Some dear friends and I embarked on a grand adventure on the weekend of July 11-13. We toured the church history sites of the Martin and Willie Mormon Handcart Companies in Wyoming. The historical information cited herein is from the Mormon Historic Sites Registry[MHSR]. The following are some of the pictures of our adventures:
"The first handcart company left Iowa City, Iowa on June 9, 1856 for the Salt Lake Valley. That year, four additional handcart companies would traverse the difficult trail on foot. The fourth company, led by James G. Willie, left on July 15, 1856 and the last company, led by Edward Martin, left on July 28, 1856
"Although the two companies that left before reached Salt Lake City without incident, Willie and Martin companies left later in the season and suffered tremendous hardships. Jens Neilson, a member of the Willie Handcart Company explained that 'No person can describe it, nor could it be comprehended or understood by any human living in this life, but those who were called to pass through it.'"[MHSR]
"Although the two companies that left before reached Salt Lake City without incident, Willie and Martin companies left later in the season and suffered tremendous hardships. Jens Neilson, a member of the Willie Handcart Company explained that 'No person can describe it, nor could it be comprehended or understood by any human living in this life, but those who were called to pass through it.'"[MHSR]
After the passing of more than a century, the ground here still bears the marks of the handcart wheels. We walked along these tracks, imagining what it would be like to pull a handcart with the hot sun beating down. It was humbling, to
say the least, and we felt very close to the brave people who struggled along this path.
"Leaving so late in the season put the companies at a considerable disadvantage. On October 1 the Willie company arrived at Fort Laramie, but supplies they had hoped for to be left by Franklin D. Richards were not there. They had also suffered a serious loss of a number of oxen which they were unable to replenish there. Hunger, fatigue, and worsening weather conditions each contributed to the grave situation the Saints found themselves in. Upon reaching Salt Lake City on October 4, President Richards alerted Brigham Young to the companies' situation. A rescue party was organized and left three days later to give relief and aid. However, they would not reach the Willie company for three weeks."[MHSR]
The parts of Wyoming we traversed were pretty desolate. We were despairing not being able to see anything different from the grassy slopes and distant mountains. Then we saw an impressive sight- Independence Rock. This massive rock structure stands about half a mile high and boasts an impressive view of the plains. Independence Rock was so named because it was in the pioneer timetable- you needed to reach the spot by the 4th of July is you ever hoped to make it to Utah Valley before the winter storms.
The parts of Wyoming we traversed were pretty desolate. We were despairing not being able to see anything different from the grassy slopes and distant mountains. Then we saw an impressive sight- Independence Rock. This massive rock structure stands about half a mile high and boasts an impressive view of the plains. Independence Rock was so named because it was in the pioneer timetable- you needed to reach the spot by the 4th of July is you ever hoped to make it to Utah Valley before the winter storms.The rock structured is peppered with graffiti. Unlike the usual variety, the claim-to-fame of Independence Rock is the series of names chiseled into the rock. From the early 1800s 'til present day, pioneers and travelers left their legacy imprinted in the rock.
We celebrated Independence Rock in our own "special" way...
From Independence Rock, a traveler sees an unusual sight in the distance. Following the path of the Sweetwater River leads one's eyes to a deep gorge cut into the side of a mountain. While the Mormon Handcart companies did not journey through "Devil's Gate", it was an important landmark on their journey.
"They settled into Martin's Cove to find shelter from the wind. However, several individuals died from exposure in the cove as well. The rest of the rescue party reached them and the finally came into the Salt Lake Valley between November 30 and December 15. In total, 177 individuals lost their lives from the Willie and Martin handcart companies.5 Though they passed through tremendous difficulty, those that survived were ever true and faithful to the gospel. One man who traveled in the Martin Compnany described that 'we came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives for we became acquainted with him in our extremities.'" [MHSR]
"After passing through Devil's Gate, the Martin company was forced to cross the Sweetwater River where four young men who were members of the rescue party carried people across the ice cold river."
In order to help us gain a better appreciation for this heroic event, the leader of our group decided to try to get the men of the group to carry the women across.... after several near droppings of the womenfolk in the river, most of us decided we could appreciate it more than enough on our own two legs.
(I bet the pioneer women WISHED they could have had my cool Wal-mart umbrella... ah, the wonderful conveniences of modern life)
This trip really helped me appreciate my pioneer heritage more as I had the opportunity to experience some of the inconveniences of pioneer life...
lly an albino)DESPERATELY missing running water...
The difficulty of pushing a handcart...
Our little adventure helped me feel what it was like to be a pioneer, even if it was only for a brief day. I feel an increased gratitute for the pioneers and the lessons and legacy they left behind.
