Heritage Gateways

William Clayton Journals

July 4, 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: Five brethren ferry another company across the river.

Journal entry: SUNDAY, 4TH. The morning fine and warm. The five brethren have started back to meet the other company. President Young, Kimball and others went back with them to ferry them over Green River. Some of the brethren assembled for meeting in the circle. At 2:30 p. m. the brethren returned from the ferry accompanied by twelve of the Pueblo brethren from the army. They have got their discharge and by riding hard overtaken us. They feel well and on arriving in camp gave three cheers, after which President Young moved that we give glory to God which was done by hosannas. William Walker was with them but has gone back with the five brethren to meet his wife.

The spot where we are now camped is opposite to the junction of the Big Sandy and Green River. On the other side the river there is a range of singular Sandy Buttes perfectly destitute of vegetation, and on the sides can be seen from here, two caves which are probably inhabited by wild bears. The view is pleasant and interesting.

During the afternoon one of Brother Crow's oxen was found to be poisoned through eating some kind of a weed and was much swollen. I understand it was dead when they found it.

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.