The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1915-08-17

tHat tney can relate so well as ma
Robert Reeder of Hyde Park, the
| first man to enter Cache Valley who
is living today and the first man who
was ever married in Hyde Park. His
is a story of suffering, trials, sorrow
deaths, out Of all of which he has
come, to pass the allotted three score
and ten by nine years with cheer.
full, faithful intellect that one would
not expect of one with such a past
When he arrived in New York
from his native England in the year
1856 he was so weak through the
hardships of the voyage that he could
not walk without assistance. Such
hardships as these must have been
we can only Judge from his weak con-
dition and that, In spite Of his being
then at the most athletic age of 10.
or the voyage he told us he suffered
severely. II almost starved to DEATH"
he said. But greater hardships were
yet In store Tor MIN.
BY rail and steam he soon reached
Iowa city where the company was
being organized for the trip across
the plains to the promised land. The
company was one of those daring,
hardy companies who were permitted
to attempt the journey on foot, push
ing and pulling their provisions ETC..
in a hand cart. This hand cart COM
pany comprised, according to the best
memory OF Mr.. Reeder, about 500
souls. Besides hand cart for every
abe bodied person, there were in
the caravan four OK teams and one
mule team loaded with extra provi-
sions in case of unexpected need. And
II was we'll that these latter had
been provided. AS 1t was scores died
on the journey for lack Of proper
nourishment as we shall see as the
narrative progresses.
The first foreboding OF impending
trials seen by the noble men and wo-
men who made up the company Of
which We write was at the crossing
OF the Missouri where they came up
on the remains Of a small party of
emigrants, going possibly to Califor.
mia, these had been overtaken by the
Indians and all that remained was
their half buried corpse and the
smoking ruins OF their outfits. 1t was
only small party who should have
used better judgment than TO have
attempted the journey alone. so II
seems to our aged friend.
After such a sight one can imagine
the CONSERVATION with which the
hand cart company was struck few
days later when they found them
selves surrounded by large party Of
1 Indians from the same tribe that had
committed the atrocious act referred
to. But soon were given to under
stand that this was party OF Nor
mon emigrants and then the only
word that could be distinguished
among their innumerable articulation
was "Mormie. mormie." This seem
ed to satisfy them and after a shor
time, they departed well laden will
trinkets, tobacco and other articles
dear to the heart of the savage.
Did they return to smite the hant
that caressed them This is a ques
ton still unanswered to our pioneer
It would seem that they did, becaus,
not far from this same place, an,
about 800 miles from the Missouri
river, the cattle were stampeded on
night and large number OF tn
much needed oxen were never seel
again. Did the Indians do this? Pos
sibly, and possibly again, a herd o
buffalo shifted up close to the stranl
ers, whirled and went believing oN
err the plains followed by the tired
half crazed cattle.
No matter which was the cause tn
result was the same for in camp Their
were not left enough oxen to draw tn
wagons. MIX cows and young heifer
which had been intended for foo
were hitched in next day while tn
loads were made lighter by placin
more on the carts OF the stronge
} men. The older brother of on
friend, being one of the strongest |
} the company. pulled load OF fiv
hundred pounds, in addition to tw
r small children and the provisions h
had. The latter, however, were 500
dwindled to very little as the foo
) was becoming scarce. One day
D vas ordered that the rations shoIl
\ be cut one half as the party was nc
making the distances daily that
was expected that they would. BIT
S on they went, half FED, drawing N
a extra loads, Still the rations, wer
more than could be afforded and agai