William and Sarah Speakman - Part Two - Journey to Zion
A compilation of various histories fills out the story of William and Sarah's trek across the plains:
After weeks on a sailing vessel, William and Sarah landed in America and immediately made arrangements to join the Saints in the mid-west. In New Orleans the emigrants boarded the steam packet `Illinois' (a 682 ton sidewheeler), on which they continued the journey to St. Louis, Missouri, and thence (up the Missouri River) soon afterwards to Keokuk, IA. (Millennial Star v.15 p 105, 282, 288, 329. Brit. Mission J 23 Jan 1853 p83)
"At Montrose they met for the first time their Captain, Joseph W. Young. Before starting out he gave this advice, ‘Contend with no one, pray for those who are set over you and they will prove to be a blessing unto you.
We had one wagon and one tent to each ten persons. Our rations were one pound of flour and a portion of bacon each day, but we were at liberty to provide extra if we could afford it." ("Treasures of Pioneer History" vol 3 p38, 979.2 H2ca, History of Mary Lois Morris.)++
We had with us Elders Harmon, Fosgreen, Kendall, Speakman, Clausen & many others who did all they could to help the saints in their different companies. (Near Keokuk, MO, in wagons, trying to find work but taken advantage of by nonmembers). 17 Apr 1853 (J Farmer diary (Msf 418 reel 11 item 3 v2 p 2.):
"Keokuk had been selected this year as the outfitting place for the Saints who crossed the plains. Here and in the vicinity, the emigrants in charge of Capt. Joseph W. Young remained upwards of a month making the necessary arrangements and purchases of animals, wagons, tents, etc. On May 20th the company consisting of 56 wagons, 224 oxen and 420 souls were organized at Keokuk and at once proceeded on the march out upon the prairie and camped at New Boston, Lee Co., Iowa where they waited several days waiting for the delivery of cows. New Boston was a village about ten miles north of Keokuk.
"Friday, May 27: A meeting was held at the corral at New Boston of the first organized company of the ‘Ten Pound’emigrating Saints, at which Joseph W. Young was sustained as the president of the company." Elder Parry and Elder Rostrum were captains of Fifty and Elder Pugh was chosen as clerk. It was decided that each wagon should be numbered according to its respective fifty and ten in plain painted characters that on the march the teams should move in order according to their number.
"Sunday May 29: Capt Joseph Young left camp for Keokuk to attend a meeting there called by Elder Isaac C. Haight. A storm of thunder, hail and rain occurred in the afternoon.
"Wed June 1: Rain in torrents continued until midnight. The roads soon became almost impassable.
"June 2: The roads were very muddy and we had to double teams.
"June 3: A dreadful thunder storm which continued all day.
(Somewhere in this trip William was ordained a Seventy.)
"Friday, June 17. the company proceeded on the journey at 7 am passed through Oskaloosa and entered upon the 35 mile prairie for the Dutch town Pella.
"Sat. June 18; Passed through Pella and proceeded towards Mitchell. (Here) traveling about 20 miles per day. The cattle have abundance of good feed and water and were fast improving and working well. (Journal History, 10 Oct, 1853 pgs 5-10.)
There are many interesting stories connected with their trek:
"One afternoon when we were traveling in the vicinity of the Platte River, we saw at a distance two objects coming toward us. As they approached, we saw they were Indians, Pawnees , a very savage tribe who were at war at that time with the Sioux, another savage tribe. At sight of these Indians, the teamsters stopped their wagons and reached for their guns, while the women came to the wagons for protection. As the Indians came to a standstill they said ‘Pawnees shoot, Pawnees shoot.’ Then more Indians came dressed in their trappings and war paint, their numbers increasing every moment. Their was no more traveling that night. After the fires had been lighted the Pawnee
Chief came and patrolled our camp all night to protect us from his own band. He seemed so noble and grand. (There was a) spirit of calm and serenity that surrounded us.. And so the night passed and the morning dawned, and we were permitted to continue our journey unmolested and unharmed and filled with gratitude to our Heavenly Father for his merciful protection."
(Treasures of Pioneer History, v 3, p37.)
