Finding Mr. Wood, Oregon Trail Hero
When thousands of emigrants were attacked along the North Platte River during the Platte River Raids, many were left without the horsepower to get out of danger. But a mysterious hero generously lent his mules to the victims … and yet, this man doesn’t seem to exist! Can YOU help me find him?
*This story is a continuation of the article, “1864 Mule Train “Captain” Rescues Stranded Victims”
This Mr. Wood, a Mormon mule train “captain,” rescued at least twenty-six wagons with their families who suffered from the terrorizing events of the Platte River Raids in July of 1864. Some details about him are provided in the letters and diaries of emigrants who were heading West to find freedom and gold, including the Granger Company from Illinois. But outside of those records… Mr. Wood cannot be found to give credit where it is due.
Let’s Make History Together!
There is now an open search to find the identity of this mule train “captain” who traveled East from Salt Lake City toward the Missouri River with 6 wagons and at least 60 mules and having been repeatedly attacked (or harassed) between July 4–17 of 1864 in “Idaho Territory” (presently Wyoming).
The closest I have gotten to a match is one Oscar Alexander Wood, born 1838 in Canada West (Ontario). His family immigrated to the United States by the 1850s, staying briefly in “Kanseville,” Iowa (Council Bluffs), while his father, David Wood, a high priest in the Mormon faith, organized a company destined for Salt Lake City in 1852. By 1860, Oscar, now 22, was living in American Fork (30 miles south of Salt Lake City), then, by 1864, he and his father moved to Midway and Charleston, respectively.
In 1936, Oscar’s daughter, Linna Wood Smith, wrote a brief biographical sketch that includes the following very interesting detail: “Oscar Wood, my father, while living in Midway, was one of the young men called to go out and meet the immigrants coming in from the Missouri River to Utah. Making two trips.”
Was the Granger Train’s Mr. Wood an “Up and Backer?”
In the 1860s, then Mormon President Brigham Young called for hands-on support to bring Mormons and converts to Utah by sending supplies “up” to the Missouri River at the start of the travel season, collecting the emigrants who waited in Florence, Nebraska Territory, AKA “Winter Quarters” [1], equipping them, then leading them all “back” within the same travel season. These speedy round-trip journeys are commonly referred to as “Up-and-Backs.”
In 1864, Oscar Wood’s name appeared on a mule train manifest under the captaincy of John Riggs Murdock. So far, so good, right?
As a mule train teamster-freighter with John Murdock, Oscar Wood was accountable for the care of the animals, maintaining the wagon, and for protecting the valuable shipment(s) inside. He would be expected to follow twenty rules of conduct while en route and cover an average of 15–25 miles per day (if using oxen, more for mules). He may have earned about $10 dollars upon the successful completion of the trip.
The manifest says John Murdock’s freighting operation departed from Wyoming, N.T. on June 29 [2]. Oscar was freighting 5 boxes of lamp oil and 5–6 boxes of candles, in addition to any mule feed and camping supplies he might have to survive the trip. If the average speed of a mule train is easily 30 miles per day, or more if necessary, then Oscar could have reached La Prele Creek in the Big Bend of the Platte River by July 14–17.
Again, this sounds great… but there is one small caveat: the Granger Company all say their “Mr. Wood” was heading East. Not West. Hmm.
But what if they got their details wrong?
John Murdock’s Trains Were NEVER Attacked
According to a 1990 article in the Utah Historical Quarterly, John Murdock was chosen for the great responsibility of leading Up and Backs because his character was of “high caliber.” He captained five companies and developed “one of the best reputations” for his leadership. He has even been quoted in this same article, saying, “I brought more emigrants to Utah than did any other man.”
About the 1864 trip, John Hulmston writes, “In spite of Indian depredations in the Power River Region, disease, and foul weather, church authorities considered 1864 successful” (Utah Historical, 1990).
Now wait… this story still doesn’t add up with the testimonies of the Granger Company. If, however, we look back one year to the return trip of 1863, Hulston shares, “Murdock traveled cautiously forward, passing the large bend in the Platte River … While at the Big Bend campsite, a squad of Union soldiers approach with a warning that ‘the devil was let loose’” (referring to Indians).
Yes! That must be it (with the wrong date)!
And yet, the teams made it back to Utah safely that year, as well. Bummer.
I suppose this generous Mr. Wood will remain a mystery for one more day. But if anyone has hints or clues to help in the search… please, do share. Leave a comment below to notify the author-researcher.
About the Author:
Janelle Molony, M.S.L. is an award-winning freelancer and nonfiction author from Phoenix, Arizona. She has a particular interest in women-centric stories and local history. Her writing has been featured in magazines and journals such as History Nebraska, The Michigan Historical Review, Minnesota Genealogist, Annals of Wyoming, Women’s History, and more.
See more from the author by following on Medium and on social media. More publications by Molony can be found on her official author webpage.
Extended Notes:
[1] Nebraska did not become a state until 1867.
[2] Starting in 1864, President Young requested that the eastern meeting point on the Missouri be moved from Florence, Nebraska Territory (called “Winter Quarters”) to a less populated area of Wyoming, N.T.
