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Handcarts to Zion: The Story of a Unique Western Migration, 1856-1860
It is unparalleled in history, the procession of Latter-Day Saints pushing handcarts from Iowa City and Florence (Omaha) to their promised Zion by the Great Salt Lake. Many of the three thousand hardy souls who trudged across thirteen hundred miles of prairie, desert, and mountain from 1856 to 1860 were European converts to the Mormon faith. Without funds for wagons and oxen, they carried their possessions in two-wheeled carts powered and aided by their own muscle and blood. Some of the weary travelers would finally be welcomed by their brethren in Salt Lake City; others would go to wayside graves or get caught in early winter storms in the Rockies and hope to be rescued by the parties sent out by Brigham Young. The migration is described in Handcarts to Zion , which draws on diaries and reports of the participants, rosters of the ten companies, and a collection of the songs sung on the trail and at "The Gathering." LeRoy R. Hafen and Ann W. Hafen dedicated the book to his mother, Mary Ann Hafen, who wrote about the long journey in Recollections of a Handcart Pioneer of 1860: A Woman’s Life on the Mormon Frontier , also a Bison Book.
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 15, 2017
I was preparing for a Trek with LDS youth and borrowed this book from my mom. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about all TEN handcart companies and not just the two most talked about companies. I have been LDS my entire life and had no idea that there were ten companies until I read this book. I learned that one of my ancestors was actually in the tenth company soon after reading the book and have a better appreciation for all that they went through to continue with the handcarts after such devastating results with Martin and Willie handcart companies. (Several other ancestors came via other handcart companies as well.) The challenges they faced were unparalleled and amazing. Great book to read to get a real taste of what life was like for handcart pioneers.
January 27, 2019
LeRoy W. Hafen, the author of this book, called handcart migration “the most remarkable travel experiment in the history of western America. On the whole it was successful; nearly 3,000 destitute Latter-day Saints, with no money for wagons or oxen, traveled to Utah on foot, pushing and pulling “handcarts” that held their possessions. 250 of them died en route, however, trapped by the early snowstorms of 1856. Naturally most of the historical accounts focus on the tragedies. But it wasn’t easy, even for those who made it. They were usually hungry, cold, wet (from crossing rivers and streams) and exhausted. But it worked for them. Not all the pioneers took advantage of this travel method, however, choosing instead to wait until they could afford to go by wagon. One of my great-great grandmothers was in this latter group, supposedly saying, “I don’t want my bones bleaching in the desert!”
June 12, 2019
This was a remarkable little book about the handcart treks of 1856-1860. It's written by the children of a girl who traveled in the last handcart group. I've recently read other accounts and visited some of the sites along the trail, but this book did a good job of giving the big picture--who these people were, why they came, how many groups came, how they were organized, how some were rescued, why this particular method of travel was important at the time. It includes, maps, journals, rosters of each company, reports from the rescuers, addresses by Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young, songs from the trail (including O Ye Mountains High (called Dear Zion), High on a Mountaintop (called The Gathering), Ye Elders of Israel, Israel, Israel God is Calling (called Come to Zion), and The Handcart Song).
I appreciated reading some of the actual sources and getting a clear picture of these years and why this journey was important and the sacrifices people made to come and to help. I also thought it was interesting to learn that no groups traveled the year Johnston's Army was here--there was much uncertainty and so they waited for the next year to send other groups. About 3,000 people traveled this way. What examples of faith! It helps put in perspective what a blessing it was for the railroad to come in 1869. Many of the accounts of these journeys we hear are of the Willie and Martin Companies that started late in 1856 and ended tragically for many, but there were eight other groups (until 1860) that were largely successful. There are so many lessons here and I'm grateful for a better appreciated for the efforts of these pioneers and leaders.
Here are some quotes I liked:
“The past hundred years has witnesses an interesting evolution of overland transportation… only one period, 1856-60, was the handcart employed for mass migration—the most remarkable travel experiment in the history of Western America (p. 11).”
“As a little girl of six, our mother, fresh from the green hills of Switzerland, trailed a handcart the long dry miles to the Great Salt Lake, in the last handcart caravan. Our master’s thesis on the Handcart Migration, written forty years ago, has been rewritten and expanded into the present story (p. 12).”
“Zion, the Gathering place… ‘shall be on the borders by the Lamanites’… upon the frontier (p. 17).”
“The resilience of the Mormons under these disheartening circumstances was something remarkable (p. 21).”
“In 1850 the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company was incorporated… This organization was to play an exceedingly important role in the gathering and transporting of the Saints to Zion (p. 23).”
“The wisdom of the Gathering, for the advancement of the Church, was evident (p. 27).”
