Memoirs of William Decatur Kartchner
Principal residences:
With the Mormons in Illinois
With the Emmett Party
San Bernardino
Muddy Mission
Parowan
Snowflake, Arizona
1954
PREFACE
This is a reproduction of a typewritten copy of the autobiography of William Decatur Kartchner, written in 1877. This copy was typed by Mrs. Annabelle Rogers of Provo, Utah who donated this copy to the BYU Library. As nearly as possible, Mrs. Rogers followed the typewritten original, except where errors were obviously typographical.
The original from which this copy was taken is part of a scrap book kept by Orin Kartchner. It is 37 x 32 ½ cm. and is enclosed in a manila folder fastened by three brads. The original is 34 pages long and contains 10 pages of treasured memoranda of Wm. Decatur Kartchner, which were not copied. On each page are clippings of a later date and not concerned with Mr. Kartchner’s life. These were omitted from this copy.
Mrs. Rogers obtained the original from Thalia Kartchner of Snowflake, Arizona, daughter of the owner to which it was returned after this copy was made. The BYU Library made the table of contents and index found herein and one copy of this addition was presented to Mrs. Rogers.
MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM DECATUR KARTCHNER
About the year 1730, George, William and John Walton came to this country from England, arriving in Virginia in the early part of the year. Here they separated. George locating in Philadelphia , Penn., where he became a prominent lawyer and statesman and a member of the first Continental Congress, which convened in Philadelphia in the year 1774; William also located in Philadelphia and John, the youngest, removed to Georgia where he had much to do with the political affairs of the State, being a member of the third Congress held in Philadelphia, Penn.
But little is recorded of the heroic deeds of the Waltons. During the struggles of the Americans with the Indians and also in the Revolutionary war and contentions they lectured through the county in favor of Continental Rule and when that sacred document, the ‘Declaration of Independence,’ was written the Hon. George Walton was among the first who signed their names to it. They lectured in the neighboring towns encouraging the citizens to volunteer in defense of their constitutional rights and William Walton M.D. did much valuable service for the country as physician and surgeon in comforting the sick and wounded of the American Army.
But little is recorded of the heroic deeds of the Waltons. During the struggles of the Americans with the Indians and also in the Revolutionary war and contentions they lectured through the county in favor of Continental Rule and when that sacred document, the ‘Declaration of Independence,’ was written the Hon. George Walton was among the first who signed their names to it. They lectured in the neighboring towns encouraging the citizens to volunteer in defense of their constitutional rights and William Walton M.D. did much valuable service for the country as physician and surgeon in comforting the sick and wounded of the American Army.
Mr. Wilcox was a papermaker by trade and soon became the owner of a paper mill some thirteen miles west from Philadelphia and carried on a lively business for what was called a hand mill, for as yet machine mills had not been invented. They hauled their paper to Philadelphia market and sold and bought rags, vitrioa and other material as was needed for carrying on the paper making business.
About the year 1750, Mr. Kartchner, then a boy of ten summers, arrived in Philadelphia from Germany, grew to manhood, and became acquainted with a lovely girl from Germany and was married. They would occasionally speak to each other in German, but used the English language for common conversation. But little was recorded of his deeds, he being a private citizen. They resided in Philadelphia in comfortable circumstances and their son, John Christopher, was born 29 August 1784.
John Christopher was very fond of sailing and loved to build little boats and let them drift in the Delaware
He saw an inducement to join the papermaking trade and went as apprentice to Mr. Wilcox and soon gained the admiration of his master by his promptitude and firmness. Fear had no place within him and if a hard trip or dangerous exploit came up it was well known to all that John C. was able for it and on returning home would many times pick up black snakes and place in his bosom and let them make their appearance at pleasure.
He once caught one of these reptiles unobserved, going from the mill to the house to dinner and placing it in his bosom it lay still in his warm bosom until they were all seated to the table eating dinner. The serpent, smelling the victuals was induced to stretch forth his head to the consternation of all the company. With one accord all jumped back, falling pellmell to extricate themselves from the approaching danger and the whole scene was enjoyed by a quiet smile by John C.
Mrs. Sarah Walton Wilcox had six children by Mr. Wilcox: William, James, John, Prudence, Sarah and Ann. The three boys became famous for paper-making. John C. Kartchner became much attached to Miss Prudence, who was born 6 Dec. 1787, and being raised together, almost, thus they became much attached to each other and were married about the year 1804-5. Sarah Wilcox was married to a Mr. Ellis, a blacksmith, of but little worth to his fellows excepting the good done hammering iron. He would occasionally disturb the peace under the influence of whiskey. Ann Wilcox was a virtuous old maid who was much skilled in embroidery and lived and died at the house of her sister, Prudence, aged about forty, at a place called Manayunk, six miles west of Philadelphia. She was buried in the old Baptist Churchyard on the Ridge Road, one mile North of residence. Sarah Ellis lived in Philadelphia until about the year 1830. She took a fever and died. What became of Ellis is unknown to me.
Prudence Kartchner had seven children; Caroline, Peter Wooliver, Margaret, Mark, John C., William and Sarah Ann. Caroline was born 11 October 1 1810 (sic), and in 1812 the war broke out and Prudence's husband, John C., volunteered and went on shipboard and landed at Mobile; from thence to New Orleans immediately under General Jackson's command. During his absence Peter Wooliver was born, Aug.29, 1812. On John C.'s arrival home he was greatly rejoiced over his warrior, as he called him.
(In the battle of New Orleans they were commanded to wait until they could see the whites of their English intruders eyes before they fired. After passing through these bloody scenes it seemed to beget within them a general hatred toward the Englishmen and many were abused under the influence of this antipathy. Their children were traditioned to hate the English and the children of the Orleans troops followed their example well. They would appoint times and places to meet the English boys for battle and offer two-to-one. These battles would generally result in bloody faces on both sides; the American boys thinking they had the best of it.)
Margaret was born 9 July 1814. She married James Webb, a Yorkshireman and blacksmith, contrary to the wishes of her father's family.
Mark was born 18 April 1818 and died 23 Apr. 1818.
