R.K. Homer # 3

R. K. Homer # 3

On January 20, 1848, Russell K. Homer applied by petition for a post office for the town of Winter Quarters. On January 24, 1849, /Shadrack Roundy, Russell K. Homer, Jedediah M. Grant, G. D. Grant, and J.S. Fullmer organized a company for the purpose of carrying persons and goods from the Missouri River to Sutter's Fort in California. This company was called 'The Great Salt Lake Carrying Company.' They would guarantee to furnish the very best in transportation that was to be had; good teams, reliable teamsters and light spring wagons, each wagon to cary three besides the teamster, and each passenger allowed 150 pounds of baggage. One of the owners would be in Salt Lake City to relay with fresh horses and supplies. The fare per person was $100 to Salt Lake City or $300 to Sutter's Fort to be paid in advance. The freight trains would carry freight at the rate of $12.50 cwt., two-thirds in advance.
In the spring of 1852 father received word that his father, Benjamin Cobb Homer, had died in Pennsylvania and that father had been named executor of the estate. He sold out his holdings in Iowa and took his family by team back to Pennsylvania. He arranged a proper settlement of the estate. They first went to Buffalo and took passage on a steam boat to Cleveland, Ohio, where they bought teams and equipment to travel back to Iowa. Upon their arrival in Iowa, Father took up a homestead on Pigeon Creek, 13 miles North of Council Bluff. They improved on this land and entered into the business of buying and selling hogs. After proving up on the homestead they moved into Crescent City in Iowa and opened up a real estate office and a hotel.
Many of their patrons were Indians who lived on the opposite side of the river. ...when a large number were across on our side, such heavy storms came up the water was lashed into a fury and it was not safe for them to go back in their light canoes. Mother asked them to remain all night. She took her children into her room and slept all night. The dining room and kitchen floors were covered with drunken Indians wrapped in their blankets and no white man around the place but she was not afraid. She said, "Why should I be afraid, I was their friend and they knew it and not one of them but would have defended me against any danger."
The Homer House entertained all missionaries free of charge as they passed by there either going to their fields of labor or returning home. During the winter of 1857-58 all missionaries were called home on account of the Johnston's Army episode. (The Utah War) Fifty of them sat down at the Homer table at one time without anything being asked for their keep. Sixteen missionaries were too late to go with the last company across the Plains and stayed with the Homers all winter. Mother did their laundry, mending and darning besides keeping and boarding them all winter. Father found ways for them to cross the Plains at the earliest opportunity.
Father continued in the ferry and freighting business, leaving the management of the store and hotel to the members of the family. Whenever they employed extra help, they tried to give work to someone anxious to get across to Utah. In spite of all they did for others, they prospered and became well off. One of Father's sayings was, "You will not lose anything by helping a person who is putting forth an honest effort to help himself."