Alexander Combs Erkson was one of the pioneers of 1849, having left the state of Iowa in the month of May, when he assisted in organizing a company known as the “Badger Company” at Kanesville, the object being mutual assistance and protection.  This company joined the Bennett party mentioned so prominently in this history, at the Missouri, and traveled with them or near them to the rendezvous near Salt Lake where the new company was organized for the southern trip taken by the Death Valley party, the Jayhawkers and others.  As the experience of Mr. Erkson was in some respects different to that of the parties mentioned, he having taken a different route for a part of the way, it was thought best to embody it in this history.  The following was dictated to the editor of this book, and as Mr. Erkson died before the written account could be revised by him, it is the best that can possibly be obtained.

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MR. ERKSON’S STATEMENT.

“We arrived at the Mormon camp near Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, in the month of August.  Several of us went to work getting out lumber for Brigham Young while we were waiting and resting.  The mormons all advised us not to undertake to go on by the northern route, and as the travelers gathered at this point they canvassed the situation.  We used our teams when we were at work for Brigham and assisted in building a dam across a canon where he intended to build a woolen mill.  I earned about a hundred dollars by my work, which was paid to me in ten-dollar pieces of a gold coin made by the Mormons.  They were not like the U.S. coins.  I remember one side had an eye and the words—­’Holiness to the Lord.’

We entered into an agreement with Capt.  Hunt, a Mormon, to pilot us through, and turned all our gold into that company, thus bringing none of the Mormon gold with us.  We went on with the company as has been related in the foregoing pages, till we arrived at Mt.  Misery, so named by us, when we took the back track, while Mr. Manley and the others went on as they have related.  We had meetings by the light of a greenwood fire, and the matter was talked up in little knots of people, and then some one would get up and speak.  One J.W.  Brier, a preacher, was the principal blower.  ‘You are going wrong!’ said he, We should go west, and in six weeks we will be loaded with gold!’

Hunt got a little confused at a place called Beaver Meadows, or Mountain Meadows, and thought perhaps he could find a new road.  Several men were sent out to look, and some of us in camp played ball for amusement while we were waiting.  Hunt’s men came back and said there were no prospects of a new road, and he said he knew the southern route and believed it would be safe to go that way.