100 years ago
The wagon in which Brigham Young crossed the plains with the first pioneer company in 1847 would be returned to Salt Lake City for the Pioneer Jubilee celebration, it was reported in the May 11, 1897, Deseret News.
The wagon, at the time, was in the possession of E.N. Freeman of St. Johns, Ariz. The Deseret News article included an illustration, obtained from the St. Johns Herald, of the wagon.
The article also included information provided by Mr. Freeman. He said:
"This is the identical spring wagon in which President Brigham Young crossed the Plains, arriving at the present site of Salt Lake City on July 24, 1847. It had seats, at that time, running lengthwise of the bed, and was used as a council house during the long journey."
The article said the wagon ended up in Arizona through the efforts of D.K. Udall who saw that it received reasonably good care.
The article concluded: "The Herald remarks that it is proposed to take this historic wagon to Salt Lake City before the coming semi-centennial jubilee, and, after the managers of that affair are done with it, that the wagon be deposited in the Salt Lake museum for safe keeping."
Quote from the past
"The Lord has gathered us together in these valleys of the mountains, that He might have a people who would be prepared to receive the eternal truths of heaven, and be governed by them." - President John Taylor, from an address given in the Salt Lake City Assembly Hall, Feb. 10, 1884