John C., the father, went to work for himself papermaking and soon became the proprietor of a mill. Business being brisk he hired hands and took apprentices, finally taking a partner in the business by the name of William Wolliver, his wife's cousin, who kept a book and paper store in Philadelphia who received the paper and sold and bought rags, vitriol and material for the mill. Thus it ran along for some years, apparently prospering and at a time John C., sent by the regular teamster for money and goods to pay hands Mr. Woolover (sic) pronounced the firm broke. Well known to John C., to the contrary, not withstanding, went immediately to Philadelphia to the store, but books and things were so arranged as to be impossible to save himself. He returned home, much down-countenanced but resolved to go ahead but the news was circulated soon that Kartchner / Wollover Co., were broke, and soon the mill was attached and sold for debts. This mill was situated eight miles west of Philadelphia on Mill Creek. This course of things so discouraged John C., that he took to drink to drown trouble and would resent the least appearance of insult until it became common thing for him to fight for not only his own wrongs but would fight for his supposed friends.
Another son was born 13 Nov., 1816, called after himself, John C., Junior. About this time he decided to emigrate to west of Ohio but his wife, Prudence objected. He now worked journeywork from one mill to another and finally went to the Catshill (siv) Mountains and worked most part of one year, drinking hard and fighting often. It began to tell on him. He came home sick and was nursed up again and went to work nearer home. He thought of entering suit against Mr. Wilcox for his wife’s part of an estate in Philadelphia left to to (sic) his children by Mr. Wilcox but was drinking too much to save up a beginning.
Another son was born 18 Apr. 1818 and died 23 April 1818. They called him Mark.
Another son was born, 4 May 1820 at Hartford town, Montgomery Co., Penn.
John C., became much careworn from the once happy business agent papermaker down to what they called journeyman worker. He was never known to quarrel with a man, Mr. Lavern told me, but would fight on the least intimation of insult. Time passed swiftly without much interest to him. A daughter was born 7 Sept. 1823.
John C. was a great Jackson
They called their daughter Sarah Ann after her two aunts. About this time John C. moved his family to Manayunk and shortly after John Wilcox, my Mother's youngest brother, came from Bucks Co., Penn.
My father worked in the Manayunk Mills and my uncle, also a paper maker, worked with him and lived with my father. It was common for men to work by piece and would generally complete their day's work by two or three o'clock and then amuse the family with the sweet strains of music of evenings. My mother also worked in the paper mill in the room called the soup picking paper and had her baby under the bench and a touch with her foot would keep it quiet in a kind of box cradle.
In the winter of 1825 my father took sick by excessive drink and exposure. Very bad rheumatic fever. All was done that could be thought of by the medical faculty without success. The old school doctor was then thought to be foremost in the healing arts. My father lingered, receiving no benefit from anything until 2 April 1826. He died leaving my mother with five children in poverty to support. Our connections came from Philadelphia
I remained with mother some one year and she moved eight miles southwest to Mill Creek to Telenders Paper Mills. Peter W. was an apprentice. My brother, John C., worked in the mill for wages. My mother also picked paper at a low rate of pay.
I was sent to school to a Mr. Hoffman. A Universalist. One evening while coming from school a young man was imposing upon me and plagueing me when I tried to get away from him by running but when all my efforts were vain, at last I fought with him and he punished me severely. When we arrived at the mill my brother John C., saw the affair and called him to account for his conduct, the young man answered saying he would punish the same if he interfered. They soon came together and without much talk a severe encounter ensued in which both were punished. My brother had knocked out of joint both thumbs and before the mill hands came to them and parted them they had become desperate and when parted the young man was carried home and remained in bed some days.
In the spring my mother took me to Mr. McKnight's to be his cowboy. I remained during the summer. I thought the days a week long and cried to go home but they were very kind to me and gave me presents but I suffered in mind very much. In the course of autumn Mr. McKnight died of consumption and was buried in the same yard that my father's remains were buried the year before. Soon after Mr. James McKnight came to administer the estate. He was very kind to me and petted me which I had been used to at home and would take me with him in the old gig to the tavern. He gave me money to pay the hostler and for the drinks. I felt quite to home again until the business was settled. He returned to his home in Bucks Co., and I returned to my mother. My parting with Mrs. Shoster, the lady who kept house for the consumptive old bachelor, was tender by this time.
My uncle John came to visit my mother to Mill Creek and took me with him to stay one year as a lay boy as he had rented a paper mill seven miles northwest of Manayunk. My brother Peter was about to be whipped by Garret Hender, his master. When he turned on him, tore a large leg from a spinning wheel and went for him. He was sued by his master for assault and battery.
Soon after my brother ran away and went to the far west, and then South as far as New Orleans; came back to Memphis, sick and had many warm friends. Next spring my Uncle John took me with the family visiting mother. She had moved to Manayunk. I stayed with her and went to work in woollen mill. The next winter at very low wages.
Next spring she sent me to school to a Mr. Murphy, but I hated the school room, and learned nothing. I begged to go to the factory to work. At last she consented and I went to work in a cotton factory piecing rolls on a mule. I received two dollars per week and generally fifty cents for spending money which I bought my tobacco with. The residue I kept in a small stone jug. I commenced the use of tobacco before I was five years old. I worked in cotton factory until I was twelve years old when my little finger of my right hand was caught in the cog wheel, I was laid up for six weeks with it. I refused to return to the factory. My mother said I must either go to the factory or go learn a trade, that she could not support me. She wanted me to learn the carpenter trade but I chose the blacksmith trade and was bound by indenture to Benjamin Miles for seven years and six months with a consideration of receiving one quarter day school and one quarter night school. The year before my brother, John C., went apprentice to learn the coach-smith business at ninety-six dollars per year and board.
My mother joined the old Baptist church soon after my father's death. He was an infidel and would not allow his family to attend sectarian meetings. He and Mr. Lavern once arranged a hogshead for a minister (Methodist) to stand on to preach and so fixed the hoops that a hard stamp would knock the head in and in the midst of his sermon he commenced stamping and at once dropped into the empty hogshead out of sight of his audience to the surprise of all but father and Mr. Lavern, who were enjoying a hearty laugh at the expense of Acre Brown, the preacher’s name.
In 1833, one night my mother happened to be up in the night and said the stars were falling from the heaven and she waked the older members of the family. She was not excited but many of the citizens were upon their knees praying and thought the world was at an end. Dec. 11, 1833 mother married a Mr. Francis B. Collins,[2] the noted ax maker at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. They moved to Kinsington, Philadelphia Co (now Berks). I was then 13 years old.
