John Jaques (1827 - 1900) Profile

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

John Jaques

birth-date-qualifier-birth

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 11, Line 463.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 2, Page 12, Line 463.

Albert Jones notes, circa 1906

Albert Jones notes, circa 1906.

The Emigrants made hand Carts at Iowa Paul Gourley



Left Iowa Camp July 28th 20 days lost// here 
Two companies—one under Edward Martin[;] one under Jesse Haven



<s>18-4/7 miles per day to make the 1300 in 70 days</s>



Arrived at Florence 22nd August



<s>average travel 12 miles per day</s>



Companies consolidated in one Edward Martin &amp; Daniel Tyler Capts.



Left Florence August 25th 1856 for the 1000 miles journey



576 men[,] women and Children



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">146 Hand Carts 
Wagons 
4 to the Cart—5 of us</center>



 



Two wagon Companies behind us 
Benjamin Hodgett 
John A[.] Hunt



Company provisioned for 60 days



100# flour being given to each Cart for transportation



Sep 2 Col Alma [Almon Whiting] Babbit[t]—Thomas Margetts &amp; Child—James Cowdy &amp; wife and others killed—Mrs. Margets carried away by Indians.



Isaac Brockbanks mother



The March



Bro Evans the fourth death[.] tin cup record[.] Mother on the lead



&lt;above&gt; Passed near the spot where A W Babbitt was killed 
Too many meetings for prayer &amp; preaching 
Moses Cluff and the Buffalo



Danl Tyler and the Mules



The girls and boys courting



The buffalo Chips—the dainty chins



John Watkins[,] Brother Compsan



The Hymn—Come come ye Saints



Oct 8th At Larimie. Over Coat 
Flour[,] Bacon[,] Apples &amp; Peaches



The Tennant Cattle driving and guarding



The people getting weary with the work— 
John Jacques [Jaques] night adventure



The Appetites—



The 20th October crossing the North Platte



The first snow storm—which reached West to the Wasatch range and the great gloom



Snowed three days



The Songs of Zion



The deaths increasing[,] McBride 
Old Scotch Man 
his toes out of snow



Our Tent—the death of Jackson



callous to death



Dug the grave of a young man while he walked by its side[,] 14 in this Grave[,] Red Butte



Stone and the Wolves—a foot in a shoe brought to Camp—



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Juvenile #23 Jan -1-88</center>



 



John Watkins &amp; the Ox



Oct 28—Rescued:: Joseph A Young 
Daniel W Jones 
Abel Garr



The big blue &lt;Government over&gt; Coat



The scene in Camp at the Rescue



Young girls eating toasted raw hide—as girls do gum 
Bread Making—Bed making 
Tents[,] Cyrus H. Wheelock 
Snow 1½” 
&lt;Fry Pans&gt;: for shovels [-] 
Rescuers[:] David Garr 
George D Grant 
Robt J Burton 
Charles Decker 
W H Kimball 
Reddick N[ewton] Allred



The crossing of the Sweet Water



W[illiam] S Binder hauls my hand Cart through—



The axle broke 
Kimball carried me over—



S. S. went on



I remain &amp; get another Cart and took on our things



The Council at Devils Gate



Cyrus H Wheelock’s address



10 men stay at Devils Gate with the goods of Hand Cart—People and of the Wagon Companies



Rested at Martins Ravine 2 or 3 days



The accidental burning of John Jacques [Jaques] Record



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">one third died</center>



 



[Edmund] El[l]sworth &amp; [Daniel D.] McArthur 497 Souls—100 Carts 5 Wagons 
Jas D [James G.] Willie &lt;66 died&gt; 500 Souls—120 Carts—6 Wagons 
[Edward] Martin &amp; [Daniel] Tyler, 576 Souls, 146 Cars—7 Wagons



1856 Five hand Cart Cos. 
[Edmund] Ellsworth—[Daniel D.] McArthur—[Edward] Bunker—Willie ([Edward] Martin &amp; [Daniel] Tyler)



Timing the People time of death 
S S Jones and Eph Hanks



The feet of the People frozen



[irrelevant data]



The life Guardsman [David] Blair buried at Quaken Asp hill



The survival of the fittest 
Martins Lot the toughest of all 
My Vow behind the Log fire



The American Axe:



Nov 28<s>28</s>th over the Big Mountain 7000 to 8000 Altitude[,] the Oxen [illegible] 8 ft Snow

Transcript for Albert Jones notes, circa 1906

Deseret News

Immigration to Utah

"Immigration to Utah", Deseret News, October 15, 1856, Page 6.

Transcript for "Immigration to Utah," Deseret News, 15 October 1856, 254

Deseret News.

Elizabeth H. Kingsford autobiographical sketch, undated

Elizabeth H. Kingsford autobiographical sketch, undated.

