Verla Bowles Wilding History - 1914-2007

History of Verla Bowles Wilding

On October 4, 1914 a tiny, dark haired, brown-eyed baby daughter was born to Samuel Clifford and Sara Campbell Bowles. They named this baby daughter, Verla. Her parents were renting a farm from Thomas Doman in Rigby at the time. Verla had an older sister Wanda, 21 months old when she was born. Verla and Wanda were not only close in age but also close as sisters and pals.
In 1917 her parents bought 40 acres in Milo from Joe Pitman. They lived in a one-room log house with a lean-to.
When Verla was about 5 years old, one of her father’s relatives died in Nephi, Utah. She and her father made the trip to the funeral.
Verla started school 1920 at the Milo School. The schoolhouse had two rooms one room for the lower grade and one room for the upper grades. They advanced her one grade either 3rd or 4th. They walked to school in the spring and fall. But when the workhorses were not needed in winter – they would ride the horse. One winter day she and her sister Wanda rode the horse to school in bitter cold. When they got to school there was no teacher so they went home. When they got home one side of Verla’s face was frozen. Their father quickly put snow on it to help take the frost out.
After the children got home from school each night they had chores to do, filling the reservoir and getting kindling for the wood stove. They also helped feed the cows and clean the barn.
Verla attended Sunday School and Primary at the Milo Ward. On October 15, 1922 she was baptized a member of the church in the Idaho Falls 1st Ward Tabernacle.
She had the usual childhood diseases. They used to quarantine the home when they had sickness. One day she and Wanda came home from school and their sister Lois had scarlet fever so they had to stay at Grandma Campbell’s until she got better.
As Verla got older, she did more work on the farm harrowing and leveling, shocking grain, topping hay on the hay wagons and driving derrick horse. She and Wanda would go out to check the irrigating water at night and could hear coyotes howling which was kinda scary. Her father raised peas and after they were threshed she would herd pigs in the field to eat the remains. One summer her father told her and her sister Wanda if they pulled all the mustard weeds out of the grain field he would buy each of them a kewpie doll. This they did and they prized those dolls for along time.
Verla was a very happy and good-natured girl with a sense of humor. In her early teens she took violin lessons for a while. She enjoyed this. The man that taught her would go around to homes teaching.
During the passing years five sisters were added to the family. The family was getting large for the little log house. Their father built a root cellar to keep fruits and vegetables in. The folks decided to put a couple of beds in it for the older children. The children thought this was okay because they had a bedroom of their own and they had some privacy. There were times in the winter when their father would have to shovel the snow off the door before they could get out. One summer when her mother had a baby about threshing time she and Wanda cooked for the threshers. They would take turns getting up to build the fire in the stove.
Verla attended MIA and loved to go to the dances. She was also in some school plays and MIA plays. Their father took the children on occasions to the Logan Temple to do baptisms for the dead. They enjoyed going on fishing trips.
When she and her sisters reached dating age her father would take them to Wanda Mirror in Idaho Falls to dances and also to Riverside Gardens in Rigby.
About 1928 she graduated from the 8th grade at Milo. Melvin Jordan was the principal and teacher.
Verla went to 3 years of high school at Rigby. They rode a school bus driven by horses. Two more children had been added to the family. After 7 girls they were blessed with a brother. Two years later they had another baby sister.
During the years Verla was growing up in Milo there also was a boy named Harold Wilding growing up in Milo. They saw each other at church and MIA. They dated some. One day Verla came home and told her parents that she and Harold were going to get married. So Verla and her parents went to see Harold’s folks. Harold was up on the foothills herding sheep so they went up to see him. In Harold’s joking manner he said, "If she says we’re going to get married, I guess I’d better not back out."

Harold’s parents and Verla’s parents took them to the Logan Temple. They were married October 21, 1931. They had a wedding dance at Milo.

The early years of marriage were hard because it was during the depression. Verla’s parents had given them a cow. During one winter it was so cold, in the mornings when they’d wake up there would be frost on the quilts. They would sell the cream from their cow once a week for 65 cents. Harold was playing M-Men basketball. They would go to the games using 20 of the 65 cents to get into the games.
The summer Verla was large expecting their first child, Harold had some pigs and he was going to put rings in their noses. Verla was holding the barn door. She peeked in and one big pig saw the door and made a mad dash to get out – catching Verla between the legs and carrying her for several lands before she got off.
When it was time for the first baby, Verla was up to Harold’s folks. She had a long, hard labor and delivery. The doctor came to the house. They were blessed with a baby daughter they named Vonda.
The first part of October 1937 they moved to Idaho Falls. Harold was working for Gene’s Coal and Feed. They were blessed with another daughter, Betty Fawn. Two years later they had their first boy and named him Gary Dee. The next spring they moved back to Milo living just north of where they do now.
Harold had bought a grain cleaner, and was also shearing sheep and farming. They would go to Montana shearing sheep in the spring. Verla would load up her three kiddies and go with Harold. They would live in a tent, Verla doing the cooking for the men and caring for her little family.
During these years Verla had a new sister and brother. Making her parents family of nine girls and two boys.
Harold’s father died in 1943. Harold and Verla bought his farm and moved to where they are now.
Marilyn Yvonne was born making a family of 3 girls and 1 boy. Verla loved to sew, making many of her children’s clothes. She loves to work with her hands, crocheting, quilting, gardening, etc.
Vonda got married. Her husband was in the Navy in California, so Verla and Harold made several trips in the next few years to California to visit Vonda and visit Harold’s two brothers living in California.
Michael Joseph was added to their family completing their family of 5 children.
Harold was still grain cleaning, going to Star Valley, Wyoming in the spring. Verla would go when she could. They made many friends there because of this.
Verla encouraged her children to take part in things at church and in school. She made many a costume or outfits for them.
Gary got married and the following year Betty got married, then Marilyn married leaving the folks and Mike as it is today.
Verla had 19 grandchildren to date. Her first granddaughter got married last spring. Verla enjoys making things for her grandchildren. Our daughters have many things Grandma Wilding has made them and they treasure each one.
Verla is always busy (never idle) having to work as a youngster, many times its doing things for other people. She is a good neighbor and a thoughtful and understanding mother-in-law.
She lost both her parents in 1970. I know she misses them. But her sisters and brothers have get together's and enjoy each other company. She’s close with her sisters, getting together to sew or celebrate birthdays.
Verla has held many positions in the church through the years. In the Primary as a Teacher and Secretary, MIA as a Counselor, Teacher and Secretary, Sunday School as a Teacher and Relief Society as president, Counselor, Secretary and Visiting Teacher and now as Work Counselor again.
I appreciate all that she does for our family and for raising a fine son for me to marry. I also appreciate the help her older sister Wanda gave in writing this history and appreciate the opportunity of giving this history.

