Picturing history: Scioto River

On May 13, 1834, the members of Joseph Smith's division of Zion's Camp marched 19 miles in conditions of remarkable temperature variation. The temperature at nights had been below freezing, and the subsequent thawing during the days created sloughs and mud holes requiring ropes and great effort to pull the wagons through. They camped that night on the banks of the Scioto River, near Hepburn, Hardin County, Ohio.

Only certain of the men of Zion's Camp had been selected to hunt for food along the way. Unaware of that and similar rules, young Moses Martin decided to go hunting.

Disobedience in the camp was extremely serious to the Prophet, and a number of men were sent to find Martin. He was held accountable for the violation but was ultimately acquitted.

The interpretive sign indicates that this site was a busy place — the trail there was continually used by Native Americans, stagecoaches and soldiers.