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KF5JRV > TODAY 09.06.24 14:36l 30 Lines 1616 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 850_KF5JRV
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Subj: Today in History - Jun 09
Path: IZ3LSV<DB0ERF<DK0WUE<DK0WUE<N2NOV<K7EK<KA1VSC<VE3CGR<KF5JRV
Sent: 240609/1233Z 850@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA BPQ6.0.24
In an extraordinary demonstration of resolve and fortitude, nearly 500 members of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints (often informally known as Mormons) leave Iowa City and head west for Salt
Lake City carrying all their goods and supplies in two-wheeled handcarts. Of all the thousands of
pioneer journeys to the West in the 19th century, few were more arduous than those undertaken by
the so-called Handcart Companies from 1856 to 1860.
The secular and religious leader of the religious sect, Brigham Young, had established Salt Lake City
as the center of a new Utah sanctuary for the Latter-day Saints in 1847. In subsequent years, Young
worked diligently to encourage and aid members who made the difficult overland trek to the Great
Salt Lake. In 1856, however, a series of poor harvests left the church with only a meager fund to help
immigrants buy wagons and oxen. Young suggested a cheaper mode of travel: \u201cLet them come
on foot with handcarts or wheelbarrows; let them gird up their loins and walk through and nothing shall
hinder or stay them.\u201d
Amazingly, many members of the church followed his advice. On June 9, 1856, a band of 497 left Iowa
City, Iowa, and began the more than 1,000-mile trek to Salt Lake City. They carried all their goods in
about 100 two-wheeled handcarts, most of which were heaped with the maximum load of 400 to 500
pounds. Each family usually had one cart, and the father and mother took turns pulling while any
children old enough helped by pushing.
73 de Scott KF5JRV
Pmail: KF5JRV@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA
Email KF5JRV@gmail.com
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