Heritage Gateways

Historical Pioneer Journals

William Clayton Journals

April | May | June | July | August

April 1847

• April 9, 1847 -- Friday. Playing in the band across the river.
• April 10, 1847 -- Location: Winter Quarters - 1014 miles left, Nebraska Saturday. Clayton at home.
• April 11, 1847 -- Location: Winter Quarters - 1014 miles left, Nebraska Sunday Life threatened.
• April 12, 1847 -- Location: Winter Quarters - 1014 miles left, Nebraska Monday. Wood cutting and needing hay.
• April 13, 1847 -- Hosea Stout's calculations.
• April 14, 1847 -- Half an hour of notice that he will be in the first company.
• April 15, 1847 -- Location: Elkhorn River Crossing - 986 miles left, Nebraska Reached and crossed the Elk Horn River
• April 16, 1847 -- Names every member of the camp and their responsibilities.
• April 17, 1847 -- Walking and gun instructions.
• April 18, 1847 -- Accident with an ox. Daily routine with bugle outlined.
• April 19, 1847 -- Mileage counter idea (odometer), toothache, fishing by boat.
• April 20, 1847 -- Fishing, tooth extraction, blacksmith work, and an unsuccessful hunt.
• April 21, 1847 -- Visit with Pawnee Indians, caught in a thunderstorm, setting up guard at night.
• April 22, 1847 -- Crossed more creeks, saw Indian burial mounds, looked over a burned out government station, and revisted the idea of an odometer.
• April 23, 1847 -- Adventures fording a quicksand laden river.
• April 24, 1847 -- Very detailed description of Pawnee Indian dwellings, and some fishing experiences.
• April 25, 1847 -- Organizing hunters. Worrying about water from the river.
• April 26, 1847 -- Assigned to help with documenting trip. Some horses stolen. Breaking a new road.
• April 27, 1847 -- Location: Chapman, Nebraska More horses stolen. An accidental shooting. More rain.
• April 28, 1847 -- Crossing a river. Wild onions. Feed for the livestock. Cool, clear water.
• April 29, 1847 -- Location: Grand Island (Sturh Museum), Nebraska Scant feed. Dry, dry, dry and dust. Ford a stream. Sick horse.
• April 30, 1847 -- Location: Grand Island (Sturh Museum), Nebraska Buffalo chips. Cold and windy.

 

May 1847

• May 1, 1847 -- Location: Grand Island (Sturh Museum), Nebraska Buffalo hunt. Suspense and excitement. Praire dogs.
• May 2, 1847 -- No Sunday hunting. Move for feed. Hard-headed buffalo.
• May 3, 1847 -- Wary of Indians in the vacinity, laundry done, and some hunting.
• May 4, 1847 -- Reminded of saftey measures, letters home, traders on the trail, and military drills.
• May 5, 1847 -- Horseback riding.
• May 6, 1847 -- Hordes of buffalo. Lost spyglass.
• May 7, 1847 -- Lost spyglass found.
• May 8, 1847 -- Figuring out accurate mileage, more buffalo, poor feed for the animals and no wood for cooking.
• May 9, 1847 -- Poor feed, poor feet, poor buffalo.
• May 10, 1847 -- Bad dream, leaving markers, better feed, better meat, and beautiful landscape.
• May 11, 1847 -- Bad water from dead buffalo, digging wells, and digging wolf pups.
• May 12, 1847 -- Salty dust, rain clouds, fishing, and finally the odometer.
• May 13, 1847 -- Contention among a few. Cold. Snakes.
• May 14, 1847 -- Swampy travel. Violets. Tough inclines. Credit where credit is due.
• May 15, 1847 -- Cold wind and rain. Poor feed ahead. Treeless bluffs. Indian camping spots with children.
• May 16, 1847 -- Sunday hunting, odometer refined, and a present of candles.
• May 17, 1847 -- Leaving another message. Lots of small streams. Who gets the most "equal' part of the buffalo?
• May 18, 1847 -- Lecture on gratitude and waste. Hunters chastised. Creek named.
• May 19, 1847 -- Who leads? Who follows? Worst road and weather of the trip so far. Wolf Creek named.
• May 20, 1847 -- Odometer breaks. Fremont map accuracy questioned. New plants noticed.
• May 21, 1847 -- Dinosaur bone? Rattlesnake encounter. Souix Indian encounter.
• May 22, 1847 -- Detailed description of beautiful scenery. Baby eagle. Wolf-dog. More rattlesnakes. Mock trials for amusement.
• May 23, 1847 -- Snake bite! Bone mail. Gnats that bite.
• May 24, 1847 -- Horses not as strong as the oxen now. Mules are doing well. Souix Indians.
• May 25, 1847 -- Location: Bridgeport, Nebraska Chimney Rock in view.
• May 26, 1847 -- Location: Bayard, Nebraska Indian pony mishap. Young eagle accident. Chimney Rock measurement. Antelope.
• May 27, 1847 -- Location: Scottsbluff - 541 miles left, Nebraska Awe at the beautiful landscape.
• May 28, 1847 -- Location: Mitchell, Nebraska Rain delay and amusements to pass the time. Good fish and cold water. Indian hunting party near.
• May 29, 1847 -- A Saturday lecture on the proper behavior of good men.
• May 30, 1847 -- Location: Henry, Nebraska Prayer circle. Peace in camp. Minutes of yesterday's discourse read by Brigham Young.
• May 31, 1847 -- Location: Torrington, Wyoming Barren countryside. Antelope. End of a month.

