use excerpts granted by Utah State Historical Society and the University of Utah Press.