From Salt Lake and the Plains.
Every era of our history has a story to tell, a lesson to learn, a piece of the puzzle that connects us to how we got to the present day. Today, we dig into the depths of the 19th-century American West through the narrative of small parties of returned Californians, venturing on an arduous journey through mountainous terrains to Salt Lake Valley. They arrived on a fine July day in 1856, leaving behind the gold-rushed excitement of Placerville, California to experience a vastly contrasting existence. The narrative illuminates the societal structures and hardships of Salt Lake Valley during the mid 19th century, throwing light on the broader context of American pioneering and migratory patterns prevalent during the time.
The adventurers from California completed their journey in sixty days. With sheer determination and effort, they believed they could have gotten to their destination even faster. "They reached this place On yesterday morning, making the trip through from Placerville in sixty days with pack mules," reports an article from that era. Historically, such migrations were no mean feat, with people often tackling hostile landscapes, climatic conditions, and uncertain resources. Their journey serves as a testament to the human spirit that propelled westward American expansion.
Mr. Draper, from Johnson Co., led one of the parties. Including people hailing from various backgrounds - some from Kentucky, Virginia, and other regions - the group beautifully reflected the diverse trails of Westward migration in the U.S during the period. Despite the rough landscapes of mountains and lack of modern amenities, their journey was described as pleasant. They encountered "no inconvenience on the mountains, having fine grass and water," illustrating a rugged self-sustainability that was typical of the pioneering spirit.
On reaching Salt Lake Valley, provisions were found to be scarce and expensive, painting a troubling picture of the living conditions. Previous inhabitants had suffered for a year, resorting to living off roots. However, the upcoming harvest season promised relief, portraying a strong sense of resilience and the cyclical nature of life during this era. Time and nature, it appears, were as vital to survival just as human tenacity was.
The deeply rooted religiosity of the people at Salt Lake Valley emanates from the narrative. Preaching sessions held by Brother Brigham were a common sight. The preaching, interwoven with apprehensions about the poor becoming a burden on their community, unveils the inherent sociological fear of scarcity in a land of limited resources. A historian noted, "There are a great many very poor and degraded people in the valley and were one to be present at their assemblies...he could not fail to discover that they thought so, too, and were very apprehensive lest these might become a charge upon them."
Another significant insight into this era lies in the distrust and fear of the military soldiers. The apprehension was so palpable that women, particularly the younger ones, were forewarned about more troops' probable arrival. Soldiers were painted as "very wicked and abandoned men," hinting at the existence of tensions between civilian populations and soldiers in Salt Lake Valley's microcosmic society.
In this blog post's relatively short passage, we get a glimpse into the lives of those living in a specific part of the country during a precise historical moment. Examining such narratives allows us to understand our collective past and shed light on various societal issues that may resonate even today—fear and distrust of authority, the division of resources, and survival in a harsh and unpredictable environment.
Moreover, the migration from California to Salt Lake Valley almost encapsulates a mini-America in itself, with diverse migrants seeking their fortune in the tremendous and challenging expanses of the West. These historical narrative threads not only present a complex web of human experiences but also connect to our shared saga of perseverance, hope, and survival.
In this still-informing history lies a profound understanding of the power of the human spirit—an understanding that can guide us as we continue to thread our course through the 21st century, much like those brave souls who journeyed from California to Salt Lake Valley more than a century and a half ago.
