This very morning a Mr. Rynierson called the attention of the crowd and made some remarks upon the situation.  He said:  “My family is near and dear to me.  I can see by the growth of the timber that we are in a very elevated place.  This is now the seventh of November, it being the fourth at the time of our turning off on this trail.  We are evidently in a country where snow is liable to fall at any time in the winter season, and if we were to remain here and be caught in a severe storm we should all probably perish.  I, for one, feel in duty bound to seek a safer way than this.  I shall hitch up my oxen and return at once to the old trail.  Boys (to his teamsters) get the cattle and we’ll return.”  This was decisive, and Mr. Rynierson would tarry no longer.  Many others now proceeded to get ready and follow, and as Mr. Rynierson drove out of camp quite a respectable train fell in behind him.  As fast as the hunters came in and reported no road available, they also yoked up their oxen and rolled out.  Some waited awhile for companions yet in the fields, and all were about ready to move, when a party came in with news that the pass was found and no trouble could be seen ahead.  About twenty-seven wagons remained when this news came, and as their proprietors had brought good news they agreed to travel on westward and not go back to the old trail.

Mr. Bennett had gone only a short distance out when he had the misfortune to break the axle of his wagon and he then went back to camp and took an axle out of the dead man’s wagon and by night had it fitted into his own.  He had to stay until morning, and there were still a few others who were late in getting a start, who camped there also.  Among these were J.B.  Arcane, wife and child; two Earhart brothers and sons and some two or three other wagons.

When all was ready we followed the others who had gone ahead.  The route led at first directly to the north and a pass was said to be in that direction.  Of the Green River party only Rodgers and myself remained with this train.  After the wagons straightened out nicely, a meeting was called to organize, so as to travel systematically.  A feeling was very manifest that those without any families did not care to bind themselves to stand by and assist those who had wives and children in their party and there was considerable debate, which resulted in all the family wagons being left out of the arrangements.

A party who called themselves “The Jayhawkers” passed us, and we followed along in the rear, over rolling hills covered with juniper timber, and small grassy valleys between where there was plenty of water and went well, for those before us had broken out the road so we could roll along very pleasantly.

At the organization Jim Martin was chosen captain.  Those who were rejected were Rev. J.W.  Brier and, his family, J.B.  Arcane and family, and Mr. A. Bennett and family, Mr. Brier would not stay put out, but forced himself in, and said he was going with the rest, and so he did.  But the other families remained behind.  I attended the meeting and heard what was said, but Mr. Bennett was my friend and had been faithful to me and my property when he knew not where I was, and so I decided to stand by him and his wife at all hazards.