JOURNAL OF T H E IRON C O U N T Y MISSION JOHN D . LEE, CLERK December 10,1850—March 1,1851* (continued) EDITED BY GUSTIVE O. LARSON
Iron Co Mission Encampment No 161 Wed. Jan. 1st 1851 Morning clear Thermomenter stood at above at Yi P a s t 6 Capt. O. B. Adams was sent as a committee to explore the country & learn the prospect for feed & camping facilities at the next creek 3 ms distance ahead, returned about 8 reported plenty of water & Saluratus Grass 2 but little or no wood T h e camp was called to gather & a vote taken by Pres G. A. Smith—whether the camp was to role on to the next creek today & encamp there till the morrow or remain here today voted not to move till the morrow. Pres G. A. Smith then said that a guard should be around the cattle through the day as well as the night a request was made by some of the camp for the liberty of having a little dance, 3 it being New Years the Pres replied that he would not object provided the Bishops would manage the affair & have it conducted with a single eye to the honor of their calling as Saints of God; through the day (which was fine) several lame cattle were shod—J. D . Lee had one of his cows shod the remainder of the day (or nearly so) he (J D Lee) spent reading the Poor Cousins in Pres G A Smiths waggon, while their families were preparing a New Years Dinner which they (the 2 families) partook togather in Pres G. A. Smith's Family House or waggon, it was reported that some Indian camp were but a short distance down the creek, where upon, Capt. Jas A. Little & some 6 of his *This installment of the journal covers the period January 1-18, 1851. 'The Iron Mission consisting of 101 wagons, 2 carriages, 119 men, 30 women, and 18 children, under leadership of George A. Smitii had reached Meadow Creek in Millard County on December 31, 1850. The livestock was greatly in need of feed and rest, so the pioneers remained over to celebrate New Year's day. John D. Lee, general clerk of die camp, continues his account •Commonly called salt grass. •Dancing was a popular diversion which the Latter-day Saints even indulged in on the trek from Nauvoo to Salt Lake Valley.
