Erastus Snow The President & all the rear of the Pioneer company arrived, their health much improved.

Erastus Snow We have the creek dammed up and water turned onto our land and several acres of Potatoes & early corn Planted.

Erastus Snow Had an excellent meeting. All feel satisfied that the Lord had led us to this very Spot for a Stake of Zion.

Erastus Snow We have commenced with our preperations for planting seeds.

Erastus Snow We've found a warm spring that although we can't know the tempature seems about right for scaldiing hogs.

Erastus Snow Here are the greatest facilities for a Steam Doctor I ever saw. A stone in the center of the stream seemed ready for the Patient.

Erastus Snow At any rate I tried it, but had little desire to remain long upon it. All these main Springs are very strongly impregnated with Salt & Sulphur.

Erastus Snow We left a note upon a pole recommending the better road before taking down to the valley. We're crossing marshes and salt plains.

Erastus Snow Returned to camp to find them 3 miles past where we left them at noon. Pres. Young's party is 1/2 mile behind them.

Erastus Snow We started again with seven others to explore the valley further and mark a road down the creek.

Erastus Snow We are examining a small canyon we feel will make a practical road down the Bed of the creek through the Canyon.

Erastus Snow I have overtaken Elder Pratt where the trail enters a rocky canyon. It will take much labor to make a passable road through the thickets.

Erastus Snow We are ascending a very steep rise to reach a butte we hope will command a view of the valley.

Erastus Snow At the same instant, Elder Pratt and I uttered a shout of Joy at finding the broad Bason of the Salt Lake Spreading itself Before us!

Erastus Snow We are descending into the valley to get a better look. Crossing many streams.

Erastus Snow Elders Richards & Smith determined on Sending me in the morning with a letter to overtake Elder Pratt & accompany him to the valley.

Erastus Snow I am on horseback heading westward the Summit of the Mountains. The revine is very narrow and mountains rise on either side.

Erastus Snow I have my first sight of the valley of the Utah some 15 miles from the Summit.

Erastus Snow Travel is through dense thickets and we cross the creek often. We also stop to repair roads and cut away Brush.

Erastus Snow We camp tonight where Elder Pratt's company camped last night. We have found a letter left by Elder Pratt for us.

Erastus Snow Some of the sick feel unable to ride over so rough a road. Three wagons will wait until the Pres. and rear company overtake them.

Erastus Snow Our descent through this canyon is over a rough road, which we makes it necessary to stop and repair often. We ascend again.

Erastus Snow White heads above the intervening mountains show us Plainly that our climbing was not yet at an end.

Erastus Snow We have stoped tonight upon a small patch of grass surrounded by the thick shrubbery upon this creek haveing traveled 13 3/4 miles.

Erastus Snow The President and the twelve thought it not advisable for the camp to wait longer for him and about forty teams will leave our encampment.

Erastus Snow We have instruction to follow the advance company and halt at the first suitable Spot and put in our seed Potatoes, Buckwheat and Turnips.

Erastus Snow The President who had been nigh unto Death is sensibly Better. The effects of the Prayer of the Brethren are visable throughout the camp.

Erastus Snow We have begun a meeting for breaking bread and instruction and exhortation.

Erastus Snow We had an excellent meeting. The Holy Spirit was upon us and faith seemed to Spring up in every Bosom.

Erastus Snow We are having a prayer meeting in camp remembering before the Lord the case of the Prest. & the sick in camp.

Erastus Snow We traveled 16½ miles & are making camp about a mile from the Main Fork of Weber River.

Erastus Snow We are offering up united Prayers, in behalf of Pres. Young & the sick in our camp, the Saints who are following & our wifes & children.

Erastus Snow After setting out, the President became unable to ride. He is still quite ill. We are making camp 2 1/2 miles from last night's encampment.

Erastus Snow We have found numerous small towers of a stone resembling old factory or furnace chimneys.

Erastus Snow Our descent has been very rappid all day but we have passed through some extensive Patches of what Mountainers call wild wheat.

Erastus Snow The whole camp seemed perfectly Immerged in a Dense thicket of large Shrubbery and weeds, with scattering trees which fill the valley.

Erastus Snow With many of the sick on the mend, we are heading down the Vale. The President & Col. Rockwood riding upon a bed in a carriage.

Erastus Snow Those of us left in camp continue to rest and prepare for the remaining journey. Many are still sick.

Erastus Snow 23 of the best teams were selected with the ablest men and sent to prepare the way over the Lake Mount around the Weber River Canion.

Erastus Snow We have found excellent spring water & the best feed for our stock we have had on our route. We have named this camp Mathew's Vale.