“‘Shall not saints who have revelations of heaven… be ready to prove by their works that their faith is worth more than the life of the body—the riches of the world?.... Let all things be done in order, and let all the Saints who can, gather up for Zion and come while the way is open before them; let the poor also come… When ancient Israel fled from bondage into the wilderness, they had not even the privilege of taking provisions for their journey, but had to trust to the good hand of the Lord for their daily bread… The Lord can rain manna on the plains of America just as easily as He did on the deserts of Arabia (Franklin D. Richards, p. 34).’”
“‘The present plan is peculiarly the Lord’s and it will have our special prayers and most untiring efforts for its success (p. 41).’”
"'Ann Parker pinned a bright shawl about the thin shoulders of her husband and sent him back alone on the trail to search again for their child. If he found him dead, he was to wrap him in the shawl; if alive, the shawl would be a flag to signal her... He learned that his child had been found and cared for by a woodsman and his wife. He had been ill from exposure and fright. But God had heard the prayers of his people... On the third night, the rays of the setting sun caught the glimmer of a bright red shawl... Ann slept for the first time in 6 days (p. 64).'"
" '14th. Traveled 3 miles. Camped to mend handcarts and women to wash. Sister Mayer died.' [Last entry in diary. He died two weeks after arriving in Salt Lake Valley. He had paid his way to Zion.] (p. 70)."
"'One of the most interesting scenes that was ever witnessed in our Territory, was the arrival of two fo the handcart companies on the 26th (Wilford Wooddruff, p. 76).'"
"In conforming with Church policy, Captain Ellsworth saw to it that an official record was kept of his company's travel, day by day. He appointed A. Galloway to serve as the keep of the Journal (p. 79)."
"'The journey from the Missouri River to Salt Lake City was accomplished in 65 days. We were short of provisions all the way and would have suffered for food had not supplies reached us from the valley. However, we arrived safely in Salt Lake City October 2, 1856 (p. 82).'"
"'People made fun of us as we walked, pulling our carts, but the weather was fine and the roads were excellent and although I was sick and we were very tired at night, still we thought it was a glorious way to go to Zion (Priscilla M. Evans, p. 82).'"
"Mormon missionaries in England, 1855-1856, who arranged for the handcart migration, and several were leaders or participants in the rescue of the snowbound handcart emigrants... Edmund Ellsworth, Jos. A. Young, Wm. H. Kimball, Geo. D. Grant, Jas. Ferguson, Jas. A. Little, Philemon Merrill, Edward Bunker, Chauncey G. Webb, Franklin D. Richards, Daniel Spencer, Daniel W. Jones, Edward Martin, James Bond, Spicer Crandall, W.C. Dunbar, James Ross, Daniel D. McArthur (p. 87)."
"The 'Thornton,' with 764 Mormons aboard, left Liverpool on May 3; and the 'Horizon,' carrying 856 Saints, did not sail until May 25... A multiplicity of causes explain the belated arrival (p. 91)."
"Willie's company comprised 500 persons. They had 120 handcarts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, and 45 beef cattle and cows. Martin's party consisted of 576 souls, with 146 carts, 7 wagons, 30 oxen, and 50 cows and beef cattle (p. 93)."
"'I have never seen more union among the Saints anywhere than is manifested in the handcart companies (Cyrus H. Wheelock, p. 97).'"
"'From the beginning we have done all in our power to hasten matters pertaining to emigration, therefore we confidently look for the blessing of God to crwon our humble efforts with success (Franklin D. Richards, p. 98).'"
"'Among the brethren who came to our succour were elders W.H. Kimball and G.D. Grant. They had remained but a few days in the Valley before starting back to meet us. May God ever bless them for their generous, unselfish kindness and their manly fortitude (Chislett, p. 107).'"
"'We camped out with nothing but the vault of Heaven for a roof and the stars for companions (Mrs. Jackson, p. 112).'"
"'We found the Martin Company in a deplorable condition, they having lost fifty-six of their number since crossing the North Platte, nine days before. Their provisions were nearly gone, and their clothing almost worn out (p. 114).'"
"President Young, a practical man, believed the situation was critical; it would require immediate and vigorous action (p. 119)."
"'Many of our brethren and sisters are on the plains with handcarts, and probably many are now seven hundred miles from this place, and they must be brought here, we must send assistance to them. The text will be, 'to get them here.'... That is my religion; that is the dictation of the Holy Ghost that I possess. It is to save the people... I shall call upon the Bishops this day. I shall not wait until tomorrow... I will tell you all that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the Celestial Kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains (Brigham Young, p. 120).'"
"Sixteen wagonloads of food and supplies were quickly assembled... Families of moderate means and the poorest individuals contributed from their meager stores (p. 124)."
"'Men would did graves for their brethren and before night die themselves (George A. Smith, p. 129).'"
"'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 will ensure C. Allen Huntington, George W. Grant, and David P. Kimball an everlasting salvation in the Celestial Kingdom of God, worlds without end (p. 133).''"
