Heritage Gateways

James Armitstead Journals

June 29, 1853

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: From a letter to Richard Eatough covering the Armitstead journey between May 26 and June 29, 1853.

Journal entry: We are now safely over Missouri's stormy waters of a mile wide and 50 ft. deep. We are now in Nebraska Territory at the place called by the Saints, Winter Quarters.

Brother Richard, when you come to this country, come up on your own resources if possible, for if you are dependent upon any others for means or accommodations, or are in partnership, you may expect lots of trouble. You will have enough anyhow. But by being on your own hook, you will avoid many insults and quarrels that you otherwise incur. I am now speaking from my own experience.

Bro. Sudweeks and his wife have been for some time very insulting and quarrelsome, as though they asked to shake me off. I have told them that if that is what they want they need only to say so. I can partly excuse them for acting as they do, for there is every thing to irritate a persons feelings. The best of friends will some times have a spat. But when I am charged and blamed for things of which I am proven entirely innocent, it excites my risables, and I have to speak out.

Bro. Sudweeks was very clever to me at first. He offered to give me a team and wagon; he said I have been the means of saving them, and he thought they could not do too much for me. But I always refused to take anything from him, or any of the Saints, that I could get along without. You may expect to hear from us again the first opportunity. We resume our journey tomorrow. We number over 60 wagons.

Source: James Armitstead Letters (1853)