LETTERS WRITTEN BY DANIEL SPENCER TO HIS BROTHER GROVE

Great Salt Lake Valley Salt Lake City Oct. 15, 1848

Brother Grove, It having been some time since I have heard from you and having spent about one year in this valley, I think that a few lines from me may be somewhat interesting. As you have probably heard from us since our departure from Nauvoo, I shall not be as particular as I otherwise should. I will say, however, that we started on the 14th day of February 1846 from Nauvoo by compulsion, as it were, as we had orders not to be seen at that place after the first day of May following. The consequences of our staying if we had done so has been demonstrated by the conduct of the mobs toward our brethren who were not able to remove until that time. Immediately after we started from our homes, which were quite comfortable, the weather was quite cold and a heavy snow storm came on, the snow falling deep. We all had to camp out, some with, and some without tents, and having to cook in the rain and snow, and to lodge on the damp ground or in our wagons which leaked much. You will see what we were exposed to, in consequence of which Catherine, Orson's wife lost her life, as did my wife Mary Spencer, and D. Hendrix's wife. Many suffering much then, and death and disease being fastened upon others which showed when we arrived at Council Bluffs, or what we called Winter Quarters, for our people died by hundreds during the next winter. When we left, we had not time to dispose of our homes and land or property, and as our means to start was small, we concluded to return and. dispose of our houses and land for something to aid us to our journey. Accordingly, Brother Hiram and Claudius went back to sell our farms and houses, and they succeeded in getting an offer for a small part of their value, principally in cattle, which were some hundreds of miles from Nauvoo. They went in pursuit of them in the month of July. They had about 100 heads quite wild, and after they started them, they found our enemies were determined to steal them. As you know, Brother Hiram is quite cautious and persevering. He attempted to escape them, and did so by driving night and day, and misguiding those that pursued them in the way they were going. Thus by fatigue and want of sleep, he lost his life. Claudius was despairing of for many days as well. Thus have many of our relatives suffered martyrdom by the hands of mobocrats who were sustained by the authorities of the state in which it has been done. And for what? What has the family of Hiram. or of Orson or of Daniel Spencer done contrary to the laws of our country? Or what have we in any way upheld others in doing? I lave that question to you, who are well acquainted with us all to answer. After suffering much, we at length arrived at the Bluffs where we spent the winter, spending most of our time waiting upon the sick and dead. We lost some 30 or 40 heads of cattle at this place by Indians and other causes. On the 18th of June 1847, we started for the Rocky Mountains in company with about 600 wagons, all that could fit out that season. Brother Hiram's family and our own had about 60 heads of cattle and horses, 7 wagons with calculated provisions for one year. We took a westerly course up the Platte River traveling on a level bottom from one to ten miles in width, plenty of feed but little wood. Most of the country abounding in antelope and buffalo, the latter quite numerous, so much so, than many times the herds of them would extend farther than your eyes could behold. Being quite tame, they served us for meat of the best kind. We continued up this river about 450 miles to what is called Fort John or Laramie on the Laramie River. Out travel was upon the north side of the Platte, being a new route most of the way and very good. After we arrived at the Fort, we left the Platte and came into the mountainous country. Feed and timber was scarce as were buffalo. We continued a westerly course until we arrived at what is called Fort Bridger, passing over the Rocky Mountains and deep ravines and canyons about 450 miles farther. This is an Indian trading house occupied by a man by the name of Bridger, who says he has been here about 18 years, has many Indians about him and pretends to have much power over them. From there we left that is called the California trail and bore more to the south, traveled about 100 miles and arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake all in good health and spirits. Having spent about four months on the way, arrived 23 September not losing a hoof of cattle or horses during our journey; but this was not the case with many others; many cattle were lost on our journey. This valley is about 25 miles by 50 miles, climate last .,,,rinter much like Massachusetts, the soil quite rich as it is all made ground from the wash of the hills which are quite high on all sides and covered with perpetual snow. It is extremely well watered with good water and plenty of mill sites. About two miles from this place is a warm spring bursting up from beneath a mountain, the water as warm as common dish water. About two miles from this spring is another much hotter, so much so, that a person cannot hold his finger in it longer than to count thirty. It means instant death for any live thing that gets into it. These waters are sulphuric and within a few rods of the hottest one there is a cold spring of beautiful cold water quite pleasant to drink. About 20 miles distant is a salt lake which will yield about one gallon of salt five of water. On its shores there is plenty of coarse salt, good for all purposes except table use. That, we have to boil. The wild grass that grows here is rather coarse on the worst of the land, the uplands, more fine. It has been said by travelers that there never was rain in this valley, but since we have been here it has been tolerable plenty, but not so much so that we have had to irrigate our land in order to raise our grain. Last winter our herds lived by running at large. Between our mountains in our canyons there is plenty of timber, stone, etc. We have not been able as yet to find iron or coal, but we have found gold. We have raised about 100 bushels of wheat, and some 300 bushels of corn this season with other crops common to other countries sufficient for the inhabitants of the valley. I he climate is very healthy, the most so of any I was ever in, not excepting old Massachusetts. We have all been well since we came here. Brother Orson left us and his family for England in the fall of '46. His family is here in good health. We are here surrounded by Indians, many of the tribes quite numerous and powerful, but all have called upon us and we have smoked the pipe of peace with them, they expressing much pleasure in our coining here. The ground we occupy is disputed ground by them but they all appear willing that we should remain here in peace. We have just received a visit from the Ute tribe who brought about 500 horses for sale, many we purchased for one blanket, some for a gun apiece, very good horses.

