Natrona County, Wyoming - The whole text, 1923 (part 15 of 15)

"On returning to camp, I found that the cattle left were very poor. The weather had moderated and we hoped to get on good feed and recruit them a little. Over 200 head of cattle had died in the vicinity of the fort. Along the road each way for a day's travel were carcasses. This drove loads of prairie wolves into our camp, and it was almost impossible to keep them off from the cattle in the day time. We were obliged to corral them at night. Once in the day time a small bunch were taken and run off in spite of the efi^orts of the herders to stop them. In fact, it became dangerous to face these wolves, they were at times almost ready to attack men.

"We soon found it would be impossible to save the cattle. Some twenty-five had died or been killed by the wolves within a week. It was decided to kill the rest, about fifty head. A few were in living order, but many would have died within twenty-four hours. In fact we killed them to keep them from dying. We had a first class butcher from London, who dressed everything in the best style. Everything was saved that we thought might be eaten. We hung the meat up. The poorest of it we did not expect to eat, but intended to use it for wolf bait further along when the carcasses were all devoured, provided we could get traps from the Platte bridge, which we afterwards did. We never used our poor beef for wolf bait, as we had to eat the whole of it ourselves, and finally the hides were all consumed for food. After killing the cattle we had nothing much to do but fix up the fort and look after four ponies we had left. There were plentv of guns and ammunition left with us, also dishes and cooking utensils. After thoroughly repairing the houses, chinking and daubing them, we overhauled the goods stored away. While storing the bales and boxes the snow had drifted in among them. There was nothing but dirt floors and the goods had been tumbled in without any regard for order. Having cleaned out everything, we took ox yokes, of which there were a great many, and made floors of them and then piled the goods on them. While handling the goods we found some coffee, sugar and fruit, also a roll of leather. These we kept out and put in our store room for use. We also found a box of soap and candles. We were told by Captain Grant to use anything we could find to make us comfortable. - ,- ,

" During the time we were at a loss what to do, the men's mmds did not run much upon property, the main interest was to save life. One prominent elder became very liberal. He had several large trunks, making presents to several of the boys from the valley of socks, shirts and such things as would help to make them comfortable. He left his trunks in my rooms, giving me the keys and telling me to use anything there was, not to suffer for anything that could be found, and asked God to bless me. I told the boys who remained with me that we had better not open this man's trunks, that when he got to the valley and had time to think, he would change his mind and would doubtless be thinking we were using his goods, and if we touched anything belonging to him we would be accused of taking more than we had. Later occurrences proved this to be a good suggestion. . .

"With the cattle killed that were fit to eat, and what provisions we had on hand, we managed to live for a while without suffering, except for salt. Bread soon gave out and we lived on meat alone. Some of us went out hunting daily but with poor success. A day or two before Christmas, Ephraim Hanks and Feramorz Little arrived at the fort, bringing the mail from the valley with the following letter of instructions from President Brigham Young:

"'Being somewhat aware of a natural disposition in many to relax their vigilance after a temporary and unaccustomed watchfulness, more especially in case no particular cause of alarm is of frequent occurrence, I feel impressed to write a few suggestions and words of counsel to you all. You are in an Indian country, few in number, blockaded by the snows, and far from assistance at this season of the year. Under such circumstances you can but realize the necessity of all you being constantly on the alert, to be firm, steady, sober-minded and sober-bodied, united, faithful and watchful, living your religion. Do not go from your fort in small parties of one, two or three at a time. But when game is to be sought, wood got up, or any other operation to be performed requiring you to travel from under the protection of the fort guns, go in bands of some ten or twelve together, and let them be well armed; and let those who stay by the stuff be watchful while their comrades are out. And at all times and under all circumstances let every person have his arms and ammunitions ready for active service at a moment's warning, so you cannot be surprised by your foes nor in any way be taken advantage of, whether in or out of the fort. Always have plenty of water about the buildings, and be very careful about fires, and the preservation from damp, fire or other damage of the goods in your care. Unless buffalo or other game come within a reasonable distance, you had better kill some of the cattle than run much risk in quest of game. Use all due diligence for the preservation of your stock, and try to so ration our your flour as to have it last until we can send you relief, which, as before stated, will be forwarded as early as possible in the spring, but may not reach you until May, depending somewhat on the winter snows and spring weather, of which you will be able to form an estimate as the season advances.