Given in the Milo Ward Relief Society, January 30, 1973 to honor the Relief Society Presidency by Carolyn Wilding.

Photos Added

Today five photos were added for George Douglass, Ellen Briggs, Mary Ann Dearman, Phoebe Withers and Hannah Bradley.
You will find George & Ellen Briggs Douglass and Hannah Bradley posted on Ralph Briggs Douglass History page.
Mary Ann Dearman and Phoebe Withers posted on George Wilding, Jr. History.
I had these photos but haven't found histories on these people. Enjoy the Photos.

Ralph Briggs Douglass and Jane Stone Douglass

History of Ralph Briggs Douglass

Ralph Briggs Douglass was born December 28, 1824 at Dowham, Lancaster, England, the son of George and Ellen Briggs Douglass. His father and mother and family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the first visit of Heber C. Kimball in the year 1838. Ralph was baptized in the LDS Church in the spring of 1840 (May 23) by Steven Langstrain at Cletheroe, England. The family migrated to America and arrived in Nauvoo on April 7, 1842.

Ralph was personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith. He also shared in the persecution of the sints while in Nauvoo and went through many hardships with them. Ralph married Hennrietta Wheeler in the spring of 1846. At a pioneer celebration in Nauvoo Henrietta was chosen to receive a blue silk scarf for having the blackest hair and eyes, when someone brought in an Indian girl and she carried away the prize.

Ralph and Henrietta were blessed with two chilren in this marriage. When a call was made for volunteers, he enlisted in the Mormon Ballalion Company "D". There were ninety men in this company. Ralph left Nauvoo with the first company for the west, leaving his wife almost destitute with no shelter other than a tent to protect her from the weather.

Ralph marched with the regiment but was taken ill with scurvy and sent back to Pueblo where he nearly died. He remained there during the winter of 1846. On Monday, April 5, 1847, Ralph left winter quarters on a trip to the Rocky Mountains. This was the first group of pioneers to travel west. They traveled 111 days and endured many hardships along the way with the saints and their families. Ralph Arrived in Salt Lake City in the year 1847 with the pioneers. While in the valley he helped make and lay adobe for the Old Fort Wall in Salt Lake City.

In the fall of the same year (August 26, 1847) in the company of President Brigham Young they went back to Missouri in search of his loved ones and Ralph found them at St. Joseph, Missouri. He spent the winter there then went to St. Louis in the spring of 1848. He stayed in St. Louis for two years making preparations for another western journey.

With another company of immigrants he left for Utah in the spring of 1850 and arrived safely in the fall at Salt Lake City, although they suffered untold hardships along the way. Ralph was appointed Captain of Company "D" in the year 1850. He crossed the plains several times to assist companies from the Missouri River.

Ralph was called again as one of the Mormon Battalion to make a trip through Old Mexico going around through California and returning to Salt Lake City. He then continued his journey to the east and brought his family back to Utah. The family settled in Ogden, Utah. Ralph helped build the first adobe home here.

Colonel A.P. Rockwood suggested that a log house 18x18 feet would cost $40 and one of adobe would be half as much. So Captain Brown set his men to work building both on August 1st. In the valley they put up a stockade of adobe houses. Samuel Gould and James Dunn were lime burners and Sylvester H. Earl, Joel T. Terrill, Ralph Douglass and Joseph Hancock were brick makers. The work carried on according to church history.

Ralph was polygamist and on February 6, 1856, he married Jane Stone in Ogden, Utah. They were blessed with 13 children: William, Samuel, George, Emma, Hannah, Lucy, Maude, Joseph, Ester, Josephine, Richard, Robert and Nancy. When the "Raid" was made in 1887 against polygamists he was true to his faith, and was sentenced to six months imprisonment in the penitentiary by Judge Powers.

Ralph was ordained in the 54th Quorum of Seventies on June 14, 1857, and was ordained president of that Quorum on March 12, 1861, by Walter Thompson. He was also a member of the High Priest Quorum.

Ralph owned a whole block of property in the vicinity of Lincoln Ave. between 26th & 27th streets in Ogden. He gave his children lots and built homes on them for them. He also owned property on the corner of Grant on 26th Street. He had the first butcher shop in Ogden.

Ralph and his brother, Richard, belonged to the Ogden City brass band in 1864 and gave concerts in many different localities to raise money for instruments and uniforms.

Ralph was very faithful in his callings and set many an example to his fellowmen. He was a Republican in politics and was a butcher, brick maker and brick layer by trade.

Jane Stone his second wife died on May 4, 1889 in Downey, Idaho and is buried in the Marsh Center Cemetery.

Ralph died May 3, 1900 in Ogden, Utah, and is buried in the Ogden City Cemetery.

Company "D" Mormon Battalion

Privates: James Douglass and Ralph Douglass

This company with A,B,C, and part of E were mustered into service at Council Bluff, Iowa, July 16, 1846 and marched 8 miles to purchase blankets and other necessary articles for the campaign. The same was deducted from their first government draft. On the 20th of July the men of each Company subscribed liberally of their wages to be sent back for the support of their families and to aid in gathering the poor from Nauvoo.

Received $42, August 5th as clothing money for the year. Most of this was sent back for support of families of soldiers (heat registered 130 degrees in sun - 101 degrees in shade). August 14th and 15th, Coimpany D and E left Fort Leavenworth for Santa Fe over taking other companies at Stone Coal Creek - crossing Kansas or Kaw River which at the ferry was about 300 yards in width.

October 15, 1846, Lt. Col. Cooke sent Capt. James Brown to take command of men reported by the Assist. Surgeon as incapable from sickness and disability of undertaking the present march to California to winter at Santa Fe. Ralph Douglass was on this list.

1,400 miles travel during 104 days under painful circumstances with safe arrival on shore of Pacific Ocean January 30, 1847.

Discharged from service July 15, 1847 at LosAngeles. Main part of Battalion arrived in Salt Lake City October 16, 1847. Some found their families here while others went back east to find theirs, others reenlisted in Army and stayed in California 6 months. Lorenzo F. Harmon and Oliver Harmon were among these.

Taken from: "Book of the Mormon Battalion".

George Douglass and Ellen Briggs are parents of Ralph Briggs Douglass (above)

George was born 22 Aug 1802 at Downham, Lancashire, England; married 1 Sep 1832 at Downham, Lancashire, England; died 12 Jul 1842 at Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois.

Ellen was born 17 Nov. 1806 at Downham, Lancashire, England; died 25 Feb 1888 at Virgin City, Washington, Utah

Brief History of Jane Stone Douglass

Jane Stone Douglass was the second wife of Ralph Briggs Douglass. She was born October 25, 1836, at Greenacres near Oldham, Lancashire, England. She was the daughter of Samuel and Hannah Stone.
They came to America when Jane was a small child. Soon after landing in the United States, they began to migrate westward with the pioneers. Jane's father died near Nauvoo with yellow fever. This left Jane, her mother and two brothers to come to Utah. They endured many hadships crossing the plains.

