Document Date: Approx. Spring 1972
Created by: Frederick Kohlhepp Nash
Addressed to: Funeral Services for Wilbur Roy Nash
People referenced: Wilbur Roy Nash, Mary Ella Hickman Kohlhepp, Frederick Kohlhepp
Frederick Kohlhepp Nash, Fred's eldest grand child via his daughter Marie Elizabeth Nash (although Frederick Kohlhepp Nash was from Marie's prior marriage to Daniel Bertoch), recounted the trek his family (with his step father, Wilbur Roy Nash) took from American Falls, Idaho to Lehi, Arizona (which became part of Mesa) at his father's funeral (1972). His grandparents, Fred and Mary Ella, also made the journey.
"Springtime 1911
Two families decided to move from American Falls Idaho to Lehi Arizona, near Mesa. I had never seen an automobile so teams and wagons did the job in 6 weeks time by driving hard over trails that were not even a wagon track in places.
To save time we went thru Salt Lake City down Redwood road, missing City center. Traveling through Richfield and crossing Lees Ferry was quite an experience for a groupe of strangers. As a kid it was fun to sit [on] the log ferry and dangle my feet in the river as we crossed.
As we approached the Moen[kopi] Wash we saw people camped across the swol[l]en stream. They said there is no chance to cross. We have been here 2 weeks and the high water has not gone down a bit.
Our hay & food supply were very limited so it was necessary for us to avoid delay and hurry to plant Spring crops. Dad took the tallest horse across the river in different places but water was over his back at [e]very crossing. The group called me from playing in the mud to kneel in a big circle and they prayed for the water to go down.
We got in the wagons as the water went down. I sat in the bottom of our wagon and didn[']t get wet. The gentiles saw what happened, rushed to load their outfit but the river was high again before they could harness the teams. Wonder how long they had to waite. I do believe the Lord helped Ancient Israel cross waters too.
We had a donkey that ran loose and followed us like a dog. At times he was ahead but usually tagging. We met some miners using a beautiful sorrell pony as a pack animal. When the two owners met they grinned and one said ["]shall we?["] ["]Yes[,"] said the other, so our burrow go the pack in the hills and I got a pony to ride when [I got] tired s[i]tting in the wagon. Also others rode him at times.
One ni[ght] we camped in the forest and I tagged dad as he unhooked the team. Flies must have bothered the horses as one slapped my face with his tail so hard I still remember the sting. Dear dad was my real pal. He made a swing with his lasso rope and a tall tree.
We stopped at a cattle ranch and the fine lonesome cowboys treeted us like royalty, feeding us like kings. They sure were good cooks. Mashed potatoes with gravy and all the trimmings with beef.
Mother hinted that I would like some milk. They had no milk cow so they threw a wild herford and proudly presented fresh milk.
After crossing the Colorado river we had to go up a LONG steep, narrow dugway out of the Grand Canyon. I sat on the cliff hang over side to see the canyon. After crossing the Colorado river we drove up the LONG Steep narrow dugway out of grand canyon. I sat on the river side of the seat and watched the horse step so close to the edge I was scared every step for miles it seemed. Someone asked[, "]what if we meet a rig coming down on this narrow dug way?["] ["]People have taken wagons apart to pass[,"] they said.
Another thing of interest to a kid was hundreds of prair[ie] dogs in the big petrified forest. Going thr[ough] Flagstaff we passed a saw mill where they pulled logs with oxen. They never heard of oil shortage either. Painted Desert was a sight to remember when you see it at slow wagon speed.
On the farm in Lehi Dad built us a new air cooled home. Walls were 4 ft high boards and screens above on all sides so breezes came from all directions. Grand parents lived next door also in a house with dirt floors."
Observations:
- Fred Nash would have been very young at this time, about 4 years old (he was born in 1907; this journey was in Springtime 1911). It's hard to imagine that he recalled the journey that well; a lot of the story would had to have been filled in by it being retold to him by other family members.
- Six weeks journey; quite the trek. How well known or travelled was the route they took if not even wagon tracks could be spotted in areas?
- The river receding episode has been recounted in another Kohlhepp story, albeit in different circumstances.
- I plotted out the places mentioned in Fred Nash's account. I've been tempted to look for some old Utah trails and try to determine the most probable course the took down to Lehi, Arizona. In the meantime, enjoy the google map.
- Fascinating description of the living conditions in Lehi for both the Nash and Kohlhepp families.
No comments:
Post a Comment