" 'We will send teams to your relief as early as possible in the spring, and trust to learn that all has been well with you and the property in your care. Brothers Little and Hanks will furnish you with items of news from the valley and I will forward you some packages of our papers by them.

"Soon after, the Magraw mail company came along under the charge of Jesse Jones. They left their coaches, fitted up with packs and started for the valley.

"They went down sixty miles to Platte bridge to winter. There were no provisions to be had at the Bridge, for three of us had been down to see if we could get supplies. We barely got enough to last us back. The mountaineers there had some cattle but no bread, they lived by hunting.

"Game soon became so scarce that we could kill nothing. We ate all the poor meat; one could get hungry eating it. Finally that was all gone, nothing now but hides were left. We made a trial of them. A lot was cooked and eaten without any seasoning, and it made the whole company sick. Many were so turned against the stuff that it made them sick to think of it. We had coffee and some sugar, but drinking coffee seemed to only destroy the appetite, and stimulate for only a little while. One man became delirious from drinking so much of it. Things looked dark, for nothing remained but the poor raw hides taken from starved cattle. We asked the Lord to direct us what to do. The brethren did not murmur, but felt to trust in God. We had cooked the hide, after soaking and scraping the hair off until it was soft and then ate it, glue and all. This made it rather inclined to stay with us longer than we desired. Finally I was impressed how to fix the stuff, and gave the company advice, telling them how to cook it; for them to scorch and scrape the hair off; this had a tendency to kill and purify the bad taste that scalding gave it. After scraping, boil one hour in plenty of water, throwing the water away which had extracted all the glue, then wash and scrape the hide thoroughly, washing in cold water, than boil to a jelly and let it get cold, and then eat with a little sugar sprinkled on it. This was considerable trouble, but we had little else to do and it was better than starving.

"We asked the Lord to bless our stomachs and adapt them to this food. We hadn't the faith to ask Him to bless the raw-hide, for it was hard stock. On eating now all seemed to relish the feast. We were three days without eating before this second attempt was made. We enjoyed this sumptuous fare for about six weeks, and never had the gout.

"In February the first Indian came to our camp. He was of the Snake tribe, his people were located a day's travel up the river. At the time of his arrival we were out of everything, having not only eaten the hides taken from cattle killed, but had eaten the wrappings from the wagon-tongues, old moccasin-soles were eaten also, and a piece of buffalo hide that had been used for a foot mat for two months. The day the Indian came was fast-day, and for us fast-day in very truth. We met as usual, for we kept our monthly fast-day. During the meeting we became impressed that there were some wrongs existing among the brethren in camp that should be corrected, and that if we would make a general cleaning up, and present our case before the Lord, He would take care of us, for we were on His business. On questioning some of the company privately, we found that several had goods in their possession not belonging to them. When we felt satisfied all goods were replaced we went en ivasse and cut a hole in the ice on the river. There were several carcasses of cattle that had died lying near the fort, that the wolves had not devoured. Some of the boys, contrary to counsel, had cut steaks from them during the time we were eating the hides; it made them quite sick. There was a pile of ofFal in the butcher shop from the poor cattle killed. But what looked more tempting than all to starving men was a pile of more than one hundred fat wolf carcasses, skinned, piled up and frozen near the fort. They looked very much like nice fat mutton. Many of the company asked my opinion about eating them. I told them if they would all do as I advised we would have a good clean supper of healthy food; that these carcasses were unclean; that we were on the Lord's service, and did not believe He wanted us to suffer so much, if we only had faith to trust Him and ask for better. We all became united in this feeling. Accordingly we hauled all these carcasses of cattle, the wolves, also the offal from the store-house and shoved them into the hole cut in the ice, where they floated off out of our reach. We then went and washed out our store-house and presented it before the Lord empty, but clean.

"Near sundown the Indian spoken of came to our quarters. Some of the boys hunted up a small piece of raw-hide and gave it to him. He said he had eaten it before. None of us were able to talk much with him; we invited him to remain with us over night. Evening came on and no supper; eight o'clock, no word from anyone. And the word had positively been given that we should have supper. Between eight and nine o'clock all were sitting waiting, now and then good-naturedly saying it was most supper time. No one seemed disheartened. All at once we heard a strange noise resembling human voices down the road. The voices were loud and in an unknown tongue. Several of us, taking our arms, started in the direction of the noise. On getting nearer we recognized the voices. The Magraw party was making another effort to get through with their coaches; they had got stuck in a snow drift and the noise we heard was Canadian Frenchmen swearing at their mules. We helped them out and guided them into the fort. It was a bitter cold night, but we had good houses with rousing fires. They gave to our cook all of their provisions. About ten o'clock twenty-six hungry men sat down to about as thankfully received a supper as was ever partaken of by mortal man.

