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Margaret Clark Journals

May 30, 1997

Location: Bayard, Nebraska - Location: 41:45:18N 103:19:25W Elevation: 3753 feet

Summary: Feelings of this week's authentic group (Vorglaender).

Journal entry: [Vorglaender writes:]

One and a half miles east of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, on US 26, lies a solitary grave, which marks the final resting place of Rebecca Winters, who died of cholera on August 15, 1852. She was born in New York in 1802 and with her husband Hiram started on the Mormon trek June of 1852. She was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was remembered by her many descendants with a memorial in 1902, 100 years after her birth. This past week we (two of the re-enactment of the Sesquicentennial camp) have been portraying Hiram and Rebecca, in honor of her and some of her descendants that we know.

We have been greatly blessed to have this opportunity to feel the spirit of Rebecca and all the pioneers who endured so much for us. We only experienced a small taste of what if was like for the early Mormon pioneers.

Thanks to the friends that gave us permission to portray their ancestors and a special thanks to all those that organized this trek. It has been a wonderful experience.

Klaus and Barbara Vorgtlaender
Bluffdale, Utah
On the Mormon Trail