A widow with three small children, Jane's mother (Hannah Stone) married John Bardsley. He did not take a very good liking to Jane and this made it hard for her (Jane) no home and no one to care for her as her mother and husband moved to California.

Jane worked at what she could find to do, most of the time housework. She made her own livelyhood until she was 20 years of age. At this time she married Ralph Briggs Douglass in the endowment house in Salt Lake City, Utah. They made their home in Ogden, Utah, where he became the first butcher. Here thirteen children were born. Three died under the age of 2, one died at the age of 12 and nine grew to man and womanhood married and reared families.

Jane Stone Douglass had 40 grandchildren at the time this was written April 2, 1941.

She died in Downey, Idaho, May 4, 1889, at the age of 52 years, 6 months and 9 days. She was buried in the Marsh Center Cemetery, North West of Downey.

As of February 28, 1948, there were only two of the family living - Elizabeth Maud D. Rider and Ester Ella D. Bryant.

Written by Eliza Barnes Wilding a grandaughter.

Hannah Bradley mother of Jane Stone (above)

Born 16 May 1816 at Oldham, Lancashire, England

Married Abt 1836 at Oldham, Lancashire, England to Samuel Stone

Died 22 July 1902 at Sandy Gulch, California

Pioneer Overland Travel Stories

Here is a fun way you can read about the experiences of the Mormon pioneers as they crossed the plains. I was reading about the company that William Jeffries Barnes & family were in and really enjoyed it, so thought maybe you would too. You could also put other ancestor names in the search and read about their companies and who knows maybe one of their diaries will be there.
Here is how to do it:
On the internet type in http://www.lds.org/ (or click on link); at top click on "Menu" then under "The Church" click on "History"; scroll to middle of screen and on right click on "Online Resources" then on left click on "Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel Database"; click on down arrow on Companies and highlight "Harmon**Appleton M Harmon Company" and click; Type "Barnes" in surname spot; Click "Search"; click "Appleton M Harmon Company"; click "View a List of Sources"; Read some of the "Trail Excerpts" and you can know of the experiences the Barnes Family had coming across the plains.

William Jeffries Barnes and Frances Fitzjohn Chapman

Life of William Jeffries Barnes

William Jeffries Barnes one of the early settlers of Kaysville, Utah, born at Sandy, Bedfordshire, England 20 Aug 1820 was the son of William and Elizabeth Jeffries Barnes. He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints February 1841. He left for America 19 Mar 1853 on the ship Falcon. They were seven weeks and two days on the ocean. Coming with him were his parents, one brother John R. Barnes and two sister, Sarah B. Layton and Ann B. Smith and his wife Frances Fitzjohn Chapman, four sons and two daughters. They landed in New Orleans and immigrated to Utah in 1853 with the Appleton Harmon's Company. The family took turns in walking to lighten the load for the teams.

William was a farmer and stock raiser. He took a part in building the Old Fort Wall in making water ditches, canals, building meeting houses and was an active member of the LDS Church. He took an active part in the Morrisite War and was in the move south in 1858 when Johnston's Army came to Utah. In 1870 he filled a mission to the Muddy, returning to Kaysville when the mission was broken up.

His first wife, Frances Fitzjohn Chapman whom he married in England, was mother of 11 chilren. Later he married Mary Simmons, then Sarah Sugden. He was the father of 25 children.

In physical appearance, he was a large man, light complexion and a sunny disposition. In character very honest and generous to a fault. I found in the ward records he was one of the largest donors to building of schools and meeting houses and giving food and help to immigrants. He was very genial. In asking people who knew him, they all told of his honesty and that everyone who knew him liked him. He had a host of friends. He had a large posterity.

He was killed in an accident November 14, 1893 and was buried in the Kaysville-Layton Cemetary. He was 75 years old.

Written by Beatrice Barnes Cheney (May 5, 1938)

Frances Fitzjohn Chapman

Born: 5 Sep 1818 at Potton, Bedfordshire, England

Parents: Samuel Chapman and Martha Fitzjohn

Christened: 25 May 1820 at Everton, Bedfordshire, England

Died: 5 Sep 1876 at Kaysville, Davis, Utah

Children:

William Chapman 29 Mar 1841 at Sandy, Bedford, Eng; died 19 Apr 1841

Ann 13 Jul 1842 at Sandy, Bedford, Eng

William 31 Jan 1844 at Sandy, Bedford, Eng

Martha 7 Apr 1846 at Sandy, Bedford, Eng; died 1 Sep 1846

Charles 4 Mar 1848 at Sandy, Bedford, Eng

Lorenzo 19 Aug 1850 at Sandy, Bedford, Eng

John James 12 Sep 1852 at Sandy, Bedford, Eng

Sarah E. 29 Aug 1854 at Kaysville, Davis, Utah

Lucy 5 Sep 1856 at Kaysville, Davis, Utah

Mary Adelia 9 Dec 1858 at Kaysville, Davis, Utah

Thomas Moroni 6 Jan 1861 at Kaysville, Davis, Utah

John James Barnes and Hannah Eliza Douglass

Life History of John James Barnes

John James Barnes was born 12 Sep 1852 in Bedford, England to William Jefferies Barnes born 20 Aug 1820 and Frances Fitsjohn Chapman born 5 Sep 1818.

John came from England with his parents June 1853. He was nine months old. They first settled in Kaysville, Utah.

John was baptized 1 May 1864 by Jesse Dredge and confirmed by Christopher Layton. John herded sheep when he was a barefooted boy. He couldn't read or write, other than his name.

John married Hannah Eliza Douglass 12 Mar 1884. They were married by Peter I. Waddle at his home in Arimo, Bannock, Idaho. John came from Kaysville, Utah to Marsh Valley, Idaho when he was a young man. He always had his wife sign the checks. He would sign his name if he got in a pinch but very seldom.

His description is as follows: Height 5 ft 8 in, weight 140-143, eyes blue, hair brown but went gray when very young and was real white when he was 50. He had fairly good health until he was about 65.

He was especially interested in farming and planted his crops by the signs of the moon.

John was the father of eight children (4 girls and 4 boys) which all grew to man and womanhood. One daughter died less than a year after she was married with typhoid fever.

He owned shares in one of the threshers that they used in those days which was run by 6 or 8 teams of horses going around in a circle. It seemed as though it took 10 to 12 men to do the threshing, hauling grain to the thresher and pitching grain into the machine. He had a sheep dip on his farm which they ran the sheep through, it was a vat they dipped for scab. John and some of the boys would go every fall after the work was done to the canyon early in the morning and cut wood for burning in the stove. It would mostly be quaken asp sometimes they would get a little magahony to burn in the dining room stove.

