It is the 19th of August, and our ancestors are about 480 miles from the Great Salt Lake Valley.

The official camp log for this date states that "James Huntsman being dissatisfied with our company, went on ahead with five other wagons." This is the only mention of any Huntsman in any of the accounts. I have not been able to determine who John Huntsman was, or who was in the other five wagons. It is probable that these wagons joined the Garden Grove Company some time after it left Winter Quarters. Evidently it was not unusual for wagons to leave a company. One of the companies that was traveling closely with ours was that of Elder John Brown. He wrote in his account that "the most remarkable thing to record is that I was able to manage the camp as captain of fifty without any difficulty. There was not a single rebellion against my orders on the whole route, and unlike all the other companies we came through without dividing up, notwithstanding we had gentile emigrants in the company."

From the guidebooks which were published and widely read by the pioneers it is possible to reconstruct what this day’s travel was like.

They began the morning with a one mile trek up a very steep bluff, the ascent complicated by the loose cobble stones. They then passed Porter’s Rock, and a mile beyond they descended to the lower land again. The descent was steep, and sandy. After four miles they reached Bitter Creek, which was probably dry. A quarter of a mile farther on they crossed the creek again, and then turned south two hundred yards to avoid a deep ravine, and then back again. Half a mile on was Dead Timber creek, which was about ten feet wide. One and a half miles farther was another creek and then another seven miles to the next creek. This was followed by a steep climb of one quarter mile. There was a pleasant view of the surrounding country from the summit. They probably descended and then camped for the night.

On August 20th the camp log records that "we went on this morning, but the tires being so loose on some wheels, 8 or 10 wagons had to stop on Horse Creek to set the tires." Every company had to have a blacksmith traveling with it. We do not know who this was for the Garden Grove Company, but Susan Zimmerman has left this little story for us.

"It was fun to see the green teamsters drive unruly teams. I will relate one incident of the hundred that I saw ...one man, a clothesman, he had a three yoke on his wagon and had never handled a team before, he was a blacksmith and had his heavy tools in his wagon. One day we crossed a stream and had to go up a long steep hill. The chain next to the tongue broke. The wagon and the wheelers went back into the track so the end gate dipped in the water and most of the things got wet. The wagon had to be unloaded. All along the route, if any man had a mean ox he would sell it to the Saints. We had the largest ox in the company, he could start the load himself, but if he took a notion not to pull, they could not make him. He was good most of the time."

It is here on August 20th at Horse Creek, or Heber’s Spring, that young Billy Carson, the oldest child of John and Elvira Carson, celebrated his eighth birthday. Billy is better known to us as William Franklin Carson.

William Franklin’s history, written many years later, tells us that "this was a long journey for a boy of eight. Although he was required to walk most of the way, he never was cross or unpleasant; and through his willingness to help others, he was given many responsible positions to do. There was always wood to be gathered and many times he was called on to help gather buffalo chips with the older boys. He cared for his two little sisters after camp was made each evening so that his mother could help with the evening meal. Through his thoughtfulness he made many friends. One of these friends was the captain of the company. Many times Captain Walton would let Billy ride on his horse, or would place him beside a teamster for a few hours. This was always a thrill for him, as he could see over the country better; several times he was permitted to see the stampeding of buffalo herds."

The little sisters he cared for were Elizabeth Minnie Carson, age five, and Sarah Ann Carson, fourteen months old. There is also his brother John Carson Jr., who was three. His help was probably very much appreciated by his mother, who was three months pregnant at the time.

Between the 20th of August and the 25th, the company traveled an additional eighty miles.

On August 25th , Crooks records that "the 2nd Ten stopped back on upper Platte for a ferry. We went over some rough roads."

The company is about 380 miles from the Valley.

 

Part 10

Part 12