"still continued up the Sweetwater over a sandy road [ ] distance traveled 20 miles [ ] during the day Lorenzo Young broke an axletree and at night by request of Brigham I put another in so we were not detained from traveling as usual in the morning"
***************
Charles was a valuable aide as a wheelwright on this journey in keeping the wagons in shape. I think I did give information as to what an axletree was in the beginning but if not, it's this: "A crossbar or rod supporting a vehicle, such as a cart, that has terminal spindles on which the wheels revolve."
As Charles accounts, Lorenzo Young's wagon axle broke while he was trying to cross a stream. This wagon had fallen behind the others because of problems with their animals so this happened while there was no one around them and the others, being ahead by a ways, did not know what had happened.
Harriet Young said in her diary...."One of our axletrees broke on the naked prairie without a stick of timber or anyone to help is."
So, while Lorenzo rode up ahead for help from the other pioneers, he left Harriet alone with the wagon and as she said......"I was alone and felt somewhat lonesome, but (finally) Brother Henry (William Henrie) came back and stayed with me."
It's also interesting with the Missourians. As much as they tried to turn back the pioneers and take the best campsites, sometimes they could be very helpful.
From '111 Days to Zion'........"One of the Missouri companies following the Mormon pioneers had come up to the stranded Young wagon and helped out by taking the load from the damaged wagon into their own. Despite the distrust and suspicions between the Mormons and the Missourians, they often helped each other out when there was trouble along the trail."
Somehow that's comforting. Harriet staying with the wagon probably thought she was just going to die out there all alone.
In 1997 the Salt Lake Tribune did a 150-year 1847 series and had this about the day of June 22.
They are also right near Martin's Cove which will become so famous in nine years with the happenings of the handcart company of 1856.
And I just love this. People are people and those pioneers were...and are...just exactly like us today. Or maybe vice-versa. When they found a spot to camp for the night, Thomas Bullock was called to do guard duty. He was not happy with this and was quite bitter because he wouldn't be able to write in his journal. And as he says...."If I must guard, the camp must do their own writing" referring to himself as the camp scribe. "I have too many commanders. It is hard for me to do everything."
Just for the fun of it, here is Thomas' take on it for this day:
"Tuesday 22 [ ] I was called up to Guard at 3 A.M. by the Drs. orders [ ] guarded Cattle until horn blew to gather up [ ] a good place plenty of grass [ ] many flowers, dandelions thistles mosquitoes and much grease good [ ] also many Snipes & an immense quantity of crickets. I gave up the Journal to Dr. as he s[ai]d if I must Guard the Camp must do their own writing [ ] I took it up again on 26th to record notes & do as well as I can & try my best to fulfil what the Prest. wanted me for but I have so many Commanders it is hard for me to do every thing [ ] Camp start at 7.15 [ ] Cross the Creek the most crooked I ever saw [ ] about 12 feet wide & Swift [ ] Prests. Young & Kimball ahead [ ] Warm morning. Clear Sky [ ] very Sandy road grade two places [ ] make a bridge [ ] cross another Creek about 8 feet wide [ ] travel over some beautiful prairie then over uneven road thro' Grease Wood & past much Saline deposit [ ] halt on the Sweetwater at 11.50 [ ] good grass [ ] Bathed in river A Clear Sky & travel thro' romantic scenery [ ] Camp of 10 wagons pass us report Columbus Dustin from Morgan Co Illinois drowned at the Lower Ferry also several other Camps behind them [ ] good grass at this place [ ] Lorenzo Young broke the Axle Tree of his Wagon this A.M. [ ] Pres. Young, Woodruff, & Benson return to his assistance [ ] Camp start at 2.15 ascend a steep long Sand hill descend it on opposite side by 3 steep places [ ] pass another Saleratus Lake [ ] grade the hill to a creek 5¾ M from start then cross it after another hill [ ] pass the Camp at halt on Sweetwater cross another small creek & halt near a high steep hill at 8 o clock [ ] a pretty place beautiful grass & Camping spot [ ] Warm day—dusty road."
