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Show We camped at Winter Quarters for the Winter. In 1850 we traveled up the Platte River and met Indians and buffalos by the thousands. The Indians didn't bother us because they thought the Mormons were all right. The herds of buffalo would make the ground shake as they thundered by. Father was appointed hunter of the Company and always drove ahead of the rest of the wagons. One morning he brought in a large buffalo calf. We drove 17 miles in search of water to dress the meat. While here Mother lost our 17 months old baby and buried her on the plains. That night our horses strayed away and Father went to hunt them, leaving his rifle in the wagon. He met a bull buffalo coming into water. He was mean. After trying every way to get away from him, Father took his shoes off and ran. The buff¬alo finally quit chasing Father and went back to the watering hole. A pack of wolves had smelled the meat and were howling around. When Father returned to camp it was getting dark. We camped for the night. A few days later we camped by a spring. Some of the Saints were laughing, some were singing, some were crying and some were praying. Because over the hill a large herd of buffalo were on the stampede. I believe the Lord was with us for he protected us at all times. The farther west we came we saw Indians fighting among themselves. I was never happier in my life than the day we arrived in Utah. We found peace and happiness, although it was a desolate and dreary looking country. The first three years looked like starvation, but the Valley soon became prosperous. Grain, vegetables and fruits grew in abundance. Settlements were built all around. We moved to Uintah, Utah. Later, in 1863, Father and Mother moved to St. George where Father died 27 June, 1864. Mother moved to Smithfield where she died 7 May 1867. Dora Bybee, West Point DID YOU KNOW— That lightening strikes the earth about 100 times every second, that the ave¬rage lightening bolt is only four inches wide, but can stretch across the sky for 40 miles and generate six times as much energy as all the power stations in the country put together? 145 |