Saga of the Sanpitch Volume 13, 1981 - Sanpete County

Without oxen to be fed, or stray, they could start earlier, and travel faster than with a heavily loaded
wagon train. Word was sent abroad, "Let them come, on foot, with handcarts." The converts received the
word with joy. They could travel from their embarkation point, Liverpool, England, to Salt Lake City, for
$45.00.
Most were poor; their only real treasure was their indomitable faith and courage. They rejoiced in
anticipation of pushing or pulling a handcart to Zion. They realized the journey across the ocean and plains
would call for physical strength and fortitude.
Five long weeks were spent on the Atlantic Ocean. Each voyager was given detailed advice, with prayer
to be their watch-word. The usual events in the cycle of life continued: babies were born, marriages
performed, and death was a frequent visitor. Finally, they reached Boston, thence travelled by rail to Iowa
City, Iowa.
Five handcart companies departed in 1856. The first three reached Salt Lake Valley with only the
expected degree of hardship and loss of life. Two later companies, the ill-fated Willie Company, who came on
the sail ship "Thorton," and the Martin Company, who sailed on the packet-ship "Horizon," were delayed for
various reasons. Theirs was a different story. Their leaders were Elders James G. Willie and Edward Martin.
These last companies found, to their dismay, that no word had been received of their coming to Iowa.
Few tents, or handcarts, were ready. Nor was there seasoned lumber available. During a month's delay, the
women constructed tents while the men labored over the carts. The fragile, hastily built, two-wheeled vehicles
were the width of the wagon wheels, in order to roll them more easily in the ruts of earlier trail makers.
Some of the men were offered employment for the winter; a few accepted. The companies had great
confidence in, and love for, their two captains, Willie and Martin, who had consented to lead the groups to
Salt Lake City.
The handcarts were completed and the group swung merrily on their way, unaware of their
rendezvous with tragedy. They were ridiculed as they passed through villages, walking and pulling their carts.
The weather was delightful, the roads were good, and they were happy to be this far on the pilgrimage. They
sang and waved gaily to their mockers.
The Willie Company arrived in Florence, Nebraska, on August 11; the Martin Company on August 22,
merely eleven days later, but sufficient to make a tragic difference in the outcome. They paused for the final
one-thousand mile journey, unusually late in the season.
The immigrants were unacquainted with this new country, and its treacherous climate. They relied on
the counsel of leaders who had previously crossed the plains. All of these, except Elder Levi Savage, were in
favor of moving on. He advised establishing winter quarters for this group, that contained so many women,
aged, and children. His wise counsel to defer the trek, was swept aside by an eagerness to reach the Valley.
These Saints had faith the Lord would protect His own, and Indian Summer beckoned invitingly.
In the beginning, there were no great difficulties. Fort Laramie saw the Willie Company on September
1; the Martin Company arrived several days later. The expected supplies were not at the Fort, so rations were
reduced. A buffalo herd caused the Willie Company's cattle to stampede, with a devastating loss of thirty
head, cattle that were desperately needed as draft animals and for food.
In the arid desert, the carts began to warp and collapse and the axles wore through. They were
patched with strips of leather from boots and pieces of tin from their meager supply of utensils. The creaky
wheels were greased with bits of precious bacon or with soap.
A plea for assistance was sent to Salt Lake City, with two fast-travelling missionaries who passed by.
The two companies continued to travel about ten days apart. They grew exhausted and weak due to
insufficient food, but they plodded on. In early October, winter set in. Progress was slow and soon provisions
were nearly depleted. Smaller grew the allowances. Strong men became weak. Women and children suffered
terribly as blizzards raged, and snow-covered mountains had to be climbed. In the face of freezing weather, a
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