Martin's Cove

The fatigued Saints finally reached the rescue wagons, encamped in the cove about 2-1/2 miles from Devil's Gate. This is a picture of Martin’s Cove where they rested a few days before continuing on the remainder of the grueling trip. Leaving Martin’s Cove, the rescue wagons stored the merchandise at Devil's Gate fort and used the wagons to haul the sick and incapacitated. All the handcarts were left behind. A delegation remained at the Fort to guard the goods during the winter. Ahead of the company stretched 325 miles of high, mountain desolation mantled in snow.

Crossing the Sweetwater

At Devil’s gate the rescuers decided that the handcart company, with the help from the rescue party and some wagons, should move on to find a sheltered place where wood was procurable. Loaded with the sick and dying, the wagons were to move along the Sweetwater and cross to a depression, later to be known as Martin's Cove. The handcarts moved November 3 and reached the river, floating with ice. To cross would require more courage and fortitude, it seemed, than human nature could muster.
"Three eighteen-year-old boys belonging to the relief party, came to the rescue; and to the astonishment of all who saw, carried nearly every member of that ill-fated handcart company across the snow-bound stream. The strain was so terrible and the exposure so great, that in later years all the boys died from the effects of it. When President Brigham Young heard of this heroic act, he wept like a child, and later declared publicly, 'That act alone with ensure . . [them] an everlasting salavation in the Celestial Kingdom of God, worlds without end.'"
There are three heart-breaking statues representing the young men carrying people across the Sweetwater at the Martin's Cove visitor's center. This is one of them.

The Rescue

Early in October President Brigham Young heard there were still pioneers on the trail. He knew they would have problems, so he called for volunteers to go to their aid. Horsemen, wagons, and supplies were sent. On 28 October three men from advance relief rescue party rode into the camp of the Martin Company.
These couriers later reported: “We found the Martin Company in a deplorable condition, they having lost 56 of their number since crossing the North Platte, nine days before. Their provisions were nearly gone, and their clothing almost worn out. Most of their bedding had been left behind, as they were unable to haul it, on account on their weakened condition. “
The deep snow had halted the rescue wagons, so the men told the emigrants their only hope was to keep moving to reach the rescue wagons camped at Devil’s Gate.

Martin's Cove

We were deeply touched with the tragic story of the prairie crossings of the Willie and the Martin handcart companies. Both parties of Mormon converts were late in sailing from England to join the Saints in Zion and didn't arrive in Iowa City until June 26 and July 8, 1956. After being outfitted by carts and tents, they left about three weeks later. One of the leaders, Levi Savage said that they "could not cross the mountains with a mixed company of aged people, women, and little children, so late in the season without much suffering, sickness, and death." Savage was voted down, the majority being against him. He then added: "Brethren and sisters, what I have said I know to be true; but seeing you are to go forward, I will go with you, will rest with you, will suffer with you, and, if necessary, I will die with you. May God in his mercy bless and preserve us."


The Martin Handcart Company was the last one to leave Iowa, and ran into freezing weather and early snowstorms in October in Wyoming. Their rations had been reduced to 1/4 pound of flour a day weakening them to the point of exhaustion.

Handcart Pioneers

From 1856-60, an experiment in travel with handcarts brought 3000 men, women and children pulling their worldly possessions in hand-made, two-wheeled carts. They trudged 1300 miles to Zion. Their fragile vehicles crossed prairies, mountains, rivers and deserts, motored by muscle and fueled by blood.

Etched by Pioneers

Pioneers traversed the United States looking for adventure and a new life. The Mormon pioneers were also looking for a peaceful place to settle without any nearby hostile neighbors. Many came by covered wagons pulled by ox carts. During the period of 1847 to 1869, over 60,000 Mormon pioneers crossed the plains to the Salt Lake Valley. The trail followed by these sturdy pioneers can still be seen in spots today.

The Mormon Trail

The Mormon Trail forged by covered wagons and handcarts alike crossed Wyoming where we were visiting with our Costco friends, Wendy 1 and Jim. We spent several days on the Mormon Trail with Jim and Wendy1.

Sunbirds in Wyoming

Wendy1 and Jim were kind enough to invite us to visit them. We loved being Sunbirds in Lander!!! We spent the most wonderful week with them--see for yourselves!

Our best find at Costco

Most people go to Costco to pick up good deals, sometimes on large quantity items. We picked up a spectacular deal last year as we were window-wishing for area rugs. We were comparing notes and claiming ownership of different area rugs with another couple who happened to also be shopping for rugs. After a few polite laughs, we went our separate way, only to end up greeting one another again in another aisle. The third run-in was by the furniture, and we sat a spell and became friends. We discovered a lot in common. We belonged to the same Church. Her name was Wendy. She directed the choir. She led the singing in Sacrament Meeting. She was a bookkeeper who used QuickBooks. We were slightly relieved to find out her husband's name wasn't Rick, but Jim. They became our Costco friends. And she is Wendy1 and I'm Wendy2. We enjoyed visiting one another and going out to dinner a few times before they headed back to their real home in Lander, Wyoming.