" In January when this party passed through to Platte bridge, I sent word by them to the mountaineers there that we would pay a good price for meat brought to us. Two of their best hunters made the attempt to get us meat, but failed, almost starving themselves on the hunt. They never reached our fort, but returned to their homes on the Platte.

"After supper we found there was scarcely enough left for breakfast. One of the mail company, a Frenchman, commenced talking with the Indian, explaining our situation to him. He said their camp was also out of meat; that they were hungry, and that he was out prospecting for game, as there was none in the neighborhood of their camp, but he thought he could find game the next day if some one would go with him toward the Crow Indians, who were supposed to be in the direction of the game. This seemed the only show, so Jesse Jones decided to lay over and send out his hunter with some pack animals; also ten of our company, the stoutest and most willing. They, no doubt, would have fought the whole Crow nation to have protected our Indian friend.

"Late that evening the Frenchmen and Indian came into the fort with their animals loaded with good buffalo meat. They were all delighted with the Indian, telling how he killed the buffalo with his arrows, the Frenchmen shooting first and wounding the animal and the Indian doing the rest.

"These Indians of the plains killed a great many buffalo with arrows. They would stick two arrows into a buffalo's heart, crossing their direction so that as the buffalo ran these arrows would work and cut his heart almost in two. This would soon bring the poor brute down; whereas with a single arrow in the heart they would run a long distance.

"The mail company again fitted up with packs, leaving their coaches, this time making the trip successfully. They left all the meat they could spare, taking only scant rations with them.

"The Indian went away, saying he would tell his people about us, and if they found any meat they would divide. It did not take long for twenty hungry men to eat all our supplies. About the 4th of March the last morsel had been eaten for breakfast. We went hunting daily, sometimes killing a little small game, but nothing of account. Our provisions were exhausted and we had cleaned up everything before Jesse Jones came to our relief. We were now in a tight place. There was a set of harness and a pack saddle covered with rawhide still on hand, that some of the boys considered safe to depend upon for a few days, still we had great hopes of getting something better. Our faith had been much strengthened by receiving the supplies mentioned.

"As usual, we went out to see what we could find in the way of game. After traveling through the snow for several miles at the foot of the mountains, we saw a drove of mountain sheep. They were standing, seemingly entirely off their guard. I was in front and saw the sheep, as I supposed, before they saw me. We dodged down out of sight. I crept to a large rock, fully expecting to get meat. When I looked to get a shot, the game was gone; I could see it making for the top of the mountain. We watched them for a minute or two and they were soon too far for us to follow. My heart almost failed me, and I could have cried like a child, for I knew that nothing was in camp when we left, and our comrades expected us to bring something for supper. We were convinced that nothing could be obtained this day by hunting, so we started for home. After traveling a few miles we struck the road below Devil's Gate, and here we stopped to hold a council. As will be remembered, our instructions from Brother Brigham were never to leave the fort with less than ten men. There never had been a tirne when we had that many men able to stand very hard service. Sometimes I felt like disregarding counsel and going out to try to get food, or perish in the attempt. But up to this time we had all followed instructions as nearly as possible. Now here was a trial for me. I firmly believed I could go on foot to Platte bridge and get something to save the lives of my comrades. Very few of the others were able, but all were willing to go with me. I told them if counsel had to be broken I would risk no one but myself, and would go alone. The boys thought they could live five days before starving. So it was arranged that I should start alone next morning for the Platte bridge. I had now been one day without food, and it would take two more to reach the bridge, as the snow was from eighteen inches to three feet deep. This looked a little hard, but I fully made up my mind to try it.

"On arriving in sight of camp we saw a number of horses; we knew some one had arrived, but had no idea who it was. A shout of joy rang out from our crowd that made the hills ring. The new arrivals proved to be the first company of the Y. X. Express. This was the first effort of this firm to send the mail through. Several acquaintances were along, and of course we were rejoiced to see them, especially so when we learned they had a good supper for us. A day or two before their arrival they had killed a large buffalo, and they packed the whole of it into our camp. I remember

The Devil S Gate 471

"When the company arrived, some of our boys were getting the pack saddle soaked up, ready for cooking the hide covering. As it was, the saddle was allowed to dry up again and it may be in existence yet and doing well as far as I know.

