Heritage Gateways

Pioneer Date Summary

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06/05/1847 - Crockett

Date: June 5, 1847

On the Oregon Trail, Wyoming:
The company was delayed in the morning because of some missing oxen. After they were found, the pioneers traveled up and down hills during the morning. Appleton Harmon wrote that they "mounted the bluff in a gradual winding pass and then down a steep hill making one-half a mile over, then up a bed of a stream that is now dry and from all appearance has long since ceased to pay its tribute to the North Fork." Near the bottom of the hill, Brother Crow's wagon tipped over, but there was no damage. William Clayton put up a guide board every ten miles.

They soon reached the intersection of two roads from Fort Laramie, where there was a warm spring. The rested the animals and some men went to see the spring. It bubbled out of the bluff, but was not very hot. Orson Pratt recorded: "A short distance from this spring, and on the opposite side, we saw an old lime kiln, where probably lime had been procured for the uses of the Fort."

Wilford Woodruff penned: "The bluffs, peaks & hills begin to be more lofty as we get unto the hills. We are beginning to come to an elk, bear & mountain sheep country. We saw their signs today." While they were still resting, a company of Missouri emigrants with 12 wagons caught up passed them. They said that two more companies arrived at Fort Laramie during the morning and three other companies within twenty miles of Laramie. This company had traveled all the way from the fort on this day. They had taken the southern road from Fort Laramie which turned out to be a shorter and better road.

The pioneers traveled ten and a half miles in the afternoon and camped by a pure stream of water with good feed. The Missouri company camped a quarter mile behind on the same stream. Another thunder shower came through in the evening.

Winter Quarters, Nebraska:
It was another historic day in Winter Quarters. Pioneers who would be part of the second company of Saints left the city to start the trek west, to follow the lead company to the mountains. Those who started the journey included Parley P. Pratt and Peregrine Sessions. Parley P. Pratt later recorded: "I loaded my goods and family into my wagons, and, obtaining a few more cattle, started for the Rocky Mountains; or rather the Elk Horn River, where we expected to form a rendezvous, and establish a ferry, and wait the arrival of others, and the organization of companies for the purpose of mutual safety in travelling."

Mary Richards visited stores. Some new stores at recently opened up. She bought a tea bottle and a water pail. From Brother Abel Lamb, she bought a wash board. Then she went to to collect five dollars of groceries that had been brought for her from St. Louis.

The Omaha Indians came to Winter Quarters and Hosea Stout was asked to meet with them six miles below the city. There were eighty of them in the party. The chiefs were introduced to Hosea Stout, who they recognized as a war chief or captain. The all came to shake his hand. Brother Stout escorted the Indian party into town and they camped on the first ridge west of the city. A council meeting was held with them in the evening. Big Elk confirmed everything that Young Elk had told the Saints during his visit on May 25. The meeting went well and good feelings existed between the two parties. Some beef was given to them for supper. A strong guard was raised for the evening to guard the city.

John D. Lee returned from Missouri and arrived at the ferry crossing. He found sixty wagons waiting to cross over to Winter Quarters. Many families were planning to be part of the large second company of pioneers.

The Sick detachments of the Mormon Battalion, in Colorado:
The sick detachments of the Mormon Battalion and the rest of the Mississippi Saints spent the day crossing the South Platte River near present-day Greeley, Colorado. The river was about three to four feet deep, making the crossing difficult.

Sources:

• Wilford Woodruff's Journal, 3:196-97
• Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, 358
• Appleton Milo Harmon Goes West, 28-9
• Watson, ed., The Orson Pratt Journals, 418-19
• Diary of Howard Egan, Pioneering the West, 65-6
• William Clayton's Journal, 216-18
• Ward, ed., Winter Quarters, The 1846-1848 Life Writings of Mary Haskin Parker Richards, 146
• Brooks, On the Mormon Frontier, The Diary of Hosea Stout, 1:259
• Kelly, ed., Journals of John D. Lee, 1846-1847 and 1859, 173-74
• Yurtinus, A Ram in the Thicket, 319

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.