I can remember father best when he had his white beard and mustache. One day he went to clean the chimney to the dining room stove and he put some paper or rag with coal oil on it in the chimney hole and it blazed out and burned his whiskers and after that he had them all shaved off and never wore whiskers anymore.

Father was a likeable man, everyone that knew him would call him Uncle. They could always see him in a crowd on account of his white hair. When any one would have a new baby in the family he liked to sit and rock and sing to it. He was a very good friend to the Indians. He traded with the Indians and always had good buckskin gloves. They used to come and camp on his place over night.

Lucile Phillips (granddaughter) was named after a song he used to sing to her when she was a baby. The song was "Come Away With Me Lucile". She was his first grandaughter. Father had a partial stroke around 1919 or 1920. He couldn't get around too good or speak too plain and he finally decided to go to the Temple and be sealed to his wife and have his family sealed. While sick he asked for the Elders to come and administer to him which they did. Father said the Elders were the ones that saved his life.

He lived a couple of years after this, then he had another stroke and finally obtained gangrene in one limb and suffered intensely. He died the 3 Feb 1923 in Downey, Idaho. Funeral services were held in the Downey LDS Church. He was buried in the Cambridge Cemetery.

Written by Daughter - Winefred Barnes Barfuss

Children: Frances Jane born 19 Jun 1885, died 10 Mar 1920; Cora Isabel born 23 Dec 1887, died 16 Sep 1910; Eliza Ann born 21 Aug 1890, died 25 Jan 1957; John Ray born 12 May 1892, died 19 Apr 1963; Charles Ralph born 10 Sep 1894, died 2 Jan 1979; Lester Lorenzo born 20 Oct 1896, died 6 Mar 1973; Winefred born 19 jun 1898, died 17 Jul 1975; Myron William born 16 Jan 1905, died 10 Dec 1970. All were born at Downey, Bannock Idaho.

Additional information from daughter Eliza Ann Barnes Wilding: John James Barnes was ordained an Elder 26 Dec 1920 and went to the Logan Temple with his family 4 May 1921. The sealing was done by William Noble.

When the Barnes family came from England they left Liverpool on the Ship Falcon 23 Mar 1853 and sailed to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Life History of Hannah Eliza Douglass

Hannah Eliza Douglass was born 1 Jul 1865 at Ogden, Weber, Utah to Ralph Briggs Douglass born 28 Dec 1823 and Jane Stone born 25 Oct 1836. They lived in Ogden then moved to Marsh Valley, Bannock, Idaho. There being no school there, Hannah went to Ogden to school returning in the spring to help her mother.

She with her parents were among the pioneers to Marsh Valley, Idaho. She was a very good seamstress and did most of the sewing for the family even making pants for her father.

Hannah Eliza met John James Barnes. He was 13 years her senior. They eloped and were married the 12 Mar 1884. When Hannah and John returned from Arimo in the wagon this nice March night it had rained all day. Some of the folks decided to have some fun. They took the bedding and hid it and stuffed the stove pipes full of paper and rags so then they made a fire they would get smoked out. This was done while they serenaded them with tin cans outside and an old fiddle. Later on John and Hannah moved to another place about a mile east where they spent the rest of their life on this farm, farming and milking cows.

To this union eight children were born - (listed above)

Hannah Eliza Douglass was baptized 7 May 1864. Hannah and John's marriage was solemnized in the Logan Temple, Logan, Utah 4 May 1921. Her second daughter Cora Isabel contracted typhoid. She was critically ill at her parents home and passed away 16 sep 1910. Cora had been married less than a year. Her eldest daughter gave birth to a son and a few days later blood poison set in and she passed away the 10 mar 1920. Hannah took the grandson and cared for him until he was school age even though her husband John was paralyzed from a stroke in 1919. She took excellent care of both of them.

Hannah was always ready and willing to help anybody that had sickness or anything else she could do. If there was a death, they always called on her to do the sewing and making of the burial clothes or temple clothes. She was a great hand for making partchwork quilts. She knitted sox, mittens for the children when they were small and did crocheting. After her husband passed away she sold the home and moved to Tremonton, Utah where one of the daughters and two sons lived. She bought a small home in town and lived there until the 3 Oct 1938 where she passed away quietly in her sleep during the night. She was buried in the Cambridge Cemetery, northeast of Downey, Bannock, Idaho.

She took her first airplane ride after she was 70 years old.

She made her own butter and raised chickens and took eggs and butter to town and bought her groceries. Once she had a chicken set in a tree and hatched little chicks. She had bees, it was interesting to the grandchildren to see her tend the bees and extract the honey.

She crocheted many rugs. She gave a lot of crocheting to her children and grandchildren. She had the most beautiful black hair, long braids of it. She could sit on the ends of it. She had alot of headache so she had it cut when she was in her sixties. Her hair was just tinted with a few grey hairs when she passed away at the age of 73.

Written by her daughter - Winefred Barnes Barfuss

Additional information from daughter Eliza Ann Barnes Wilding.

Dec 1916 her height 5 ft 5 1/2 in; weight 173 and chest 40. Eyes blue and hair black. Health fair. Hannah was interested in Relief Society, was a visiting teacher and a member until she died. Hannah married William Clegg 1 Apr 1926 but later divorced.

Layne-Chapman & Bybee-Atterson Families

Most of the colonial land grants of North America specified no western boundary for simple reason that what lay to the west was not known at the time the grants were issued. It was not until the year 1750 that the Loyal Land Company signed a contract with Thomas Walker, a physician of Fredericksburg, Virginia, to lead a group of men to investigate the possibilities of establishing settlements on the wester side of the Cumberland Mountains. They passed through Cumberland Gap (which he named) and on to the Kentucky River but returned with an unfavorable report. In this same year the Ohio Land Company sponsored Christopher Gist of North Carolina and a group of Surveyors, geologists and a few soldiers down the Ohio River from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They camped on the south shore of the river near the Falls above what is now Louisville, Kentucky. From this point they traveled south through the Blue Grass region and returned to North Carolina. By this time the French and Indian wars delayed further exploration until 1765 when John Finley of North Carolina piloted several families (including Daniel Boone) on a visit to what is now Kentucky. He had been held captive by the Indians in this region and learned of its possibilities.

The stories which these families related, upon their return, concerning the mild winter climate where live stock could remain out through the winter months to feed on the luxuriant grass and of the virtues of the lime stone water with its strong bone building qualities for animals created a desire for many families from both Virginia and North Carolina to move there.
By this time settlements were being made in the western portion of North Carolina in what we now know as Tennessee. Regardless of the treaties made with the Indians who were loath to give up this wonderful hunting ground, the white settlers were constantly alert to massacres and raidings. This condition caused the white settlers to move frequently from one small settlement to another.

