yrus H. Wheelock Company (1853) P g 2 



independence.- 1 lere and there, as we moved along, we came up with settlers who 
were living in some degree of comfort, but it appeared to me that they indulged 
themselves in lazy habits, otherwise they might soon have considerable property 

around them. 

Before 1 proceed to describe any circumstances of our travels, I will state here 
that the Mormons maintained a similar organisation across the plains as they did in 
crossing the sea. The whole were under the control of one captain, and he was 
empowered to elect others to assist him. There were captains of hundreds, of fifties, 
and of tens. These subordinate captains presided over a certain number of waggons, 
and had to see them over all difficult places; and to see that every man did his duty in 
w atching, in herding the cattle, and in everything connected with camp life. There was 
also a captain of the guard appointed; his duty consisted in calling out the guard at the 
close of each day, when the company were camped. Officers were appointed to go 
ahead, and search out suitable camping grounds. A chaplain was also appointed; his 
duty consisted in calling meetings for prayer and public worship, every Sabbath Day 
being set apart for that purpose, the Mormons believing that the cattle required rest as 
w ell as themselves. The chaplain had also to see that all persons in camp attended the 
meetings, or to know the reason why they did not, and to see that all the sick were 
\ i M ted; it was his business to see that the sacrament was duly administered to every 
good member in the church, every Sabbath Day. Under this system, everything moved 
on in wonderful harmony among so large a number of individuals, from different parts 
of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and some from France. If anything wrong occurred 

if there was any dispute or quarreling among the members - or if any of them 
committed any crime that was unseemly and unbecoming a Mormon - a council was 
called of the whole camp, at which the president of the company presided, and the 
individual must confess his fault, if proved guilty, or be dis-fellow-shipped. This 
procedure was fully carried out over the plains, until we arrived in the Valley of the 
Mountains, and every individual arrived in safety. 

We proceeded on our tedious journey, under this kind of discipline, keeping the 
north side of the Missouri river until we reached Council Bluffs, where we camped for 
about one week, for the purpose of taking in our last supply of provisions, previous to 
lea\ ing the last point of civilization, as it was here the Mormons had arranged to have 
a large supply brought up by the steamboats to the city of Council Bluffs, to provision 
all their companies for the remainder of the journey. I may just mention, that Council 
Bluffs is a considerable city to be so far inland. I was first located by the Mormons, 
but is now occupied by numbers of Yankee speculators and half-breed Mormons who Cyrus H. Wheelock Company (1853) pg. 3 

make considerable during the emigration season. 

It occupied considerable time to cross the Missouri ferry, but this done, we 
pushed forward through the remainder of the country occupied by the Iowas and the 
Omahas, but were not visited by either of these tribes. As we passed into the Pawnee 
territory, these natives soon paid a visit to our camp. Early one morning a party of 
Pawnees visited us, and conversed with Mr. Dykes (who was returning from a 
Mormon mission to Denmark), as he had crossed the plains at other times, and was 
somewhat acquainted with the languages of the Indian tribes. A pipe of tobacco being 
produced and lighted, the party sat down with Mr. Dykes and Mr. Wheelock, forming 
a circle upon the grass. The pipe was passed from one to the other, each one puffing 
three or four times, first to the right and then to the left, and lastly upwards, which was 
a sign that they were at peace with all around, and with the Great Spirit. The chief was 
made to understand that Mr. Wheelock was our chief, and he immediately embraced 
him, saluting him with the Pawnee kiss. The party then separated, taking with them 
many presents in the shape of biscuits, &c; their object was to hunt buffaloes. This 
tribe is considered one of the most thievish of all the tribes on this route, but they did 
not exhibit any of these propensities in our company. 

The company with whom I traveled were not at all annoyed by the Indians; 
perhaps we were too numerous for them. They frequently came and traded their skins 
and buffalo robes, moccasins, &c. for beads, trinkets, and bread or flour; but never 
showed any disposition to quarrel with us. I afterwards heard that a large party of 
Pawnees mustered on the route, and demanded large quantities of flour, more than the 
companies could well spare. They showed fight towards one company under Captain 
[John] Brown, because they would not give them more than 200 lb of flour, and drew 
out in order of battle. When Captain Brown saw their determination, he gave orders to 
his "boys" to get their rifles ready. But on the Indians perceiving this, they withdrew 
without further molestation. As a general thing, I may observe here, that the various 
tribes of Indians will listen to reason if you can possibly converse with them, and can 
be made to exercise kindness, and many of the virtues common to humanity. 
Numerous and novel to me were the many scenes and trials in crossing the plains. 
Every two or three days we were visited by fearful storms of thunder and lightning, 
accompanied with tempestuous winds and torrents of rain and hail. Occasionally the 
force of the wind would overthrow a tent, and expose the inmates and the goods to the 
mercy of the storm; but help was soon at hand, and again the tent was reared. If a 
storm came on whilst travelling, orders were given to halt and turn the hind part of the 
wagon to the storm; the cattle unhitched, and permitted to graze, to prevent a 
"stampede." You in England can form little idea of the thunder storm on the plains. Its