During this time I was working hard early and late, and did not get enough to eat. Our breakfast was a half mackerel for four large boys, apprentices, a small parcel of light bread and two cups of water stained a little with coffee. In the wintertime I was called up at three in the morning to make fires and then call the cook. Breakfast was eaten and ready for work at daylight. We had dinner at twelve and supper at five P.M. and continued work until eight P.M. and the winter of 1835 we were allowed to knock off at 7 P.M.. and go to night school, hours from 7 to 10 P.M. five nights per week. The teacher remarked that he had not seen anybody learn faster than I could. I, at that time, had time allowed me to go to school. I could receive an education easier than any at other period of my life but I was wanted in the shop and taken from school and was worked very hard by day and occasionally all night, until the spring of 1836. This made me sixteen.
As natural for boys to want to play, I had no other time to play except after night and on one occasion I stayed until after nine o'clock and when I went to the house the door was locked and I went to the stable and took shelter in the haymow, the first time I had slept out of doors. I had had comfortable quarters and in the morning I went to work as usual in the shop and as it was customary for the old boss to stay in the house until after breakfast and have family prayers, the other hands worked until 8 o'clock, stopped for breakfast in summer and in winter, breakfast before daylight.
On the above-named morning I went with the other hands to breakfast and to my surprise Mr. Miles had in preparation a large tapering stick three feet long and one inch at the butt and tapering to the size of a rat tail file which he used on my back. So unmerciful as to raise a solid scab half the length of my back. My cries were heard by all the neighbors. I could not eat but was required to labor all the same. My friend, Mr. Marewine, advised me to sue Mr. Miles which I did at noon and went to work as usual. Soon after Mr. Miles came and, taking me by the hair, pulled and slapped first one side then the other, punishing me severely. Again we were notified to attend trial, and my statement, with my back made bare to sight, was not heard or seen and I was ordered back to work and be a good boy. The next morning I arose early and ran away to my mother in Philadelphia, a distance of six miles and stayed visiting with her for two weeks, when she required me to accompany her to Manayunk, when a trial commenced before Mr. Murphy as before and a kind of mock trial went on and my mother, having no money to carry on the suit, was dismissed. I was told by the court I was a poor orphan without money and would have to submit but was not satisfied. I went back but resolved in my own mind to never do good for that man again.
I had become very handy in the shop. I took opportunity of making small irons for the neighbors. One of my friends, being a saddler, required a great many rings and hooks for which he paid me in money. This state of things went on some six weeks during which time my oldest brother came from Western country. He told me, after hearing my grievance, he wanted me to run away and go with him, which suited my feelings. I had by this time laid up five dollars. I told my brother the small amount of money saved up and asked him if that was enough to bear expences. He said, “Yes” I could go without a cent.
We set the time for two weeks to start on a Sunday morning as I would have one day start should I be pursued. Meantime I went to Philadelphia, on next Sunday, to visit my little sister Sarah Ann, as my mother had married and moved to Harpers Ferry, Petersburg, Va., and left me with Mr. Miles and Sarah Ann with a cousin who was keeping a store in Philadelphia, by name of Byrtle Shay.
When Sunday came again I put on two shirts and two pairs of pants for a start for I had to go though the room the folks were sitting in and when I had traveled one mile and a half I met my brother at the bridge where we had appointed to meet. We talked matters over and found that I had left some letters in my old hat box that would reveal my course of travel and he advised me to return and destroy them and in doing so I had to work one week more for my old boss. The next Sunday I started again with my self clothed as before. As I arrived at the locks, one and half mile above town, I found a Union Packet ready to start. I made an engagement with the captain, a fine young man, to work my passage. He left me at the helm while he ran to the other end of the boat and found that I was able to steer the boat and after that he took a passage on the stage by land, some twenty miles, and left me to turn the boat. As I sounded the horn to land at a town I saw the captain standing on the wharf awaiting the arrival of the boat. He expressed himself well pleased with the hands and I continued as helmsman, crossed the Susquehanna and up the Union Canal.
As I was turning into the locks of Harrisburg I gave the horn a toot to warn the locksman to open the chambers. My brother, Peter hollowed, "Is that you, boys?" I answered in the affirmative. Here I met my two brothers 150 miles from home. The good captain took them aboard. We traveled with him to Blairsville, from there to Pittsburgh
At Wheeling we got aboard of a flat boat and helped to man it. At Cincinnati brother John and myself soon found situtations in a carriage shop. I received five dollars, my brother eight dollars per week. Brother Peter hired to go to New Orleans
Mr. Shaver of Lagrange was down to purchase Luptic Springs for the firm of Col. Cress and Shaver carrying on a carriage shop at Lagrange. He had heard that there were two boys, spring makers, from Philadelphia
As soon as we arrived we commenced making springs. The shop was visited by many to see the Yankee boys make springs, as they called us. We worked until the next June. A great many were sick with fever and we feared the fever and so settled up and went to Memphis, took a steamboat, United States, for St. Louis, then took steamboat for the Illinois River, where we found James Webb who married my oldest sister, carrying on a wagon shop. We hired. I took the fire at twelve dollars per month and John was helper at Twenty-five dollars per month. I worked two months then demanded thirty dollars per month, which was agreed at once. My brother, John, fell out and quit and he went to chopping wood and made but little, while I became foreman of the shop. I got my own price per day. Finally my brother Peter came to see us and in a few weeks he and John went down the river, leaving me at Naples, Ill. the sickliest place I have ever been. I stayed until the fall of 1839. I was nineteen.
Brother Peter wrote to me that he had entered land in Washington Co., Ill.
My brother-in-law fitted up a flat boat and put in six wagons, bound for Alton. I put my tools, wagon and things aboard and fastened my yawl and shoved off. He and I were captains, mate and crew. Arriving at Alton safely, he sold out and I put my things in the vawl (sic) and shoved off alone for Illinoistown. On the passage I met a large steamboat whose waves came near sending my irons to the bottom. With hard swing and keeping to the bow to wave I saved and landed safely. Putting my goods in a warehouse I then walked to my brothers. We hired a team and went after my things.
