Diary kept by an unknown member of the Jonathan P. Smith party, which traveled from Iowa to Utah from May-September 1862. The brief journal recalls daily progress, camping along the Platte River, the "horrible scene of one of our wagons turning over with women and children in it" (no one was injured), passing Mormon pioneers, passing by Fort Laramie, traveling through the Black Hills, following the Sweetwater River, passing pioneer graves along the Snake River, and being robbed by Indians at the Raft River, after which "some [of the company] gave up to die on the plain" until relief arrived from Salt Lake City. The writer notes that the party arrived in Salt Lake, where they spent the winter. This version was copied from the original diary in 1908. All inquiries about this item should be directed to the H. Russell Smith Foundation Curator of Western Historical Manuscripts at the Huntington Library, San Marino, CA. Microfilm. 1951. 1 microfilm reel 35 mm. Forms part of the Manuscripts Department's Mormon file, c.1805-1995.
Smith, Jonathan P Indians of North America Mormon pioneers Overland journeys to the Pacific West (U.S.)--Description and travel West (U.S.)--History--1860-1890 1862 Diaries West (U.S.) 19th century. (aat)
Source
Mormon Manuscripts at the Huntington Library Mormonism and the West, Huntington Digital Library
Provenance
Microfilm of original loaned by George Baker through Juanita Brooks, November 5, 1951.
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
