(Katie Anderson Pettey - Julie Anne Simmonds - Thelma Petersen - James Franklin Petersen - Johannah Mouritsen)
Hyde Park Utah
May 11, 1922
Recollections of Pioneer days in Utah
By Johannah M. Petersen
My parents were Lars Mouritzen and Maren Sorensen of Denmark. I was born in east Borenders – by Hojorring Denmark June 17th, 1846. Baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints March 1858. Crossing the plains in Robert Neslen’s Company. Our camp was built by the wagons forming a circle with the tongue pointing outward thus making a corral inside where the oxen were kept at night. At one time while camping for dinner our oxen took a fright, stampeded, ran over one man killing him and injuring several others. One day, one young girl, being tired from walking, lagged behind the company. A band of Indians overtook her and lifter her on their horse and was about to take her away when our brethren arrived at the spot. They gave her up willingly and she was returned to the camp again. The “Chimney Rock” was one of the landmarks that I noticed most on my way. We arrived in Salt Lake Valley 15 Sept, 1859. Located in Kaysville, removing to Salt Lake City the next year. My father being in very comfortable circumstances when leaving Denmark had brought many necessary articles with them, also clothing, and a new stove, one cow, an ox team, and wagons. But upon arriving here, was obliged to sell them to obtain food. In the spring of the next year my father planted potatoes, wheat, and sugar cane. Our thrashing was done with a “flayel” and our hay was cut with a “scythe.” Our first home was a “dug-out” without either door or window. At this time I was twelve years old so do not know anything of the earlier time. In the year 1877, we experienced a severe grasshopper plague. Beautiful gardens were stripped clean in a few hours. The cloud of hoppers would be so dense that it entirely hid the sun, although it was mid-day. Those dear old corn-husking, rag-bee, wool-picking days are among the most pleasant thoughts of early life. We were all as one seeking to help one another. Also, driving away all care and trouble that could possibly be removed, and making our hard times easy and joyful, often taking a candle to help light our dance hall, and when a musician was not available, took turnes in singing and whistling while others danced.
Your sister in the gospel,
Johannah M. Petersen
Hyde Park Utah
May 11, 1922
Recollections of Pioneer days in Utah
By Johannah M. Petersen
My parents were Lars Mouritzen and Maren Sorensen of Denmark. I was born in east Borenders – by Hojorring Denmark June 17th, 1846. Baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints March 1858. Crossing the plains in Robert Neslen’s Company. Our camp was built by the wagons forming a circle with the tongue pointing outward thus making a corral inside where the oxen were kept at night. At one time while camping for dinner our oxen took a fright, stampeded, ran over one man killing him and injuring several others. One day, one young girl, being tired from walking, lagged behind the company. A band of Indians overtook her and lifter her on their horse and was about to take her away when our brethren arrived at the spot. They gave her up willingly and she was returned to the camp again. The “Chimney Rock” was one of the landmarks that I noticed most on my way. We arrived in Salt Lake Valley 15 Sept, 1859. Located in Kaysville, removing to Salt Lake City the next year. My father being in very comfortable circumstances when leaving Denmark had brought many necessary articles with them, also clothing, and a new stove, one cow, an ox team, and wagons. But upon arriving here, was obliged to sell them to obtain food. In the spring of the next year my father planted potatoes, wheat, and sugar cane. Our thrashing was done with a “flayel” and our hay was cut with a “scythe.” Our first home was a “dug-out” without either door or window. At this time I was twelve years old so do not know anything of the earlier time. In the year 1877, we experienced a severe grasshopper plague. Beautiful gardens were stripped clean in a few hours. The cloud of hoppers would be so dense that it entirely hid the sun, although it was mid-day. Those dear old corn-husking, rag-bee, wool-picking days are among the most pleasant thoughts of early life. We were all as one seeking to help one another. Also, driving away all care and trouble that could possibly be removed, and making our hard times easy and joyful, often taking a candle to help light our dance hall, and when a musician was not available, took turnes in singing and whistling while others danced.
Your sister in the gospel,
Johannah M. Petersen
.
.
(Learn about the Robert Neslen Pioneer Company at