 

June 1847

• June 1, 1847 -- Location: Fort John/Laramie - 508 m. left, Wyoming Meeting with the Colorado folks. Heard about battalion deaths.
• June 2, 1847 -- Location: Fort John/Laramie - 508 m. left, Wyoming Description of Fort Laramie.
• June 3, 1847 -- Location: Fort John/Laramie - 508 m. left, Wyoming Ferrying across the river. Many bluffs.
• June 4, 1847 -- Location: Guernsey, Wyoming Members and livestock from Brother Crow's Company join the camp.
• June 5, 1847 -- Location: Guernsey, Wyoming Ten and a half mile day up and over several bluffs.
• June 6, 1847 -- Location: Glendo, Wyoming Pioneers camp at the base of bluff. Travelers inquire about roadometer.
• June 7, 1847 -- Location: Glendo, Wyoming The pioneers rest in the best feeding camp yet.
• June 8, 1847 -- Location: Douglas, Wyoming Pioneers travel over the steepest bluffs yet.
• June 9, 1847 -- Location: Ayres Natural Bridge State Park, Wyoming Heading for the Platte River
• June 10, 1847 -- Location: Glenrock, Wyoming
• June 11, 1847 -- Location: Glenrock, Wyoming The pioneers camp near Missourians before crossing the river.
• June 12, 1847 -- Location: Casper, Wyoming The pioneers and the Missouri Company barter.
• June 13, 1847 -- Location: Casper, Wyoming The Elders remind the brethern of staying close to their covenants.
• June 14, 1847 -- Location: Casper, Wyoming Twenty three wagons have difficulty in ferrying across river.
• June 15, 1847 -- Location: Casper, Wyoming Pioneers continue to ferry the Platte despite winds and high river.
• June 16, 1847 -- Location: Casper, Wyoming Rafts are built to ferry companies across the Platte.
• June 17, 1847 -- Location: Casper, Wyoming The last wagon has successfully made it across; there's much rejoicing!
• June 18, 1847 -- Location: Casper, Wyoming Pioneers remain along the Platte River while they ferry the Missouri Company across.
• June 19, 1847 -- Location: Casper, Wyoming Steep countryside and the proverbial ox in the mire.
• June 20, 1847 -- Location: Casper, Wyoming The barren, treeless, sage-covered land makes for tough camping life.
• June 21, 1847 -- Location: Independence Rock - 314 miles left, Wyoming Pioneers reach the Sweet Water River and the Devil's Gate.
• June 22, 1847 -- Location: Independence Rock - 314 miles left, Wyoming The Missouri Company has once again passed the Pioneer Companies on their journeys to the West.
• June 23, 1847 -- Location: Independence Rock - 314 miles left, Wyoming The Pioneers can now see the snowcapped Wind River chain of the Rocky Mountains.
• June 24, 1847 -- While travels go well, the second horse is shot accidentally.
• June 25, 1847 -- Location: Branch of Sweetwater - 248 1/4 m. left, Wyoming The nights are colder, the days hotter as Pioneers reach the higher, snow filled altitude plains.
• June 26, 1847 -- Location: South Pass - 210~ miles left, Wyoming The brethren are only about 2 miles from the Continental Divide and the South Pass!
• June 27, 1847 -- Location: Little Sandy River - 204 miles left, Wyoming Oregonian Harris describes the living suitability of the Cache Valley just north of the salt lake.
• June 28, 1847 -- Location: Little Sandy River - 204 miles left, Wyoming The Pioneers find out what the Salt Lake area is like; they're anxious to see it for themselves.
• June 29, 1847 -- Location: Little Sandy River - 204 miles left, Wyoming The Bretheren have come down with an illness; possibly due to the saleratus.
• June 30, 1847 -- Location: Fort Bridger - 96 miles left, Wyoming The Pioneers have formed their encampment along the Green River.

