On Oct. 3, 1877, Joseph and Prudence with Wellington Richins and young bride, Alice Bond, the mother Louisa Shill Richins and two young children, Rebecca and Marland, started for Arizona. They had heard of this wonderful country, and President Brigham Young of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had encouraged them to go help settle this new land.

They had gathered together all their earthly possessions and loaded them in covered wagons which were drawn by ox teams. Wellington drove two yoke of oxen and Joseph three, given him by the Bishop along with fifteen head of cattle and provisions. (These were Joseph’s pay for working on the farm and to help defray expenses of Louisa and children.) The names of Joseph’s oxen were: Wheelers (Cromp and Dick), Swing (Brin and Rabbit), Leaders (Barney and Berry). They went from Henefer to Heber City, down Provo Canyon to Provo. Here the food supplies were purchased, enough to make the journey to Arizona. In Richfield, Utah, they overtook the Redden Allred family with their two yoke of oxen and wagon. They, too, were headed for Arizona. Joining with them, their small company was complete.

On they traveled overtaking a larger Company with trains of covered wagons, the Pomeroy’s, Sirrine’s, Crimson’s and Jones’. They traveled for days and months, the two companies trailing then passing each other many, many times.

The journey continued onward up to the Severe River to Panguitch, Johnson City, over the Buck Skin Mountain, camping at Lee’s Ferry. Here they ferried over the deep muddy waters of the treacherous Colorado River. Two trips were made, first taking the families and provision, second the cattle.

Along the way a wild steer had followed in their herd of cattle. He also entered upon the ferry, frightened he jumped off into the waters of the river swimming the stream and joining the herd on the other side. Rebecca and Wellington rode over with the second load almost getting tipped over. Throughout this long journey Rebecca rode the horse back and with Marland’s help drove and herded the cattle.

Prudence had not been well, to her the way seemed long, rough, and tiresome. The company camped at Navajo Springs, Arizona. Here Prudence gave birth to a son. She became very ill forcing a night drive to Willow Springs into the larger camp where help could be obtained. The baby died and the tiny body was placed in a crude built coffin made of rough lumber and lined with cotton cloth. Wellington Richins and Francis M. Pomeroy carried the corpse on horseback fifteen miles to Moenkopi, a Mormon settlement. A short service was held and the baby buried. The company stayed in Willow Springs until Prudence was able to travel.

They continued their journey on across the Little Colorado River heading southward traveling fifteen miles and camped. Arising the following morning in the bitter cold and fog, they prepared themselves to continue their journey. They traveled for half a day bearing to the right in direction and because of dense fog, by noon they found themselves at the same camp they had left that morning. The mileage chart—a complete circle in one half day’s travel.

But with that ever determined spirit they chose to go on. They followed into what was known as the Beal road, which led through a dense thicket of pine trees. It was very hard for them to keep track of where they were going because they had to follow where trees had been blazed.
The women rode in the wagon and Joseph walked and drove the oxen. He would crack and snap the black whip at the oxen and away they would tear through the forest, sometimes running into the trees the front wheels of the wagon, which would become lodged. But Joseph would catch up with them and manage to unloose the wagon and away they would go again. This happened time and time again. Finally they came to Flagstaff Springs (now known as Flagstaff). The gentleman who owned the ranch where they chanced to stop was very accommodating. His name was Mr. Hull.

It was Christmas night when they landed in Flagstaff. They awoke the next morning to find a snow storm had visited them through the night and one foot or more of snow covered the ground. Traveling to Chino Valley the wind was cold and the mercury had drop to 10 below zero. Joseph went up into the canyon bringing down an old tree log for firewood to make warmth for the family. From here they traveled on to the John Ales ranch at the head of Skull Valley, then to Thompson Valley, the distance of eight miles.

They called Thompson Valley their home from January the eighth (Prudence’s birthday) until the middle of July. They lived in a log house consisting of one room made of ash tree logs. The roof was covered with shad scales which kept out cold and rain (shad scale is a weed similar to an onion.) During their stay in Thompson Valley Joseph spent his time in freighting, hauling wood, logs, and hay to Prescott.

