Today, farmers cultivate fields near Gothenburg, Nebraska but 150-years ago, on this May 8th, the Mormon pioneers could hardly believe their eyes.

William Clayton:

"...THE PRAIRIE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER ARE LITERALLY BLACK WITH BUFFALO."

Today a freeway, but back then they had to clear a path through the buffalo for their wagons. Enormous herds to astonish man, said Wilford Woodruff.

Wilford Woodruff:

"...IT LOOKED AS THOUGH THE FACE OF THE EARTH WAS ALIVE AND MOVING LIKE THE WAVES OF THE SEA."

The pioneers traveled 11 and a quarter miles, the precise distance William Clayton determined by carefully counting the revolutions of a wagon wheel. A few more days, and he would introduce his famous odometer.