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Acknowledgments

Winter Quarters was born in a rare El Paso snowstorm. I picked up a copy of American Heritage and read an account of the Donner Party, nearly all of whom perished in the snow on their way to California in 1846. I reflected that a similar fate might have befallen the Mormon pioneers in that same year had it not been for Winter Quarters. It seemed to me that a book was called for on the subject of this vital way station for the migration westward.

While it was still snowing, I wrote Dr. Leonard Arrington, who was the Historian of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asking his advice about such a book. He was most encouraging and referred me to Dr. Glen M. Leonard, his assistant, who was equally encouraging. Dr. Leonard invited me to contact Jim Kimball, of the archives section of the Church History Department. Throughout the entire work, I have received both encouragement and assistance from these historians and members of their staffs. When I presented a paper entitled "Winter Quarters, More than a Valley Forge" at the 1983 Mormon History Association convention in Omaha, Dr. Arrington was present and renewed his encouragement.

In the course of research on this manuscript, I paid two visits to Omaha, especially to Florence, now a part of Omaha, and the site of Winter Quarters. There I was given a thorough tour of Mormon historical sites in the area by Gail George Holmes, local historian and former bishop of the Council Bluffs Ward. Bishop Holmes has rendered valuable assistance in the course of this work.

Attendants in the reference department of the Florence Branch, Omaha Public Library, were proud of their Winter Quarters Collection and were eager to assist me in utilizing it. An active Florence Historical Society opened up the historical museum in the old Florence National Bank building and displayed many important artifacts and records.

In El Paso, I received help and encouragement from many people. The reference department of the El Paso Public Library was always cooperative in helping me find important information. Mika Sharp helped to compile and type the appendix listing persons who died at Winter Quarters and Cutler's Park. Virginia Turner, of the El Paso Herald Post, was a source of continuing encouragement. Haywood Antone and Dale Walker, directors of Texas Western Press, my publisher on two previous books, were likewise sources of encouragement and advice. Then there was my constant mentor, dean of southwestern historians, Dr. C. L. Sonnichsen of Tucson, Arizona.