Deliverance of Saints from Cholera on Missouri River Steamboats

During the 1855 emigration season, a company of Saints from Texas led by Seth M. Blair was traveling near Mormon Grove when they were struck by a cholera outbreak. In a firsthand report dated June 26, 1855, Elder H. C. Haight recounted that his missionary group met the Texan company approximately 18 miles from Mormon Grove. Upon their arrival, they discovered the camp in distress: four individuals had already passed away and several others were ill, with the company in the process of hitching up their teams to continue their journey. At the request of Seth M. Blair, Elder Haight and several of his companions returned to the camp to provide spiritual support. They held a meeting with the Saints, spoke to them, and administered to the sick. Despite these efforts, two additional deaths occurred before the missionaries departed. Following the encounter, word reached the missionaries via a man sent to retrieve Brother Edward Stevenson to take charge of the train; it was reported that the total death toll from the affliction reached 26, though the cholera had since ceased, leaving only cases of cholera morbus. Elder Haight’s account highlights the trials faced by the emigrating Saints during that season and the subsequent organization of companies at Mormon Grove, where other camps—including those under the care of Richard Ballantyne—prepared for the journey west under the guidance of local leaders like Bishop McGaw.

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

Next morning met S. M. Blair with the Texan camp. Here a different scene presented itself; the cholera had got into their camp; they were only 18 miles out from Mormon Grove. Four had fallen, and several more sick; they were hitching up their teams when we drove up. Br. Blair wanted some of us to go back and stay all night with them. We went back several of us, and had a meeting; talked to them some, and administered to the sick; two more died before we left. We then returned to our camp. Since that time we have heard from them by a man sent to get Br. Edward Stevenson to take charge of the train. He reports that 26 have died in all, but that the cholera has ceased, and they have only some cases of cholera morbus.