Arrived in Utah 1855

My grandfather, George Harrison Tribe, was born in Birmingham, England, July 2nd, 1845. The family emigrated to America, landing in New Orleans in 1854. Grandfather was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From New Orleans they traveled to St. Louis where his father, Joseph Tribe, died of brain fever caused from the heat of the summer.

In 1855, George Harrison Tribe's mother, with her two daughters Mary and Emma, and her three sons, George, David and Henry, crossed the plains to Utah, arriving in Salt Lake City the 28th of October 1855. Their Company was led by Milo Andrus and Joseph Hall. Grandfather was eleven years old.

There were many interesting events while crossing the Plains. This family encountered a lost Indian boy, whom they intended to adopt. However the boy became lonesome for his own people and disappeared at night.

One of the most necessary things during the journey across the plains was to keep friendly with the Indians and as a man Mr. Tribe very often told of how they would ask the Indian Chief into their camp and feed him bread dough. Grandfather told of how the family would mix the bread dough, a special batch for the Chief, and how he would relish dipping his finger into the mixture. He liked it even more than bread after it was baked. While he was doing this, the Chief would have his men watch the Camp's horses and cattle and keep them from straying.

Grandfather often said he never complained as long as he had bread to eat. Many times they were forced to eat roots and herbs.

Four years after arriving in Salt Lake City, he recrossed the Plains as far as the Missouri river, in company with his brother-in-law, Emerson Shurtliff, and they bought supplies back to Salt Lake City. They met a Company of emigrants and escorted them to Salt Lake Valley.

In the Autumn of l860 he made a trip to California by the Southern Route for a train of merchandise. He joined Heber C. Kimball's Military Company which organized to go to the relief of San Pete at the time of the Indian trouble.

When the telegraph line was established, grandfather went south as far as St. George, Utah, with a Mr. Clows, and helped to establish every office on that line. He accepted the management of the office at Torquerville and acted as operator. Every year until just previous to his illness and death he attended the Telegraphers Convention in New York City.

Grandfather died the 15th of February 1914 in Ogden, Utah, at the age of 69 years.

Written by his grand-daughter

Florence Katherine Stevens Ruitenbeck.

Read in Camp M, South Weber County

Company by Florence Ruitenbeck.