"Ben Hampton and myself started to go to Platte bridge with this party, intending to get some supplies if possible. We had gone but a few miles when we met some men from the Platte bringing us some beef. They had heard in some way that we were still alive. I think the Indians must have sent the word. They could not get buffalo meat, so had killed some cattle and were bringing them to us. They had been four days on the road, tramping snow and working through drifts, expecting to find us starving. I often think of these old pioneers, who were always so ready to help a fellow man in need. We returned to the fort with the meat. We paid for it in goods from Brother Van Cott's boxes, paying mostly calico and domestic. They charged us ten cents a pound, which was very cheap considering.

"While Jesse Jones was in camp, one of his men gave me a small book of words in the Snake language. I expected the Indians would come around and studied hard every day. Soon they commenced coming in to see us. There were over lOO lodges of Snakes and Bannocks who came in from the Wind River country and camped about fifteen miles from us. Small bands camped around us in different directions. They soon learned we were short of provisions. The first party that brought meat to us wanted to charge an unreasonable price for it. I talked with them quite a while before they would consent to sell it cheaper. They said that they themselves were hungry, showing us their bare arms, how lean they were. But I told them it was not just to take advantage of our circumstances. I weighed up a dollar's worth of meat on a pair of spring balances, marked the scales plainly and told them I would give them no more. They consented, and we bought hundreds of pounds afterwards without more trouble. In buying we had to weigh one dollar's worth at a time, no matter how much they sold us. We exchanged various articles with them, many of the company trading shirts, handkerchiefs and such things as they could spare. We had some coffee, for which the Indians traded readily. This helped us oat for a short season, but game became so scarce that this camp of natives had to move out or starve. They came up the first day and pitched their lodges near us. We had but little provisions on hand, some meat and a few pounds of flour that we used to thicken our broth, was all. We had about lost our appetite for bread. We were a little uneasy to have all these hungry Indians come upon us at once; the greatest care had to be taken to avoid trouble. They were not of the best class, being a party made up of Snakes and Bannocks, who had left their regular tribes and chiefs and joined together under an ambitious young fellow named Tabawantooa. Washakie, the old Snake chief, called them bad men. There was one little party under an old petty chief, Toquatah, who kept apart from the main band. From them we had procured most of our meat. Toquatah had informed us that the main band and his were not on the best of terms, and that Tabawantooa was no good . This naturally made us feel a little uneasy. We had some 200 wagon loads of valuable goods under our charge, and only twenty men, the greater portion of them with no frontier experience. , ^ . , r 1 t j- j

"By this time I could talk considerable Snake, and many of these Indians understood Ute. Tabawantooa and his band came in sight of our quarters about noon. They were all mounted and well armed. The chief with many others rode up in quite a pompous style, no doubt expecting to be looked upon with awe and treated with great deference. I had time to get mv wits together before they got to the gate where an armed guard was stationed. Knowing that from such as we had we would have to make a great showing of hospitality we concluded to make up in ceremony what was lacking in food. So all the camp-kettles and coftee-pots were filled and put on. 1 he one for weak soup, the other for strong coffee. We had plenty ot the latter on hand.

"The company was instructed to go into their rooms, shut the doors, keep quiet, and not to show themselves unless ordered to do so. I was to meet the Indians outside and invite them in the gate, as we knew the chief and grandees ot the band would expect to be entertained. Soon the chief with some fifty others rode up to the tort, while hundreds more passed on a short distance and commenced to put up their lodges. 1 met the chief, shook hands, and asked him to get down and come in. He wanted to know if they could ride inside. I told him no, and explained to him that we had a lot of men in the fort who were afraid of Indians; and that they had gone into their houses and shut the doors; but the door of my house was open for them, but that these men, who were afraid, should not be frightened; they must leave their horses and arms outside the fort. This the chief agreed to do and appointed a man to see that no one came in with arms. Soon my room was full. I explained to the chief that we had little to eat and could not entertain many; but half we had they were welcome to. I talked and acted as if we were glad to see them, still I, with all my friendship for Indians, would have been willing for this band to have taken another road. The weak soup and strong coffee were soon ready; cups were filled and the feast comnienced. The chief sent word for those outside to go on to camp, probably seeing his rations would be short if many more came in. Indians, when hungry, relish anything that tightens their belts, so our friends filled and emptied their cups many times. Soon those that had remained were satisfied, bade us good-by, mounted their horses and started to their camp, the chief inviting us to go and take supper with them. We went up late in the day. Some coffee had been given the chief and at supper we feasted on poor antelope meat and coffee. We were told that but one antelope had been killed that day and that the chief had been presented with it.