I set up shop: John, trader; Peter, farmer; thus we went into co-partnership, but my order (sic) brothers could not agree so we held a council in which I was chosen chairman and was chosen Chief Adviser. After that we would council together but my word decided all cases. We prospered and gained in property very fast. It was my motto to keep the word of the firm good. We were able to borrow money or buy on credit and became well known in the country as a trading firm. People wishing to exchange animals or wagons must be accommodated. If we discommoded ourselves we brought a great many people to the place to trade and make business in the shop.
I was disgusted with keeping batch and went to board at Thomas Nelsons, 400 yards from our place. While there was very fond of reading and called for some history to read. Nelson handed me some Latter Day Saints works, Parley's "Voice of Warning", etc., I read with increasing interest. Toward the last of April, 1842, my brothers, Peter and John, came home from St. Louis county where they had been at work during the winter months and I was induced by them to go back into bachelors quarters again. Peter was chief cook and we hastened to put in our spring crop.
During the summer Peter was courting a Miss Herrin, and married in the fall. He brought her to our bachelor home and lived agreeably for some three months. By this time, Mrs. Peter Kartchner showed decided preference, favoring myself to John, a disturbance was the consequence. My shirts were washed and ironed and put away carefully while brother John's were ironed carefully while brother John’s (sic) were left in the dirt. I told her it would cause disturbance and that we would get our washing done elsewhere but she agreed to do our washing on my account.
In the summer of 1842 Peter bought a place four miles west of the old place and finally moved to it. Early winter John and myself took our teams and went and helped improve, hauling timbers and nails. The spring of 1843, John and myself put in our crops at our old place and seemed well until the 7th of May. Thomas Nelson told me there were two Mormon Elders at the free settlement, ten miles below. I saddled my horse and rode down, stayed over night and was baptized the 8th. of May 1843. My brother John heard of it before I returned home and met me at our gate and asked me if I had been baptized by them damn Mormons. I answered in the affirmative. He damned me and the Mormons. I tried to pacify him but to no purpose. This was the first disturbance between he and I and that which was formerly my whole delight for my future home was now loathsome. I bore it for one month, during which time my whole faculties were exercised in prayer and study which led me to flee to the church for peace and safety, which I did in June. I was now twenty-three.
I went straight to the Prophet's house, and had an interview which was very agreeable and consoling. I said, “Are you a Prophet?” He said, “I sometimes Prophecy.” I worked on the Temple some time and was baptized in the river for my father and other dead relatives. Returned home late in the fall, stayed with John that fall and sold out to him in November or December. I then took my blacksmith tools in a small wagon drawn by my favorite mule, located on Bear Creek, put up a hickory log shop and worked the winter twenty miles below Nauvoo.
During the winter I became acquainted with Brother Jacob I. Casteel's family and became familiar with Margaret Jane and was married to her by Elder James B. Hamilton, on 17th. of Mar. 1844. I moved my shop and lodging to father-in-law's. The mob was threatening the settlers and I stood guard the greater part of the winter and during a very wet spring spring (sic). My father-in law was called on a mission in company with Alfred D. Young to go to Tennessee
On one occasion we sent express to Nauvoo. Most the small ravines swam the horses and the day the mob was to meet to go to Carthage an express was sent to Nauvoo from our company, to raise a force to go guard the jail but not meeting with success. The leading apostles were absent on missions and the Temple Committee was urged to raise the force but Reynolds Cahoon opposed the enterprise, saying that Joseph left word for them to stay at home. He advised them to do so and the result was two of the best men upon the earth were martyred. The mobbers numbered some over 150 and as soon as this horrid deed was perpetrated, the mobbers and citizens fled, leaving Carthage in a fright. About this time a wagon drove to Carthage from Nauvoo and the bodies were put in and were placed in the hall of Joseph's mansion for two days for the afflicted Saints to gaze upon, passing in at one door and out the other.
At this time, I was helpless with rheumatism, and could not move hand or foot until the first of July. I was able to be out again.
The Nauvoo Temple
Sometime in September I sent my blacksmith tools to Nauvoo to be put on a flat boat. It was manned by Capt. Emmett, his son Simpson, Williams, Gardner Potter and their families. It was towed by rope by men on shore until opposite the Iowa River . They crossed and went up the Iowa River to Iowa City where they sold their boat, while those taking wagons and teams crossed at Burlington. They made a rendezvous about ten miles above Iowa City
Early in March 1845 we were ordered to yoke up and move up the river for the teams were mostly oxen. At this juncture our provisions were placed in provision wagons except few sacks of grain which were placed in my wagon and others he could trust. We began to draw rations as our wagons were loaded heavy on the start. My young wife and others able to walk were compelled to walk many times in water shoe-mouth deep for we had no road and many of us had our feet so swollen we could scarcely put on our shoes in the morning.
We traveled slowly up the river to recruit the stock. Our rations were reduced to one gill of corn to the person and at this time Bro. Hinman numbered the camp and found it to be 130 souls but on reducing rations caused complaints and desertions. Capt. Emmitt appropriated the property left to his own use and discouraged others by starving them, designing to make himself the owner of the stock left.
By the middle of May we left Iowa River . Our course was across a large prairie toward the Sioux Indian country and many became dissatisfied as we were traveling to the north of Council Bluff, our supposed destination. While on the Iowa River we found maple trees from which we made some sugar, which we used while crossing this large prairie. At Sioux River
While on the Iowa River, Zachariah Wilson, formerly President of Liberty Branch, privately told these he had counselled to emigrate with this company that Capt. Emmett was intended to go and lead the company north of the Council Bluff, the first intended destination of our journey and advised all that he had been the president of to stop and return to Nauvoo. Capt. Emmett found out Wilson's advising part of the company thus and called a general meeting of the company to investigate. His life guards were ordered to load their guns with powder and ball and to be ready at a minutes warning to form a line and be prompt to execute any order by the sergent of the guard that would be given the signal. We formed the line, I being one of the said guard. Capt. Emmett formed at the head of the company with sword and two pistols belted on him and rifle in hand. He said, in an excited tone, "We are called together to investigate this this (sic) mutiny in camp." He told the consequence of division also his decision to put a stop to it by calling these named life guards to execute the offenders. He talked at length when about closing he named Zachariah D. Wilson a chief offender and thought of executing him at the root of the tree he was sitting on. Wilson sobbed aloud in bitterness of his soul, expecting every moment to receive his death ordered when I advanced one step and said if Wilson was guilty of crime he could not be executed without a fair jury trial, which every American citizen was entitled to, that I would see he had the rights. which caused quite an excitement in the meeting and it was soon dispersed to their their (sic) several wagons and tents. That night, soon after dark, I was called upon by Simpson Emmett, the captain's son, and three others, and disarmed of my weapons, except my butcher knife, and told that I was no longer a lifeguard and my rations would be reduced, which was then only one gill of corn without salt.
