Journal of Robert Bodily

Bert Nelson also has an excerpt from the Journal of Robert Bodily during a return trip to Salt Lake.

Note: It would be great to find out where to get a copy of this journal.

The following are excerpts from the Journal of Robert Bodily.

“William B. Preston was our captain. Three teams, including his, were sent from Kaysville to the Missouri River for the emigrants. Buffalo were not so numerous as four years before (his first trip to Salt Lake). There being more people and the wagon loaded with merchandise, a good many people had to walk every foot of the way across those plains, both men and women across rivers, it made no difference, but they did not complain. But everyone could see how tired they were. In the start the days were long and plenty of grass and water and we could camp almost anywhere, but as we came on, the days grew shorter and water dried up in lots of places and the grass dry and not much for the cattle. It made it very hard on the people. Sometimes we would be very late coming into camp and then supper to get and children put to bed but when we got into camp in any decent time, we always had camp prayers and all would assemble together and sing a hymn and all seemed to enjoy it and forget the days hard work. And all seemed to enjoy good health so in due time we arrived in Salt Lake City on September 15, 1864. We unloaded and went home with joyful hearts. We were heartily received by the people.”