Christina McNeil was a family friend of the Margaret Ann Caldwell Family and emigrated with them from Scotland to America for the journey to Salt Lake when she was 24 years old. The following account was featured in the book, Follow Me to Zion, published in 2013 and features an excerpt from Agnes Caldwell’s biography, who was only 9 at the time of the trek.
By the time the Willie company reached Fort Laramie, provisions became very short, and it was apparent that their current rations would not last until they were met with resupply. Margaret had a plan to obtain extra food for her family, but it came in an unexpected way:
“[She] visited one of the generals in command at the Fort to obtain permission to trade some trinkets and a silver spoon for flour and meat. The officer said he himself could not use any of the things but to leave [Christina] in his office while mother went to another station, where he assured her she would be able to obtain the things she desired. He seemed very kind, and not wishing to arouse any feeling of ill will, she left Christina and Thomas.
“During her absence, the officer used the time in trying to persuade Christina to stay there, proposing to her and showing her the gold he had, telling her what a fine lady he would make of her. Then he tried discouraging her, pointing out to her how the handcart company would never reach Utah, [that] they would all die of cold and hunger and exposure. Like all noble girls and true to the cause for which she had left her native Scotland…she told him in plain language she would take her chances with the others even though it meant death.
“She was greatly relieved to have mother return. The officer, however, seemed to admire her very much for her loyalty to her faith and gave her a large cured ham and wished her well in her chosen adventure.”
Christina McNeil married Warren Ford Reynolds in 1857 and together they had seven children. Christina passed away at the age of 69 in 1901.