According to genealogical records of the Layne (Lane) and Chapman families we deduce that they were among the early settlers of what is now Tennessee. There is no record of the birth place of the first child of Robert Layne (Lane) and Polly Chapman (Richard born 14 February 1786) but their second child "Jemima" was born in Johnson, Washington County, Tennessee in 1788. Two more children, Tillson and Anna Maria were born at this place, also. And then the family moved to the northwest and located at Barren County, Kentucky. John (1794), Priestly Carr (1796), and Jonathan (1798) were born at this home and then the family returned to Washington County, Tennessee. Elizabeth Ann (24 June 1801) and Eliza (16 October 1802) were born while they resided here. Then the prairie of Kentucky called them back to Barren County where sons, David (born 24 Jan 1806 – of this sketch) and Ellis (born 1808) were born.
Both Virginia and North Carolina had been very lax in furnishing protection to their colonists in the western part of their domain and since the settlers were left to their own devices to protect themselves from the Indians, they petitioned for a separation from the Mother colony, formed their own state and supplied their own militia for protection.

About 1731, the French had erected a Fort at Vincennes on the Wabash River in what is now Indiana and a few families homesteaded near the Fort but it was not until 1778 that General George Rogers Clark brought this Wabash country under the control of the Americans. It was ceded to the United States in 1783 by the English. Following the Revolutionary War all this great North Western Territory was opened for settlement.

But there was much to be accomplished with the Indians who were being crowded ever westward to the Mississippi River. Their last great stand was headed by Tecumseh at the battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.

It took little time for the word to spread of the possibilities available in the virgin soil of this section of land. Soon the waterways and the Indian trails were filled with immigrant families from the east and south.

It was about 1831 when the Robert Layne – Polly Chapman family moved to the section now known as Clay County, Indiana near the Fort at Vincennes. But they were not alone on the journey. Son David, now 25 years old journeyed with his parents. On this 27 September 1826, he married Lucinda Bybee, evidently a neighbor. By this time they were the parents of three children, Martha Jane (born 26 July 1827), Sarah (Sally) Ann (21 Feb 1829) and Robert Lee (21 October 1830).

Lucinda’s parents Lee Allen Bybee and Jerusha Jane Atterson evidently came to Barren County, Kentucky about 1800. Their first child Elizabeth was born here is 1801. Lucinda, their fourth child was born 20 June 1805 at Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky and since the record states that all fifteen of Lee Allen Bybee’s children were born in Barren County, Kentucky, we assume he made a permanent home at this place. It would not be correct to say that these families lived in great colonial homes and raised blue-blooded stock.

In the beginning of their homesteading they lived in small homes, perhaps log homes, carried their water from a creek nearby but as their families increased they erected larger more substantial homes. They, also, made an effort to build up the strain of their livestock of all varieties by purchasing good sires. Thus the Bybee’s as well as the Layne’s were well equipped with food, clothing, and animals when they all moved to the Wabash Valley.
Since Barren County lies in the southern part of Kentucky near the northern border of Tennessee and almost due south of Louisville, Kentucky. These families no doubt made the first part of their journey northward to the Ohio River and from there to the northwest to the Ohio River and from there to the northwest but whether they went by river or overland is not known.
Here in Clay County, Indiana, David Layne’s father, Robert, was soon elected Justice of the Peace. He was, also, a Campbellite Minister and no doubt performed some frontier marriages as well as settling some minor civic problems. Perhaps he entertained the Circuit riding judge as he came to check on government affairs.

Heavy timber covered these acres of ground and the men found hard work in clearing the trees and stumps in order to plant their crops. There was definitely no lack of material for homes and fuel. The women must once again resort to their ingenuity and training to make their homes as pleasant as possible under these pioneering conditions.

These families were greatly plagued by wolves and bear, which raided their livestock. The wolves come in great packs. Scholastic training was almost nil until after Indiana became a state and roads could be built.

It was the day before Christmas 1852, when Lucinda Bybee Layne gave birth to her fourth child Mary Elizabeth here at her newly erected log home, Bowling Green, Clay County, Indiana. Then came Jonathan Ellis (13 Jan 1835), Elihu Preston (18 October 1837), Nancy Maria (14 February 1839), and then great sadness entered the home after just a few days of illness, Lucinda’s husband, David, passed away 18 August 1840.

Lucinda was now left to mother and provide for seven children, the oldest but 13 years of age. But this was not all. In six months she gave birth to a daughter, Jerusha Emmaline (18 March 1841). There was a $500.00 debt to be paid, also. After consulting with her father, it was decided that she sell her home and come to live in a small house near him. Lucinda now passed through many trials in trying to provide for her family until some of the older ones were able to assist her.

In the fall of 1838, Phineas Young, Almon W Babbitt and other missionaries of the newly created church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which had been revealed to Joseph Smith, the modern Prophet of the lord, passed through Terre Haute and on through Clay County. Some of them were making their way to New York and Washington, D.C. on business concerning the church while others were preaching the gospel. Although the Layne and Bybee families were members of the Campbellite church, David Layne and Byrum Bybee attended some of the meetings conducted by these latter Day Saint missionaries. They became interested and requested baptism but before the ordnance could be performed, David Layne passed away.
Just how many of the members of this community were converted and baptized is not known but Lucinda gave her baptismal date as 1841.

Jonathan Ellis Layne in his history of his mother – Lucindia – tells us that in 1842, Lucinda with her family, her father and three brothers with their families along with others, left their homes in Clay County, Indiana and journeyed to Nauvoo, Illinois.

They crossed the Wabash River near Terre Haute and soon came to a settlement in eastern Illinois known as "Paris". Here they visited with Lucinda’s sister, Polly who had married Middleton White. The White family, were making their home at this place. From here the road led westward to Springfield, Illinois. It was here the members of this group saw a steam driven train for the first time.

Traveling on to the northwest, they came to Nauvoo on the Mississippi River. Finding no farmland in the vicinity of Nauvoo proper they moved on five miles to the south where they purchased farms. The road from Warsaw, Illinois ran in front of their homes and during the persecutions at the time of the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum there was little sleep in the Layne and Bybee homes due to the comings and goings of members of the mob.

It is commonly known that those persecuting the Saints at this time took advantage of them as they attempted to dispose of their property when preparing for the exodus from Nauvoo. Nearly all were compelled to take what was offered but in Lucinda’s case it was the same as giving it away. Her brick home and ten acres of good land were "sold" for eleven dollars in trade for flour to take on the journey. Her son, Jonathan, who was now eleven years old, recalled that upon opening the sacks they found the flour so black and bitter that they were unable to eat it. Only after going hungry three days were they able to swallow some of it.

