. . . Friday, June 1st - Early in the morning [C. R.] Dorius and I went to Islington and were directed to the Guion Line office by President Teasdale who introduced us to Mr. Ramsden.

In the afternoon [p. 25] the Saints were taken to the ship S. S. Wisconsin. When we got to steamer it was discovered that a child belonging to a widow had the measles. She was taken back to the hotel. Missionaries arrived from Utah.

Saturday, 2nd - I went to a hotel where I found Louis Shurtlef from Ogden. Afterwards I went to the office and attended to some business connected with the emigration, after which Elder Dorius and I left for the steamer. We came on board about 12 a.m. just as the emigrants was passing the doctor. [p. 26] President Teasdale came in at 2 p.m. and bid us goodbye. Mr. Ramsden introduced me to the captain as being one of the leaders of the company of Saints.

Soon after 2 p.m. we started on our journey. The weather was fine and we commenced our voyage under favorable circumstances. We affected an organization dividing the Saints into three wards with three presidents and two assistants. This gave good satisfaction. We also imparted some instructions as to the way in which to receive their provisions.

Sunday, 3rd - I wrote a letter to [President] Flygare, which was mailed at our arrival at Queenstown. [p. 27] 11 a.m. we laid still about an hour and took on more passengers and some landed. About night we were out at sea and left land out of sight.

Monday, 4th - Was a day for general [p. 28] seasickness. I was a little sick too, but ate at every meal. Some of our people being sick, was through the kindness of the purser removed to second cabin rooms. We administered to them and they felt better. I had a good night's rest.

Tuesday, 5th - Was a very fine day, the sea being entirely calm and we made a good run.

Wednesday, 6th - We had a heavy head wind which hindrance [p. 29] retarded our progress and we made nearly 40 miles less than the day before. At night we had a meeting in which I spoke encouraging to the Saints and gave them some instructions.

Thursday, 7th - The weather came out very fine and calm and all felt to rejoice.

Friday, 8th - This was also a very fine day and it passed very agreeable with all passengers. I visited the sick and administered to some. [p. 30]

Saturday, 9th - When I woke up I found the ship standing still, something being wrong with the air pump. It was foggy. At 7 a.m. we again started to sail. I took a trip round to the sick and found they was all better.

Sunday, 10th - We had two meetings with the Saints and the Spirit of God was richly poured out upon us.

Monday, 11th - We made a collection for the stewards and [p. 31] imparted some instructions privately to the Saints concerning our landing in Castle Garden.

Tuesday, 12th - I was engaged in writing some testimonies also to the good treatment of the captain, purser, chief steward, & doctor. I also wrote a letter to President Flygare.

Wednesday, 13th - At daybreak as I woke I found we were in the mouth of the river going in towards New York. [p. 32] We soon got the quarantine doctor on board and passed. After we had went a little farther the customs officers came and passed upon our names, each giving up what good he hand. We then were landed in the dock and when the goods had been examined we were sent to Castle Garden and with little difficulty got off onto the steamer that should take us to the city of Norfolk, Virginia. On this trip the elders had good treatment. [p. 33]

Thursday, 14th - At five p.m. we landed in Norfolk and was immediately put on the cars and started off in fast time.

Friday, 15th - We got to Bristol about 9 a.m. where we changed cars. The conductor on the last division before we got to Chattanooga was very cross and ugly and run the train with fire in two of the cars blazing so that the Saints got much frightened, but fortunately there was nobody hurt. When we got to Chattanooga, an agent [p. 34] accompanied us to Memphis.

Saturday, 16th - We landed in Memphis about 8 a.m. and had to change cars again. We got another agent along and in a short time we were off again. We went over the Mississippi River and passed through a part of Arkansas State, which was very fine.

Sunday, 17th - Early in the morning we came to Kansas City, changed cars, and was divided, a part going on the [p. 35] D & R G [Denver & RioGrande] line and the other over the Union Pacific. I took charge over those going over the first mentioned and Elder Dorius went with the others accompanied by J. Hansen, J. L. Kavin, and Steel.

Monday, 18th - We reached Pueblo at 9 a.m., changed cars, and left at 11 having supplied us with bread and other eatables. We now passed through two very remarkable places, the Grand Canyon and Marshall Pass where we arrived about night. [p. 36]

Tuesday, 19th - When I woke up we found ourselves in the desert with a desolate looking appearance which continued till we reached the Mormon settlements, but not altogether till we got in Southern Utah County. Here appeared life and thrift. We reached Salt Lake City at half past 7, being met by brethren from the tithing office. I went and stayed by Wiesbergs. . . . [p. 37]

BIB: Geertsen, Peter Christian. Journal (Ms 1507), fd. 2, vol. 5, pp. 25-37. (CHL)
(source abbreviations)