I attended every Mormon meeting it became my privilege; night school too. At each of which my thirst for divine light was assuaged--Everything seemed to conduce to my happiness and success. My employer was interested in my welfare. With strict economy in every way--the observance of the Word of Wisdom, etc. I began saving up a few shillings weekly which, with the sale of a few articles, enabled me to emigrate to America, New York designing eventually to reach the Valley of the mountains where the Standard had been erected for the gathering of the thousand of Manassah and the tens of thousands of Ephraim. [p.7]
On 10th of Feb. 1856 I was ordained a priest after the order of Aaron by Elder Joseph Howard, later of Sessions, Utah. Wishing my brothers and sisters goodbye, I was assured by the former that were I not 21 years old, legal proceedings would be taken to prevent my leaving England's shores with the Mormons. Embarking on sailing vessel, Caravan, about seven months after my baptism - my bunkmate being a deserter from the British Army - repented his doing so and returned with the boat which towed us out into the open sea, left me the sole occupant of the bunk. As usual on the evening before landing the ship's crew, also cabin passengers have a kind of jollification, soiree or similar recreation and we were not an exception. A variety entertainment was given. The crew gave some most excellent numbers. Almost penniless reaching New York, I remember with deep gratitude the kindness of my brethren and sisters, especially of Brother Joseph Oxborrow and wife, who tho' lately emigrated, assisted so many temporally and of our Heavenly Father in the opening of my way to obtain a livelihood through a stranger in a strange land.
Having considered indoor confinement at my trade, injurious to my health with the old world I resolved that on landing in the new, I would seek a more healthful occupation. Pursuant thereto, hired out to a farmer residing on Staten Island; at the same time, telling him that I was quite unaccustomed to farm labor, but promised him my best should be done to fulfill his expectation and that when doing so, he was not to grumble. To which he agreed. By boat and buggy reaching the farmer's home, after taking refreshment was shown my sleeping apartment. My bed mate, being of the Negro tribe, did not altogether suit my taste; the food provided, if anything, still less; indeed I could not eat it - sufficient to nourish and impart strength for the usual labor undertaking. My system became weak, so emaciated that I fainted at times, and recovering therefrom found it necessary to make less exertion and at intervals rest. Doing so one day, my employer being present, rather upbraidly said."I see you rest when I am not with you." My reply was, And also when you are with me, You should. . .[p.8] not complain, boss, I am doing my best and my engaging agreement with you was, that when doing so you were not to grumble. The contract with me, you have broken. I can not eat sufficient of the kind of food provided to give me strength to do the work required and there-upon I feel justified in leaving. You had better stay, said he - Oh no said I, being a shoemaker by trade, I guess work can be obtained in New York City. Finding he could not move me from my purpose, he asked what amount was coming to me. Raising my head as if reckoning amount and stating it, said, "You are a close calculator. I shall give you as much (a few cents less)." It was just noontime taking dinner and packing up what few duds belonged to me and wishing the family goodbye, I took the road on foot. Found employment at my trade in New York but in consequence of a general I may say a national financial crisis existing, although I took a strenuously economical course - money being scarce - trade being sluggish and fourteen months elapsed since my landing on these shores, I had laid up nothing for emigration, but afterwards was astonished how quickly sufficient was saved for an early start to Utah in 1858. In New York I took advantage of public night school and also took private lessons from Elder Alexander Otto, missionary. During the year 1
857 it will be remembered the "Buchanan Army was equipped and sent to Utah by the president at the instigation of Judge Drummond to whom the following was inscribed and published in the Mormon," a paper edited by the Apostle John Taylor, to wit: O thou who are by hell inspired to action on this stage. They friendly judiciary advice hath made the halcyon rage. Against the Saints thy devilish spleen profusely has been shed, but where thy blatant tongue was heard. This counted now as dead. They name was held in reverence, Till facts appeared so plain; No longer could thy friends withhold, Thy guilty head from shame. T'is proved and thou canst not confute procedure have been sore; For what the Gentiles now believe. The "Mormons" knew before. Thy name inscribed on history's page with infamy will seek, - A curse, a quitty al withal, [SIC] when silent will bespeak. Thine acts of treachery were great, Fair. . .[p.9] Utah's faults to scan: Forgetting thine own weakness, the humanity of man, Amend your ways, you lying judge, Be truthful and wise - When speaking of man's character you can't be to precious.
