Colonel Kane and his party's preservation during the journey to Camp Scott

In 1858, Colonel Thomas L. Kane traveled from California to Utah with the intent to mediate the conflict known as the Utah War. Upon reaching the vicinity of Camp Scott, he was accompanied by his party, which included Major Howard Egan, Murdock, West, Knowlton, Van Ettan, and Worthing. On April 5, 1858, the party departed from Bridger with two wagons and their respective servants. They had progressed approximately fifteen miles when one of their wagons overturned in the snow, leaving them stranded and forced to camp overnight in the severe conditions. Unknown to Colonel Kane's party at the time, a scouting group consisting of Howard Egan, W. H. Kimball, E. Hanks, O. P. Rockwell, and others was operating in that specific region. On the morning of April 6, 1858, this scouting party encountered Colonel Kane and his companions. Recognizing the vulnerability of the Governor’s small party, the scouting group took them under their immediate protection, ensuring their safety and guiding them securely into Salt Lake City.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

Accordingly, on the 5th April, they left Bridger with two wagons, and each a servant. They travelled about fifteen miles, upset one of the wagons in the snow, and there stuck for the night. It so happened that W. H. Kimball, E. Hanks, O. P. Rockwell, Howard Egan, and myself, with a few other good boys, were out scouting in that vicinity; and on the morning of the 6th April, we took the Governor and his small party under our protection, and brought them safe to this city.