. . . Left Scotland for Salt Lake City in March 1849 in the ship Hartley. In sailing from New Orleans to St. Louis the cholera broke out. Buried about 50 of the Saints. I was very bad with it, but through the blessing of the Lord, recovered. When I landed in St. Louis I was kindly received by Daniel [UNCLEAR, POSSIBLY Lutherland] & wife. Stayed in St. Louis about 6 weeks then went up to New Orleans 10 miles above St. Joseph, Missouri. Went to Barling Hemp along with Brother Shields. In the spring went to St. Joseph & tended brick mason's. In the fall started plastering with H. Cuerdon. [p. 1] In the fall my intended wife Joanna Ross came up from St. Louis. We were promised before I left home. She left Scotland in the fall of 49. When she came up, we bought a place from John Hill at Honey Creek, Council Bluffs & was married by John Shields, 5 Dec. 1850. In the spring, I left my wife to come on with her parents & drove team (5 yoke of cattle) for Holliday Warner for Salt Lake City. Arrived in Salt Lake on 23rd Aug. 1857. . . . [p. 2]
BIB: Mclaws, John [Autobiography] (MS 12682) pp. 1-2. (CHL)
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