IN THE OLD WEST 313 



they had been many weeks on their journey, nearly 

 all their cattle, which they had brought to stock 

 their new country, were dead or missing, and those 

 that were left were in most miserable condition. 



They had started so late in the season that the 

 greater part were compelled to winter on the 

 Platte, on Grand Island, and in the vicinity, where 

 they endured the greatest privations and suffer- 

 ing from cold and hunger. Many who had lost 

 their stock lived upon roots and pig-nuts ; and 

 scurvy, in a most malignant form, and other dis- 

 orders, carried off numbers of the wretched 

 fanatics. 



Amongst them were many substantial farmers 

 from all parts of the United States, who had given 

 up their valuable farms, sold off all their property, 

 and were dragging their irresponsible and unfor- 

 tunate families into the wilderness carried away 

 by their blind and fanatic zeal in this absurd and 

 incredible faith. There were also many poor 

 wretches from different parts of England, mostly 

 of the farm-laboring class, with wives and families, 

 crawling along with helpless and almost idiotic 

 despair, but urged forward by the fanatic leaders 

 of the movement, who promised them a land flow- 

 ing with milk and honey to reward them for all 

 their hardships and privations. 



Their numbers were soon reduced by want and 

 disease. When too late, they often wished them- 

 selves back in the old country, and sighed many a 



