Autobiography Volume 3 circa 1865-1866
of the Big Cottonwood Kanyon
to attend the great Picknick party of President Young and company
at the head waters of the Big Cottonwood to celebrate the 24^th^ of July
in commemoration of the enetry of the Pioneers into the Valley of the
Great Salt Lake. On the first night we camped in the Big Cottonwood
where the brethren were cutting Granite for the Temple. Brother
Rich and George A Smith Amasa Lyman and many others camped
with me. The whole road was lined with waggons for miles
and they camped wherever they could drive out of the road.
We arose next morning before 3 o'clock
and started on our road. The Twelve followed the Presidency
and the guards. The string of waggons reached for many
miles. We arrived at the Campground at about 132 o'clock
and the last waggon did not arrive till near midnight. The
whole company munbered [numbered] 2587 persons with 468 carriages and
waggons; 1028 horses and mules 332 oxen and cows. Flags
were raised upon the highest peacks that surrounded us and
the stars and stripes were placed upon the highest trees. The
surrounding scenes of mountains valleys lakes woods and medows
made the sight the most interesting I ever beheld. We had
prayers at night and an address from President Young. There
were five bands of music in attendance.
On the 24th in keeping up the aniversary
of the enterance of the Pioneers into the valleys we had music
singing prayers addresses and each one enjoyed himself the best
he could. Many trout were caught in the Lake. The