Billy Edward came to me the next day and slapped me on the shoulder and said, "William, you are a true democrat and no coward," that he was going back and wished me to go along. I told him, no, that I would go to the end of all this. He, Mr. Russell wife and two boys, Thomas Edwards, Thomas Edwards Jr., William Edwards, Chester Loveland and family, Page, Sister Hart, Jimmy Nelson, Rebecca, his wife, John Flower and family, Wiley Flowers (left his family), Samuel Coon and family, Alex St. Marie and family, Stephen F. Casteel and his sister Emeline, formerly wife of John Savage, James Hickman and family, and others with Zachariah Wilson and wife, went back down Iowa River to Iowa City. John Flowers was so starved and reduced he could not walk and undertook to go to a house, when he arrived in settlements, for food. He walked part way and gave out and continued by walking on his hands and knees.
After this company had recruited two weeks, they returned with the sheriff for their property. They looked so fat I thought they must be bloated, but they told me it was solid fat. Capt. Emmett fled in haste. The officer arrested John L. Butler, Lyman Hinman, William Potter, Gardner Potter, Armstead Moffitt and as Enock Burns passed my tent a man holered, "There goes another dammed rascal, catch him," and he was arrested, taken back to Iowa City and put in jail, and tried for their being in with Emmett depriving the above named of their property. After investigation they were discharged and came back to our camp. After J.L. Butler visited Nauvoo came back and encouraged us to follow Emmett and we would be alright. Said he and seen an angel in Nauvoo who had spoken favorably of our camp.
We drove out on a very large prairie without road or trail and came to a small creek, I thought Skunk River, traveled on some distance,and came to a swift river with steep banks, I thought the DesMoines, a good rocky ford. Traveled four days and came to a deep creek, no timber. We placed two poles across and slid the wagons across on their axletrees. Traveled northwest several days on the prairie and came to Sioux River. Here we made a cottonwood raft. Were three days working hard to cross. Our women hunted Sioux roots and wild onions to eat, as Emmett stopped our rations while we crossed the river. The first days travel after leaving this river a part of Sioux Indians came to us and seemed excited at first. Next day some Frenchmen came to us. Said they lived at Fort Vermillion, a few miles due west and invited us to the Fort. They gave us some fried buffalo meat to eat, I thought was the best thing I ever ate. It was very fat and our starved systems seemed to crave grease. Next day we drove to the fort, camped a little above and Emmett hunted up and down the river for a place to cross, failing to find one.
We moved down a little below the Fort and camped in a circle, as usual. Capt. Emmett rode his horse ahead and made the circle, turned the wagon tongues in so by placing the tongues on the hind wheels made a corral. The French and Indians came into camp and accused us of being starved which made Emmett mad. They pressed their hands on their cheeks and pointed to our cheeks. I told them I wanted some meat, and they brought meat and roasting ears to my father-in-laws and me and those who acted mad with Emmett did without the luxury.
A few days passed in camp and Mr. Henry, a half Frenchman, told me his wife was an Indian. She had gone over to St. Paul or Peter, some 300 hundred miles and if my wife would come over and cook for him we could board with him. We gladly accepted his offer and took our bedding, leaving our wagon and things in camp, which caused Emmett to feel jealous, fearing we would relate his tyrannical rule over us but we did not say a word further than we were migrating to find a farm country and had run short of provisions. I was insulted many times for leaving camp.[3]
After a continued abuse Emmett wanted some blacksmithing done and sent word for me to come back into camp and go to work or he would bring me by force. In a few days he, Emmett, and others went to St. Peters and left word with Vice-Pres. John L. Butler to bring me back to camp. Butler came and talked to me to get me to come back to camp and work in the blacksmith shop. I told him Emmett's abuse must be made right first, and he let me alone a few days. After Emmett was gone Butler came and asked me if I was going to camp. I told him I would consider on it. He said he would give me until next day at two o'clock P.M. and if I was not on the road or in camp by that time he would bring me by force. This raised my combativeness bump to resent it. I told my wife I expected to resent[4] their forcing me back to camp, but said nothing to the Frenchmen and two o'clock came and I was sitting in the Frenchman's door when I saw them coming for me. It was common for us to wear a belt and a knife which was the only weapon I had to defend myself in the attack. John L. Butler, Lyman Hinman, William Potter had now come to take me to camp. Bro. Hinman was a friend to everybod, and talked kindly to me when on a sudden Butler asked me if I was ready to go to camp. I said I was not going. By this time I was on my feet in the yard ready for the attack. My wife said afterwards my face wore an expression of desperation. They put their heads together and I expected them to spring upon me every instant but to my surprise they left me silently.
A steamboat had gone up the Missouri River to trade for furs. This trip was made once a year. I determined that if I could get passage on board I would and about the 16th of July it came down and I went aboard and secured a passage to St. Louis. II told Mr. Henry I was going and the word got out and Butler and Holt and Potter were watching my every move. Mr. Henry and his Indians made up two large parflesh full of dried meat for us to take along. My wife and I carried our chest to the boat landing. I went back 200 yards for something when I saw Potter coming toward me with a desperate look. I hastened back to the boat and he ran after me, I believe, with bad intent. I ran on the boat. Butler and Holt were searching my chest and took all my valuables, even to my bullet molds. I started to see what they were doing when my wife said, "Stay on the boat, I can bring these. Butler accused me of stealing a pot.” My wife said her mother owned it ever since she could remember and we left everything, team, wagon, and tools, and sweet was the sacrifice compared with the starvation and oppressions and abuse we had endured for eight months past. We were treated very kindly by the boat men. Capt. Emmett took my wife's feather bed and wedding gifts and trinkets, so the last search by Bro. Butler left us very destitute, no clothes except those we had on. The boatmen saw our destitute condition and gave us shirts, pants, a coat, some calico and sheeting and a rich French gentleman traveling for his health gave me two blankets and ten dollars in silver for which I thanked him and blessed him in the name of God of Jacob. We were invited to eat in the cabin where every luxury was furnished us and two weeks of July thus passed away and we found ourselves in St. Louis.
