OCR Text |
Show Page 132 the plentiful venison, wild turkey and prairie hen. Some of the pioneers continued to sulk at what they called "the high-handed measures" of Brigham Young, however, and the camp was clearly in need of tighter organization. For three weeks the camp paused in the Chariton River wilderness to await dryer conditions and to worship in conference on the sixth of April. Three days later the entire company began to move again, tentatively, between the drenching spring rains. It became clear that the established road would remain impassable for months, and the sudden new burden of traffic could only serve to worsen conditions. Wagon after wagon, stalled overnight in axle-deep mud, found itself encased in a rock-hard, frozen morass when morning came. Despite the constant frustration and suffering, Brigham Young wrote: "I did not think there had ever been a body of people since the days of Enoch, placed under the same unpleasant circumstances that this people have been, where there was so little gumbling, and I was satisfied that the Lord was pleased with the majority of the Camp of Israel." 7 In an April 12 council, it was decided to break away from the main road and stir up some new mud on the unsettled prairie in hope of finding better purchase and a grassy, protected spot with good streams to begin a temporary settlement. It was already clear to the apostles that there was no possibility o f reaching the Great Basin in time to set in crops - at least, not in the year 1846. Orson travelled ahead with President Young in unusually cold weather and through rattler-infested swamps until they found a reasonably dry meadowland which Brigham designated "Garden Grove." Orson concurred with the.choice, and with the President's policy: "I am converted to President Young's views. The idea of crossing the plains this year with our families is something I could hardly believe. It is eight years today since the Twelve parted from the Saints on the foundation of the House of the Lord at Far West, Missouri to go to the nations of the earth...Previous to that time Joseph had this mission in |