The trip to Utah seemed to be well organized. On the 26th Grandfather sent out 10 letters all containing final instructions.

On Sunday March 20, Grandfather's successor "Lars Nilsson" from Skåne arrived. A young man not quite 20 years old - a good man and a fine preacher."

Grandfather is getting some fine business experience since the accounting for his district must be settled and turned over to his successor. Also all the fares, etc. - for the emigrants must be collected by him.

On Thursday, April 3, they are busy packing. Grandfather is overjoyed with the gifts he is receiving. That evening a farewell meeting is held with the Saints only. About 70 were present. He says: "They were very moved when I bade them farewell. The brethren and Saints were very thankful to me and I went with their blessings. Little Sister Charlotta Carlsson gave me a silver spoon. She cried most of the night. Brother Carlsson gave me [p.8] $15.00. The sisters fixed up my things very well. O Lord God of Israel bless them one thousand fold!"

The trip to Copenhagen began early Friday April 4th by coach. He says: "We had three horses from the Coach Company and 4 hired horses that should go all the way to Töreboda." They arrived in Töreboda, April 6 after traveling 125 miles. "We were well preserved in body and spirit. The Lord had guided everything to our good." During the night the Libeck's [Hendrik and Christine C. Lieback] arrived at the inn. On Monday two more elders came with the luggage which must be taken as "passenger goods." They were charged extra for this. They next traveled to Gothenburg and on Tuesday the 8th, boarded the steamship "Najaden" arriving at Halmstad in the evening. Grandfather and Libeck [Lieback] slept on the ship.

On Wednesday 9th, they arrived in Copenhagen at 3 p.m. after a pleasant voyage. They had to pay "8 dollars for one room for three persons for 6 days and nights."

On Thursday, the 10th, Grandfather visits the mission office and "settled the money affairs for the emigrants. They traded for gold with the exception for the price across the sea to America." Grandfather had the joy of staying with his brother Nilsson.

On Saturday, April 12th, he purchased a coat for 14 dollars. Had his picture taken and sent it with a letter to his father. He had a fine visit with several old missionary companions.

Sunday, April 13th, he attended services at "Wingardsstradde"(Vingaardsstraede). More emigrants from Nörrkoping arrived. Their certificates must be made out also money exchanged for gold. His business is all finished, and a farewell is held with his two brothers Nils and Magnus.

Monday the 14th, after having everything in order including another letter and picture to his father the party board the ship "Albion" at 1 p.m. Sailed on the Baltic Sea to "Kiel in Germany where we arrived the 15th in the morning. Took the railroad to Altona arriving that afternoon. The Saints from Norrköping Conference, 35 persons, were to board the ship "Athenia" but this was changed and we went aboard the big sailboat Electric that was anchored outside of Hamburg."

On Wednesday April 16, President Van Cott comes on board to organize the Saints into districts. "I was appointed to preside over district 7, consisting of 40 people."

Thursday - Grandfather "accompanies Brothers Liljenquist and Peterson into Hamburg" which was a "very elegant city." They visited President Van Cott at an English Hotel and telegraphed to Copenhagen for some lost baggage.

Friday April 18, "held meeting on deck. Very early in the morning we sailed from Hamburg to Glückstadt Harbor at noon, anchored not far from the ship "Athenia" where the other Saints were."

On the 20th Grandfather goes over to the "Athenia" to see the [p.9] ship with Elder [Ola Nilsson] Liljenquist. They hope to get lost baggage which is not there. "The ship was very elegant." There were 486 Saints aboard the Athenia and 335 on the Electric.

On Monday 21st, letters were written etc. They "sailed some but very little so they anchored again."

On the 22nd - Again they tried to sail then anchored at Hanover. A meeting was held on ship for districts 5, 6, and 7. Every morning prayer was held for all on ship at 7 o'clock. Also evening prayers at 8 p.m.

On Friday, the 25th "We lifted our anchors and had a good sail wind on Nordsjön (North Sea). I was assigned to make a list of all the emigrants on our ship, to be submitted to the captain. I wrote it even though the sea was rough and many were seasick. In the evening we held prayer as usual and I was mouth. We sailed all night."

On Monday the wind is still good but "sickness breaks out among us." Measles had broken out. Grandfather was keeping well.

Tuesday - April 29 - The first death at sea - a little daughter of Brother H. [Haukan] Andersen. Grandfather was there when she died. He "lifted her into another bed."

On Wednesday - the little child was put into the sea in her little casket. Grandfather was to assist but was too ill.

On May 1st "we were now out on the Atlantic. Had good wind."

On the 2nd and 3rd two women died - one left her husband and children, the other, a 15 year old girl had a "throat disease."

