Wm Michael & Sarah Emily Cowley, Handcart Pioneers of Utah
HANDCART PIONEERS OF UTAH
Including the romance of
William Michael Cowley and Sarah Emily Wall Cowley
References: The Founding of Utah, by Levi Edgar Young;
Heart Throbs of the West, by Kate B. Carter
Compiled by Betha C. B. Payne
No more dramatic story will ever be written than that of the stories of the people who wended their way over thousands of miles of plains and mountains in order that they might share in the blessings of the immigrant pioneers in their new homes.
Hundreds of Saints, especially from England and the Scandinavian countries, were anxious to gather with the Saints in America. In September of 1851, President Brigham Young, in his sixth Epistle to the Saints, told them that as men were willing to make the great sacrifices for gold, he felt that they ought to be willing to sacrifice for the Gospel. This epistle read in part, “How long shall it be said of the children of this world that they are wiser in their generation than the children of light? Some of the children of the world have crossed the plains and mountains from Missouri to California, with a pack on their backs, to worship the god of gold. Some have performed this same journey with wheelbarrows, and some have accomplished the same with a pack on a cow. Some of the saints now in our midst came later with wagons and carts made of wood, without a particle of iron, and had a safe journey as any in the camps, and you can do the same.”
In 1855 came another plea from President Young in the form of a communication to Franklin D. Richards, who at the time was presiding over the British Mission. “In regards to the foreign immigrants for another year, have them take the Northern route through New York and Chicago and land at Iowa City, the western terminus of the Rock Island Railroad. There they will be provided with handcarts on which to haul their provisions and clothing. We will send experienced men to that point with instructions to aid them in every way possible. And let the Saints who are coming to Utah this season understand that they are to walk and draw their handcarts across the plains. Sufficient teams will be furnished to haul the aged and infirm and those who are unable to walk, a few good cows to furnish milk, and some beef cattle for the people to kill along the way. Now have them gird up their loins and come while the way is open.” This was published in the Millenial Star and went into most every home, causing the people who were unable to outfit themselves with ox team and wagon to feel that this was the answer to their prayers, and they could hardly wait until they could join the body of Saints. Many of them quit their jobs before transportation could be arranged.
In 1856 ships were loaded and leaving the ports in England. The ships Thorton and Horizon, bringing 16,020 souls, landing 12 days apart, were met, as promised, by men of experience. But it was late into the season before they were ready to start their trek across the plains, as more handcarts had to be made and more cattle bought and more provisions put together. The handcarts were put together of hickory or oak and sometimes both kinds of wood were used in the construction. The axle was made of hickory and the shafts were five or six feet long, with three or four binding cross bars from the back to the forepart, where there was a space for the lead man, woman or boy who was to pull the cart, to walk. The width of the carts was the same as that of a wagon, so they could follow along the trails made by the wagons. On these carts were carried flour, food, bedding, extra clothing, cooking utensils and a tent. Other carts were called “family carts” and were similar to the ones just described, only they had iron axles. It is said that of the 4,326 Saints who came to Utah in 1856, half of them crossed with handcarts.
