In the summer of 1857, Russell, Majors & Waddell were sending a great many trains across the plains to Salt Lake with supplies for General Johnston’s army.  Men were in great demand, and the company was paying teamsters forty dollars per month in gold.  An old and reliable wagon-master, named Lewis Simpson—­who had taken a great fancy to me, and who, by the way, was one of the best wagon-masters that ever ran a bull train—­was loading a train for the company, and was about to start out with it for Salt Lake.  He asked me to go along as an “extra hand.”  The high wages that were being paid were a great inducement to me, and the position of an “extra hand” was a pleasant one.  All that I would have to do would be to take the place of any man who became sick, and drive his wagon until he recovered.  I would have my own mule to ride, and to a certain extent I would be a minor boss.

My mother was very much opposed to my taking this long trip, as I would be absent nearly a year, and there was a possibility that something might arise to prevent me from ever coming back, as we could not often tell how the Mormon difficulty would terminate.  Then again, owing to the Indians, a journey over the plains in those days was a perilous undertaking.  She said that as I had recently returned from the plains, and had had a narrow escape from death at the hands of the Indians, she did not want me to risk my life a second time.  I told her that inasmuch as I had determined to follow the plains for an occupation, nothing could now stop me from going on this trip, and if it became necessary I would run away.

Seeing that it was impossible to keep me at home, she reluctantly gave her consent, but not until she had called upon Mr. Russell and Mr. Simpson in regard to the matter, and had obtained from the latter gentleman his promise that I should be well taken care of, if we had to winter in the mountains.  She did not like the appearance of Simpson, and upon inquiry she learned, to her dismay, that he was a desperate character, and that on nearly every trip he had made across the plains he had killed some one.  Such a man, she thought, was not a fit master or companion for her son, and she was very anxious to have me go with some other wagon-master; but I still insisted upon remaining with Simpson.

“Madam, I can assure you that Lew.  Simpson is one of the most reliable wagon-masters on the plains,” said Mr. Russell, “and he has taken a great fancy to Billy.  If your boy is bound to go, he can go with no better man.  No one will dare to impose on him while he is with Lew.  Simpson, whom I will instruct to take good care of the boy.  Upon reaching Fort Laramie, Billy can, if he wishes, exchange places with some fresh man coming back on a returning train, and thus come home without making the whole trip.”

This seemed to satisfy mother, and then she had a long talk with Simpson himself, imploring him not to forget his promise to take good care of her precious boy.  He promised everything that she asked.  Thus, after much trouble, I became one of the members of Simpson’s train.  Before taking our departure, I arranged with Russell, Majors & Waddell that when my pay should fall due it should be paid over to mother.