. . . In the year 1860 President George Q. Cannon, who was president of the European Mission, counseled the Saints to go to Zion. If they did not have the means to go all at once, to send as many of the children as they could and the next year send more until all were in Zion. Upon this advice my brother, Charles, and my sister Mary were all sent in the year 1861. I was to go the following year, and my sister, Sarah the year following . . .

. . . May 1, 1862, I left my home for America, coming to this country without a single relative in the company of Saints. After traveling for three days we arrived in Liverpool and set sail from port after laying in anchor twenty-four hours. After nine weeks of sailing we arrived at Castle Garden, New York. We had a pleasant voyage, there being no deaths, but one birth. A baby boy was born on the Manchester, which was the name of the ship. He was named for the captain, M. Tracey [G. D. S. Trask]. Among the Saints were two English sailors of note. One was the late [p.455] Francis Daily and the other was his friend. While in the iceberg district, seeing the anxiety on the face of the captain, they asked to be allowed to pilot the ship through the danger. They were permitted, and after the danger was passed they received the congratulations of all.

After staying in New York for nine days we traveled overland as far as Albany, and from there to St. Joseph, Missouri. From here we traveled up the Mississippi River as far as Florence, now known as Omaha. This was the camping place for the Saints. Nine weeks were spent in Florence making preparations for the trying journey to Zion. All who could sew helped in making tents, wagon covers and other necessary things for the journey.

One terrible accident happened while still at Florence. The weather is very changeable there and the most perfect day may be changed to a very disagreeable one in a few minutes. This day was lovely, but one clap of thunder and a flash of lightning changed it completely. I was suffering my first attack of homesickness and was in my tent, while in front were standing Brother George Q. Cannon, who was giving orders to the overseer for making up the train, and W.D. Young. The thunder and lightning came and the clerk was instantly killed. Brother Young was scalped as though an Indian had done it, while George Q. Cannon was unhurt. . . .

Now I must relate about the great trials and hardships of crossing the plains. Dan Miller of Farmington, Davis County, Utah was captain and was a very able one. . . . [p. 456]

. . . We arrived in Salt Lake City October 9, 1862, and my brother Charles was there to meet me. . . . [p.457]

BIB: Palmer, Louisa Harriett Mills. [Autobiography] Our Pioneer
Heritage comp. by Kate B. Carter, vol. 13, (Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1970) pp.455-457. (CHL)
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