On the 8th and 9th of August, we killed two buffaloes, one of which came into view in a singular way. We camped by the foot of a high cliff. All of a sudden a buffalo came running down the bluff at full speed with a large wolf hanging to its tail. When the wolf and buffalo came near our camp, the wolf gave up the chase and retraced its steps back up the bluff, but the buffalo ran along by our cattle and the men of our camp pursued it and killed it. ("Our Pioneer Heritage", Vol. 10, John V Adams J. p126)
"One afternoon when we were traveling in the vicinity of the Platte River, we saw at a distance two objects coming toward us. As they approached, we saw they were Indians, Pawnees , a very savage tribe who were at war at that time with the Sioux, another savage tribe. At sight of these Indians, the teamsters stopped their wagons and reached for their guns, while the women came to the wagons for protection. As the Indians came to a standstill they said ‘Pawnees shoot, Pawnees shoot.’ Then more Indians came dressed in their trappings and war paint, their numbers increasing every moment. Their was no more traveling that night. After the fires had been lighted the Pawnee
Chief came and patrolled our camp all night to protect us from his own band. He seemed so noble and grand. (There was a) spirit of calm and serenity that surrounded us.. And so the night passed and the morning dawned, and we were permitted to continue our journey unmolested and unharmed and filled with gratitude to our Heavenly Father for his merciful protection."
(Treasures of Pioneer History, v 3, p37.)
On the 8th and 9th of August, we killed two buffaloes, one of which came into view in a singular way. We camped by the foot of a high cliff. All of a sudden a buffalo came running down the bluff at full speed with a large wolf hanging to its tail. When the wolf and buffalo came near our camp, the wolf gave up the chase and retraced its steps back up the bluff, but the buffalo ran along by our cattle and the men of our camp pursued it and killed it. ("Our Pioneer Heritage", Vol. 10, John V Adams J. p126)
Many discouraging conditions came to test their faith, but they went on undaunted. They crossed the plains with ox teams, but Mr. Speakman became ill, thus Mrs. Speakman had to walk much of the way in order to make room for her husband in the wagon.
Oct 7: Met by Pres Joseph Young with Brother Joseph A. Young son of Pres Brigham Young, coming to our assistance with 24 yoke of cattle.
Oct 8: Passed through the canyon and commenced ascending the Big mountain. Repaired much of the road. Camped near the summit.
Oct 9: Repaired the road and proceeded down the Big Mountain then we ascended and descended Little Mountain and camped in Emigration Canyon within 10 miles of the city.
Oct 10: Arrived at the 7th and 8th crossing of Emigration Creek. As these crossings were very bad they set about making a new road under the hill by which both crossings were obviated. At 3 pm we ascended the hill on our right and to the joy of all we came in sight of the city where we arrived at 5 pm and camped on Union Square in peace and security.
Oct 11: “This morning the company was aroused by trumpet sound at 6 am to prepare for dismissing. At 9 a meeting was called when Pres. Joseph W. Young spoke well to the Saints, enjoining upon them faithfulness, diligence, etc. The Saints were also addressed by Pres. Brigham Young who spoke with power and a manifestation of the Holy Ghost, teaching the Saints that which was essential to their future destiny, also bidding them welcome to this delightful vale. By request of the companies, Pres. Brigham young then broke up the organization, blessed the people in the name of the Lord Jesus and retired.” (JH Oct 10, 1853 pgs 10-27)
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| Entering Salt Lake Valley |
"Before reaching the Great Salt Lake Valley we had another high mountain to cross called Big Mountain. We were anxious to get to it but dreaded the ascent. It was a fine day, October 10th when we reached it. We had previously arranged our attire as best we could after so long a journey in expectation of meeting our friends, as many of the Saints came to greet the companies as they arrived.
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| "Reunion of the Saints" - C.C.A. Christensen |
"There was a great variety of trees growing on the sides of the mountain, the roads were hard, level and well trodden. As we descended into the canyon below the scenery was grand indeed.
"We had still one more mountain to cross called Little Mountain. Upon descending we began to feel more cheerful, upon meeting persons who had come out to meet their friends or relatives. (They were) neat, clean and fair appearance. We did not realize that as they looked fair and clean to us we looked correspondingly brown and grim to them."
(Treasures of Pioneer History, v 3, p37. "Our Pioneer Heritage", Vol. 10, John V Adams J. p126)
They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on October 10, 1853, and stayed in Salt Lake for five years. Their first child, Mary Jane, was born their in 1856.
To read more detailed accounts of the experiences of this emigration company go to the
"Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel" website and select the tab "View Company Sources"
https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/companies/333/joseph-w-young-company-1853
Next: Part Three - Established in the Mountains
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