Description

He Was So Nice

Generally, the pioneers walked the entire journey across the plains and forded the rivers as they went. They were not usually tough and seasoned frontiersmen, but rather, city-folk not accustomed to sleeping outdoors and life on the trail. With these things in mind, please consider this account by Sarah Jane Allgood, who came across the plains in 1864 as part of the Joseph S. Rawlins wagon company. She was only 15 years old when they departed. She wrote:

“There was a companion of mine named Emma Ward. We came from the same place. We walked, slept, and ate together. One day, we walked until we were just given out. We sat down and said we couldn’t go any further. We sat there until the wagons were just like little specks in the distance. Our feet were so sore and blistered; we just didn’t care. While sitting there, a young man came to us on a horse. We didn’t see where he came from nor where he went, but he talked to us very nicely and encouraged us to go on. He promised us if we would try, we would make it alright, and would not be harmed. We were so tired….out, we didn’t care whether we died or lived. But he was so nice, and gave us such encouragement, that it seemed to make us feel better, and have added strength. So, we got up and went on. It was after dark when we got to the wagon train. We arrived at the camping place just as a hastily organized band of men were starting back to search for us. We received a severe lecture for separating from the wagons as Indians were all around us, having passed many places where other wagon trains had been burned. The numerous newly made graves were a grim threat of what our fate would be if the Indians found us. Since then, I have told people about the man on the horse, and they have said that they think maybe it was one of the “Three Nephites”–and I truly believe it was.”

Sarah and her family arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in October 1864.

Source: https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/overlandtravel/sources/53388979231488554060-eng/sarah-jane-allgood-in-biographical-information-relating-to-mormon-pioneer-overland-travel-database?firstName=Sarah%20Jane&surname=Allgood

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KWNL-M6C