"Redick N. Allred and others refused to turn back; they held their wagons at South Pass (p. 134)."
"On November 16, at Rocky Ridge, where Willie's Company had suffered its most terrible ordeal, Martin's Company was cheered by ten wagons of supplies from Salt Lake Valley (p. 137)."
"'Prayer is good, but when baked potatoes and pudding and milk are needed, prayer will not supply their place on this occasion (Brigham Young, p. 139).'"
"The 1856 handcart experiment was now history. Nearly two thousand Saints, long desirous of gathering to Zion, had been helped to their mountain home. Five Companies had crossed the plains. The First and Second arrived in Utah, September 26; the third, on October 2. These were pronounced successful. The Fourth Company arrived November 9; the Fifth and last, November 30. These last two migrations were terrible tragedies (p. 140)."
"'Our emigration MUST start earlier in the season (p. 144).'"
"The great effort of 1856 to help the poor Saints in Europe to migrate to Zion, had exhausted the Perpetual Emigration Fund, and had even piled up debts (p. 148)."
"The emigrants who were to comprise the Sixth Handcart Company (under Captain Israel Evans) embarked on the 'George Washington' at Liverpool on March 27, 1857. Fourteen returning missionaries and 803 converts were passengers (p. 153)."
"The Seventh Handcart Company was made up of Scandinavian Saints, most of whom had sailed from Copenhagen April 18, 1857 (p. 157)."
"With 'Johnston's Army' encamped on the borders of Utah during the winter of 1857-1858...the announcement was made: 'In view of the difficulties which are now threatening the Saints, we deem it wisdom to stop all emigration to the States and Utah for the present (p. 165).'"
"Only one handcart company was to cross the plains in 1859. The Saints that were to comprise this group sailed from England on April 11... 725 Saints on board (p. 166)."
"For 1859 the net cost of the handcart emigration from Florence to Salt Lake City had been $22.30 per head. Railroad fare for adults from New York to Florence was $14.50 (p. 179)."
"The last of the Saints to journey by handcarts, sailed on May 11... It carried 730 Mormons, including 312 from Scandinavia, and 85 from Switzerland... They arrived in Florence on July 1 (p. 180)."
"'When we arrived in the city we were welcomed by the people who came out carrying baskets of fruit and other kinds of good things to eat. Even though we could not understand their language, they made us feel that we were among friends (p. 190).'"
"Utah joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the driving of the golden spike at Promontory Point on May 10, 1869 (p. 192)."
"From 1856 to 1860, nearly 3000 emigrants travel to Zion by handcarts. They employed 653 carts and 50 wagons. The eight companies that left the Missouri River in June or July came through successfully and with undue casualties... Only the two late companies...suffered terrible loss of life (p. 194)."
"A majority of those who traveled by handcart were factory workers or peasants whose economic opportunities were greatly enhanced by coming to the New Work. Hard work and sacrifices were not unknown to them, and they did not hesitate to undertake a type of travel simply because it involved tenuous work and difficulties (p. 194)."
"'Manifest your love by your works (p. 242).'"
"'The Spirit of the Lord did accompany us, and the brethren and sisters enlivened the journey by singing the songs of Zion (p. 253).'"
"'Think not, when you gather to Zion,
Your troubles and trials are through--
That nothing but comfort and pleasure
Are waiting in Zion for you.
No, no; 'tis design'd as a furnace,
All substance, all textures to try--
To consume all the 'wood, hay, and stubble,'
And the gold from the dross purity (Eliza R. Snow, p. 271).'"
I appreciated reading some of the actual sources and getting a clear picture of these years and why this journey was important and the sacrifices people made to come and to help. I also thought it was interesting to learn that no groups traveled the year Johnston's Army was here--there was much uncertainty and so they waited for the next year to send other groups. About 3,000 people traveled this way. What examples of faith! It helps put in perspective what a blessing it was for the railroad to come in 1869. Many of the accounts of these journeys we hear are of the Willie and Martin Companies that started late in 1856 and ended tragically for many, but there were eight other groups (until 1860) that were largely successful. There are so many lessons here and I'm grateful for a better appreciated for the efforts of these pioneers and leaders.
Here are some quotes I liked:
“The past hundred years has witnesses an interesting evolution of overland transportation… only one period, 1856-60, was the handcart employed for mass migration—the most remarkable travel experiment in the history of Western America (p. 11).”
“As a little girl of six, our mother, fresh from the green hills of Switzerland, trailed a handcart the long dry miles to the Great Salt Lake, in the last handcart caravan. Our master’s thesis on the Handcart Migration, written forty years ago, has been rewritten and expanded into the present story (p. 12).”
“Zion, the Gathering place… ‘shall be on the borders by the Lamanites’… upon the frontier (p. 17).”