Sunday, May 4 - Grandfather is asked to make a list of all the priesthood on board. Usual services are held. After evening prayer, Brother Christofferson spoke about the sickness that was among the Saints and that we had no doctor on the ship and that he felt that someone should be appointed to "look after the sick Saints and really be a spiritual doctor to them." He nominated Grandfather for the position. He was put in by "unanimous vote" to be a spiritual doctor and look after the cleanliness among the Saints.

That night he helped with a woman and her daughter from Lolland. The woman died in the night and the daughter in the morning. There are now between 20 and 30 sick. Grandfather is very busy. All are administered to.

Tuesday, May 6th - He is in the captain's dining room making a list of those who have died on the ship, been married on ship, and the children blessed. Sophie Marie Sorenson a 2 year old child from Jylland dies that day.

On Saturday, May 10 - A wedding is attended.

On the 11th the regular church worship. Some of the sick people are improving. The wind is picking up - more work with the sick.

Tuesday, May 13 - A special meeting on the ship was interesting to me. The Saints were instructed to "walk a lot on deck, wash and comb [p.10] themselves there and do everything to prevent uncleanliness down in the ship. Admonished the night watchmen to look after this very carefully and to look after the sick, who could not help themselves. Every district president should appoint a brother to see that the Saints were up at 5 a.m. The Saints were admonished to behave in everything, that the hypocrites might be revealed. The brethren preferred that these stay in the States."

On the 14th, he is keeping books in the saloon of the ship. He is to account for the income of the ship. He is to account for the income and expenses of the company. Another death. That evening they are informed that a thief is among them. His comment, "Verily a sad thing that such would exist among the children of Zion."

Thursday and Friday - "working on the lists of the Saints as I had done many times before, one to the captain, one to be brought to Zion."

Saturday, the 17th - A father from Jylland dies also a brother from Westerplana. "He wanted me after he died to send his money to his foster parents in Sweden." A one year old baby girl dies also.

Lists of the belongings of some of the dead were made by Grandfather. The belongings were sold at auction.

Thursday and Friday (22 and 23) - After looking after the sick, instructions are given as to things to be purchased for the trip to Florence, Nebraska. Goods could be freighted for 15 cents per pound.

Saturday, May 24. - "The captain asked me to write the lists because of his sickness - that he would write and show in New York. I had supper with the captain."

On Sunday the 25th - After services an auction is again held and a third member of the Fredrik MÃ¥rtensen [PROBABLY, Carl Fred Mortenson] family, a little girl is buried at sea.

Monday, 26th - "Continued to write the captain's lists. Had dinner and supper with him." He continues to work with the captain through June 1st. Is fortunate in having all his meals at the captain's table.

On Saturday, May 31, a baby girl is born.

June 1 - The weather is delightful. The Saints are happy.

June 1, 2, 3. He is still working with the captain and still enjoys his hospitality. He says "Finished all three lists to his (the captain's) satisfaction." However fog is coming in and more measles are showing up.

Wednesday, June 4 - "A good wind."

Thursday, June 5. - "In the morning American pilots came on board. Then we must dress us well as the doctors came on board too. Four persons were sick. We began to behold the wonderland of Joseph's inheritance and holy feelings pierced my soul. 'O Father, thanks be to Thee for the great grace and luck we have had over the big waters, and our arrival in the promised land be to an eternal blessing for me and all sincere.'" [p.11]

Friday June 6 We arrived at Castle Garden in New York. (The voyage was from April 18 until June 6 - seven weeks and two days.) Tipping was in vogue in 1862. He says "We gave the police officers some tips that they would not look into our things. Two brethren from Utah came to us. They were sent to help us. They had arranged the trip to Florence for us - 12 dollars for everybody over 13, 6 dollars for those over 5 and under 5 free. I was in the office and fixed the lists."

Saturday 7 - "Weighed all our belongings. The Saints from the ship "Athenia" also arrived. They had a lot of bad luck. About 38 dead."

Sunday, June 8 - A couple from Norway are married.

Monday, June 9 - Still could not find the lost baggage. "Boarded the train and traveled all night."

Tuesday, June 10 - "Arrived in Albany. Ferried over a river and put to another train. Went over Canada. - More train changing. Arrived in Chicago, Friday, June 13 - Saturday, June 14, lost several brethren."

On June 14, they reach Hannibal, Missouri, a town that "one year ago was destroyed by war."

Sunday - June 15 - "Stood still, very warm."

____________________

End of Book D
BOOK E

June 16, 1862 - July 17, 1864

Monday June 16 - The emigrants left Hannibal at 5 a.m. by train. Many soldiers came up to them at whistle stops but did them no harm. Stayed a few hours in St. Joseph then boarded a big steamer and sailed up the Missouri River.

