William Edwin Morris

William Moris was the second of six children born to Hyrum Bowles Morris from Kentucky, and Eleanor Crawford Roberts of Missouri. With other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, they joined the Warren Walling Company to journey to the Great Salt Lake Valley. The company departed on May 28, 1860.

On the journey west, measles invaded the camp. While 2-year-old William survived the disease, it left him weak. He later died on June 2, 1860 and was buried alongside five others near the Patte River, Nebraska.

His mother’s life history recorded: “Shortly after starting their journey, the children of Nancy, Hyrum's sister, got the measles. Naturally, all of the children in the company were exposed and became very sick. Because of his weakened condition from measles, William Edwin, known as "Little Dock", contracted pneumonia and died 2 June 1860. He was 2 years and 9 months old. One man in the company by the name of Kenner had been over the route before and knew of a graveyard containing five other graves. Hyrum and Eleanor had not been able to leave their infant completely alone. Hyrum made a little casket from a wagon and, taking their own wagon, headed to the graveyard. Eleanor and Hyrum took their little girl along with them. Guided by Mr. Kenner they drove until late at night to reach the spot. With the danger of Indians hovering around them constantly, Hyrum dug a little grave in this strange land and lowered the tiny casket, covering it with dirt and rocks giving it protection from wolves. After a short prayer they left their beloved baby in God's keeping and in the company of five other unknown souls. They then started the long drive to catch the rest of the Company who now had quite a head start on them. "Little Dock" was buried on the banks of the Platt River near what is now Columbus or Genoa, Nebraska.”

Ira Haywood described the day in his journal: “June 22–Met several Indians. Came to some very heavy sand hills. California train passed us. Camped on the platte.”