It was in May 1846, says Jonathan that these families crossed the Mississippi River at a place near Warsaw called Nashville and from there went to Farmington, Iowa on the Des Moines River. They camped here for a few days to arrange the equipment and purchase some better food and then moved on to the Grand River where Lucinda’s two oldest daughters Martha Jane who had married Anthony Johnson Stratton and Sarah Ann whose husband was Horace Burr Owens were living. Lorenzo Snow was in charge of the Saints living here at what became known as Mount Pisgah. He had a small hand mill with which the Saints ground the corn, which they raised for food. Rather a tedious way to do it but better than no mill at all.

During the eighteen months, which Lucinda and her younger children lived here at Pisgah, she met and married (November 1847) a man by the name of J. Barnett Manzer. Barnett Manzer was born 18 May 1780 at Phillips, Rensealer County, New York. A son of Lawrence Manzer and Elizabeth. He was baptized in 1842 and when he was 80 years old he had his endowments in the Endowment House 17 November 1860. He had been married to Mary born April 1781 at Neshink, Rhode Island.

The following spring they moved on to Pottawattamie County, Iowa where they became members of the North Pigeon Branch. Here Barnett Manzer built a small home, fenced some ground and planted a crop and made his family as comfortable as possible while they made preparations for joining the Saints in the Rocky Mountains. At this place on 13 June 1851 Lucinda gave birth to a baby boy whom they named Stephen Manzer. Lucinda was now 46 years old and the task of caring for the new baby along with making preparations to cross the plains was very difficult for her. Barnett Manzer at this time was 71 years old.

On the 30 June 1850, Lucinda’s daughter Mary Elizabeth married George Wilding and she was now with out the assistance of her older children. Little by little the Manzer’s accumulated the necessary equipment and on 15 May 1852 they were counted among the 241 souls with 45 wagons who left Florence, Nebraska on the journey. They were pleased to have their former Branch president Benjamin Gardner as their leader.

Would Lucinda ever know anything but the adversities of Pioneering? She was not well and the journey was long and hard. She appreciated having a husband to assume the responsibility of the journey. As they arrived in the Valley the 27 September 1852 she realized that her pioneering days were not over. Although the city had a flourishing appearance she could see that it was still in its infancy.

She was greatly concerned when her father and other members of her family chose to go north to Ogden for their permanent home. Her husband was chosen to assist with the building up of Nephi, Juab County consequently she obediently went with him for this assignment. There seems to be no record at the present day as to what became of Barnett Manzer but we do know that Lucinda and her children Nancy Maria, Jerusha Emmaline, Elihu Preston and Stephen returned to Salt Lake from Nephi and reside in a home on the corner of South Temple and Second West until these children were married and Lucinda was alone. On the 4 October 1857 she buried her son Robert Lee Layne and on 10 October 1863 she received her endowments, which gave her much joy. Shortly after the railroad was completed, she went to Pasadena, California to be with her daughter.

As she grew older she returned to her children living in the vicinity of Salt Lake and was cared for by the George Wilding family in the Sixteenth Ward. She was deprived of her eyesight in her later years but received tender care from her daughter Mary Elizabeth Wilding who lived in the block north of the Jackson School until her death 10 April 1896 at the age of 91 years.

4 Pictures and one history added

August was a very busy month with two family reunions, a wedding and an open house. A weekly post is the goal now that things are slowing down alittle.

Pictures of the wives of David Wilding, George Wilding Sr. and George Wilding Jr. were added to their histories. A new history was added of Lucinda Bybee Layne who is the mother of Mary Elizabeth Layne who is the wife of George Wilding Sr.

Lucinda Bybee Layne

Lucinda Bybee married David Layne who are the parents of Mary Elizabeth Layne who married George Wilding Sr.

Lucinda Bybee was born 20 or 21 July 1805, Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky. She was the fourth child of Lee Allen Bybee and Jerusha Jane Attkerson. Her three older sisters were: Elizabeth (1801), Polly (1802), Nancy 1803-1843), then Lucinda, John (abt 1806), Absalor (10 Feb 1808), Mary (24 Oct 1809), Alfred (4 Nov 1810), Sally Ann (22 Dec. 1815-1889), Loraine (abt 1817-1873), Lee (4 May 1819), Ruth (abt 1821), Joab (abt 1823).

Lucinda Bybee married David Layne, 11 Sep 1824. They had seven chldren when David died, leaving a five hundred dollar debt that caused the farm to be sold the next year, 1841, and the family moved to or near Bowling Green County, near to Lucinda's father, Lee Bybee's place.

In the fall and winter of 1838, Phineas Young, A.W. Babbit, and others came through Clay County preaching the gospel as restored by Joseph Smith, the modern prophet of the Lord. David Layne and Byrum Bebee went to the meeting and were well pleased with what they heard and after consideration and comparison with the Bible, they concluded to embrace it at the first opportunity which did not come as far as David was concerned for he was taken sick and died that same year. Byrum was baptized the next year, followed the Saints and was faithful to his covenants to the end of his life. He died in southern Utah about 1870, leaving a large family and a numerous posterity most of whom are in southern Utah at this time, 1897.

In 1842, Lucinda Bybee Layne with all members of her family and her father, three brothers and their families and others from their homes in Indiana, started from their homes to gather with the saints in Nauvoo, Illinois, When about 20 miles from their homes near Terrehaute, Indiana, on of Lucinda's sons Elishu Preston, fell off the wagon and run over by the wheel. Both legs were thought to be broken but next day could walk as well as ever. The following day they crossed the Wabash river and arrived at Paris, Illinois where Lucinda's sister, Polly White lived with her Huband Middleton White. At that time he being the jailer, the jail was their home. The Laynes stayed with them for two days then traveled westward across the state of Illinois to Nauvoo on the east bank of the Mississippi River about 250 miles from where they had started. They stopped in the city for nearly three weeks while the brethern looked about for land that could be purchased. They found land available about five miles outh and a little east of the city and soon moved onto it. That first winter was very cold in 1842-43.

At Springfield they saw their first railroad and cars. At Cathage they saw the jail where two years later the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were murdered 27 June 1844. They also saw Captain Robert F. Smith commander of the mob that committed the bloody deed.

The children who were school age went to school parts of the years of 1842, 43, 44 at this place where they had settled.

In June 1844 the family lived in a home near to the road that led from Warsaw to Nauvook and during this month almost day and night they heard reports of mobs coming from Warsaw and other places which kept them all in continual alarm. Being on the main road, there were many nights that were entirely sleepless. On the night of June 27th their home seemed to be filled with evil spirits and the next day Lucinda's father came with the terrifying news that the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum had been murdered in Carthage jail. Such a time of mourning had never been know among the Saints.

