Biographical and Historical Notes

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James Brown Company, 1854

Captain James Browns Camp near Chemny rock
August 12^th 1854

Dear President Young.

I left the church train, which is under the charge of Elders O Pratt & H.S. Eldredge, on the 14^th July, with 41 wagons, 212 head of cattle, and 173 Souls, the train was then at Nunshaw creek, on the 17^th of July we left 2 wagons 12 head of cattle, & 9 Souls, at the Big Blue, because they wished to wait untill Thomas Williams train came on: since we left the church Train we have had one death, 3 Births, & lost 3 head of cattle 2 of which died & the other we had to leave because he could not travel, to day Brother E T Benson called on us for five yoak of our cattle which was complied with

Our journey thus far has been prosporous. the camp is short of provisions on account of being detained so long. about five hundred weight of Flour with other provisions would see us in the Valley [illegible] still persue our journey, without being detained on the way, we are short of teams and will no doubt need assistance. we have every cow and every lame ox in our teems. accept of my best love to yourself & all the faithfull, and my prayer is continuly continualy for the wellfair & prosperity of the Kingdom of God.

I still remain you[r] Brother in the Kingdom of God for ever,

James Brown

Church Link

Cameron, Adelia Horrocks, History of Heziakiah [sic] Mitchell, 1959, 14-19.

Church Link

Includes several comments about Captain James Brown

"Tuesday, July 4, 1854 -- This morning all the camp was awakened to gather around the Liberty pole on which was highsted the glorious stars and stripes. A couple of guns were fired over it. Our Captain [James] Brown delivered a brief but very appropriate speech and solicited volunteers with tame cattle to go the last camping place for the wagons which were left there. Those that had teams went willingly. I spent the day doing odd jobs to help those here."

…

When about to cross the Big Blue Creek, they were advised that all wagons should travel fast and not to stop in the middle because of quicksand. All crossed safely, but at times it was necessary to hitch extra horses to wagons. The creek is 18 or 20 inches deep. After they camped for the night, two men who said they were from the store came to hang around us. Captain Brown politely told them they were not welcome and to please move on, but extra guards were appointed to guard the cattle and camp that night. The cattle and horses seemed troublesome all night.

July 19, 1854, Captain Brown had heard that Brother [William] Fields Company had been robbed of provisions and clothing. They had none to spare so were advised by Captain Brown to travel fast and the men should travel with gun and whip in hand. This seemed rather a novel situation for a young man. At one time they could see something approaching them but when they came face to face with it, it turned out to be a pack of mules from California.

About eight miles from Cotton Creek, they were overtaken by a company of saints from Kansas. They camped across the creek from this company. They were not very clean but seemed healthy. Captain Brown adopted them, but gave them rules and regulations to follow and warned them to obey.

…

"About 11 p.m. this date, I was asked by Captain Brown to witness a wedding and record same. George Chandler and Hellen Matilda Bozer were married." This same day, there was a birth in camp. A son was born to Sister Stiles in a drenching hard rain.

…

One of the oxen on Grandfather's team was lame suffering from Hollow Horn (whatever that is). Our wagon lagged behind. Sister Warberton also stayed behind. One of her cows was calving. By permission of Captain Brown, they hitched her sister cow to the place of our lame one and traveled on to the end of the day.

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