Description

O Lord, Save Me

The trail was a dangerous environment in a multitude of ways. If it was not wolves and snakes, it was the hazards of heavy wagons and oxen. Many lives were lost to mishaps along the trail. David John, who crossed the plains in 1861, was part of the Homer Duncan Company. On August 7, 1861, not far from Fort Laramie, Wyoming, David John recorded:

“Traveled 19 miles, camped on the “Platte” on the south bank. At dusk, it became my time [or turn] to herd the cattle that night, so we drove the herd across the “Platte” to the north side, there being good feed. I rode a horse through the river. Soon it became too deep for the horse, so he commenced swimming. When we got to the north bank of the river, the horse had to go up a steep side, and being quite wet, before the horse got quite up on the north side, he fell on his back perpendicularly, and lighted in the river below—myself on his back. In the struggle, I was thrown from the saddle. The horse swam towards the north side of the river and myself carried towards the south side. I was bewildered. I remember that I shouted, “O Lord, save me.”

“The following morning, Captain Duncan says that he saw me in the river and understood the words I said. Now I will relate in words of soberness what transpired which no doubt cannot be believed unless the mind of the reader be inspired by the Spirit of God:

After I uttered the words “O Lord, save me,” I found myself on the back of the horse, my left hand holding in the bridle and my right hand having hold in the mane. How I was taken there, I know not. I heard no sound. I saw no being, but by the power of God I was placed there, and so steep and unfathomable are the works of God, that this strange miracle took place unaccountable by myself. The horse swam down the river till we came to a good landing. I dismounted, being wet through. I put fire to a large dry tree, standing up, dried myself and got warm, and when the dawn of day appeared, I crossed the river to the camp, while the fire still was burning in the tree. I will here observe that this circumstance surpasses my understanding, but I confess that God made himself manifest.”

Source: https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/overlandtravel/sources/4700/john-david-journals-1856-1908-reel-1-vol-1-253-64