In the fall of 1844, Lucinda's son, Johnathan along with others chopped wood that was hauled to Naufoo and turned it to those in charge of the Temple work and thus the Laynes had the privilege of assisting in the building tof the Nauvoo Temple.

Johnathan with others at a muster of the Nauvoo Legion when the Prohet Joseph Smith as commander made his last public address when he made the statement as he uncheathed his sword and pointing it heavenward said: "It shall never be sheathed again until the Latter-day Saints shall have their rights". He at this time asked the people if they would stand by him, they answered "Yes" in a loud voice. We have only to read this part of the history of the Latter-day Saints to see a good reason for this.

When the Prophet's and Hyrum's bodies were brought to Nauvoo, Lucinda forbid the children to go along with the many thousands to take a last look at them. The older boys had respect enough for their Mother to obey thought they were sorry to their dying days that they weren't allowed to see them.

In thw winter of 1845-6 the leaders of the church agreed with our people to leave Illiois as soon as their homes and lands could be disposed of and to be ready when the others were to depart. To accomplish this, the branches were organized into working companies to make wagons, carts or anything that could be used to move the people westward. Some of the wagons were used without any iron, not even for tires, rawhide was often used in place of a wooden lingbolt. Cows were often used in place of oxen and some of the frollest outfits that were ever seen or thought of were used to start on the 1500 mile journey.

Their enemies took advantage of this situation. They believed the Saints would go thether or not they sold their homes and they could claim them without cost. However most all were able to dispose of their homes and property at some sort of renumeration which in many cases was about the same as giving them away. Lucinda owned a small brick home and then acres of good land. It was sold in trade for eleven dollars worth of the blackest, most bitter and most vile flour that was ever seen or tasted. It was only after two or three days without food that it could be eaten at all. The fact is that no description of what the people passed through written by the learned or unlearned could possibly portray correctly the true situation. It must be felt to be truly realized. The hearing of the ear, the sight of the eye could not fittingly portray it neither think it possible the language we understood could perfectly describe it.

In May 1846, they with granfather Lee Bybee and her brothers, Lucinda and her children with others started from their once peaceable homes and were ferried across the Mississippi River. They crossed five miles below Warsaw and Nauvoo, west and north and camped for a week or ten days to make better preparation for the long journey before the. It seemed as if they had to start first and prepare afterward. After two days journey they came to the DesMoines River at Farmington, Iowa there they camped with Byrum Bybee where one of his daughters met a man Luan Bird and in two or three days she married him. He lived at Farmington, Utah and was not of our faith.

They were able while there to get a abundance of good flour for their labor which was a great treat after eating the black stuff they had brought from Nauvoo and surely the hand of the Lord was with them and they thanked him and tried to live as he required them to.

They remained there until the middle of summer then crossed the DesMoines Rivert at Bonapart Mills traveling wetward 10 or 12 miles where there was a large camp of moving saints, here they stopped for several weeks. A man from Keosoqua on the DesMoine River about 20 miles from camp came and wanted an experienced nurse to care for his wife who was ill. Lucinda went and cared for the sick woman for two weeks. Johnathan then took sick with fever and continued to grow worse until little hope for his recovery was entertained. He was in this condition when brother Joseph Young of the Seventies stopped one day to feed his horse and eat with the group. When Johnathan heard that he was there he asked that someone go and bring him that he may lay his hands upon him but they said it would do no good. Johnathan insisted and Brother Young was brought and administered to him and immediately he asked for something to seat, the first food in nearly a week. The next day he was able to get up from his bed and was soon well again. The family knew it was the power and mercy of God that had made the healing possible. After a period of about four weeks they moved on westward with many others toward a resting place for the Saints. In about two weeks they arried at a place where Lucinda's two daughters, Martha Jane and Sally Ann with their husbands, Anthony Johnson Stratton and Horace Burr Owens had stopped on Grand River. They had built themselves log cabins and had raised a little corn which was badly frost bitten but which they were glad to grind and eat before the next spring. Even the frosted cornmeal was a hundred percent better than the bitter black flour they had eaten on the road from Nauvoo. To get corn dry enough to grind they layed it overhead on the house and when dry enought o shell they did so then carried it on their backs to a handmill at Brother Lorenzo Snow's home. They often had to wait their turn to grind the corn as the mill was constatly busy day and night , beside this they paid a small toll for its use. Brother Snow presided over this place for some time.

The next year 1847 they raised some good corn that fully matured being dry and sound and made good bread.

There were scouts sent ahead to make log homes that the companies could live in during the winter months. By putting in an early crop they could then move on to a fall crop ready to be harvested, leaving the early down crop for the following companies to harvest. This was done by the advice of Pres. Brigham Young. In this manner thousands of the saints have been able to gather to Utah.

After living in Pisgah, Iowa nearly 18 months, about November 1847 Lucinda married aman by the name of Barnett Manzer and the following spring they moved onto Potawatomie County, Iowa in company with John W. Cowley and his mother and others. After two eeks of traveling they camped on North Pigeon Creek where Barnett Manzar bult a house and fenced some ground then planted a crop. They made themselves as comfortable as possible at the same time preparing to move farther west as soon as possible.

In the early spring of 1850 some of the men went to drive freight teams to Salt Lake City and Johnathan, on of Lucinda's sons, was with them and he states this experience on the 5th day of April about 10 o'clock we saw this peculiar sign in the heavens. The sun was surrounded for a little distance with a circle of light. From the eastern edge of the sun reaching through this light was the representation of an arm reaching from the shoulder to the hand, the fingers could be plainly seen as grasping the hilt of a large sword with the point toward the earth to the southeast of where we were (Northwest Missouri). This remained in our sight until noon then it disappeared.

Some years Some years after this I read of a person in Illinois one night who stood looking at the heavens with face toward the south and he saw a similar sight. A streak of light reaching from the earth many degrees upward as the figure 1, the ends seemed to lengthen out and each end turned to the right and met in the center making the number 8, the upper end then straightened out leaving the lower end forming the number 6, and then the two ends turned forward and met in the center forming the number 0. Putting them all together as they were maked the figures 1860. This taken in connection with the hand and the sword that was shown to us the events that ook place are easily understood to mean the foreshadowing of the great war of the United State, The Civil War.

As the men reached the place where they were supposed to outfit the freight trains and were about ready to continue the trek westward many of the men let down considerably in their moral conduct which was not in keeping with the teachings of the church. This so disgusted the remaining few that they left the train and went back to the man company. Johnathan being one of these went back to find his mother, Lucinda, with a tiny baby whom they named Stephen Manzer.

In the summer of 1851 nearly all of the Latter-day Saints in Potawatomie County prepared to go the following year to the Salt Lake valley. In the month of May the saints of the North Pigeon branch started their journey to the valley and within the next day or so crossed the river on the flat boat. The cattle were forced to swim but all crossed safely thought the river was more than a half mile wide at the crossing.

