My 2nd-great-grandmother, Mary Ann Phelps Rich, recalled “the western trek”:
My husband [Charles C. Rich] fitted up his wagons and teams and we left Winter Quarters in June, 1847; he having been placed in charge of a company of one hundred wagons. We traveled to the Elkhorn River, here we had to wait until all had crossed the river, as we crossed on rafts, and Mr. Rich had to wait until they all got over so he could tie the raft and bring the rope with him. There was one young man by the name of Weatherby, who was killed by the Indians while we were here, he died in our tent.
We traveled two abreast the whole distance of the Platt[e] River, for greater safety. There were thousands of buffalo on every side, which the men would kill, so we had plenty of meat. There were also hundreds of Indians to be seen at frequent intervals all the time we were traveling up the Platt[e] River.
— Autobiography of Mary Ann Phelps Rich
found on history.churchofjesuschrist.org
Great-grandfather George Q. Cannon and siblings were also in that 2nd company led by Charles C. Rich. My family and I are grateful for our pioneer heritage. We honor the women, men, and children who endured the trek west “with faith in every footstep”.