"The whole camp were about out of food except thistle roots. These were not very plentiful, as we had already dug and eaten the most that could be found for miles around our quarters. These natives moved on the next morning, Toquatah's band being still in the rear. In a day or two the last band came along and camped near us. We were glad to see them and wanted them to remain near us, but they were afraid of the Crow Indians and desired to keep in the vicinity of the larger band for protection against their common enemy. We explained to them our destitute condition, telling them that we were again about out of provisions, and would be sorry to have them leave, for while they were near they had never let us suffer for meat. Next morning the old chief said he would go out twelve miles to a gap in the mountains and camp, and if he could find any game he would let us have some dried meat he had reserved. We waited a day and then went to see if our freinds were prospered. Nothing had been found. Ten of us stayed all night with the Indians and we barely got enough for supper and breakfast. The chief told us to go back home; he would move on a little farther; if he found anything he would send it to us. His spirit towards us was something like a mother's with a lot of hungry children.

"We went home feeling a little sad. We had our animals, but did not wish to kill them; still we felt safe as long as mule flesh was on hand. To our joy, next day some Indians came from their camp, bringing us three hundred pounds of buffalo meat; and informing us that they had seen signs of game; and if we would come to them the next morning, they might let us have some more. The weather was still cold, but the snow was mostly gone from the lowlands, it being now near the first of April. When we arrived at their camp the Indians were just starting out to move a few rniles farther towards where the signs of buffalo had been seen. We had taken a few things with us to trade for the meat. We camped in the afternoon some thirty miles from home. The old chief called out and soon the squaws commenced bringing in a few pounds each of good dried meat. We traded for about 300 pounds - all our mules could pack and about all the Indians could spare. This, of course, was all we could expect, but the old chief said maybe they could do more for us in the morning. Next morning after breakfast, we saddled up, packing our dried meat on the mule. As we were about ready to start there was quite a commotion in camp. We thought at first the Crow Indians were upon us, but the old chief, looking in an easterly direction said, ' It is some of the young men driving the buffalo. Now good-by. You go back on your road and you \vill find some more meat ready for you soon.' We started and had gone but a short distance, probably three miles, when we found the buffalo that was being chased had been run into our trail, killed and made ready to deliver to us. We gave some few things we had left and they loaded both of our saddle animals. This left us nearly thirty miles to go afoot. We did not mind this on the start, but did before we got home. I had been wearing moccasins all winter, had done a great deal of walking and had felt well and strong; but the winter had begun to break and there was mud and wet snow to en- counter on our trip. Some one had induced me to put on a heavy pair of stiff-soled English shoes. About sundown I gave out; got so lame that it was impossible for me to wear the shoes and travel. We had about ten miles to go yet, and no trail, as the Indian trail was much longer than to cross directly over the country, and we wished to take the shortest cut. Moreover there was still a few inches of snow on the ground part of the way on the most direct route. I was compelled to pull off my shoes and go in my stocking feet. About midnight we got in, my feet a little the worse for wear; but so happy were we with our success that my feet soon got well. About this time the second company of the Y. X. Express passed down. They had but little to spare us, but we were now out of danger. We got a little flour, and bacon and salt. The word was that the next company would bring us flour. The most of us had got so that we cared but little for bread if we could have plenty of meat. Another Y. X. company soon arrived, going east. They gave us a little flour and other provisions; they also brought us letters telling us when the relief train would arrive.

"Making a close estimate of the food we now had, we found it would last us till the promised provisions could arrive, which would be about the first of May. There were twenty of us now. We quit rationing and ate all we wanted. Now the food soon began to diminish very fast. At this time we could go to the Platte bridge and get provisions, but on calling the company together all hands agreed to make the meat last by again rationing. We could do this quite easily, allowing one and a half pounds per day. We lived a few days on these rations and all seemed content until one day I was informed that there was a great dissatisfaction being manifested by some of the company about the rations. I immediately called the company together to see what was the trouble. Several expressed themselves quite freely, finding fault for being rationed when provisions could be had and saying that they thought I ought to go and get something to eat and not have them suffer any more. We had suffered everything that men could suffer and live. We had often been on the point of starvation. Sometimes becoming so weak that we could scarcely get our firewood, having to go some distance to the mountain for it. We were now all in good health and had, as I understood, willingly agreed to be rationed for a few days, until relief came from Salt Lake City. I did not care so much for the trouble of going for provisions, but I felt a great deal of pride in the spirit of the company and this was a sore disappointment for me, for no one had a just reason to find fault. I said, 'Well, I will go and get you all you want. Now pitch in and eat your fill. I will have more by the time you eat what is on hand.'

