… Mr. Johnson “was up early on the morning of the 17th. I had fed my cattle and was greasing my carriage as the proprietor came to feed his team. Coming up to where I was he said, ‘Come, go with me and get some breakfast; a dish of hot coffee will make you all right for fording the rivers.’ I went with him and got breakfast, came back and made ready to start on my journey. I drove along to the river and soon the man came with his team and said, ‘How does it look to you?’

“I answered back, ‘How does it look to you?’ ‘This is all right, get on to your wagon and drive close up to mine, don’t be a bit afraid.’ He drove down into the river, I close up to him. The water was much deeper than I supposed it to be, and I thought my horse would go under. I dared not look back to see how the cow was getting along. I felt as if I was swinging around, but when I looked on the wagon ahead I was all right.

“After crossing, the man said, ‘This is the largest river you will have to ford. Green River you will have to cross on a boat; it cannot be forded this time of year. The next to ford is Muddy River, and muddy you will find it, and it is doubtful if you can ford it. Should it continue to be warm, it will cut the snow on the mountains and make the rivers much higher; that is the matter with the rivers at this time of the year. It is doubtful if you will be able to travel until the rivers fall.’ ‘How much shall I pay you for your kindness?’ I asked. ‘Not a dime,’ he answered. ‘But this has been a great favor to me, and I feel as though you ought to be rewarded.’ ‘It is all right now. If we were on the other side of the river, perhaps I would take something with you, but as we are, it is all right. I hope you will get along all right. Good morning.’ ‘Thank you, good morning,’ I replied.”