Tuesday, March 28, 1854 Now I will begin to write what transpires at this time. Great sorrow rests on my mind. I am now [p.9] both father and motherless. Today 1 o'clock died my father, calm and peaceful. My youngest sister is very sick of the same sickness. All is now turned over to Christian Anderson and I think all will be done for the best. May all be done after the Lord's will. O God protect me and my brothers and sisters. 5 o'clock died my little sister. This evening thunder and lightning very strong and rained all night. 8 o'clock was Father, Neils and Trene buried in one grave by Jens Hansen and Blak [Black] a short distance in the woods. Christiana is not well but I don't think she have that sickness so I think she will get well.

This is all of journal in this little book that have come to me through my Sister Maria who preserved it and gave it to me. I think there was another page or two given the account of the death of my sister Christiana but I can't find it as the book is in poor condition. Anyway Christiana died the next day and was buried on the banks of the Mississippi River. The banks where Father was buried was so low that water stood in the grave and the weighted the coffins down with logs to hold them while they were covered with earth. We continued up the river (April 1) to Kansas City and camped a short time , perhaps a month. There we got our outfit of teams and made ready for the journey across the plains. . . . [p.10]

BIB: Neilsen, Christian E. Autobiography (Ms 6006), pp. 9-10. (CHL)
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