The Upper Crossing

The Upper Crossing. . The North Platte River that we see today is considerably different than the river that the 1847 pioneer party had to cross. As series of dams upstream from this site strictly regulates the flow of water on a year round basis. , (Map of Platte River and Ferry Crossings Sites) . , Brigham Young arrived at a point near this site with the Mormon Pioneer 72-wagon company of 143 men, three women and two children on June 12, 1847. Strong winds and high water (150 yards wide and 10 to 15-feet deep) made crossing the river difficult and extremely dangerous. After various attempts to cross and frustrated by slow progress, Brigham Young commissioned the construction of a larger ferry boat. After just three days, the ferry was complete and had been provided as well with two oars and a rudder for control. Brigham Young realized that subsequent Mormon companies would require the ferry to cross the North Platte, and he also appreciated the revenue-generating potential of helping other pioneers cross the river. Wilford Woodruff recorded that “…President Young thought it wisdom to leave a number of the brethren here and keep a ferry until our Company Came up. Emigrants will pay for ferrying $1.50 cents per waggon…”(sic). , On June 19, one week after their arrival, Brigham Young named nine men to remain and operate the ferry: , Thomas Grover, Captain (professional ferryman) , William Empey, Assistant Captain , Appleton Harmon, Carpenter-Mechanic , Luke Johnson, Doctor and Hunter , James Davenport, Blacksmith , James Higbee, Herdsman , Edmund Ellsworth, Hunter , Francis Pomeroy, Hunter , Benjamin Stewart, Coal miner , A tenth man, Eric Glines, elected himself to stay behind with the ferrymen. .