John Kettle

John Kettle's diary of his journey on the Mormon Trail 1856 This is John Kettle's diary documentation of his travel West on the Mormon Trail. It can be found online at http://lds.org/churchhistory/library/source/1,18016,4976-2908,00.html. The source information is: Kettle, John, [Diary], in Jesse Lenard Warner, The Protecting Warrior, Book 1 [1974], 20-22.

May 24, 1856 - Got most of our boxes out & took them to the station. May 25, 1856 - Went into town again & saw some fine houses. Boston is a grand place, different to your Boston, a great place for trade all over. May 26, 1856 - Got the remainder of our things away and went to the train to see the beautiful splendor. We was in a fine bustle to get started. May 27, 1856 - At past 12 arrived at Albany. Next morning at 7 change train. Fine and busy. Started at 4. May 28, 1856 - Went by Syracuse at 10. Got to Rochester at 5. Started at 7 o'clock. Got to Buffalo at 12. Left at 4 and went on our way again. May 29, 1856 - Arrived at Cleveland at 7. Started again at 9. Rainy morning. Arrived at Chicago. Started at 8 at night. Went all night & about 9 next morning breakfast past Elkie. May 30, 1856 - We passed many stations but not knowing what they call them. We paused at Sheffield at 11 at night. May 31, 1856 - Began to prepare for our journey. Change luggage. Start again at 2 at Rock Island. Cross the Mississippi for Davenport then for Iowa City then for camp ground. June 2, 1856 - Stopped one week. . . . [p. 56]May 31, 1856—Began to prepare for our journey Change Luggage start again at 2 at Rock Island cross the Mississippi for Davenport then for Iowa City then for the camp ground.

June 2, 1856—Stopt one week. June 9, 1856—Start on our journey 5 miles lost the Cattel from the 11th to the 29th we went about 10 miles a day sent a letter home. About the 25th June 1856 reach Winter Quarters. Jul y 8, 1856—Went to the Bluffs on the 10th started from the Camp. On the 17th July 1856 went about 3 miles Camp again. July 20, 1856—Reach Elkhorn. July 21, 22, 23, 24, 1856—Celebration Campt at 12 oclock & spent the time in washing & other things. July 25, 26, 1856—Cross the River & a great storm Henry Walker struck by lightning & his wife and 2 more hurt all well then for it is the work of the Lord. July 27, 1856—Killen an ox travill hard all the week. July 29, 1856—Meet some California. A ug. 2, 1856—Saw some Bufflo & cross 2 rivers & then Camp. Aug. 3, 1856—Hunting after Bufflo. Aug. 5, 1856—We saw thousands of them & killed 4. Aug. 10, 1856—We are still amongst the Buffalo in good health. Aug. 15, 1856—Campt at rattlesnake creek. Aug 16, 1856—At Wolff Creek in good health & about lost sight of the Bufflo after that past Ash Hollow Creek & Chimney Rock. Aug. 24, 1856—We lay 30 miles ford Lameria. (Fort Laramie.) Aug . 25, 1856—Saw a Camp of Indians. Aug. 26, 1856—Come to ford Lamria post a letter & ill all week. Aug. 31, 1856—Reach Deer Creek meet the Waggons from the valley. Sept. 1, 1856—Lay still. Sept. 2, 3, 1856—Travill hard. Sept. 4, 1856—Travill 26 miles. Sept. 5, 1856—Rain & Snow all day. Sept. 6, 1856—Lost the Cattle looking all day for them. Sept. 7, 1856—Travill 22 miles Camp at Sweet Water. A bro. died after a long and tedious journey of 4 months & 12 days. Sept. 26, 1856—We reachd Salt Lake Valley when we was received with glad hearts and rejoysen. (John Kettle Diary.)