My father & mother became very anxious that we gather to Zion. They did not like the company we were in. The traveling elders interceded in our behalf, soon after we received a letter from the president at Liverpool a blank to fill out with all our names and ages. This was done at once. Afterwards received a letter to get ready to set sail, on May 16th, 1856, ship Horizon. This word came the forepart of May.

My father took me to Sheepshed where his father lived (grandmother being dead,) told grandfather he would start for America sometime this month. Grandfather said he was very sorry to part with him, said, you have caused him and his dear mother no trouble. You have behaved like a dutiful son. Father told him he was going to gather with the Saints in Zion.

Grandfather, why go to America where there is savage Indians & wild beasts? Told father that Christians would go heaven and the Mormons would if they done right.

This being Sunday father preached his farewell sermon to the Saints. Afterwards we returned home.

Father engaged an auctioneer to sell our furniture, a Saint, by the name of Machire, a member of the church; the town crier, was engaged, went all over the town with bell in hand ringing- O yes, O yes- Brother and Sister Bailey are leaving for Zion. Come one, come all, and buy their goods.

I felt a little ashamed, I wanted father to stop him. Mother said no; he is not ashamed to let people know that we with him are Latter-day Saints.

The day arrived for father and family to bid good-bye to grandfather and grandmother and her six brothers. Many of the Saints went to the station to see us off.

We arrived at Liverpool, took lodgings for the night; next day went and saw our vessel, the [p.3] Horizon. On Sunday, May 28th, we left dock, we had not gone very far when a disturbance arose between the first mate and the sailors. The mate drew his pistol, ordered the men to be put in irons.

They were rowed in a boat to Liverpool. Some of our men (Saints) said they could fill their places.

Our captain, Mr. Reed, he treated the 800 Saints like a gentleman, all through the voyage.

We had a very good trip, it was a new sailing vessel. We reached Boston June 28, 1856, being five weeks on the ocean. On July 2nd, we took the train for Iowa City, reached there July 8th. From the train to the camp was about four miles. All felt to rejoice to have this little walk, 600 strong. We had not gone far before a thunder storm came on us. All had their bed, clothing, etc. to carry. We were all drenched with rain, many did not reach camp until dark.

Brother John and myself got separated from our parents in the dark, we were conducted to a tent, stood up with many more all night in our wet clothes. When it began to get light father and mother were out hunting us, this was our first experience in traveling to Zion on foot.

We were delayed in camp for two weeks, most of the carts had to be made. At this place John and I learned to swim in the river. A tall man walked in the river where I was treading the water, I saw him go down, then come to the surface twice then went down again. I called to those around me to form a line as quick as possible. I saw his hand come in sight. I grasped his wrist swam to the nearest man. We were both hauled out. It took a long time before he came to himself. Gave the reason for going in deep water, thought I was walking on the bottom of the river.

We stayed on this campground for two weeks. It was a sight to see 600 people pulling their carts through the cities and villages of Iowa. People came out of their houses and jeered us. On we went, all happy and cheerful. We encountered thunderstorms. We were wet through many times. John and I took off our shoes and stocking. This mode of travel proved too much for me.[p.4]

I was taken down with hemorrhage of the bowels. I was unable to walk, had to be hauled on Brother Isaac J. Wardle and my brother's John's cart.

After reaching Florence, a doctor was consulted, said I must not go another step or I would die and be buried on the road side. A captain named Tune would not administer to me, said he did not have faith enough to raise the dead.

Mother on hearing that apostle F.[Franklin] D. Richards and C.[Cyrus] H. Wheelock had arrived in camp got them to administer to me. They promised me I would live to reach the valleys.

All this time I was unconscious of what was going on.

The doctor called again to see me, told father he would take care of the family and fit us out next year to pursue our journey. Father thanked him kindly, he pled with father to stop. Said it was too late to make the trip, said when we reached the mountains we would be snowed in. We found his words to be too true.

The emigrants were called together to know their minds in regards to stop until the next year or go on. Voted to go on. On August 25th, 1856 the company made a start. . .[p.5]

. . .We arrived in Salt Lake City Sunday noon, coming out of Emigration Canyon. I was lifted up in the wagon could see houses in the distance. It was like the Israelites of old in beholding the promised land. Date Nov 30, 1856. . . .[p.7]

BIB: Bailey, Langley Allgood. Reminiscences and journal, pp. 3-5, 7. (CHL)
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