On the 10 day of January 1852, we sailed out from Liverpool, with a large company of immigrants to the greater part of whom were Latter-day Saints, on board the ship Kennebec. A meeting had been held and John S. Higbee, who was returning from a mission to England was chosen president of the company, and John Pack, who was returning from a mission to France, and myself were chosen his counselors. The weather shortly became very rough and stormy, and so continued for much of the voyage. One night much of the rigging and some of the yard arms were carried away and a sea captain who was a passenger on board declared that it was the wisdom and exertion of the first mate that saved the ship from going down. So much stormy weather produced much seasickness among the passengers indeed it seemed at one time that nearly every person was sick. As soon as we had left land my health began to improve, and when nearly all were confined to their berths I was able to be around and help to take care of others. When the weather was a little favorable we held meetings on deck, and after being out over eight weeks we came near to the bar at the mouth of the Mississippi River. A pilot boat came along side and the pilot offered his services to the captain which the latter refused considering that he could do without, and thus save expense. Shortly a tug boat came hitched on to the ship took her on to the bar and there left her. Next day the captain had two tugs, and finally three trying to take her over the bar, but there she remained and all understood that the object was to punish the captain for his refusal of the services of the pilot. We were kept there ten days, and had been ten weeks out from Liverpool. The captain then [p. 227] hired a steam boat, put the passengers and their luggage on board, and and [SIC] sent us up the river to New Orleans. Thence we took steam boat to St. Louis, the weather turned color and the journey up the river was very uncomfortable, however safety reached St. Louis. I took a room expecting to stay there wash our clothes and make purchases of an outfit for the plains, but some of the company wished to go further before making a stay and prominent men advised them, and they without consulting Brother Higbee or his counsel took passage on the steamboat "Saluda," and a few days afterwards word reached St. Louis that the "Saluda" was blown up and a large number of the passengers killed. That was the first very serous accident that had ever happened to any of the emigrating Saints.

After spending about two weeks in St. Louis, Brothers Higbee, Pack, myself and the remainder of the company that had not preceded us, took passage on the steamboat "Delaware" for St. Joseph, went up the Missouri River to Lexington where stopped a short time to visit patriots in the hospital who had been wounded in the unfortunate "Saluda" accident. Several persons who had crossed the ocean with us lay there badly scalded, it was a very depressing sad sight to see them. Continuing our journey up the river we found that the boat was crowded with emigrants for the California gold mines, and among them quite a number of the old Missouri mobbers, who years before had driven the Saints from their homes. These took every opportunity to insult us, would collect a number of them [p. 228] together and tell of what they had done to old Joe Smith and his followers. Evidently their object was to raise a quarrel with us, mob and rob us. the more we bore from them, the more insulting they were. No one of them had said a word to them, but one day their leader being more profane and insulting than ever, I felt that I must say something in our defense. Accordingly, I asked if we had not treated them all as gentlemen and ladies (for there were many of the latter on board) and why then did they talk so to us or come where we were obliged to hear their profanity and boasts of their wickedness. I then found that there were many on board that did not approve of their course and forthwith took the matter up since I was right, and no one had a right to insult us. Next day was Sunday and early in the morning one of those who had stood up for us the day before came to me and asked who were our ministers as they wished divine service held in the saloon I referred him to Brother [John] Higbee who came and asked if I would go up and preach in the saloon I replied "Brother Higbee, I will go with you, and stand right by your side let circumstances be what they may." He therefore told them that some of us would come, Brother [John] Pack said that if we went it would surely cause a row, and he would not go. When meeting time came, Brother Higbee refused to go. I felt vexed and said if no one would go with me I would go alone, for after promising to go the appointment should be kept. My wife, who was a good singer, went with me and sang and [p. 229] five or six others also went. It was a large congregation and paid the best attention possible, I dwelt on the principles taught by the Latter-day Saints, referred to [in] the scriptures in proof of all that I said. It was soon to be seen that many felt that it was the gospel that was taught them, and at the close of the service said they never before thought that the Mormons had such doctrines.

The lady passengers immediately took my wife and child and little nurse girl into the cabin saying: "such a family should not go as deck passengers." The mob spirit was for the time being overcome. I was treated with the greatest respect and the last evening on board an excellent supper was prepared, and I invited to partake of it.

We landed at St. Joseph's where I soon found my old friend Richard Ralph. Stayed there a number of days, went to work, helped to finish some jobs of brick pointing. Bought three yoke of oxen, and two cows (had bought a wagon from St. Louis) loaded up and started overland for Council Bluffs.

When nearing Kanesville one of the wheels of our wagon broke, I therefore had to remain there for repairs and those I had traveled with went on. As soon as I could get the wheel repaired I followed on, crossed the Missouri River on the 10th of June. Apostle E.T. Benson there met us and we organized a company of fifty wagons for crossing the plans. A Brother Joseph Outhouse was chosen captain. The company subdivided into tens with a captain of each ten. I was chosen chaplain, we had prayers each morning and evening, and [p. 230] thus began our journey. All went well for a few days when the captain became offended at something, threw off his commission, and declared he would no longer lead, we then agreed that when they met for consultation the oldest man should preside, in that order. We traveled about half the distance over the plains, but as the feed for the teams was not always plentiful it was thought best to travel in small companies therefore each ten formed a traveling company, this was somewhat risky, and had the Indians been hostile might have been serious, however what Indians we saw were friendly and everything passed as comfortably as such a journey could. And without serious sickness or loss we arrived in Great Salt Lake City on the sixth day of September. 6 Sept. 1852. . . . [p.231]

BIB: Spiers, John. Reminiscences and journal, (Ms 1725), pp.227-31; Acc. #25803. (CHL)
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