“The resilience of the Mormons under these disheartening circumstances was something remarkable (p. 21).”
“In 1850 the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company was incorporated… This organization was to play an exceedingly important role in the gathering and transporting of the Saints to Zion (p. 23).”
“The wisdom of the Gathering, for the advancement of the Church, was evident (p. 27).”
“‘Shall not saints who have revelations of heaven… be ready to prove by their works that their faith is worth more than the life of the body—the riches of the world?.... Let all things be done in order, and let all the Saints who can, gather up for Zion and come while the way is open before them; let the poor also come… When ancient Israel fled from bondage into the wilderness, they had not even the privilege of taking provisions for their journey, but had to trust to the good hand of the Lord for their daily bread… The Lord can rain manna on the plains of America just as easily as He did on the deserts of Arabia (Franklin D. Richards, p. 34).’”
“‘The present plan is peculiarly the Lord’s and it will have our special prayers and most untiring efforts for its success (p. 41).’”
"'Ann Parker pinned a bright shawl about the thin shoulders of her husband and sent him back alone on the trail to search again for their child. If he found him dead, he was to wrap him in the shawl; if alive, the shawl would be a flag to signal her... He learned that his child had been found and cared for by a woodsman and his wife. He had been ill from exposure and fright. But God had heard the prayers of his people... On the third night, the rays of the setting sun caught the glimmer of a bright red shawl... Ann slept for the first time in 6 days (p. 64).'"
" '14th. Traveled 3 miles. Camped to mend handcarts and women to wash. Sister Mayer died.' [Last entry in diary. He died two weeks after arriving in Salt Lake Valley. He had paid his way to Zion.] (p. 70)."
"'One of the most interesting scenes that was ever witnessed in our Territory, was the arrival of two fo the handcart companies on the 26th (Wilford Wooddruff, p. 76).'"
"In conforming with Church policy, Captain Ellsworth saw to it that an official record was kept of his company's travel, day by day. He appointed A. Galloway to serve as the keep of the Journal (p. 79)."
"'The journey from the Missouri River to Salt Lake City was accomplished in 65 days. We were short of provisions all the way and would have suffered for food had not supplies reached us from the valley. However, we arrived safely in Salt Lake City October 2, 1856 (p. 82).'"
"'People made fun of us as we walked, pulling our carts, but the weather was fine and the roads were excellent and although I was sick and we were very tired at night, still we thought it was a glorious way to go to Zion (Priscilla M. Evans, p. 82).'"
"Mormon missionaries in England, 1855-1856, who arranged for the handcart migration, and several were leaders or participants in the rescue of the snowbound handcart emigrants... Edmund Ellsworth, Jos. A. Young, Wm. H. Kimball, Geo. D. Grant, Jas. Ferguson, Jas. A. Little, Philemon Merrill, Edward Bunker, Chauncey G. Webb, Franklin D. Richards, Daniel Spencer, Daniel W. Jones, Edward Martin, James Bond, Spicer Crandall, W.C. Dunbar, James Ross, Daniel D. McArthur (p. 87)."
"The 'Thornton,' with 764 Mormons aboard, left Liverpool on May 3; and the 'Horizon,' carrying 856 Saints, did not sail until May 25... A multiplicity of causes explain the belated arrival (p. 91)."
"Willie's company comprised 500 persons. They had 120 handcarts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, and 45 beef cattle and cows. Martin's party consisted of 576 souls, with 146 carts, 7 wagons, 30 oxen, and 50 cows and beef cattle (p. 93)."
"'I have never seen more union among the Saints anywhere than is manifested in the handcart companies (Cyrus H. Wheelock, p. 97).'"
"'From the beginning we have done all in our power to hasten matters pertaining to emigration, therefore we confidently look for the blessing of God to crwon our humble efforts with success (Franklin D. Richards, p. 98).'"
"'Among the brethren who came to our succour were elders W.H. Kimball and G.D. Grant. They had remained but a few days in the Valley before starting back to meet us. May God ever bless them for their generous, unselfish kindness and their manly fortitude (Chislett, p. 107).'"
"'We camped out with nothing but the vault of Heaven for a roof and the stars for companions (Mrs. Jackson, p. 112).'"
"'We found the Martin Company in a deplorable condition, they having lost fifty-six of their number since crossing the North Platte, nine days before. Their provisions were nearly gone, and their clothing almost worn out (p. 114).'"
"President Young, a practical man, believed the situation was critical; it would require immediate and vigorous action (p. 119)."
"'Many of our brethren and sisters are on the plains with handcarts, and probably many are now seven hundred miles from this place, and they must be brought here, we must send assistance to them. The text will be, 'to get them here.'... That is my religion; that is the dictation of the Holy Ghost that I possess. It is to save the people... I shall call upon the Bishops this day. I shall not wait until tomorrow... I will tell you all that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the Celestial Kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains (Brigham Young, p. 120).'"
