The first group of Mormons to reach Deer Creek, that balmy June 10th, 1847, described it as a “... lovely place to camp.  Swift current, clear water and abundance of fish.  Nice grove of timber on the banks, and a coal mine about a quarter mile up, on the east side.”  One of the party, William Empey, recalls in his own words “ ... the country is more beautiful then we saw it since we Left winter quarters; Brother B. Young says he will have a few family farms on it on Deer Creek for it is a delightful place.”

Upon reaching the crossing place over the Platte (near old Ft. Caspar), where mountain men suggested crossing, they encountered a river running high from spring run-off, making it necessary to build a ferry to float their wagons across.  Mr. Empey relates in his own words “ ... on the 13 of June we washed our faces with snow (part way up Casper Mountain) we came back with our poles at 9 o'clock at night it being 7 miles to the mountains ... on the 14 June we commenced ferrying a cross the platte taking 2 wagons side of each other.”

Like a blessing out of the blue, another wagon train arrived and like the Mormons, needed to cross.  A bargain was struck.  The wagons would be ferried over in exchange for foodstuff and other supplies.  (Money was of little value so far removed from civilization.)  Another train arrived – and Wm. Empey wrote “... Brother Brigham young gave us instructions how to proceed with the gentiles.”  (Gentiles were anyone who was not a Mormon.)  As a result, 9 men were left behind to man the ferry, the others going on to Salt Lake Valley.

Having finished ferrying on the 20th, “...Capt Grover chose too men to go to Deer creek for a load of coal ...” and even though Wm. Empey found it “ ... Disagreeable on account of Indians ...” and he didn't want to go, in true pioneering spirit he states: “... but we went.”  Then having gotten their coal “... on the 23 we arrived to our Ferry.”  Thus is recorded the first coal mined in what would 22 years later become the Territory of Wyoming.