An intensely bitter sentiment and feeling was aroused in the hearts of the people of New York against us, the Mormons, caused by the arrest of the memorable army's march en route to Utah and their final encampment at Hams Fork during the winter of 1857-8. Ludicrous caricatures appeared in the papers of the flower of the America Army on Ham Fork eating mule beef while the scoundrel Mormons were at home eating the fat health-giving beef of Uncle Sam. My employer on reading morning paper seriously remarking that a handful of Mormons had to put a stop to the progress of the Army, reminded me of the saying of the prophet, and I asked "Have you not read in the good book that one shall chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to "flight. "Work up to a tremendous pitch, he said, "Joseph, much as I like you, if you don't stop such sayings, I shall have you sent out for a policeman." I said, "I was merely quoting scripture." The entire family was strongly attached to me. Notifying my employer that I was going to Utah, he said if you are not satisfied there, send me word and I will mail means for your return. His daughter a young miss of sixteen summers, gave me a nice memento of her respectful artistic work of her hands. It will be not forgotten that early in the spring of 1858 our brethren, missionaries in all parts of the earth, were called home, but that no particular excitement might be caused as to the object of their passage through the United States in great numbers destined to one particular point, it was deemed advisable that the frontier be reached by some what circuitous route.
I was ordained an elder by Elder Edward Cox before starting. It was my good fortune to be permitted to join with the second company of missionaries. En route stayed five weeks. St. Louis where my purse was recruited by my handcart. This company were to fit out with pack animals and necessary accouterments, the better to escape detection or elude pursuit should we fall in the path of the soldier army.[p.10] Elders Horace S. Eldridge [Eldredge] and Joseph W. Young purchased for me a very suitable horse for the journey in St. Louis.
This having been accomplished, on the eve off starting form Florence, our outfitting place, in drove Colonel Thomas L. Kane and suite, whom the brethren hailed. That gentleman reported the difficulty with our people and United States was now allayed. All was peace and with positive safety we could dispense with our pack sacks and pack saddles, convert them into more suitable appliances for a less fatiguing mode of travel. Having disposed of my new unnecessary equipment, our friend Joseph W. Young being desirous of getting someone to take a riding saddle, was used by mountaineers of that age, I offered to freight it on my horse and compensate him for its use, in some thing, on my arrival in Utah. Quicker than it is said. I was equipped with a first class riding saddle. Another brother who was anxious to make some small purchase before starting on the plains, offered to freight my food and other scat, were very scant notions for $10.00 I was paid.
Now, with a sturdy riding horse, especially chosen for its thorough adaption or suitableness for the journey, I was well fitted for the plains. Throughout the trip which was accomplished in 35 days, my animal was a great blessing to me and by the way, to other weary brethren. It might be added that the first night camping on the "Big Pampoose" was the most uncomfortable one of my life, now 78 years of age, occurring on this wise; I had traveled with a part of the company five or six miles ahead of the wagon containing my bedding etc., and did not discover it until too late to return alone. On improvised bed of wagon cover and underneath a conveyance, when tired, I lay down to rest, but the heavy thunder and wind, terrific lightning flashes and drenching rain flooding all around me made it positively impossible. Was however thankful to be on the way to Zion, the home of the Saints, and many times during that fearfully stormy night did my prayers ascend for protection from its inclement, and in gratitude to our Father. As we approached the land of the setting sun and the end of our. . . .[p.11]
. . . prosperous journey, which to me was as a delightful pleasure trip, my eye, in which I had broken a piece of sunflower stalk or other weed began to give me pain and continued until about three weeks after my landing in Salt Lake City, when I took out of it a piece of aforesaid substance five-eights of an inch long. In a few days afterwards my eye was as well as ever. Landed on Salt Lake City about 2 o'clock p.m. Sunday, 10 July 1858. The city seemed forsaken-- the windows of dwelling boarded up almost everywhere and scarcely a person to be seen. They had fled, submitting, if need be, their dear-bought homes to the destructive flame, rather then to have them fall into the hands of the ruthless invader. . . .[p.12]
BIB: Orton, Joseph. Autobiography (Ms 8620 reel 13 #4), vol. 1, pp. 7-12. (CHL)
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