3 January 1854 we sailed out through the Irish canal and had Wales on one side and Ireland on the other and on out into the Atlantic Ocean. Sailed south until we came to the west part and from there we had a steady wind every day. A number of the passengers were seasick in the forward dining room, otherwise we were well. Time was long as the sailing speed lasted 11 weeks. We had meeting every Sunday. We were divided into groups at prayer morning and evening. There were some deaths among us, especially children. Five couples were married, of these Maren Eircksen and I were one. And it came to pass the 15 March, and we were wed by Christian Larsen in the meeting. The same day I was married I was ordained an Elder. We had the best wedding we could under the circumstances. We were upon the ship. On the 17 we first saw the land of America. We sailed passed the West Indian Islands and were in the Gulf of Mexico when a large American steamship took us and 2 other ships into tow. It gave new life to the company to see the beautiful land of America. We sailed up the Mississippi River, and enjoyed ourselves by seeing the beautiful place, New Orleans, and was there 2 days. We enjoyed ourselves visiting the city and surrounding area. We then went on board a large steamship and sailed up the river to Saint Louis, this took 10 days. On this trip many died of Cholera. The ship was infected with it. We found employment and went with our company. I went onto the forest and cut timbers for wagons but was cheated out of f weeks work. The other company from Scandinavia came to Saint Louis under the leadership of Zions Olesen and continued on shortly after to Kansas. We went with another company to Kansas, a 9 das sail up the river Missouri. Many also died here, also of Cholera. The power of God was made strongly manifest among us as many who were ill became well through administration. I was often called upon to administer I companionship of Brother Wkov. When we came to Kansas we received our wagons and lived in them and in our tents in the forest. Here we bought provisions for the trek across the plains. Many died of Cholera and among them was my mother. She became ill in the evening and died the next morning. She was buried in the Kansas forest 1 English mile form the town. She died in good faith in the Gospel to the last was very ill but didn't deny the Lord. The whole camp was moved out upon the plains on the western side of the stake. Here we received 4 oxen, 2 cows to each wagon, and we began to set them in yoke. [p.4] There were several companies of English Saints here also and a large number of Mexicans. My brother Laurits became acquainted with a merchant from Mexico of Santa Fe, and was talked into traveling with him, to my great sorrow. Their company went and we didn't know it. We now began our trek in the plains. 73 wagons, Olesen from Zion was captain. We reached Salt Lake the 5 October (1854), and camped on Union Square. Many gave us gifts.
BIB: Hals, Hans Jensen. Reminiscences and diary (Ms 4718), pp. 4-5 (typescript). (CHL)
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