I have written but a small part of what I wish but as my paper is all but occupied, I must close, wishing you to write me upon the receipt of this. Direct your letter to Great Salk Lake Valley, Salk Lake City by way of Austin's Post Office, Archison County near Hunsaker's Ferry, Missouri. If you have anything from Gunnison County since the death of Electa, write us as we have nothing since. My best wishes to your wife and all the little ones. I should be pleased to see you at this place, but I do not expect it as you could not visit us at Nauvoo, I shall not expect it here. (Signed) Daniel Spencer Great Salt Lake City July 19, 1849

Dear Brother Grove, I received your letter under the date of February 7 1849, on the sixteenth of this month. Was much pleased to think you had not wholly forgotten me. Was sorry to hear by it that you had lost one of your children. Such scenes are very trying to parents. I have passed through more of them than you have in the loss of children and wives; but the hope one once more being again united with them affords much consolation. I think I can realize your enjoyment in the situation that you occupy, having all of the temporal comforts that wealth can afford, and probably the blessing of friends, and a tolerably contented mind for a man in your circumstances but I know some of the barriers in your path. There is a certain restlessness in your mind that will never be satisfied in your present pursuits. You may say, perhaps, that this is common to all men. This may be so in measure, but there is a vast difference in laying a foundation for happiness. This, you know, men differ widely upon. Some men live for the day, some for the week, month, year or for a lifetime, others enter upon another -state of existence, and shape all of their work accordingly. Now there is a vast difference in these foundations, and he that can give them all their proper bearings and balances will do well, and nothing short will amount to much. You, no doubt, are much surprised at the course I take in life, that I do not live as other folks do, and have peace. I may say that I am surprised that you do live as others do, and do not turn from the ways of the world. So men honestly differ in their judgment of these things. Now the case with you, Orson, and myself We have all had deep anxiety for each other's welfare, and would be glad to agree on what was right, but we cannot. So far, our pursuits for happiness are far apart. Why is this? We will not impute bad motives to either of us; why again I ask, do we differ so much? Have we sought knowledge with equal diligence? And in the same way? Without knowledge we are all liable to make blunders. How shall true knowledge of the past, present and future be obtained. Well, you will say by reading and experience, probably and judging the future by the past. This is all well, but the Mormons, you know, think there is another way to obtain it in its purity. This is the principal difference between Orson, me and yourself Provided we are men of equal abilities with yourself, we should have a little the advantage of you, for we have had the same experience in your way as you have, and our own in addition - (this) gives us a little the advantage in this respect. But, you may ask, is there anything to warrant a man of sound mind to engage in our pursuit? Have we anything to rely upon that we may have hope in these pursuits? As you are a believer in the Scriptures, I should think you might have hopes to obtain the blessing of that God who made the Scriptures, and the promises therein.