 

July 1847

• July 1, 1847 -- Location: Green River Ford - 69 miles left, Wyoming William Clayton has caught the illness; ferrying across the Green River commences.
• July 2, 1847 -- Location: Green River Ford - 69 miles left, Wyoming The first Pioneer companies have made it across the Green River;Clayton still ill.
• July 3, 1847 -- Location: Green River Ford - 69 miles left, Wyoming The last wagon has made it across the river; the new encampment is filled with mosquitos!
• July 4, 1847 -- Location: Green River Ford - 69 miles left, Wyoming Five brethren ferry another company across the river.
• July 5, 1847 -- Location: Fort Bridger - 96 miles left, Wyoming
• July 6, 1847 -- Location: Fort Bridger - 96 miles left, Wyoming Pioneers cross Blacks Fork River where there is much vegetation including several varieties of flowers.
• July 7, 1847 -- Location: Fort Bridger - 96 miles left, Wyoming The Pioneers set up camp right outside of Fort Bridger.
• July 8, 1847 -- Location: Fort Bridger - 96 miles left, Wyoming The Pioneers stay at Fort Bridger to do some trading.
• July 9, 1847 -- Location: Fort Bridger - 96 miles left, Wyoming After leaving Fort Bridger, the Brethren travel down extremely steep bluffs.
• July 10, 1847 -- Location: Bear River - 63 miles left, Wyoming the Pioneers travel over the mountainous Continental Divide!
• July 11, 1847 -- Location: Bear River - 63 miles left, Wyoming The Western Plains are filled with several different mineral resources for the Pioneers. Which road should we take?
• July 12, 1847 -- Location: Weber River Ford - 41 miles left, Utah The Bear River is successfully forded; the West is mountainous, yet fertile.
• July 13, 1847 -- Brethren Young is recovering from illness while the rest of the companies decide on scouting out the Weber River Canyon.
• July 14, 1847 -- Location: Weber River Ford - 41 miles left, Utah Brethren Young is recovered; a team is chosen to create a road to the Weber River Canyon and to check out if it's passable.
• July 15, 1847 -- Location: Weber River Ford - 41 miles left, Utah Everyone has recovered from illness; the rear wagons arrive at encampment.
• July 16, 1847 -- Location: Weber River Ford - 41 miles left, Utah The Pioneers trek through the narrow Mountain Passes before they reach Weber Canyon.
• July 17, 1847 -- Location: Weber River Ford - 41 miles left, Utah Clayton turns 33 years today; Pioneers reach the red fork of the Weber River. The Canyon is in sight. President Young is very ill again.
• July 18, 1847 -- Location: Weber River Ford - 41 miles left, Utah President Young is very ill; the Brethren decide to hold prayer meetings before they continue.
• July 19, 1847 -- Location: Summit of last ridge - 11 miles left, Utah The Pioneers reach the summit of the dividing ridge of the Mountain that lies just beyond Weber Canyon.
• July 20, 1847 -- Location: Summit of last ridge - 11 miles left, Utah The Pioneers travel very slow through the narrow mountain gaps.
• July 21, 1847 -- Location: Summit of last ridge - 11 miles left, Utah The Pioneers travel through the steep and narrow mountain gap.
• July 22, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The Brethren are still finding it difficult to trek through the narrow canyon. Fields for crops are found. The Salt Lake Valley has been seen!
• July 23, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The Pioneers begin to prepare fields for their crops; many irrigation routes are established.
• July 24, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah President Young arrives at the settlement; Plans are made to send companies out to Cache and Utah Valleys.
• July 25, 1847 -- Location: Summit of last ridge - 11 miles left, Utah Before Brother Horace Whitney departs he expresses to the Brethren his wishes for their healthy lifestyle.
• July 26, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The Brethren explore the Mountain surroundings; hot sulphur springs and a river are found and investigated.
• July 27, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah Pioneers trade with the Indians.
• July 28, 1847 -- President Young explores the Great Salt Lake; Plans are set for the city.
• July 29, 1847 -- The Pueblo Brethren arrive at the camp.
• July 30, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The twelve Brethren leaders hold a council with the officer of the battalion.
• July 31, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The Brethren begin to construct the temple; the Utah and Shoshone Indians are present.