"Sixteen wagonloads of food and supplies were quickly assembled... Families of moderate means and the poorest individuals contributed from their meager stores (p. 124)."
"'Men would did graves for their brethren and before night die themselves (George A. Smith, p. 129).'"
"'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 will ensure C. Allen Huntington, George W. Grant, and David P. Kimball an everlasting salvation in the Celestial Kingdom of God, worlds without end (p. 133).''"
"Redick N. Allred and others refused to turn back; they held their wagons at South Pass (p. 134)."
"On November 16, at Rocky Ridge, where Willie's Company had suffered its most terrible ordeal, Martin's Company was cheered by ten wagons of supplies from Salt Lake Valley (p. 137)."
"'Prayer is good, but when baked potatoes and pudding and milk are needed, prayer will not supply their place on this occasion (Brigham Young, p. 139).'"
"The 1856 handcart experiment was now history. Nearly two thousand Saints, long desirous of gathering to Zion, had been helped to their mountain home. Five Companies had crossed the plains. The First and Second arrived in Utah, September 26; the third, on October 2. These were pronounced successful. The Fourth Company arrived November 9; the Fifth and last, November 30. These last two migrations were terrible tragedies (p. 140)."
"'Our emigration MUST start earlier in the season (p. 144).'"
"The great effort of 1856 to help the poor Saints in Europe to migrate to Zion, had exhausted the Perpetual Emigration Fund, and had even piled up debts (p. 148)."
"The emigrants who were to comprise the Sixth Handcart Company (under Captain Israel Evans) embarked on the 'George Washington' at Liverpool on March 27, 1857. Fourteen returning missionaries and 803 converts were passengers (p. 153)."
"The Seventh Handcart Company was made up of Scandinavian Saints, most of whom had sailed from Copenhagen April 18, 1857 (p. 157)."
"With 'Johnston's Army' encamped on the borders of Utah during the winter of 1857-1858...the announcement was made: 'In view of the difficulties which are now threatening the Saints, we deem it wisdom to stop all emigration to the States and Utah for the present (p. 165).'"
"Only one handcart company was to cross the plains in 1859. The Saints that were to comprise this group sailed from England on April 11... 725 Saints on board (p. 166)."
"For 1859 the net cost of the handcart emigration from Florence to Salt Lake City had been $22.30 per head. Railroad fare for adults from New York to Florence was $14.50 (p. 179)."
"The last of the Saints to journey by handcarts, sailed on May 11... It carried 730 Mormons, including 312 from Scandinavia, and 85 from Switzerland... They arrived in Florence on July 1 (p. 180)."
"'When we arrived in the city we were welcomed by the people who came out carrying baskets of fruit and other kinds of good things to eat. Even though we could not understand their language, they made us feel that we were among friends (p. 190).'"
"Utah joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the driving of the golden spike at Promontory Point on May 10, 1869 (p. 192)."
"From 1856 to 1860, nearly 3000 emigrants travel to Zion by handcarts. They employed 653 carts and 50 wagons. The eight companies that left the Missouri River in June or July came through successfully and with undue casualties... Only the two late companies...suffered terrible loss of life (p. 194)."
"A majority of those who traveled by handcart were factory workers or peasants whose economic opportunities were greatly enhanced by coming to the New Work. Hard work and sacrifices were not unknown to them, and they did not hesitate to undertake a type of travel simply because it involved tenuous work and difficulties (p. 194)."
"'Manifest your love by your works (p. 242).'"
"'The Spirit of the Lord did accompany us, and the brethren and sisters enlivened the journey by singing the songs of Zion (p. 253).'"
"'Think not, when you gather to Zion,
Your troubles and trials are through--
That nothing but comfort and pleasure
Are waiting in Zion for you.
No, no; 'tis design'd as a furnace,
All substance, all textures to try--
To consume all the 'wood, hay, and stubble,'
And the gold from the dross purity (Eliza R. Snow, p. 271).'"
January 9, 2012
A lot of good information in this book and a great resource for study of the Mormon westward migration, especially the handcart period. One of the nice things about this book is that it covers all ten handcart companies, not just the Willie and Martin Companies.
This book isn't as readable as Stegner's "The Gathering of Zion," but Stegner is a gifted writer, so take that for what it's worth.
All in all, a very worthwhile read with great sources.
This book isn't as readable as Stegner's "The Gathering of Zion," but Stegner is a gifted writer, so take that for what it's worth.
All in all, a very worthwhile read with great sources.