"That same evening twenty men arrived at our camp, bringing nearly a ton of flour and other provisions. This company had been sent to strengthen our post. They informed us that there was a large company of apostates on the road. Before leaving Salt Lake some of this company had made threats that indicated danger to us. The circumstances leading to the threats were these: The goods we were guarding belonged to the last season's emigrants. The wagon companies freighting them through agreed to deliver them in Salt Lake City. These goods were to be taken in and delivered as by contract. Some of the owners had become dissatisfied with Mormonism and were going back to the states. As their goods had not arrived in Salt Lake City, they demanded that they should be delivered at Devil's Gate. Quite a number settled their freight bills and brought orders for their goods and received them all right. Others refused to settle, but threatened that if the goods were not given up they would take them by force. The company was composed largely of this class and their backers. They numbered about fifty men. The twenty men coming to our relief were sent under the emergency. We now had forty men, well armed, the twenty sent being picked for the occasion. Our old company were reliable. I now got my company ready for fight if necessary. We had prepared port holes in front of the fort and here I stationed some of the best shots. Soon we saw the men approaching. I did not wish bloodshed, and fully believed that they were making a bluff, so concluded to try and beat them at their own game. I instructed some of the best marksmen what to do in case shooting had to be done. As the men approached, I went out alone and stood about thirty yards from the fort, having only my pistol, and told them to halt. They halted but commenced to threaten and abuse the whole fraternity, sparing none. I explained our situation, being simply custodian of the goods, not knowing whose they were, but only knew who left us there, and we could not consistently recognize any orders except from those under whose instructions we were acting. My reasoning had no effect whatever and they decided to take the goods from us. I said, 'We have been here all winter, eating poor beef and rawhide to take care of these goods. We have had but little fun, and would just as soon have some now as not, in fact would like a little row. If you think you can take the fort, just try it. But I don't think you can take me to commence with; and the first one who offers any violence to me is a dead man. Now I dare you to go past me towards the fort.' My bluff stuck and after this we had no more trouble.

"The wagons being sent out for the goods soon began to arrive. Provisions were not in question now as we had plenty. There was also a big Y. X. company going down to stock the road and a company of elders traveling with hand-carts came through from Salt Lake City. It was about one week from the first arrival until the last of these arrived.

" There were over 200 teams now on the groimd, many of the owners beginning to get impatient at the delay. I was at a loss what to do, so I went out after night and asked the Lord to help me out. I told Him I desired to do exactly what was best, but did not know a thing about it, and made this proposition : that I would take my clerk with me in the morning, and when a question was asked me by any one what to do, I would tell the clerk to write down just what first came to my mind. And if that was right to please remove the spirit of oppression that I was laboring under and allow me to go back to the fort and enjoy myself with my friends. My mind was at once entirely relieved. I went and passed a pleasant evening. Next morning without saying anything about the lack of instructions we commenced business. Soon some asked whose teams were to be loaded first, and I dictated to my clerk. Thus we continued. As fast as the clerk put them down orders would be given and we passed on to the next. We continued this four days. Everything that I felt to be my duty was done. All the teams were loaded up, companies organized and started back, men detailed to remain a while longer, elders furnished flour, and a great deal of business was done. A memorandum was kept of all of this.

"I hitched up a team and started for home when everything was in shape. I reached Salt Lake City a few hours ahead of the freight teams, and went to President Young's office. He was very glad to see me, expressing much sympathy and saying that if he had known of our suffering in time he would have sent supplies at any cost.

"When I left Devil's Gate for Salt Lake City, it was with the understanding that I was to return there and take charge of the place as a Y. X. station agent, but I had had enough of Devil's Gate and never returned."

Devil's Gate must have seemed appropriately named to these and the thousands of other poor people who passed over the Trail. By the time they reached this place away out on the plains it surely must have seemed like the Gate of Hell to them. Those who pass there now, however, could hardly imagine that so much suffering and death could have occurred unless by pestilence or massacre.