. . . I left Liverpool March 31, 1855 on the ship Juventa with five hundred and seventy three Saints on board. We encountered much seasickness and one very heavy storm. We were on the sea about five weeks. We then arrived in the great city of Philadelphia. Here we met Elder John Taylor who aided us in getting safe in the cars bound for Pittsburgh.

We were two days and nights on the way. We run against another engine on the way which broke several cars and wounded some of the Saints. At Pittsburgh we chartered two steamboats which carried us to St. Louis. Some of the Saints were sick. Here I left the Saints and they continued up the Missouri River to the town of Atchison, the place to fit for the plains.

I went up the Illinois River to Beardstown and then through Schylor and Brown Counties visiting my brother John and family. Also my wife's brothers Hemon and Bradley and Ira Owens. After spending [p.7] a few days with them I returned to St. Louis on a steamboat. Here I purchased a few goods for my family. I then went on a steamboat up the Missouri River as far as Atchison and here I fitted out for the plains. Our company was the third company, Elder Blair being the captain, Elder Green and myself were his counselors.

We left camp ground on the 13th of June traveled two days when the cholera came in and took near one third of the camp. This was the greatest scene of sorrow that I have ever witnessed.

Edward Stevenson was appointed to take the charge of the camp and Brother Barlow took the place of Brother Green. We had no bad luck on the way but the loss of one man, a gentile, a Mr. Wood from Texas.

I arrived in the Valley on the 10th day of September 1855 being gone three years lacking five days. Found my family well during the time of my being in England. . . . [p.8]

BIB: Earl, Sylvester Henry. Family history (formerly in Ms 2050), (Ms 11383) pp. 7-8. (CHL)
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