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.
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.
1 comment:
This is starting to look very good. Good start - now we need to add more stuff... .... and we have 35 years of stuff to add!!
xoxoxoxox
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