What is the story of the Martin and Willie handcart companies?
What is the story of the Martin and Willie handcart companies?
The Willie and Martin handcart companies were two companies of Mormon handcart pioneers that were participating in the migration of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to Salt Lake City, Utah and used handcarts to transport their belongings.
What happened to the Willie and Martin handcart company?
Most of the handcarts are left behind, but many people still have to walk. The companies leave the cove and travel about five miles toward Salt Lake City. Daniel W. Jones and 19 other men stay at Fort Seminoe to guard the belongings of the people in the Hodgetts and Hunt companies until spring.
How many people are in the Willie and Martin handcart company?
Responsibility for the tragedy
| Handcart company | Captain | Number of people |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth or Willie Company | James G. Willie | ~500 left Iowa City; 404 left Florence |
| Fifth or Martin Company | Edward Martin | 576 |
What year was the Willie Handcart Company?
1856
In August 1856, in Florence, Nebraska Territory, two emigrant companies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the Mormons—nearly 1,100 people led by Capt. James Willie and Capt. Edward Martin, left the Missouri River to start a late-season crossing of the plains.
How many handcart companies were there?
Handcart companies were few. Of the more than 250 organized Latter-day Saint companies that came to Utah during the pioneer era, only 10 companies, consisting of about 3,000 people total, were handcart companies. Five handcart companies came in 1856, two in 1857, one in 1859, and two in 1860.
What did the pioneers eat on the trail?
The mainstays of a pioneer diet were simple fare like potatoes, beans and rice, hardtack (which is simply flour, water, 1 teaspoon each of salt and sugar, then baked), soda biscuits (flour, milk, one t. each of carbonate of soda and salt), Johnny cakes, cornbread, cornmeal mush, and bread.
Who was in the Martin handcart Company?
The company departed Iowa City on July 28, 1856. The company consisted of 575 people, 145 handcarts, and 8 wagons, which were lead by Edward Martin. Due to the late start in the season, the company was caught in snow storms in Wyoming in October.
