The record-union., 1896-01-02

manifold sources were so terribly try
ing, that as grandma expresses it.:
MANY morning on the plains have
looked to see if my hair had not turned
white from fear during the night" On
this side of Salt Lake the cattle began
to give out and the party,
Singing, signing, praying swearing,
Hoping, doubting-rushing on,
came to that scene of terrors, the
grounds of the Mountain Meadow mas
that bloody work.
At Salt Lake the fearful fate Of the
Donner party was used to frighten them
from continuing their journey. The
tragic end of the Donner party was in
everybodys mind and matter Of great
suspense which Mr.. Dorsey ended for
himself by accepting the guidance of
Mr.. Phillips, who had come from Cali
fornia to buy live stock.
The party passed through the present
site of Carlin and camped at Battle
Mountain. The weary Journey across
the desert was commenced, and those
who made it behind al OK team will
never forget it. Twelve miles from
Ragtown, Churchill County, the oxen
began to below, and when the river
was reached the thirsty cattle could not
be controlled, and the men battled and
struggled, prayed and cursed, to keep
the animals from drinking too much.
Truly it was a scene of confusion.
Grandma. says:
''The prettiest sunrise I ever saw was
the light striking that flowing stream of
pure water and my feelings, as drank
my fill and rested under a sturdy cot
tonwood are indescribable.'
The party went over the mountains,
via Carson and Volcano, and camped
at the present site of Stockton. Mr.. and
Mrs. Dorsey went from there to Sonora
and bought a sawmill of our townsman,
w S. Bailey. Mr.. Dorsey engaged also
in a number of business enterprises and
made a fortune, which he lost later.
Sonora was swept by a flood and the
smallpox, the disease attacking grand
ma and young Len. Grandma slept
with and nursed the boy, and though
not vaccinated, escaped an attack.
At this time flour was $50 a barrel
and chickens We're $4 each. Grandma
paid $40 for half barrel of cornmeal,
and the cost of other provisions were
according. 1t rained for six weeks, dur
ing which time the sun did not appear.
The appearance of a mother and child
in a mining camp was a cause for gem
eral rejoicing, and the miners gathered
round and talked to them and took the
little fellow in their arms, while the
tears gathered in their eyes at thoughts
of dear ones thousands of miles away.
In 1883 Mr.. and Mrs. Dorsey came to
Wadswortl, where they have since re-
sided, loved and respected by all. Time
has dealt gently with Grandma Dorsey
despite her eventful and exciting life.
How often we have heard CALCULATIONS
of surprise at her sprightliness, and as
she talked to US yesterday we looked in
vain for a sign of gray hair. Her eyes
flashed and sparkled and her face lit up
and age was forgotten. There are many
people here and elsewhere who bless
Grandma Dorsey for her kind ministra-
tions in hours of pain and trouble. Ver-
lily there is no heart like the heart of the
pioneer, made great by privation and
peril
Grandpa Dorsey's hair is silvery
white with the burden of eighty-thr
years, and we seldom see his familiar
figure on our streets. May that Provi-
dence that guided him safely thus far
still protect this patriarch.