February 10, 2018
“Prepare to cross the stormy main before you do the valley gain and with the faithful make a start to cross the plains with your hand cart. Some must push and some must pull as we go marching up the hill, as merrily on the way we go until we reach the valley, oh.” So wrote J. D. T. McAllister, “who was at the Iowa City outfitting point helping the first emigrants prepare for their handcart trek” (Handcarts to Zion, 272). This book by LeRoy and Ann Hafen offers a comprehensive history of the Mormon handcart experiment and its glorius highs and tragic lows. From 1856 to 1860, three thousand Latter-day Saints trudged their way across thirteen hundred miles of prairie, mountain, and desert to reach the Great Salt Lake Valley. Notable are the many successes (an important contribution of this book) as well as the tragic losses in the Willie and Martin companies. The book is a little dated but still one of the finest overviews of the various emigrant experiences.
September 23, 2018
This is a very thorough and exhaustive narrative of the Mormon handcart companies that walked across the plains. Although I have heard these stories my entire life, I now have a much fuller understanding and appreciation for those that participated in the handcart migration.
This book is not an easy read, but those interested in the subject will find a deeper understanding of this period of time.
This book is not an easy read, but those interested in the subject will find a deeper understanding of this period of time.
January 9, 2025
Definitely one to read with regards to church history. I actually found the appendices to be really interesting as well. I can’t imagine being among the pioneers who traveled via handcarts, and I didn’t realize there were so few companies who did it. I wanted more first-hand accounts and journal entries, but appreciated those provided.
August 18, 2021
Since I have pioneer ancestors this felt really personal to me. The chapters amyor the ill-fated Willey and Martin companies were very hard to read, all that suffering.
August 23, 2021
Interested in this as my great grandfather was a captain of 100 in the Willie Handcart Company. Amazing the struggles that they went through and the loss of life and limb.
April 8, 2012
In doing some family history with mom over the summer I learned that one family of my ancestors -- Peter and Lena Mortenson and their 8 children -- converted to Mormonism in Denmark around 1852. This was just at the time when Brigham Young was putting out the call for converts all over Europe to emigrate to the Utah Territory, to help build and populate Mormon settlements there. The Mortensons sold their land and emigrated in 1856, sailing from Copenhagen to Liverpool to New York.
1856 happened to be the first year that the LDS Church developed, organized, and funded a new method of getting its European immigrants from the east coast to the west desert: handcart companies. On arriving in New York the immigrants trained to the end of Iowa, where they were organized into companies and outfitted with handcarts they could fill with what belongings these would hold. They then pushed and pulled these carts as they walked the rest of the way, through Nebraska and what is now Wyoming and Utah -- a distance of 1,300 miles. I was married in Emigration Canyon, named for the route these pioneers took into Salt Lake City. My great-great-great-great grandfather Peter Mortensen, who was crippled, had to be carried by his family, in a handcart, the entire way.
Walking with handcarts was a much less expensive, and in fact a faster method of crossing the plains than doing so in covered wagons pulled by teams of oxen. Five handcart companies made the trip in that experimental year of 1856. The first three came through with little difficulty, but the fourth, captained by James Willie, and the fifth, captained by Edward Martin, made late starts and then met with one of the earliest and most brutal winters in living memory. These two companies were eventually snow-bound for weeks before being found by rescue parties sent from Salt Lake City. Over 200 died of starvation and exposure, making this "the worst disaster in the history of Western migration" (140). My Mortenson ancestors were with the ill-fated Willie Company, though all of them survived. My grandmother Lena had brought a set of hand-embroidered bed linen from Denmark, and ended up using all but one sheet as shrouds along the way. I saw that remaining sheet in a pioneer museum in Parowan, Utah this summer.
This book is the definitive history of the Mormon handcart copmanies. From 1856 to 1860 ten of these companies counting nearly 3000 immigrants made the treck, pulling 653 handcarts. Most were peasants and factory workers looking for economic opportunity as well as religious fellowship. When I was a little boy growing up in Utah and celebrating "Pioneer Day" I sang the cheerful "Handcart Song," knowing only the outlines of this story and with no idea I was echoing my own ancestors:
"Some must push and some must pull
As we go marching up the hill
As merrily on the way we go
Until we reach the valley, oh!"
1856 happened to be the first year that the LDS Church developed, organized, and funded a new method of getting its European immigrants from the east coast to the west desert: handcart companies. On arriving in New York the immigrants trained to the end of Iowa, where they were organized into companies and outfitted with handcarts they could fill with what belongings these would hold. They then pushed and pulled these carts as they walked the rest of the way, through Nebraska and what is now Wyoming and Utah -- a distance of 1,300 miles. I was married in Emigration Canyon, named for the route these pioneers took into Salt Lake City. My great-great-great-great grandfather Peter Mortensen, who was crippled, had to be carried by his family, in a handcart, the entire way.