I found my brother-in-law James Webb who took us to his hotel and gave us dinner and gave us a recommend to his place ninety miles down the river to a place called Yankeetown. We took steamboat passage down and after nine hours ride landed, finding my oldest sister and family all well but very proud. We were beneath her notice. In one week we were so common and unpretending. I rented a house of a gentleman by the name, Mr. Powell, a rich Southern farmer. My young wife took sick with intermittent fever and was very low. My sister was alone and seltom (sic) came to see her but Mrs. Powell often came and gave us medicine and administered to her wants. For the first time I laid hands on my wife and prayed for her recovery with all the faith I could muster and the vomiting was stopped.
Gradually, as soon as she was out of danger, I crossed the river, went on foot sixty miles east to see my brother John who lived in Washington County, Illinois. He saddled two horses and we started back to see his sister-in-law. He brought some necessaries and provisions and visited three days then went back after a wagon and team. He was gone a week. He came to the opposite bank of the river and we ferried our things over in a skiff, in the latter part of August.
We lived with him comfortably and happy, fall and winter. He gave me the farm we were living on and said that after we lived on it five years he would make me a deed to it. The spring of 1846 came and I learned that some Mormons were going West from the six miles prairie and John Brown from the nine mile.
My brother had some bloodhounds and we did take real comfort in hunting the raccoon until this company was making preparations to start to the Rocky Mountains, which exercised my mind greatly.
Finally, Brother Crow heard that I was used to camp life and came to see me and offered me a wagon and half a team and me to furnish the other half and haul 1,000 pounds for him which caused my brother to trouble, fearing I was going to leave again. I told him I would rather be a Mormon dog than to stay in that country when my people had been robbed, pillaged, murdered and now exterminating orders issued for them to leave the United States.
T he first days of March 1846, we started in what was known as the Mississippi company, crossing the St. Louis and traveled up through Jackson Co., Mo., to Independence and soon after organized our company with William Crosby, Captain. About the middle of June, we arrived at Grand Island on the Platte River where according to previous agreement had been made for President Brigham Young and Pioneer Camp to meet us. Not finding them after waiting one week we concluded to go southwest, between two and three hundred miles, and wait for we were at the end of our instructions.
When we arrived at the Pueblo on Arkansas River we found small farms of corn cultivated by Indians mostly and traders who had Indian squawa (sic) for wives of whom we bought corn and prepared for winter quarters, building a row of log houses on the opposite bank of the river from Fort Pueblo. When we had about completed the house a detachment of Mormon Battalion com- composed (sic) of the sick and disabled came to our camp under comman of Capt. James Brown and Captain Nelson Higgins. Hearing of our camp on the Arkansas, was sent by Col. Cook to our camp for a change of diet as we traveling emigrants and would have cows and plenty of milk which was advised by the army surgent by whom we learned the cause of Pres. Young's delay. He having borrowed teams and wagons when about to leave the Missouri River as pioneers to seek a home for the Saints, was called upon for them by the owners and was thus hindered until the spring of 1847, when the Lord opened the way.
Allow me to retract a little and go back to camp Pueblo. When it was determined to winter, Brother Robert Crow, by counsel of his wife, broke his obligations to furnish me and my with provisions and turned us out of his wagon and with held provisions. I made a camp under a large cottonwood tree, to the mercy of kind friends in an unsettled country. John Brown, a cousin of Sister Crow, gave us some flour and bacon and blessed us and said we should have supplies in some way. On the 17th. of August 1846, our first little angel daughter was born, under the tree under these destitute circumstances. Not knowing where succor was to come from to make Brother Brown's promise fulfilled but when our baby was a week old a messenger was sent from Bents Fort, eighty miles below, for a blacksmith and the man bought a horse for me to ride and I recommended James Harmon as gunsmith who accompanied us.
We started next day, leaving my wife and babe to the kindness of Catherine Holladay (now relict of John Holladay, Sen.). Two hard day’s ride to the fort. Our first day out we encountered a large grizzly bear and after a shot a piece from J. Harmon and myself, we broke him down in the back. He run towards us dragging his hind parts. When Harmon drew his pistol and finished him. By this time, Mr. Longlad’s mule had taken him 300 yards from the fun.
Our arrival at Bents Fort was welcomed by Mr. Holt, the Bushway of Fort or boss. I went to work and made what is known in shops by the name of stake horn in lieu of anvil on which Bro. Harmon welded the hub bands and other small works. While I welded the tires and set them and other heavy work, the work was mostly for the U.S. Army under command of Gen. Karney, then under way for the scene of action, the Mexican war.
We worked until late in the fall, most of the time at two dollars each per day. We lay hard and slept cold so that I had another attack of rheumatism and returned to Pueblo sick, with my money I was enabled to buy corn and an old wagon. During my absence the part of the Mormon Battalion who was sick under command of Capt. S. Brown and Higgins had come to our camp and built a row opposite our row of log cabins for winter quarters and placed over the doors signs for sport. Over Bro. Durfee's mess door was a picture of an auger with the words, "Foolskiller Office." On inquiry found the above instrument was used for boring for simple barber poles and taylor and others. I found them witty and talented. The soldiers annoyed Capt. Brown by writing and dropping near his quarters poetry calling him, the old Linn Mall.
One night an alarm was given that 500 Spaniards were close by marching into camp. Tap of drum was heard from Jim’ Stuart's (sic) drum calling into line. Command was given to Capt. Higgins, whose voice trembled and was noticed by all that it furnished fun for the days to come. The company of Spaniards proved to be a band of elk.
The sick soon began to mend from their blackleg disease after eating mild[5] and mush for a while for which they exchanged their pickled pork and other rations which was a blessing to us. It was at this place that Corporal Stephens fell from his animal and died in one week. We buried him in a cotton wood bark coffin in the honors of war. It was here William Casto deserted. Capt. Brown was intending to go himself in pursuit but was advised to desist. Ebenezer Hanks and John Steele were sent and found him some forty miles. After some persuasion he returned with the men, was courtmartialed and sentenced to haul wood for camp.
