"the weather is still cold [ ] did not travel [ ] some of the brethern went on a scouting party [ ] one discovered a war party of Pawnees that had burnt the prairie for miles which made the food scarce"
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Today it is Sunday and the pioneers are camping on the banks of the Platte River new Elm Creek, Nebraska, a small town of about 900 people today. Click on image to see the Platte today. They are having some minor problems with Indians setting fire to the prairie grass in front of them in an effort to turn the pioneers back. As it was mentioned in "111 Days to Zion"...."The troubles of the pioneers with this tactic of the Indians were just beginning."
From William Clayton's journal"
"Monday 3rd [ ] This morning cold and ice in the water pails [] the hunters are going out on foot [ ] Tanner & Davenport are fixing their forges to do some repairing shoeing &c. At about 9 the hunters twenty in number started out with two wagons which had been unloaded for the purpose [ ] at the same time 15 of the brethren on horse back started west to examine the route &c. At half past 2 the party who went to look out the rout returned and reported that brother Empy had discovered a large war party of Indians while he was chasing an antelope [ ] the Indians are in a hollow about 12 miles distant and about 300 in number some on their horses and some standing beside them holding the bridle [ ] the company also saw nearly 20 scattering Indians about 4 miles from here [ ] when this report was made orders were given to dispatch a number of the brethren on horses well armed to warn the hunters and tell them to come to camp [ ] in about half an hour 23 men started out on this mission before they reached the bluffs which are about 4 miles from here some of the hunters were on their way to camp having seen only one buffallo during the day[ ] in a little time all the hunters were notified & on their way back [ ] they arrived about 6 o clock having got 3 antelope and the horsemen who went after them got two calves which were all brought in and the day passed without accident [ ] Some of the brethren saw some objects at a distance which, by their motions they were satisfied were Indians [ ] the day has been fine but cool & cloudy with occasionally a few drops of rain [ ] a number of wagon tire has been set & other blacksmithing washing drying meat &c done [ ] The wind near South [ ] the cannon was unlimbered at night and prepared for action in case it should be needed."
