On
any summer evening in July hundreds of emigrants could be found
swarming all over Independence Rock, chiseling messages
to others following behind. Many of the emigrants arrived
here on the fourth of July, and that was cause for celebration.
Pies were baked and revelry was shared.
Emigrant
James Nesmith:
"Had the pleasure of waiting on five or six young
ladies to pay a visit to Independence Rock. I had the satisfaction
of putting the names of Miss Mary Zachary and Miss Jane
Mills on the southeast point of the rocks."
Emigrant
Margaret Hecox:
"Being the fourth of July, we concluded to lay by
and celebrate the day. The children had no fireworks, but
we all joined in singing patriotic songs and shared in a
picnic lunch."
After
a day of festivities, the western trek continued following
the Sweetwater River.
Independence
Rock Historic Site
Official site of the state of Wyoming
