Heritage Gateways

William Clayton Journals

August 11, 1847

Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah - The end destination for the trek across the plains.

Summary: The adobe buildings are being made; a child has drowned in a nearby creek.

Journal entry: WEDNESDAY, 11TH. Early this morning a large company of the Utah Indians came to visit the camp and it was with difficulty they could be kept outside the wagons. There are a few of them who have anv clothing on except the breech clothing and are mostly of low stature. They have scarcely anything to trade and not many women and children with them. They are camped about three miles north and west and supposed to be going north hunting. One of them was detected stealing some clothing which lay on the bushes to dry, but was made to leave it. When they found they were not permitted inside the circle, they soon moved off to their camp.

The brethren have commenced laying the adobe wall today which will be twenty - seven inches thick and nine feet high. The adobes are 18 inches long, 9 inches broad and 4 112 inches thick. The brethren in camp have finished the skiff and launched her in the creek to soak. About five o'clock, a child of Therkill's was found in the creek south of the camp drowned. Various efforts were made to restore it but unsuccessfully. The child was about three years old and its parents mourn the accident bitterly. The day has been very hot, but as usual, at sundown we have a strong, coot wind from the northeast.

Source: William Clayton's Journal

Published by the Clayton Family Association, and edited by Lawrence Clayton. To the best of our research, this contents of this book are no longer under copyright.