The three yoke of oxen and wagon were traded for four horses and wagon. Becoming dissatisfied from all their trials, heartaches, sorrow, and this new country, Joseph and Prudence decided to go back to Utah. They took with them Louisa Shill Richins and her two children, Rebecca and Marland. The Wellington Richins and Redden Allred families continued to live here for some time. They then moved southward to Lehi, staying there for a short time. Later they went on to Mesa where they purchased property and made their home.

The return journey back to Utah by Joseph and Prudence and Louisa Shill Richins with her two children was by covered wagon, but this time drawn by horses. The traveling was much more relaxing and the horses took them much faster. They returned by Walnut Grove and Mineral Springs. Crossing about thirty miles of desert they came upon the Colorado River. They ferried over at Stone’s Ferry, following up the Virgin River to St. Thomas. Here they camped for two days. Joseph obtained work on a grain thrasher to get barley to feed his horses.

On they traveled crossing the Virgin River several times and eventually came to St. George Utah. In St. George they saw and visited the newly erected and dedicated (6 April 1877) St. George Latter-day Saints Temple. What a thrilling sight this temple was to them, and filled their hearts and souls with joy and happiness. Along through the southern settlements of Utah they traveled coming to the edge of Provo. Following up the Provo Canyon they arrived in Henefer in the middle of September and stopped at the home of Bishop Charles W. Richins. Here they lived for one year.

Joseph obtained work on the Bishop Richins’ farm. In his spare time he would take his team and wagon going into Franklin’s Canyon cutting and sawing pine trees. He brought many loads into Henefer. He asked his eldest brother, John Bond, who was an excellent wood cutter, to help him hue and split the logs so he could build a house. The house, or cabin, was built on two vacant lots located on the west side of the village of Henefer. The lots had been given to Joseph by his father, William Bond.

On August 27, 1879, while staying at the home of Bishop Charles Richins, a baby son was born to this young couple. He was given the name of Charles Marlow Bond. The new log cabin was completed and consisted of one long room. Joseph and Prudence with their small baby son moved themselves in to the new log cabin. Working at odd jobs, Joseph earned money to provide for his family. Two years passed and happiness reigned in this little cabin. Then on July 17, 1881, came a wee little daughter born in this cabin. She added more sunshine and love to this home. To this baby was given the name of Louisa Pearl Bond.

The family lived here until the winter of 1882. Joseph and Prudence had decided to go back to Arizona to make their home. Letters received from relatives and friends told them of the many opportunities which would be theirs if they would but come to this new land. Joseph sold their house, two lots, and two teams of horses, namely wheelers (Charles and Pomp), leaders (Johnny and Billy) and a wagon to Bishop Charles W. Richins for the sum of six hundred dollars cash.
With Grandma Louisa Shill Richins, her two children, Rebecca and Marland, Joseph, Prudence and their two small children left Henefer. They went into the town of Echo and purchased tickets to ride the train to Arizona. They boarded the train following the Union Pacific Railroad to Ogden. Here they changed trains to the Central Pacific Railroad, getting on what was known as the Emigrant train. Going by way of California, the train entered upon the Southern Pacific Railroad lines.

In Fresno California, the train had a one-half hour lay over and Joseph left the family group with the thought that he would look over the town. Joseph had in his possession all the tickets and money. He found a music store and the time was well spent. By the time he got back to the depot he found the Emigrant train had pulled out moving on its way to Arizona. Was this a surprise! Knowing his family could not go far without money or tickets, he hurried into the depot office to obtain information as to how he could catch up with his family. As luck would have it, he found the fast passenger train would leave at six o’clock P.M. This cost Joseph $6.00 for the purchase of a ticket. At eleven o’clock P.M. the passenger train over took the Emigrant train. Joseph got on with his family who were indeed grateful to see him, but frantic with worry of Joseph being lost and they put off the train alone on the desert. The Emigrant train was slow moving and also had to wait at track changes for the faster trains to pass before going on. Sometimes these waits were quite long. Joseph learned his lesson and stayed close by regardless how long the stop or wait might be. They arrived at Maricopa, Arizona which was the terminal of the railroad at that time. Maricopa was located about fifty miles south and west from Mesa.