The company they traveled in was organized as all companies of the Latter-day Saints were who crossed the plains. Their captain was Benjamin Gardner. They raveled slowly to allow the cattle time for possible feeding. They soon arrived where the buffalo were seen in countless numbers and they had buffalo meat in abundance most of the journey. In June the arrived at the Loop Fork River which they must ford, the river being full of quick sand forced the wagons to keep going once they started to cross for the running water would take the sand from under the wheels and they would sink a foot or more in just a few minutes and so completely envelope the lower side of the wheels that they were forced to use two or three teams to move the sinking wagon. This same condition applied also to cattle, horses or men, all must keep moving or they would become fast in the reacherous sand.

At long last all were safely over and camped for the night. Early next morning they were on the move again passing the Bishop W. W. Lames company who were camped on Look Fork River.

Cholera was in the Lames camp therefore they passed them by and stopped on the west fork of the river for noon. A short time later the Lames company passed on by going up the river. After two hours nooning they again overtook the Bishop's wagon and two others. The Bishop had died of Cholera and they had stopped to bury him. They had dug the grave and were lowering the body inti it, the waster was six to eight inches deep in the bottom of the grave but they lowered the body whihc as half buried in water. They finished covering it with soil and immediately continued on their journey.

Near 4 o'clock in the afternoon they overtook another wagon albong the road. It also was one of Bishop Lames wagons, his wife had also died of the cholera and they were digging her grave less than seven miles from where he was buried. It was indeed a sad sight. Death was stalking abroad in daylight as well as in darkness. They then passed on along the Wood River about 10 miles fromthe las mentioned grave.

Cholera attacked four more in the Lames camp that night and at noon the following day Brother Amost Hunt lost a son near 16 years of age and he was buried immediately. The camp moved on and that night another died and was buried in the like manner. Next morning they moved on again. Indeed it seemed as thought they raveled in death valley so many new graves were passed day after day. They were now on the Platte River and within a few days relief came to them when the sickness ceased and they gave thanks to the Lord.

The camp always layed over on the sabbath day and meetings held as often as it was possible to do so. All camps were made in a circle, wagon to wagon, and always at least four men on guard throughout the night, also two men were with the cattle. Cattle was often taken some distance to find food for them. As troublesome as all thses things were it was much better than fear of the mobs had been and it was always pleasant to reflect on going to the land of peace, if not of plenty.

Thus day by day, week by week, they traveled ever onward to the land of tromise where they would be free to worship the Lord their God according to the dictates of their own conscience with none to afflict or oppress. Free from the hands of such men as they who killed the prophet of the Lord and drove helpless and sick men and women, many whose husbnads were in the service of the government. That same government did nto raise a hand to prevent these outrages.

Near the forks of the Platte River it was thought best to divide the company into two or more camps, making it possible to travel faster. This was done and proved to be advantageous as planned.

Their company did not cross the Platte River at Fort Laramie but continued up the north side until they reached the mountains 40 or 50 miles above Fort Laramie. There they camped the the 11th company, James Megaw captain. They were there two or three days as feed was good and old acquaintances had a good time visiting.

It was a new thing to climb mountinas. The different kinds of timber, pine and spruce, the magnificent scenery and the view to be had of the valleys was entirely new to them. The buffalo that were to be seen at this time in the hills and plains near the Platte River was really wonderful. From a 50 foot hill one could see in any direction as far as the eye could reach. The earth was black with herds of moving buffalo so close together that the ground could not be seen between them. Guards were put out right and left to prevent them from going between the wagons, thereby stampeding the cattle and horses, in this manner a stampded was avoided in their company, but other companies were not so successful being less watchful. Buffalo travel very little at night this proved helpful to the moving saints. In one herdof buffalo an old work ox was seen but it was impossible to separate him from them.

When they broke this camp they separated from the 11th company and didn't see them again until they arrived in the valley. They crossed the river to the south side for the teams were beginning to tire and feed at the camp grounds was not enought for their large herds. It was thought best to again divide the company and this they did and lightened their loads as much as possible by throwing away boxes and other things that could be spared to help the poor overworked teams.

George Wilding, who had married Lucinda's daughter, Mary Elizabeth in the spring of 1851 broke his wagon, his team being weak and nothing with which to mend the wagon. He put his load and team to other wagons and within a few days they reached Deer Creek. There they found coal in the bed of the creek and stayed over a few days to mend wagons and to keep the sabbath. Monday they moved on again and when camping for noon a large group of Cheyenne Indians came to them. As the Indians were dressed in war paint and seemed a little hostile they hardly knew how to handle the situation. They put up a brave front showing no fear although they were, they got out their fiddles and the young folk danced which greatly amused the Indians. Giving them a few presents the Indians soon moved off which suited the company very well and soon they also were on the move but not in the same direction as the Indians had taken.

One day a number prairie dogs were killed and cooked over the sagebrush fires. They were very palatable meat, although many could not be persuaded to eat because it was called dog.

On they traveled for many days throught sagebrush and plains, mile after weary mile. After many trials and timbers later they reached the foot of the so longed for mountains. There they camped and ate dinner by a small creek at the foot of the mountin but their stop was short for they had been told that from the top of the next little mountain they could see into the valley of the great Salt Lake so on they hurried to see who could arrive there first. Soon they reached to top and there fore them lay the valley thay had come so far to see. Some were moved to tears of gratitude and thanksgiving, othersdisappointed with the looks of the place, all agebrush, dry, a treeless plain, but down the mountain, across the bench and into the city they went. Arriving there at 4 o'clock p.m. 27 September 1852. They found many old friends and acquaintances and soon began to feel better. The next day they were ready to move on toward Ogden, Weber County. Some went south and Arnett Manzer and Lucinda with their unmarried family consisting to two daughter, Nancy Marie, Jerusha Emeline and two sons, Elihu Preston, and baby Stephen went to Nephi County.

There seems to be not record at the present day as to what became of Barnett Manzer but we do know that Lucinda and her children returned to Salt Lake from Nephi and resided in a home on the corner of South Temple and Second West until these children were married and Lucinda was alone. On the 4 Oct 1857 she buried her son Robert Lee Layne and on 19 Oct 1863 she received her endowments which gave her much joy. Shortly after the railroad was completed she went to Pasadena, California to be with her daughter.

As she grew older she returned to her children living in the the vicinty of Salt Lake and was cared for by the George Wilding family in the Sixteenth Ward. She was deprived of her eye sight in her later years but received tender care from her daughter Mary Elizabeth Wilding who lived in the block north of the Jackson School until her death 10 April 1896 at the age of 91 years.

(Author unknown and no picture available)