. . . In the year of 1867, on the 5th day of May, I left my native city Aalborg, on board a steamer to take us to Copenhagen, and there to meet with other emigrants from different parts of the country. That little sea is always rough and I was the first to turn sick. However, we landed the next day about noon and were met by a number of missionaries who took us around to see the city. The same afternoon the emigrants from other parts had arrived, and we were ordered to board a large steamer to take us across the North Sea to England.

So we, the Mormon emigrants, were loaded on one end of the deck with our belongings, and two hundred cows on the other end to be shipped to England - and the poor cows were just as sick as we were. We landed at Hull, England, and went from there by railroad to Liverpool, where we had to wait about ten days while the steamer Manhattan was under repair. This ship was to take us across the Atlantic Ocean. When at last completed, we were taken on board and all were happy and thankful to get started. At about midsea a heavy storm arose and for three days and nights it seemed as though the steamer might capsize any minute. The captain told some of the missionaries that he never had met with bad luck yet when he had Mormons on board. He said, "There is something peculiar about you Mormons, anyway." The storm abated and we landed in the New York Harbor on July 4th, but were not allowed to go ashore until the 5th, when we marched up to Castle Gardens for official inspection; from there we traveled through the states partly on steamboat and on the railroad. We crossed the Niagara River on the hanging bridge, which, of course was a great wonder. I had read about it being completed, but never expected to see it; and about half a mile or so after crossing, all our belongings were dumped in the wilderness, there to await another train from the opposite direction to come and pick us up. We wandered around for several hours looking at the falls and the barren waste. As far as the eye could see, there was not a spear of grass or weeds or anything that showed signs of life. [p.60]

At last we could see the train at a distance, it soon reached our camp and we began to load up as fast as possible. Apparently it was an old work train, but we were glad to get aboard. I was feeling somewhat ill before the train started. I had evidently been exposed to something during our travels, and in a few minutes developed a high temperature and begged for water. There was ice water in the car, but the brethren said not to give it to me and I said, "Mother, for your sake do give me a drink, I am dying." She did not say a word but brought me a drink of ice water in a large tin cup. I drank that and asked for another and she gave it to me. I then went to sleep - I don't know how long I slept - my mother woke me and told me I had had a long sleep. She said that we would soon be at North Platte. I was then completely covered with measles and very weak when the train stopped. Our belongings were all dumped off as usual and everybody began finding their own. My father put up the tent and Mother made a bed for me and it seemed such a relief to lie down on something besides a hard board seat. I felt like "now I can die and be happy." But, oh, such a disappointment. Mother just came in and said, "Now, Father has gone to get some of the brethren to administer to you and you will soon feel better." I turned my head to the wall of the tent and cried, for I was sure if they administered to me I would recover and equally sure if they didn't I should die. I felt that it was too hard to try to live again.

The brethren came; they promised me health and strength, said I would be able to do my part while crossing the plains and reach Zion safely. I had a good night's rest and felt better although very weak. There was little food in camp and nowhere we could buy any. By this time all the younger children in the company were sick and it began to look as if we should all perish. Means had been provided by the heads of every family to cover all expenses from the time we left our old homes until we should reach Salt Lake, as there would be no Church teams to meet the emigrants that year. The money was forwarded and men sent from Salt Lake to make the purchases, one man to buy the provisions and another to buy the oxen and wagons and a few cows. All there supposed to be at the Platte Station at the time of our arrival. There was nothing, not even a message.

Brigham Young, Jr. was with the company, returning from his mission to England; he was such a kind, fatherly man. His brother, Joseph A. Young, and wife came to North Platte to meet him and with them our wonderful Captain Rice who was to lead us across the plains. . . . [p.61]

. . . I do not remember how long it took us from there [Green River] to Salt Lake. We traveled late and early. We reached the old camping ground on October 5th at 11 o'clock at night. But oh, how strange the next morning after the captain had gone! Brigham Young Jr. had gone, and Joseph A. had gone - we all felt like a flock of sheep without a leader. About 10 o'clock the next day Brigham Young Jr. and others came to camp to pay Brother Jensen the money which saved us all from perishing while crossing the plains. . . . [p.64]

BIB: Winters, Johanna Kirstine Larsen [Autobiography], Our Pioneer Heritage comp. by Kate B. Carter, vol.11 (Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1968) pp. 60-61, 64. (CHL)
(source abbreviations)