Wednesday 18th - Arrived in Omaha and then to Florence at 2 a.m. The "church wagons carried us over to the camp. There were already two companies from Scandinavia there."

Friday June 20 - For those who could afford it the church wagons would take them to Utah for $40.00 and provide everything. Other purchased their own outfits. Some were taken by the church for the small means they had with a promise to pay later. Grandfather is offered a job as teamster with the privilege of taking 80 pounds of "belongings." He must buy his own food. He had to "submit the lists of his company."

Saturday June 21 - Another death - A Norrköping sister that had been sick all the way. She made Grandfather her administrator. He took charge of her burial, purchasing a casket, etc., paid ten dollars of her money to the church. "She said that I would have after her two [p.12] pillows and a pair of sheets." Three more deaths are recorded.

Sunday June 22 - "We had a meeting at the camp at 5 p.m. Thousands of people were gathered. President Joseph W. Young, Brother Blackburn and J. Van Cott preached, all in English except Van Cott. A very good meeting even though our ignorance of the English language caused that we could neither understand nor benefit from it."

Tuesday June 24 - Midsummer day. Bought a hat and glasses for protection from the sun.

Wednesday - Helped to organize 12 to each tent. During the next week the business of organizing, making a list to be sent to Zion, recording several more deaths and a marriage and administrations to the sick kept our Grandfather busy.

Sunday July 6 - The Libeck's [Lieback's] decide to stay in Omaha for a year. "He commissioned me to collect all the money he had lent to several people for the journey. I wanted to sign a note for 77 dollars that I owed him, but he said no, he trusted me completely."

Monday July 7 - A terrible hurricane followed by thunder and lightning surprised us. Brother Hakon Andersson and I were down at the river to look after a wagon. An American was first hit in the face. His hat flew away. Anderson and I ran for it. I caught it over in a corn field, where I hid while some of the hurricane passed over me. When I came back I saw our dear Brother Young had nearly his whole head crushed when some wagon parts nearly buried him. Nearly unconscious he was carried in. I ran for Van Cott and Blackburn. Some Americans were hit to death and others hurt. Anderson and I were in a marvelous way led away from the wagons, praise the Lord. This day I had the joy to meet Apostle [Charles C.] Rich of Utah."

Friday July 11 - "In the evening I baptized 3 people. Carline Gren [Caroline Gran] bore a child which died."

Sunday July 13 - Grandfather is asked to be a teamster for a Danish family with all expenses paid. Brother Christofferson releases him from the other job.

Monday July 14 - 1862 - The journey to Zion begins. Things seemed to be uneventful until the last of July when "I became sick with Constipation. I took in some American oil (could it be castor?). Then I was sick for three weeks with diarrhoea. I was very weak but did not suffer anything in my head that I lost my senses."

Sunday August 17 - "After being well for a couple of days, but not yet regained all my strength, I drove one of our wagons loaded with more than 2000 pounds. The road was very hilly. At one occasion we drove down a steep hill with banks high as the wheels. The stopper was sitting over the front wheel. When I should stop the wagon I slid down the high bank and I could not come forward but one of the back wheels drove over both my legs below the knee of the one and up on the thigh of the other. As soon as the wheel was over I stood up without help of hands or men - I walked and drive my oxen to the next camp. In the evening I felt some pain in my thigh but in the leg that the wheel passed over first I never felt any pain or knew the spot that was passed over. I anointed my thigh [p.13] with consecrated oil and during the night the pain left me. I rode on the wagon the first half of the next day, but thereafter I walked by the side and drove my oxen. For this Thy great mercy, O my Father in Heaven, I wish I could always be thankful and live to glorify Thy name. O Lord help me to do this."

Monday, September 22 - After two months and eight days they reach Emigration Canyon and that same evening "I was surprised by the very pleasant meeting with my mother and her husband Pehr Brodersson. This was wonderful to meet mother for the first time in six years. I was very gracefully invited to stay with them."

Tuesday, September 23 - "We drove over the large mountain range which in its bosom protects Israel, gathered from all parts of the world. We camped at the big campground of the city. There I met my dear sister Johanna and her husband C. P. Willingbeck who very gracefully asked me to stay with them which I accepted because my mother lived 4 miles from the city. At this place I had the joy to meet many old friends. The honor be thine, O Lord, who spared my life that I am now happily gathered with the Saints in the valley of the mountains". . . . [p.14].

BIB: Stohl, Ola Nelson. Diaries, Book D, English translation from Swedish (Ms 1420), pp.8- 14. (CHL). [NOTE: SWEDISH ORIGINAL OF BOOKS D
AND E (Ms 1426), pp.146-182.]
(source abbreviations)