The handcarts, or many of them, were built on wooden axles instead of iron; and with leather boxes. We expected to find these vehicles already at hand on our arrival at Iowa City. Thus work consumed between two and three weeks of time, in which we should have been wending our way to Salt Lake City. There were two companies which contained about five hundred and fifty-six persons. There were one hundred and forty-six handcarts, seven wagons and six mules and horses, fifty milk cows and beef animals. There was one wagon loaded with goods for the Church. To each of these two companies were apportioned a mule team, and two wagons hauled by oxen. These were to carry the commissary stores, tents, etc. On July 15th the company left Iowa City under the captaincy of Elder James G. Willie, for Florence, a distance of 277 miles. At Florence, the two hand-cart companies were consolidated. Edward Martin was appointed Captain and Daniel Tyler was his assistant. On August 25th the camp broke, travelled about two miles and then camped.



On the 27th of August we made a final start from Cutlers’ Fork, on our long tedious journey across the vast plains of a thousand miles to our future home. We continued our toil day after day, pulling our handcarts with our provisions or rations, our little children, etc., through deep sands, rocky roads, or fording streams. It was a dreary journey. Many miles each day were traveled ere, with tired limbs we reached camp, cooked supper, ate and retired for the night to rest, to pursue our monotonous course the following day.



On the 7th of September near Soup [Loup] Fork, we were overtaken and passed by Apostle F. D. Richards, C. H. Wheelock and other returning missionaries from Europe. About the middle of this month we learned that A. W. Babbitt had been killed by some hostile Indians.



After toilsome and fatiguing travel, we reached Laramie on the 8th day of October. Here we rested for a short time. Our provisions by this time had become very scant, and many of the company went to the Fort and sold their watches and other articles of jewelry. With the proceeds they purchased corn meal, flour, beans, bacon, etc., with which to replenish their stores of food which had become very scant. Hitherto, although a ration of a pound of flour had been served out daily to each person, it was found insufficient to satisfy the cravings of hunger; but the weary pilgrims were then about to experience more deprivations in this direction. We rested a couple of days and then resumed our toilsome march. Shortly after leaving Fort Laramie it became necessary to shorten our rations that they might hold out, and that the company be not reduced to starvation. The reduction was repeated several times. First, the pound of flour was reduced to three-fourths of a pound, then to a half of a pound, and afterward to still less per day. However we pushed ahead. The trip was full of adventures, hair breadth escapes, exposure to attacks from Indians, wolves and other wild beasts. When we reached the Black Hills, we had a rough experience. The roads were rocky, broken and difficult to travel. Frequently carts were broken down and much delay was caused by the needed repairs.



During the time of leaving Laramie and reaching the Platte, my husband had been taken sick. He was afflicted with mountain fever. His appetite was good and he could eat more than his rations. But his ambition was gone. All attempts to arouse him to energy or much active exertion were futile. On the 19th of October the last crossing of the Platte River was reached; but when we went into camp that noon my husband was not there. Two of the company went back to look for him. They found him sitting by the roadside, resting. He was very weak. They assisted him into camp. When we resumed our journey he was put in to a wagon, and rode a few miles to the bank of the river, when it was discovered that the teams had become so weak they were unable to haul the freight across the stream, so my husband was compelled to alight.



“The River” says Elder John Jaques, “was wide, the current was strong, the water was exceedingly cold and up to the wagon bed in the deepest parts, and the bed of the river was covered with cobble stones.” Some of the men carried some of the woman on their backs or in their arms, but others of the women tied up their skirts and waded through, like the heroines that they were, and as they had gone through many other rivers and creeks. My husband [Aaron Jackson] attempted to ford the stream. He had only gone a short distance when he reached a sand bar in the river on which he sank down through weakness and exhaustion. My sister, Mary Horrocks Leavitt, waded through the water to his assistance. She raised him up to his feet. Shortly afterward, a man came along on a horseback and conveyed him to the other side of the river, placed him on the bank and left him there. My sister then helped me to pull my cart with my three children and other matters on it. We had scarcely crossed the river when we were visited with a tremendous storm of snow, hail, sand and fierce winds. It was a terrible storm from which both the people and teams suffered. After crossing the river, my husband was put on a handcart and hauled into camp; and indeed after that time he was unable to walk, and consequently provision had to be made for him to ride in a wagon. As soon as we reached camp, I prepared him some refreshment and placed him to rest for the night.



From this time my worst experience commenced. The company had now become greatly reduced in strength, the teams as well as the people. The teams had become so weak that the luggage was reduced to ten pounds per head for adults, and five pounds for children under eight years. And although the weather was severe, a great deal of bedding and clothing had to be destroyed—burned—as it could not be carried along. This occurence very much increased the Suffering of the company, men, women and children alike.