During the winter my wife went in snow deep many times to the grove 100 yards and carried a limb from the cottonwoods for fuel during my confinement with rheumatism
During this time we received word that Pres. Young and pioneers would start from Missouri River in the early spring and we were to intercept their company at Fort Laramie and preparations for the journey made business for all. I repaired my wagon, sitting on the bed before I could stand on my feet. My wife carried the parts of the wagon to me needing repair, although kind friends helped us get ready. Sometime in April we were ready to start and Bro. Sebert Shelton furnished a second yoke of oxen for me. I was yet unable to walk, and Jackson Mayfield, his brother John, and Lysander Woodert or Woodworth hunted my teams and yoked them day after day. In a few days I could set out. By the wagon tongue and by means of a small vice screwed to the wagon tongue, and also by the use of files I did many jobs of blacksmithing for the brethren; also fitted up one pair of spurs I had forged at Bents Fort.
Arriving at the Cachely Poo River, a tributary of the Platte River, Amasa M. Lyman, one of the Twelve, and Thomas Woolsey were sent from Pioneer Camp with a message from Pres. Young to us. He met us on the above river. Upon meeting them Bro. John Hess ran, embraced and kissed Amasa for Joy. When our camp reached Laramie, the main road; we were three days behind the Pioneer Camp and traveled about that distance apart until we entered the Salt Lake Valley, except that Pres. Young's health was bad and he, his wife, and three or four other men lingered on the road and we caught up within a few miles of his camp.
Thomas J. Williams, of the soldier of our camp, for we were all one camp, had appropriated one of Tim Goodsle’s horses and made a present of it to Pres. Young, tying it to Brigham Young’s carriage. Tim, being present, told Pres. Young,"You must secure that horse or he will go to my band." "Is he yours?" "Yes sir," was the reply. Pres. Young loosed the horse saying "That is where I want him to go."
We traveled a day or two behind the Pioneer Camp and arrived in Salt Lake City the 27th or 28th of July 1847. Pres. Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball and other men of notoriety were our escorts and bid us welcome. We moved into Pioneer Camp on the Temple block and soon conformed to the general rule of being baptized for remission of sins. My wife Margaret Jane, was sick with the mountain fever when we went to City Creek and was baptized by Heber C. Kimball and was confirmed with all our former ordinations and blessings pronounced upon us.
We were directed to build a fort surrounding ten acres of land. We ploughed a narroew (sic) strip out side of the line designed for the wall and turned on the water and tramped it with the oxen; We then made adobes and built the outside wall very thick with occasional portholes. We drew our lots or space inside to build our houses. My house was the third house north of the west gate old Fort. A liberty pole was erected in on the east side of the middle of the Fort.
A short time after completion one of the Mormon Battalion boys, by name, Dan Brown, had his hands tied high to said pole; his shirt off and had several stripes administered on his bare back for stealing a lariat. Burr Frost was the first blacksmith who put up shop and worked. My shop was second in the valley which was on the east side of the fort. My tools furnished by Thomas S. Williams who never paid me a cent for my winter's work in that shop.
Spring arrived. We were to farm as we had traveled; by tens, fifties and hundreds. The land our ten drew was on a high bench six miles southeast of the city and our captain, John Holladay, Sen., asked permission from his Capt. for us to locate three miles further south at a large spring. It was granted and soon we moved out there, built a row of small houses and fenced a field. My rheumatism, had now settled in my ankles and feet and I stood on my knees to do the ditching of my portion of that fence.
During this time our breadstuff gave out. We had our last ox killed, an old favorite of mine. I could not kill it myself, it would be like killing one of the family so my neighbor, George Sparks, saw my predicament and went and killed him, saying to me, "You had better skin that ox, for he is dead." It was very poor beef but was very good boiled with thistle roots I gathered daily. Our last bread was of a bushel of wheat I bought of our beloved Bro. Parley P. Pratt, Sen., who had refused a ten-dollar gold piece and took one ton of hay of me for it. We could obtain no more for love or money. I went to town and bought four pounds of flour at fifty cents per pound for our little girl, our only child, one lovely morning.
In the latter part of June 1848, our Capt. Bro. Holladay came to me holding a quarter of a skillet loaf of bread in his hand, eating of it at the same time and said, "Bro. William, what under heavens are we to do for bread?" I told him to cheer up and pointing to a green piece of wheat, saying, "There is bread." and at that time I had not tasted bread of any substance of grain for nearly two months. He engaged me to cut it and I often visited the patch of wheat and as soon as it would rub out I had the greatest feast I ever had on any occasion. The appetite was so sharpened for bread.
In March was a very pleasant spell of weather. On the tenth William Matthews planted his corn and urged me to plant my morsel of seed but as our next year's bread depended upon the good use made of the few kernels of corn I waited. A cold spell of weather set in April and Bro. Matthews seed corn rotted in the ground and he had other seed corn to supply and planted a second time and a third time replanted the same patch outed with my slow action. My corn ground was ploughed ready waiting one month and on the tenth of May I planted the long saved seed. It soon sprouted and soon came up to a hill. It grew finely and to my surprise began to shoot near the ground, as I never before saw Spanish corn grow and had from six to eight ears to the hill. We had sufficient for bread.
Three families, in October 1848, went back on Emigration Canyon to meet my father-in-law and family. I met them on the Big Mountain.Soon after their arrival we all moved to Amasa's survey, built a 2-story house with two apartments for the two families, in the following form a ground work; with rooms thus; We halved my abundant crop of corn and shared equal and had some to share with others. Next season we made a light crop of wheat and some corn.
The Winter of 1849 the settling of San Pete Valley was agitated and father-in-law wished to go on account of good range for his cattle. Early Spring after a hard winter and a deep snow in San Pete he came to visit us and during his stay one of his oxen was driven to Salt Lake City by some general drive being made, gone one week and was found in Pres. Brigham Young's possession. When called for, he, (B. Young), said, "What if my workmen will swear that ox has been here all winter and eats his head off." It so confused father-in-law he went away and never got his ox. I urged him to commence suit in a Bishop's Court but he feared to offend Pres. Young, and it remains unsettled. Father-in-law went back to San Pete, afterwards called Manti And (sic) County by the former name, Co., San Pete.