Walking with handcarts was a much less expensive, and in fact a faster method of crossing the plains than doing so in covered wagons pulled by teams of oxen. Five handcart companies made the trip in that experimental year of 1856. The first three came through with little difficulty, but the fourth, captained by James Willie, and the fifth, captained by Edward Martin, made late starts and then met with one of the earliest and most brutal winters in living memory. These two companies were eventually snow-bound for weeks before being found by rescue parties sent from Salt Lake City. Over 200 died of starvation and exposure, making this "the worst disaster in the history of Western migration" (140). My Mortenson ancestors were with the ill-fated Willie Company, though all of them survived. My grandmother Lena had brought a set of hand-embroidered bed linen from Denmark, and ended up using all but one sheet as shrouds along the way. I saw that remaining sheet in a pioneer museum in Parowan, Utah this summer.
This book is the definitive history of the Mormon handcart copmanies. From 1856 to 1860 ten of these companies counting nearly 3000 immigrants made the treck, pulling 653 handcarts. Most were peasants and factory workers looking for economic opportunity as well as religious fellowship. When I was a little boy growing up in Utah and celebrating "Pioneer Day" I sang the cheerful "Handcart Song," knowing only the outlines of this story and with no idea I was echoing my own ancestors:
"Some must push and some must pull
As we go marching up the hill
As merrily on the way we go
Until we reach the valley, oh!"
May 25, 2012
It's nice to learn about some of the other groups that crossed the plains, besides just Martin and Willie. It seems to me that there wasn't one company that had it easy or where the crossing was just a breeze. It may have been less exspensive but I think it was always difficult.
Loved this quote from Brigham Young, (pg.138) I wish the sisters to go home and prepare to give those who have just arrived a mouthful of something to eat, and to wash them and nurse them up. You know that I would give more for a dish of pudding and milk, or a baked potato and salt, were I in this situation of person who have just come in, that I would for all your prayers, though you were to stay here all the afternoon and pray. Prayer is good, but when baked potatoes and pudding and milk are needed, prayer will not supply their place on this occasion; give every duty its proper time and place.
Wallace Stegner had lots of criticism for the handcart pioneers and their leadership, but he also said something so terribly beautiful:
Perhaps their suffering seems less dramatic because the handcart pioneers bore it meekly, prasing God, instead of fighting for life with the ferocity of animals and eating their dead to keep their own life beating, as both the Fremont and Donner parties did. And assuredly the handcart pilgrims were less hardy, less skilled, less well equipped to be pioneers. But if courage and endurance make a story, if human kindness and helpfulness and brotherly love in the midst of raw horror are worth recording, this half-forgotten episode of the Mormon migration is one of the great tales of the West and of America. (pg.141)
Okay, the story, (I think it was the 10th company) where the girl was engaged and happy and when they stopped at a trading post, two people said they wanted to get married and this girl walked forward? Wow! What a story that would make. Some Mormon author out there, listen up. That would be an interesting tale to tell.
I just don't think you can judge anyone in that situation, not even the Donner Party. We don't ever experience that kind of hunger so how would we know what we would do? It is impressive though, how the Martin and Willie handled themselves. Talk about classy pioneers.
I love the tender mercies that were shown to these pioneers.
Loved this quote from Brigham Young, (pg.138) I wish the sisters to go home and prepare to give those who have just arrived a mouthful of something to eat, and to wash them and nurse them up. You know that I would give more for a dish of pudding and milk, or a baked potato and salt, were I in this situation of person who have just come in, that I would for all your prayers, though you were to stay here all the afternoon and pray. Prayer is good, but when baked potatoes and pudding and milk are needed, prayer will not supply their place on this occasion; give every duty its proper time and place.
Wallace Stegner had lots of criticism for the handcart pioneers and their leadership, but he also said something so terribly beautiful:
Perhaps their suffering seems less dramatic because the handcart pioneers bore it meekly, prasing God, instead of fighting for life with the ferocity of animals and eating their dead to keep their own life beating, as both the Fremont and Donner parties did. And assuredly the handcart pilgrims were less hardy, less skilled, less well equipped to be pioneers. But if courage and endurance make a story, if human kindness and helpfulness and brotherly love in the midst of raw horror are worth recording, this half-forgotten episode of the Mormon migration is one of the great tales of the West and of America. (pg.141)
Okay, the story, (I think it was the 10th company) where the girl was engaged and happy and when they stopped at a trading post, two people said they wanted to get married and this girl walked forward? Wow! What a story that would make. Some Mormon author out there, listen up. That would be an interesting tale to tell.
I just don't think you can judge anyone in that situation, not even the Donner Party. We don't ever experience that kind of hunger so how would we know what we would do? It is impressive though, how the Martin and Willie handled themselves. Talk about classy pioneers.
I love the tender mercies that were shown to these pioneers.
September 27, 2009
A refined master's these of some forty years ago, it was pedestrian in writing and had lists--lot's of lists. The characters were not all that fleshed although their trials were abundantly described.
