Mormon Handcart Pioneers These Travelers Became Known As the Mormon Handcart Pioneers

Mormon Pioneers Beginning in 1846 (and continuing until 1868), nearly 70,000 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) migrated from the Midwest to the Salt Lake Valley in what is now Utah. Due to rising tensions with their neighbors in the Midwest, and the 1844 assassination of the Mormon leader Joseph Smith, it was clear the group could not remain in Illinois or the neighboring Midwest areas. This migration started with established followers in American, and later by European converts who the church leaders were actively seeking out. What became known as the “Mormon Exodus,” began with advanced parties sent out by church leaders to modern day Utah. Since the Transcontinental railroad had not been completed at that time, Mormon Pioneers set out in wagon trains and later with handcarts that were pulled and pushed by the 1 -2 family members while the others walked along side. During the early travels, the Mormon church helped finance the migrations, with the traveling parties paying back what they could. However, in the mid-1850’s, drought and famine struck Utah, and the church suddenly didn’t have enough money to support the large numbers of incoming travelers. Also, by this time, many of the travelers who were making the trip were poorer and couldn’t contribute as much for their journey in way of finances and/or horse or ox teams, which depleted the church funds even faster. 1/6 Mormon Pioneers In an effort to save money and time for these journeys Westward, church leaders began to urge travelers to use handcarts, which resembled large wheelbarrows, instead to transport their belongings. These were cheaper than wagons and ox teams and were thought to be a faster way to travel because they didn’t have to wait each day for their livestock to graze and rest. The handcards had two large wheels, one on each side of the shallow-boxed cart and were built by the emigrants themselves before embarking on their journey. I-2 family members pushed and pulled the cart while the others walked along side. Due to their size (3 feet wide by 5 feet long), the handcarts could only carry skimpy supplies of food, clothes, blankets, and personal possessions. Rations included one pound of flour per person per day, along with any meat shot along the way. Although “great” in theory, the handcarts did not make the long journey an easy one. In the first years, they were constructed out of green lumber, which began to shrink and crack within weeks in the hot sun and the strong winds of the prairies. Their poorly greased wooden wheels shrieked on their wooden axis. In later years, a stronger design was substituted, including metal elements. 2/6 Mormon Handcart Pioneers These travelers became known as the Mormon handcart pioneers. Nearly 3,000 Mormon handcart pioneers, many of which from England, Wales, Scotland, and Scandinavia, made their journey west in one of the 10 handcart companies between 1856-1860. The journey proved to be disastrous for two of the companies in 1856 after they started their journey late in the year and were caught in heavy snow and severely low temperatures in what is now central Wyoming. Despite the best efforts of their rescuers, more than 210 of the 980 men, women, and children in these two companies died along the way (over 145 of which were from one company alone). Although only 10% of the Mormon Pioneers traveled by way of handcart, they became an important symbol in the LDS culture, representing the faithfulness and sacrifice of the early pioneers. A statue (the Handcart Pioneer Monument) was erected in Salt Lake Temple Square to remember their sacrifice and resilience along the way. Hanging from the front of the cart is a Dutch oven, a crucial piece of equipment during their treacherous journey westward. 3/6 Handcart Pioneer Monument - Salt Lake Temple Square 4/6 Martin’s Cove - Alcova, Wyoming In 1856 two companies, the Willie and Martin handcart companies had a late start on their westward journey. By mid-October, winter storms halted the Martin Company at Red Buttes (near present day Casper Wyoming) and the Willie Company at a place on the Sweetwater River (about 100 miles further West, now called Last Crossing). By the time rescuers arrived in November, exhaustion, extreme temperatures, and starvation had already taken their toll. 14% of the Wille company and 25% of the Martin company had succumbed. This was noted as the worst non-military disaster on the emigrant trails. The 1933 monument at Martin’s cove was erected by the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmark Association to remind visitors of the faithful journey of two Mormon handcart companies 5/6 Martin’s Cove - Alcova, Wyoming Today, about 100,000 people visit Martin’s cove each year. People can walk the trails around Martin’s cove and experience history first-hand. Also, every year, thousands of Mormon youth participate in “Handcart Treks” which involve dressing up in period clothing and spending several days pulling or pushing handcarts and camping along the Mormon trail. Mormon teens walk the steps of their ancestors as they reenact the journey at Martin’s cove. Boys carry the girls across the Sweetwater River 6/6 .

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