Heritage Gateways

William Clayton Journals

July 3, 1847

Location: Green River Ford - 69 miles left, Wyoming - (16 rods wide. Good camping any where on the banks, and plenty of timber [and mosquitoes]. It is not difficult fording in low water, but if too high to ford, the best crossing place is up stream. Altitude, 6,000 feet.) - 862 miles from Winter Quarters.

Summary: The last wagon has made it across the river; the new encampment is filled with mosquitos!

Journal entry: SATURDAY, 3RD. The morning more unfavorable. The brethren got the last wagon over before noon, no accident having happened. About the time they finished, it commenced raining, accompanied by thunder and wind.

It was concluded for some of the brethren to go on and look out a camp ground a few miles ahead so as to shorten the distance of the next day's travel. The brethren returned about noon and gave orders to harness tip and proceed, and at 3:15 we moved forward and went on three miles, then formed encampment in the midst of an army of mosquitoes. These insects are more numerous here than I ever saw them anywhere, everything was covered with them, making the teams restive in the wagons. There is plenty of grass for teams and it is the intention to tarry here till Monday morning.

At night President Young gave the brethren some instructions about trading at Fort Bridger and advised them to be wise, etc. Five men were selected to go back and meet the next company, viz. Phineas Young, George Woodard, Aaron Farr, Eric Glines and Rodney Badger. They are to take the cutter wagon instead of each taking a horse which cannot be spared by the camp.

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.