**Citation**:
- Trinity Journal, [From Salt Lake and the Plains., 1856-09-13]
https://cdnc.ucr.edu/
Original Article:
Independence, July 29, 18.‘>6. Two small parties of returned Californians arc here. They reached this place On yesterday morning, making the trip through from Plaeervillc in sixty days with pack mules, and say if they had made the effort, could have reached here in fifty or fifty-five days. One of the parties under charge of Mr. Draper, of Johnson Co., came through by way of Salt Lake ; his party consisted of his brother, Messrs. White, of Johnson Co., Lawson, of Moniteau county, Bell and Smith, of Callaway county, and one or two from Kentucky and Virginia. Their trip throughout was pleasant, suffering no inconvenience on the mountains, having fine grass and water. In Salt Lake Valley provisions were scarce and high, and much suffering was experienced by the inhabitants the past year, but as the harvest senson was approaching and the prospect good, those who have been living on roots,
The adventurers from California completed their journey in sixty days. With sheer determination and effort, they believed they could have gotten to their destination even faster. "They reached this place On yesterday morning, making the trip through from Placerville in sixty days with pack mules," reports an article from that era. Historically, such migrations were no mean feat, with people often tackling hostile landscapes, climatic conditions, and uncertain resources. Their journey serves as a testament to the human spirit that propelled westward American expansion.
Mr. Draper, from Johnson Co., led one of the parties. Including people hailing from various backgrounds - some from Kentucky, Virginia, and other regions - the group beautifully reflected the diverse trails of Westward migration in the U.S during the period. Despite the rough landscapes of mountains and lack of modern amenities, their journey was described as pleasant. They encountered "no inconvenience on the mountains, having fine grass and water," illustrating a rugged self-sustainability that was typical of the pioneering spirit.
On reaching Salt Lake Valley, provisions were found to be scarce and expensive, painting a troubling picture of the living conditions. Previous inhabitants had suffered for a year, resorting to living off roots. However, the upcoming harvest season promised relief, portraying a strong sense of resilience and the cyclical nature of life during this era. Time and nature, it appears, were as vital to survival just as human tenacity was.
The deeply rooted religiosity of the people at Salt Lake Valley emanates from the narrative. Preaching sessions held by Brother Brigham were a common sight. The preaching, interwoven with apprehensions about the poor becoming a burden on their community, unveils the inherent sociological fear of scarcity in a land of limited resources. A historian noted, "There are a great many very poor and degraded people in the valley and were one to be present at their assemblies...he could not fail to discover that they thought so, too, and were very apprehensive lest these might become a charge upon them."
Another significant insight into this era lies in the distrust and fear of the military soldiers. The apprehension was so palpable that women, particularly the younger ones, were forewarned about more troops' probable arrival. Soldiers were painted as "very wicked and abandoned men," hinting at the existence of tensions between civilian populations and soldiers in Salt Lake Valley's microcosmic society.
In this blog post's relatively short passage, we get a glimpse into the lives of those living in a specific part of the country during a precise historical moment. Examining such narratives allows us to understand our collective past and shed light on various societal issues that may resonate even today—fear and distrust of authority, the division of resources, and survival in a harsh and unpredictable environment.
Moreover, the migration from California to Salt Lake Valley almost encapsulates a mini-America in itself, with diverse migrants seeking their fortune in the tremendous and challenging expanses of the West. These historical narrative threads not only present a complex web of human experiences but also connect to our shared saga of perseverance, hope, and survival.
In this still-informing history lies a profound understanding of the power of the human spirit—an understanding that can guide us as we continue to thread our course through the 21st century, much like those brave souls who journeyed from California to Salt Lake Valley more than a century and a half ago.
**Citation**:
- Trinity Journal, [From Salt Lake and the Plains., 1856-09-13]
https://cdnc.ucr.edu/
Original Article:
Independence, July 29, 18.‘>6. Two small parties of returned Californians arc here. They reached this place On yesterday morning, making the trip through from Plaeervillc in sixty days with pack mules, and say if they had made the effort, could have reached here in fifty or fifty-five days. One of the parties under charge of Mr. Draper, of Johnson Co., came through by way of Salt Lake ; his party consisted of his brother, Messrs. White, of Johnson Co., Lawson, of Moniteau county, Bell and Smith, of Callaway county, and one or two from Kentucky and Virginia. Their trip throughout was pleasant, suffering no inconvenience on the mountains, having fine grass and water. In Salt Lake Valley provisions were scarce and high, and much suffering was experienced by the inhabitants the past year, but as the harvest senson was approaching and the prospect good, those who have been living on roots,
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