On the 20th of October we traveled, or almost wallowed, for about ten miles through the snow. At night, weary and worn out, we camped near the Platte River, where we soon left it for the Sweetwater. We were visited with three days more snow. The animals and immigrants were almost completely exhausted. We remained in camp several days to gain strength. About the 25th of October, I think it was—I cannot remember the exact date—we reached camp about sundown. My husband had for several days previous been much worse. He was still sinking, and his condition now became more serious. As soon as possible after reaching camp I prepared a little of such scant articles of food as we then had. He tried to eat but failed. He had not the strength to swallow. I put him to bed as quickly as I could. He seemed to rest easy and fell asleep. About nine o’clock I retired. Bedding had become very scarce, so I did not disrobe. I slept until, as it appeared to me, about midnight. I was extremely cold. The weather was bitter. I listened to hear if my husband breathed—he lay so still. I could not hear him. I became alarmed. I put my hand on his body, when to my horror I discovered that my worst fears were confirmed. My husband was dead. He was cold and stiff—rigid in the arms of death. It was a bitter freezing night and the elements had sealed up his mortal frame. I called for help to the other inmates of the tent. They could render me no aid; and there was no alternative but to remain alone by the side of the corpse until morning. The night was enveloped in almost Egyptian darkness. There was nothing with which to produce a light or kindle a fire. Of course I could not sleep. I could only watch, wait, and pray for the dawn. But oh, how those dreary hours drew their tedious length along. When daylight came, some of the male part of the company prepared the body for burial. And ho, such a burial and funeral service. They did not remove his clothing—he had but little. They wrapped him ain [in] a blanket and placed him in a pile with thirteen others who had died, and then covered him up in the snow. The ground was frozen so hard that they could not dig a grave. He was left there to sleep in peace until the trump of the Lord shall sound, and the dead in Christ shall awake and come forth in the morniing of the first resurrection. We shall then again unite our hearts and lives, and eternity will furnish us with life forever more.



I will not attempt to describe my feelings at finding myself thus left a widow with three children, under such excruciating circumstances. I cannot do it. But I believe the Recording Angel has inscribed in the archives above, and that my sufferings for the Gospel’s sake will be sanctified unto me for my good. My sister Mary was the only relative I had to whom I could look for assistance in this trying ordeal, and she was sick. So severe was her affliction that she became deranged in her mind, and for several days she ate nothing but hard frozen snow. I could therefore appeal to the Lord alone; He who had promised to be a husband to the widow, and a father to the fatherless. I appealed to him and he came to my aid.



A few days after the death of my husband, the male members of the company had become reduced in number by death; and those who remained were weak and emaciated by sickness, that on reaching the camping place at night, there were not sufficient men with strength enough to raise the poles and pitch the tents. The result was that we camped and with nothing but the vault of Heaven for a roof, and the stars for companions. The snow lay several inches deep upon the ground. The night was bitterly cold. I sat down on a rock with one child in my lap and one on each side of me. In that condition I remained until morning. My sick sister, the first part of the night, climbed up hill to the place where some men had built a fire. She remained there until the people made down their beds and retired, to sleep, if they could. She then climbed or slid down the hill on the snow, to where there was another fire which was kept alive by some persons who were watching the body of a man who had died that night. There she remained until daylight.



It will be readily perceived that under such adverse circumstances I had become despondent. I was six or seven thousand miles from my native land, in a wild, rocky, mountain country, in a destitute condition, the ground covered with snow, the waters covered with ice, and I with three fatherless childen with scarcely nothing to protect them from the merciless storms. When I retired to bed that night, being the 27th of October, I had a stunning revelation. In my dream, my husband stood by me and said—“Cheer up, Elizabeth, deliverance is at hand.” The dream was fulfilled.



“The 28th of October,” says John Ja[c]ques in his history of this journey, “was [a] red letter day to the handcart expedition. On that memorable day, Joseph A. Young, Daniel Jones and Abel Garr galloped unexpectedly into camp amid tears and cheers and smiles and laughter of the emigrants. Those three men being the express from the most advanced relief company from Salt Lake, brought the glad word that assistance, provisions and clothing were near, that ten wagons were waiting at the Devil’s Gate.” Thus you see, my dream and my husband’s prediction were fulfilled.



The next day we left the Platte and started for the Sweetwater country, On the 31st of October another grand surprise met us. On reaching Greasewood Creek, we met George D. Grand [Grant], R.F. Burton, Charles Decker, Chauncey G. Webb and some others, with six wagons of flour, etc. sent from Salt Lake.



On the First of November we arrived at the Sweetwater bridge, some five miles from Devil’s Gate. We arrived there about dusk in the evening. We camped in about a foot and half of snow. It was a busy evening before bed time in clearing away the snow. For this purpose many used cooking utensils, plates and other things. The ground was hard and almost impenetrable; and it was with the greatest difficulty that the tents could be erected. It became a question that night, whether we should camp there for the winter or go forward to Salt Lake Valley. It was decided to go on. At Devil’s Gate the freight was left, as the teams were too weak to haul it. It was left in charge of Daniel W. Jones, Thomas M. Alexander and Ben Hampton, with seventeen emigrants to guard it through the winter.



It was several days after that—I do not remember the exact date—that we made the last crossing of the Sweetwater. In speaking of that memorable event, