Tuesday, March 2. Still in Hamburg - no way has opened for our trip as of yet.

Wednesday, March 3. Brother Iversen talked to the agent and he promised to get through to Bremen to see about the trip.

Saturday, March 6. It was presented to the company, and unanimously accepted, that we should pay into a fund $5.00 for everyone over 12 year old and $2.50 for those between 1 and 12. This was to pay for our lodging and food along the way, which amounted to about 3 R.S. 8 M daily. Any money left over would be used for company emergencies. I was chosen foreman for Group Number 4. This evening about 9:00 p.m. we started toward Bremen by train. We went through stations at Bosehöede, Hanöver and got to Bremen about 10:30 p.m. and boarded the ship. The ship left about 2:00 a.m. and things went well until about midnight. Then a storm came up and they had to lower the sails. They didn't fire up the motors but let the ship drift around in the North Sea about 50 or 60 miles out. We all got seasick. Some of us were less sick than the others. After a day of sickness I got so I could help the others - which I did with great pleasure and thanked God that I could.

Sunday, March 7. The weather became better.

Monday, March 8. We're still on the sea. There is no wind. They have no coal and we're out of food. So we returned to Bremen Harbor. We got there about 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 10. We remained in the harbor. Sister Madsen died this morning. Some of the brethren and I carried her off the ship and into town. This is where she'll be buried.

Thursday, March 11. We were out and should have sailed today but couldn't because of Iversen. [p.90]

Friday, March 12 - Sunday, March 14, 1858. We sailed out of the harbor about noon and continued heading rapidly west until we could see the coast of England. We dropped anchor in the late afternoon and could have gone ashore - but decided to remain on board.

Monday, March 15. We got to the railroad about 10:45 a.m. and rode to Liverpool, arriving about 6:00 p.m. We were lodged in quarters made especially for emigrants and we had things very good.

Tuesday, March 16. In Liverpool - I looked around the town a little. There are many happy people here.

Wednesday, March 17. In Liverpool - I wrote a letter home.

Thursday, March 18. We boarded the ship, John Bright, in the afternoon.

Friday, March 19. We anchored just out of the harbor. We were given provisions for eight days. Several attendants boarded.

Saturday, March 20. More ship's helpers boarded. We were all given medical examinations.

Sunday, March 21. Still under preparation.

Monday, March 22. We weighted anchor and a tugboat pulled us out into the open sea about 2:00 p.m. It stayed with us until about 2:00 a.m. the next morning.

Tuesday, March 23. Beautiful and still weather. We didn't sail far today. But we are all well. [p.91]

Wednesday, March 24. A steamship came by about 10:30 a.m. and towed us until about 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 25. Good wind. We sailed on quickly - beautiful weather.

Friday, March 26. Beautiful weather - didn't sail very far.

Saturday, March 27. The same.

Sunday, March 28. Fast day. We got a strong wind and sailed speedily. Several people go seasick today. Sophie had been sick a couple of days before the strong winds. She got very sick today. I'm even a little sick.

Monday, March 29. Good weather - we were all on deck. Received more provisions.

Tuesday, March 30. Northeast wind. Good weather and we sailed forward beautifully.

Wednesday, March 31. Went on the same.

Thursday, April 1, 1858. Good wind. We sailed about 20 miles an hour.

Friday, April 2. Hard wind, but not exactly on our course.

Saturday, April 3. Good weather. We all washed our clothes and bathed. We all got on deck today. [p.92]

Sunday, April 4. Good weather in the morning. We were all on deck and feeling very good. Bad weather began in the afternoon and it stormed all night.

Monday, April 5. Bad head wind. Peter Jorgensen's little boy died this evening.

Tuesday, April 6. In the night there was a terrible wind. It blew some safety rails off the ship and blew in the door to the kitchen. But it settled down in the day and we made good time.

Wednesday, April 7. Still weather and we didn't move. We bathed and cleaned up our belongings.

Thursday, April 8. Good weather and we sailed back on course. Sophie and Karin and some of the others who had been sick began in feel better and get up and around.

Friday, April 9. Good weather. The sea got rough around noon, but later it calmed down and we made good time the whole night.

Saturday, April 10 - Wednesday, April 14. Good weather. We sailed on making good time.

Thursday, April 15. A sister from Silkeborg (the Aarhus group) died.

Friday, April 16 - Tuesday, April 20. Sailed on, making good time.

Wednesday, April 21. Good weather but didn't sail too far.

Thursday, April 22. Beautiful and very still weather. [p.93]

Friday, April 23, 1858. Morning fog. Good wind, but we couldn't sail before the afternoon. We sighted land around 3:00 p.m. We sailed alongside the land and our hearts were filled with jubilation and joy. We thanked God for bringing us safely over the Great Waters and to Ephraim's land of inheritance. A tugboat came out and pulled us into New York Harbor. We anchored and remained on board for the night. We were busy getting our clothes together and preparing to go ashore tomorrow.

Saturday, April 24. We finished getting our gear ready and were examined by a doctor. A steamboat came out and took us to shore where we were recorded. A Brother Stichousen met us and was a great help. We went to an emigrants' hotel (Walker Hotel), where we had a very good time both physically and spiritually. There were very good rooms. Better, I think, than many places in Scandinavia. It cost $1.00 per day.

Sunday, April 25. We stayed at the hotel and had a good rest.

Monday, April 26. We got ready and went to the station. We got our clothes from the ship. The package that Anders and I had our clothes in was gone. We went a short ways on the ferryboat and then got on a train. We went on day and night.

Tuesday, April 27. We stopped in a town by Lake Erie. We had a fantastic meal for 25 cents a person. We changed trains there and continued our trip. 460 miles out of New York.

Wednesday, April 28. Got into Cleveland this morning and had lunch there. We changed trains and continued on.

Thursday, April 29. To Chicago. We got off the train and went to the Hotel Waverly House. A nice place.

Friday, April 30. It's about 968 miles from New York to Chicago. We got on the train, "The Empress", and got into Iowa. [p.94]

Saturday, May 1. In the morning we went to a hotel and ate. There we met a Brother Height and Brother Haier and several English brethren. They rented a room for us and we went there in the afternoon. There wasn't much room and we all slept on the floor.

Sunday, May 2 - Friday, May 7. We remained here and it was decided which people should first head out to Zion. The financial records were completed. Madsen and Christensen had a meeting to decide what should be done about some company money that there was a misunderstanding about. It worked out all right. We've gone about 238 miles from Chicago - about 1206 miles from New York.

Saturday, May 8. Council in the morning, wherein we were organized. Fourteen of the brethren and Height and Haier will leave for Zion and four sisters who had to be on their way. The names of the brethren are: H.T. Lund, N.C. Poulsen, N. Adler, L. Jorgensen, A.P. Oman, T. Johannesen, H. Neilsen, K. Svendsen, N.P. Olsen, M.C. Greigersen, C.A. Madsen, N. Knusen, and myself - fourteen in all. Those who will remain for now were organized with Folkmand as president and Fjeldsted as councilor. We left the group about 5:00 p.m. Several were very moved. We made camp after about 3 miles and slept in our wagons. I must remark here that Jörgen Andersen has treated me very well and has paid for my trip to Zion without any obligation for me to repay him. I feel that the Lord has blessed me very much in this for my work.

Sunday, May 9. We had very bad weather, but it still went well except for a mud hole that took an hour to get out of. We went about 18 miles. We leave every morning between 6 and 7:00 a.m. We cook and bake only in the morning and evening.

Monday, May 10. 19 miles.

Tuesday, May 11. Through Brooilig. Stayed in the "Green Mountain House." 20 miles today.

Wednesday, May 12. Met J. Yong and Lii - 20 miles. [p.95]

Thursday, May 13, 1858. It began raining hard around noon, with thunder and lightning. Went through Nuneten - 90 miles from Iowa border and over Skunk River. We drove on a little and camped. Brothers Haight, Lee and two others and the 4 sisters rode on to Fort Des Moines. 15 miles today.

Friday, May 14. Through Delphien and over the Des Moines River on a ferry that went under its own power. 20 miles.

Saturday, May 15. 23 miles today.

Sunday, May 16. We didn't travel because of hard rain.

Monday, May 17. Very bad weather. Through Wentlent. It began to be better. We made 14 miles.

Tuesday, May 18. Bad rain. Around noon we crossed the South River. 25 miles.

Wednesday, May 19. About 30 miles.

Thursday, May 20. Through Indian Town and Louis Town. 30 miles.

Friday, May 21. Through a hilly area. Council Bluffs and Crescent City, where we stayed at a hotel with a brother. We met several members. 35 miles.

Saturday, May 22. Stayed there and Brother Haight came.

Sunday, May 23. We stayed there. Brother Joseph Young came and some other brethren. I talked to Miccelsen. [p.96]

Monday, May 24, 1858. Crossed the Missouri River and on to Florence. I met Brother Grönbak and Brother Ekelund and I went with them to Omaha and stayed the night at Didriksen's. 6 miles.

Tuesday, May 25. Grönbak and I talked with several members today. We heard both good and bad things. I had a good time visiting with them. Then I went back to Florence in the evening. 6 miles.

Wednesday, May 26. We prepared our gear for the trip over the plains. Took care of the horses, etc.

Thursday, May 27. Wrote to Brother Wedeborg and J.W. Andersen.

Friday, May 28 - Monday, May 31. Took care of the usual business.

Tuesday, June 1. We finished our preparations and our 4 wagons began their trip. We met up with some who had left before us on our second day out so there were 12 wagons in all.

Wednesday, June 2. There was heavy rain last night so travel went slowly. We camped at Elkhorn. 14 miles today.

Thursday, June 3. We drove along the Platte River, past an Indian town and another town. An Indian came and ate dinner with us. 20 miles.

Friday, June 4. Along the Platte River and across the stream that was clear full of water. 25 miles.

Saturday, June 5. Across two bodies of water, so we had a lot of work. We camped outside of Columbus Town. 18 miles. [p.97]

Sunday, June 6. We met a group coming from Zion. They gave us information and said things should go fairly well. They said some were being moved out of Zion. There were 6 brethren and a Major Ken, who had been sent to Utah from Washington to investigate conditions there. He seemed to be a liberal man. We camped and the members held an evening meeting in the field. 17 miles.

Monday, June 7. Had a lot of work crossing the Platte River. But, luckily, everything went well. We finished and rested.

Tuesday, June 8. We continued on our journey. The company was organized. Eldrid was made captain and Joseph Yong his aide, and Haight is chaplain. There are 37 men, 13 wagons, 29 horses, and 17 mules - 46 in all went from the river and up the bank to the left. 20 miles today.

Wednesday, June 9. We crossed a lot of water, bu it went well. 26 miles.

Thursday, June 10. We saw a lot of animals today. Everything went well. 26 miles.

Friday, June 11. We got to the Waad River about 10:00 a.m. The bridge was gone, so we made a new one. We ate lunch and went over by 3:00 p.m. 28 miles.

Saturday, June 12. 31 miles.

Sunday, June 13. We had beautiful weather and a smooth day traveling. 44 miles.

Monday, June 14. Very dry weather. 25 miles.

Tuesday, June 15. We met several Indians and gave them some bread. We saw a large company on the other side of the river. They had many animals and looked ready to assemble. 28 miles. [p.98]

Wednesday, June 16. We met two Indian tribes. 30 miles.

Thursday, June 17. We saw a train traveling toward the States on the other side of the river. 30 miles.

Friday, June 18. We saw a large and a small company heading toward the States. We also passed a large Indian camp. They had many horses and colts. 35 miles.

Saturday, June 19. We saw two large trains heading toward the states. 35 miles.

Sunday, June 20. 20 miles.

Monday, June 21. We passed the wagons traveling back to the states. 32 miles.

Tuesday, June 22. We passed Fort Laramie this afternoon and got into a very hilly region. 35 miles.

Wednesday, June 23. 26 miles.

Thursday, June 24. 30 miles.

Friday, June 26. 28 miles.

Saturday, June 26. In the morning we passed Deer Creek. There was a settlement of mountain men on the other side of the river. They came over and we traded them buffalo hides for provisions. 26 miles. [p.99]

Sunday, June 27, 1858. In the morning we came to another settlement of mountain men and traded for some more provisions. There were also a few Indians. There was a bridge over the Platte River and the north and south trails joined. Two wagons left the company. In the afternoon we passed another settlement. In the night the two wagons camped along side of us. 24 miles.

Monday, June 28. We left the Platte River and found the trail quite sandy. We met two wagons coming from Salt Lake. 32 miles.

Tuesday, June 29. In the morning we drove past a settlement that looked very peaceful. We came to the Devil's Peak, where there was a settlement. We passed about 20 wagons which were trying to get provisions. There was a large cliff along the right side of the wagon. 34 miles.

Wednesday, June 30. In the morning we passed a small company which had a great number of livestock. But I don't know where they were going. 34 miles.

Thursday, July 1. Very rocky and hilly area. Loud thunder and rain in the evening. But it let up in the night. 28 miles.

Friday, July 2. Good weather. We had lunch near Sweet Water. I had been very sick with fever and have laid in the wagon for about 14 days. But I am beginning to get my strength back and feel better. Thunder and rain in the afternoon. We drove until 1:00 a.m. and then camped alongside a little creek. 34 miles.

Saturday, July 3. Very sandy trail. We had lunch at Little Sandy, where there was good grass. We veered to the left and finally camped at Big Sandy, having crossed them both. The grass for the horses here was terrible. 24 miles.

Sunday, July 4. We drove this morning. At lunchtime we encountered a wagon train of apostates. There were about 16 wagons. We crossed the water. Later in the day met another two wagons and [p.100] several men who were laden with provisions. In the late afternoon we came to Green River. There were many tents and people there. We crossed the river on a ferry - it cost $6.00 for 4 people. The traveling went very well today. 24 miles.

Monday, July 5. Early in the morning a messenger from the army came by with some information about the soldiers going into Salt Lake. Later in the day, when we came to Hensfork River, there were about 10 soldiers who stood watch at a bridge. They didn't say anything to us except that we should be on careful guard for Mormons. They said Johnson had gone into Salt lake and that we should go straight to him and get 300 to 400 men to protect us from the Mormons. They thought we were going on to California [spelled "Karlefornien"]. We met another messenger later in the morning. We crossed the Hensfork River twice today. 40 miles.

Tuesday, July 6. Around noon we drove past Fort Bridger and a little farther on we met another messenger from Salt Lake. He told us that peace had been arranged and that everything was in good order. Later we passed some men and a wagon. 36 miles.

Wednesday, July 7. We met and passed several wagons. We've gone about half-way through the mountains. We drove as quickly as possibly because of overhanging banks. 35 miles.

Thursday, July 8. We met several brethren and others. We drove around through much water. There were steep cliffs, especially on one side, but the brethren had built guardrails there. 33 miles.

Friday, July 9. We had very steep cliffs to contend with, but we drove all the way into Salt Lake City because there was no grass for our animals. We arrived about midnight and spent our first night camped in the street. 30 miles.

Saturday, July 10. We were very thankful to the Lord for bringing us happily to our destination. The most joy I have felt since I first saw the coast of America was seeing Salt Lake. I quickly met some friends; Peter Hansen and N. Jensen were the first danes I spoke with. . . . [p.101]

BIB: Jansen, Anton Andersen. Diaries (Ms 745), fd. 2, pp. 90-101. (CHL)
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