Willie and Martin Companies
The following article is one of the most complete summaries of both the Willie and Martin companies. We are appreciative of the "Sons of Utah Pioneers' for their great work putting together this special edition of their magazine.
The Struggle To Survive
- Susan Easton Black. "The Struggle To Survive: Willie and Martin Handcart Pioneers." Pioneer, Vol.53 No.3 2006: 2-11
"From 1856 to 1860 nearly three thousand Latter-day Saints successfully pulled their earthly possessions in wheeled carts from Iowa City to the Salt Lake Valley. The tragic exception were pioneers of the Willie and Martin Handcart companies in 1856. Late starts, unexpected delays, insufficient provisions, and unseasonable weather are reasons they encountered problems and did not pull their own carts into Salt Lake City. In remembrance of their struggles in Wyoming's frigid climes, the story of the Willie and Martin Handcart companies is presented. Learn of the problems that beset the pioneers in these companies from the outset at Liverpool until they reached Martin's Cove in Wyoming and of the heroic rescue of the weary sojourners.
Handcart Plan
"In September 1855, Brigham Young, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wrote to Franklin D. Richards, president of the Church's European Mission, “We cannot afford to purchase wagons and teams as in times past, I am consequently thrown back upon my old plan to make hand-carts, and let the emigration foot it.” Confident of the plan, Brigham added, “They can come just as quick, if not quicker, and much cheaper can start earlier and escape the prevailing sickness which annually lays so many of our brethren in the dust.”
"...McAllister, believing himself capable of expressing the sentiment of many, added, “From the oldest to the youngest, all feel Zionward, and are, at the present time, rejoicing in the anticipation of pulling or pushing a handcart to their home in the west.”
"As time neared for the first handcart pioneers to immigrate to America, President Richards expressed anxiety about the handcart plan. On February 2, 1856, he wrote, “None of the emigrating Saints have ever crossed the plains who have had greater demands on the shepherds of the flock, than those who will travel in the handcart companies the coming season.”7 Richards believed that the carts were mere copies of those drawn by street sweepers in urban centers. He wondered whether the carts would be sturdy enough for the rough terrain of frontier America, a valid concern since the axles, made of hickory poles, lacked iron skeins for support, and no one had taken them on such a long journey before."
"Then, of course, there was the larger issue of safety. Many of those who planned to immigrate were women and children; others were elderly, frail, and infirm. Could these immigrants make the strenuous journey, pulling possessions in carts, and not fall by the wayside?8 If such were feasible, timing and weather was critical. Late starts, unavoidable delays, and early storms could turn the success of the handcart plan to suffering and tragedy seemingly overnight."
Troubles from the Outset
"The Willie and Martin companies faced significant delays leaving England. The sailing vessel Thornton with 764 Latter-day Saints aboard under the leadership of James Willie delayed its departure until May 3, 1856, from Liverpool. The vessel Horizon, carrying 856 Saints under the direction of Edward Martin, did not sail until May 25. The late start caused the Willie Company to arrive in Iowa City on June 26. The Martin company arrived 12 days later on July 8."
"Latter-day Saint agents in Iowa City were unprepared to outfit the new arrivals. Although they had successfully outfitted three handcart companies earlier that year, providing additional carts and other provisions for the unexpectedly large body of late arrivals in these fourth and fifth companies proved difficult. It was not until July 15, nine days after the fourth company reached Iowa City that it was able to proceed west under Captain Willie. The fifth company, under Captain Martin, did not proceed until the 28th, 20 days after arriving in Iowa City. At the time of its departure, the count for the Willie Company was 500 emigrants, “120 handcarts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, and 45 beef cattle and cows.” The Martin Company included 576 emigrants, “146 carts, 7 wagons, 30 oxen, and 50 cows and beef cattle. ..."
