Heritage Gateways

Pioneer Date Summary

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04/15/1847 - Crockett

Location: Fremont, Nebraska - Location: 41:26:00N 96:29:52W Elevation: 1195 feet

Date: April 15, 1857

Elkhorn River, Nebraska:
The group of pioneers traveling with Brigham Young crossed the Elkhorn River at about 11 a.m. and journeyed west along the Platte River. They overtook and were joined by Wilford Woodruff and Orson Pratt. The Thomas Bullock and George A. Smith wagons became stuck in the mud, but were pulled out by doubling the teams. At about 3 p.m., all arrived at the pioneer camp established at the site of the future Liberty Pole camp. Most of the pioneers arrived during the afternoon.

Liberty Pole Camp, Nebraska:
The morning was cool and pleasant. Howard Egan and William A. King conducted a search for Brother Egan's lost horse. It was finally found ten miles from camp. Some of the pioneers traveled back to the Elkhorn to fish.

After Brigham Young arrived into the camp, he had supper with his brother, Lorenzo. During the evening, Elder Jesse C. Little arrived into the camp from his mission to the Eastern States. He had been presiding over the Church in the East and had been asked to join the pioneer company. He arrived at Winter Quarters, left all his things, and rushed to join the pioneers. He brought news of their friend Thomas L. Kane, who sent presents for the Twelve. Wilford Woodruff received a "Patent Life Preserver and Stop Compass."

The camp was called together as usual to assign the guard, but they were so slow in assembling that President Young stood upon a wagon tongue and called out, "Attention, the Camp of Israel!" This time, the brethren quickly assembled. President Young spoke to them about being faithful, humble and prayerful on the journey. He cautioned the camp to be on their guard against possible Indian raids. It was rumored the the Indian Agents and Protestant missionaries were stirring up the Indians to steal horses and goods from the Saints. The pioneers should retire early to bed each night and rest on the Sabbath. Their lives should be conducted in such a way that they would be able to claim the blessings of Heaven. They should cease playing music, dancing and lighmindedness.

A number of rules were established. 1- A bugle would blow each morning at 5 a.m. Each man was to arise, pray, take care of the teams, get breakfast, and be prepared to travel by 7 a.m. 2- Each man was to have a loaded gun within reach while walking beside their team. 3- The camp would halt at noon to rest the animals and to eat a pre-cooked lunch. 4- In the evening, the wagons were to be in a circle, with the animals inside. 5- The bugle would blow at 8:30 p.m. Everyone was to return to their wagon, pray, fires put out, and into bed by 9 p.m. 6- The camp would travel together and no one would stray very far away. 7- No one would be idle and each should look after his brother's cattle. 8- Guns should be taken care of and protected. 9- A guard would attend to the cannon in the rear and see that nothing was left behind.

Winter Quarters, Nebraska:
Hosea Stout crossed over the Missouri River to find a yoke of his oxen that was in the "stray herd." He located the animals which he had lost back in July while at "Hyde's Ridge" (Mosquito Creek Camp). He visited with his in-laws who were preparing to put in crops.

Summer Quarters, Nebraska:
A number of men worked together to enclose a nice piece of ground for a garden spot. In the afternoon, Isaac Morley, the leader of the settlement arrived from Winter Quarters.

Between Tahiti and Hawaii:
The "Providence" with Elder Addison Pratt on board, crossed over the equator. Elder Pratt was returned home from his mission. For the past ten days the winds had been light, but on this day the winds increased.

Sources:

• Watson, ed., Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 548-49
• Wilford Woodruff's Journal, 3:148-49
• Knight and Kimball, 111 Days to Zion, 25
• Luke S. Johnson, Pioneers Journal of 1847, typescript, BYU, 1
• Howard Egan Diary, Pioneering the West, 23
• Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 8, p.244
• Kelly, ed., Journals of John D. Lee, 1846-1847 and 1859, 150
• Nibley, Exodus to Greatness, 363
• Brooks, On the Mormon Frontier, The Diary of Hosea Stout, 1:247
• Ellsworth, Journals of Addison Pratt, 326

Source: 150 Years Ago Today ©These materials have been created by David R. Crockett. Copies of these materials may be reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit must be given to David R. Crockett. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of Mr. Crockett, Tucson Az, crockett@goodnet.com.