Tuesday, June 23
This morning I got my food ready to start after Diantha but Vilate Ruth seemed quite sick and I concluded not to start. We took the teams and went to the village to pick gooseberries but it rained nearly all the time we were gone. I bought a scythe and some other things and tried to trade a watch for a yoke of cattle. Major Mitchel offered me three yoke for the gold watch. We got home about 3:00. I then went and told the President about Mitchel's offer and he told me to sell it. It was so cold and wet and windy we went to bed early and soon after we got to bed, Heber and Dr. Richards came to my wagon with two letters from Diantha, one dated Nauvoo, May 17, 1846, the other Big Prairie, June 18th. She tells that she is sent on by her father and is with Loren and is very anxious that I should bring her or send for her. I made up my mind to start tomorrow. The night was very stormy with strong winds and heavy rains.