The winter of 1850 a project was set on foot by some of the church authorities to plant a colony in Southern California and some families were chosen by Amasa Lyman, others by Charles C. Rich. Myself and family were chosen by the former. I declined going. When Amasa heard it he said if I refused to go he would cause me to have a worse mission, which scared me as I had no endowment I thought I would be excused on that ground but on the 8th of February I was notified to be at the Endowment House for that purpose.
On arriving, was ordained into the Quorum of Seventies by Jedediah M. Grant and afterwards placed in the 19th quorum and received endowment preparatory for the mission south. I met other families of the mission in the Endowment House.
The winter was spent in preparation to start. We started on the 13th of March 1851, and when arriving at Pestnest[6], afterwards called Payson, we were organized into two companies, known as Parley S. Co. and Lyman and Rich Co. It was seen a great many more than were called were moving with us, and Pres. B. Young and Heber C. Kimball called a meeting at this place and Heber preached and discouraged many from going.
The teams of our company were mostly oxen unshod and became footsore when on the desert and many were left behind. sorefooted and for want of water. Bro. Parley company had mostly horse and mule teams and gained a month on us in traveling to California. In order to raise some money two wagons of Parley's company were sent back with light loads of groceries to Mohave to meet us which worked well. They raised considerable money to pay their passage to Valparaiso, South America.
The first of July we camped in Cajon Pass and were counselled to ramain (sic) there until a place could be purchased. Some few disobeyed and went to settlements. We remained in camp until 1st of September during which time I worked at blacksmithing under a sycamore tree, setting wagon tires and as no one was making anything the brethren burned coal for this work and was charged only twelve and half cents per tire.
During this time Bros. Lyman and Rich bought a ranch known as San Bernardino and gave notes for the sum of 77,500 dollars with fifty head of cattle included. We moved to the ranch in September. The Sisters had hundreds of little chickens two months old to move, raised in camp during our stay in camp.
A Stake was organized with David Seeley as President and Samuel Rolfe and Simeon Andrews, councillors. (sic) Bishop William Crosby with A. W. Collins and William Matthews councillors so that when we moved to the ranch was fully organized. The Sycamore tree after was known as Conference tree while it lived. The writer passed there in March of 1861 on a business trip returning to Beaver, Utah, and saw the tree was dead, being burned at the root.
Bros. Parley and company returned from South America in the winter or fall of 1852. In October we held the harvest feast in the meeting shed called Tabernacle, where the different kinds of produce were exhibited. Corn stalks sixteen feet long, melons thirty-eight pounds and the mammoth pumpkins. A public dinner and dance and a general good times were had with a history of paying for San Bernardino. Please allow me to omit as reflection would be unprofitable.
During our seven years stay many Pilgrims came from Australia (sic) mostly on their way to Salt Lake, Utah, the gathering place of Saints; also a mammoth organ came from Australia, a donation to the Saints of Salt Lake City. I gave five dollars for freighting it. It was in care of Bro. Ridges, freighted by Sidney Tanner.
In 1855, the crops of San Bernardino were a failure, and Bros. Lyman and Rich, two of the Apostles, held a two day’s meeting and concluded to send missionaries to all the counties and principal cities of California and 84 Elders were called to go. I was called to go in company with John D. Holladay to Santa Barbara on the Pacific coast. We journeyed with many other Elders en route for our fields of labor, holding meeting in camp every pleasant evening, enjoying much of the Holy Spirit.
Myself and fellow-laborers were left at the city of Santa Barbara, our field of labor. We posted notices after obtaining the use of the Court House for next Sunday. Our meeting was put off until the next Sunday. I proposed to Bro. Holladay that we spend the five days in the upper coast, the upper part of the country. Brother Holladay declined going but blessed me in going. I took a young man with me by the name of John Matthew. Next day in a town called Carpenteria I found a few Spanish settlers but I could not speak the Spanish language sufficiently at that time to preach to them. A few miles farther, I found a man from New York State, a farmer who was having his small grain thrashed with a large threshing machine and about fifteen men were at work. Soon they stopped for dinner and while resting I presented them with Church works to read and I waited an assisted Mr. Valandingham to unharness. (sic) When he asked if I was a Mormon Elder I told him I was. He said, when a boy he lived at the hill where Joseph found the gold plates and wanted to know if the Mormons increased in numbers or otherwise. When I told him the people had grown from a town to a territory of two hundred and forty cities and town and an extent of five hundred miles of county he cursed the Mormons for increasing. He asked me if Brigham Young prophesied as did Joseph Smith. I answered Yes, and fifteen thousand Elders also prophesied that if this generation did not give heed to the warning voice of the Elders of the Church the Lord would come out of His hiding place and vex the nations. We loosed the neck yoke and he drew it over my head and said he would kill a damn Mormon any time. I remarked, looking him in the eye, "You would not hurt me." "No, I believe you are an honest man, but damned duped by others." He said to wait till the second table and he took me in and gave me a good dinner with restrictions not to speak to his woman on no occasion, with drawn fist toward me and I was careful to obey.
We traveled a few miles south and found very friendly feeling toward us. Preached and left a favorable impression toward the people we represented. Traveled toward Santa Barbara, arriving on a Saturday evening, finding Bro. Holladay down-hearted and lonesome. We met affectionately, Next day, Sunday, we preached in the Courthouse to a large congregation. A very hot day in August, we became very thirsty and seeing one of my upper Coast converts in the congregation was favored by him with pitcher, water and glass. We had a great flow of the Spirit and the services continued two hours, bore a faithful testimony and warned them of judgments to come.
Returned home in September, 1846, raised a fine crop and paid all of our surplus property to Lyman, C.C. Rich (sic) and Ebenezer Hanks to pay for the ranch. The summer of 1857, Pres. W. J. Cox received a letter from Pres. Brigham Young for all Saints to come home to Utah
[1] An online version retrieved from http://kartchner.surnames.com/histories/william_decatur_karchner_memoirs.htm says, “Prudence wished to call him William after her mother's father, William Walton, so they called the boy William Decatur.”
[2] a nephew of Collins, the noted axe maker…
[3] Insulted many times by Emmett…
[4] Resist?
[5] Milk?
[6] The settlement, which had been known as Peteetneet Creek, was renamed Payson in 1851 after James Pace. http://www.onlineutah.com/paysonhistory.shtml
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