 

August 1847

• August 1, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The Brethren unite to have meetings in which to discuss their religion and their building plans for their city.
• August 2, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The Brethren compose a letter that is sent to the remaining emigrating companies. The established Brethren in the Salt Lake Valley can help.
• August 3, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah William Clayton spends day at sulphur springs working on the distance charts.
• August 4, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah A new roadometer is being made.
• August 5, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah Pioneers go out to explore the Utah Lake.
• August 6, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The day very warm.
• August 7, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah
• August 8, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The Brethren resume baptism and give sacrament.
• August 9, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The twelve leaders decide on a name for their settlement: Salt Lake City, Great Basin, North America.
• August 10, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The Brethren continue to build and explore. Salt from the Lake is good! Clayton reviews his journal accomplishments.
• August 11, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The adobe buildings are being made; a child has drowned in a nearby creek.
• August 12, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah Soldiers secretly leave the establishment to go back to their families at the Winter Quarters.
• August 13, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah Brethren gathered 130 bushels of salt in twenty-four hours!
• August 14, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The Brethren enjoy bathing in the Salt Lake.
• August 15, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah Pioneers organize companies for the trek back to Winter Quarters.
• August 16, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The odometer is fixed and the companies preparing to go to the Winter Quarters.
• August 17, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The Brethren organize into designated companies for the journey.
• August 18, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah As Pioneers return to Winter Quarters they have rough travels in the mountains near Brown's Creek.
• August 19, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah Pioneers arrive at Red Mountain Creek; cattle are over driven during the journey.
• August 20, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah After a cool, twenty and a half mile day, the Pioneers arrive at Reddings Cave.
• August 21, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The Brethren find oil and coal near Bear River.
• August 22, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah Pioneers find copperas spring; establish camp at Muddy fork.
• August 23, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah Pioneers reach Fort Bridger.
• August 24, 1847 -- Camp is set up at Ham's Fork after traveling twenty-three miles.
• August 25, 1847 -- Location: Salt Lake Valley (the right place), Utah The Pioneers camp on Green River.
• August 26, 1847 -- In three days the Pioneers will meet up with the nine companies arriving from the Platte River.
• August 27, 1847 -- The Brethren trade with the Indians.
• August 28, 1847 -- After traveling twenty-three miles the Pioneers camp at Pacific Creek.
• August 29, 1847 -- Pioneers trade with the Shoshone Indians before going to Sweet Water.
• August 30, 1847 -- More trading with the Indians.