TWO ENTRIES INTO THE VALLEY

As we approach Thanksgiving, I thought it appropriate to note two of our ancestors’ entries into the Salt Lake Valley...separated by over eight years...after long treks across the vast and often treacherous plains.

The first, more historic and still remembered, was celebrated with little fanfare; the second, no longer remembered by any but angels and descendants, was celebrated with great fanfare.

From Levi Jackman, my great great great grandfather, who entered the valley with Parley P. Pratt’s party July 22nd, 1847, two days ahead of Brigham young’s party:

“July 22- This morning a part of the camp that we had left came up with us and others had to stop because of sickness.  Our movement was slow for it took all the able-bodied men from one-half to three-fourths of the time to make the road so that we could possibly get along.  It took us till 4 p.m. to fix the road and go about four miles.  We had to pass through a canyon that was full of timber, mostly small maple and the bluffs came almost together at the bottom.  And when we finally got through, it seemed like bursting from the confines of prison walls into the beauties of a world of pleasure and freedom.

We now had entered the valley and our vision could extend far and wide.  We were filled with joy and rejoicing and thanksgiving.  We could see to the west, about 30 miles distance, the Sale Lake, stretching itself northwest to a distance unknown to us.  And the valley extending far to the north and south.  No timber was to be seen only in the mountains...

July 23- We went a short distance north to a small grove on a little stream and camped.  Brother P. Pratt called the camp together and dedicated this country to the Lord.  We then commenced plowing to put in a little early corn, buckwheat, potatoes, peas, beans, etc.

The soil was good and before night we had put in seed.  We felt to thank the Lord that we had been preserved on our journey; that no lives were lost, that we had found a good country of land where we thought our enemies could never find us and where we could worship God unmolested.  According to our measure, we are 1040 miles from Winter Quarters.

Saturday, July 24- 

About noon, Brigham Young and company arrived and we had a time of rejoicing without restraint.”

Humble beginnings...

From my great great grandmother Sophia Bush Stradling, whose wagon train arrived Tuesday, September 25th, 1855:

“After a slight frost during the night, the day was pleasant in Great Salt Lake City.  The 1st division of P.E. Company consisting of 46 wagons arrived in the evening...Met by Band.  Pres. Young met the company at the camp.

Erastus Snow and lady, Sister Ballentine and others met the Company Sep 24th and stayed overnight with them.  Night spent in feasting, dancing, music, prayer and general rejoicing at the end of a perilous journey.  Next day, led by a band on horseback, with their flag born by two young men on horses marched into the city, corralled on Union Square and were addressed by Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball.”

Quite the welcoming committee!

By that time the Perpetual Emigration Fund had been established. The Bushes were beneficiaries (The P.E. mentioned in the first paragraph)...they missed out, however, on the fund being extended to help immigrants from overseas to cross the oceans, which was not incorporated until 1857.