The interesting thing to me was the idea that there was a certain breakout of typical Mormon history where everyone did what they were told and the protagonists were anyone else. A united front had been always drawn which led to unnatural histories that, after a certain amount of experience, did not ring true to some of us.
The Hafens suggest that it wasn't only the spiritual benefits Church immigrants were looking for. Using original documents it becomes obvious that Church leadership were well aware that there were those who joined the organization with not any other motivation than receiving free passage to America.
There was also validated those who disagreed with the Brethren and their running of things. There were the usual rebuttals from the Brethren.
It was refreshing to see that these people were human, had feelings and all else that everyone else has. We are not perfect, our leaders don't always make the best decisions, Father doesn't step in and save us on every occasion we ask.
The interesting thing to me was the idea that there was a certain breakout of typical Mormon history where everyone did what they were told and the protagonists were anyone else. A united front had been always drawn which led to unnatural histories that, after a certain amount of experience, did not ring true to some of us.
The Hafens suggest that it wasn't only the spiritual benefits Church immigrants were looking for. Using original documents it becomes obvious that Church leadership were well aware that there were those who joined the organization with not any other motivation than receiving free passage to America.
There was also validated those who disagreed with the Brethren and their running of things. There were the usual rebuttals from the Brethren.
It was refreshing to see that these people were human, had feelings and all else that everyone else has. We are not perfect, our leaders don't always make the best decisions, Father doesn't step in and save us on every occasion we ask.
May 10, 2012
This book covered all ten hand cart companies, including some excerpts from journals from each company, but focuses primarily on the handcart experience and of that of the entire company. The trials, obstacles and challenges those people overcame is well documented. Upon finishing this book I was left thinking that crossing by handcart was bordering on inhuman, but for most they had left a life that was filled with even less hope and at least once they made the journey they were rewarded with work and economy.
October 9, 2013
I read most of this book a couple months ago to prepare for a Sunday School lesson I was teaching. I just finished the journal entries, etc. that were included in the appendix. I learned a lot from this book about early Mormons, who sailed from Europe and then pulled handcarts to get to Utah. It had a lot of first hand information, including lists of people who were part of each handcart company.
September 14, 2009
An excellent resource for better understanding the handcart migrations to Utah in the late 1850's. Quotes extensively from original sources and includes appendices with day-by-day journal records. My only complaint the second time that I read it was the lack of detail in the map provided. It did not include critical locations such as Rocky Ridge or the last crossing of the Sweetwater.
November 19, 2011
I'm ashamed with all I didn't know about the handcart migrations before I read this book. The degree of human suffering paired with the intensity of faith and hope are overwhelming--almost unbelievable. The book was worth the read enough to give 5 stars, but the information could have been a little better organized, hence the 4 stars.
July 13, 2008
This book is boring in parts, but amazing when one thinks of the experiences and sacrifices made by people who walked across a great portion of the United States in a day when McDonald's and 7-11 wasn't to be found.
May 4, 2010
Probably the ultimate book on understanding the challenges of the Handcart Pioneers- and not just the Martin and Willie companies.
If you are doing a Mormon Trek and would like to have some little vignettes to read before going- this is the book to choose.
If you are doing a Mormon Trek and would like to have some little vignettes to read before going- this is the book to choose.
April 29, 2013
Good overview of the pioneer experience during one four year period, made more interesting personally due to the involvement of my ancestors in this particular migration. I would suggest any book by Gerald Lund concerning the western migration.
May 24, 2013
After reading a novel based on this migration to Salt Lake City (Zion) I wanted to read more. Very informative. I have to admire the people who made this trip-walking all the way pushing or pulling handcarts or carrying little ones.
January 13, 2014
Very informative. The strength of this text is that it covers the entire handcart migration, not just the Willie and Martin companies. A re-write and expansion of the authors' master's thesis, the book is a bit lacking in the readability department, but overall, it's a great resource.
March 7, 2008
Great book! I love erading abuot the pioneers and my ancestors!
Read
May 6, 2008Best handcart info I've read yet.
July 4, 2008
A moving book with some great stories; lots of details about the handcart migration
July 17, 2008
A great book of stories, including several of my ancestors
October 29, 2009
This book was very inspiring. I was also reminded of the wisdom of listening and following your church leaders.
April 26, 2010
I really want to read this for trek, but I'm having a hard time getting interested enough.
Ok - I will read it eventually, just not now.
Ok - I will read it eventually, just not now.
August 19, 2010
very interesting history of a great migration and a tragic end
August 10, 2011
I can't get enough knowledge of this part of Utah history!
October 2, 2011
Great overview of LDS emigration and the value and difficulties of handcart travel. Many sources abridged to form a good narrative of the human stories of hope, courage, trials, faith, and gratitude.
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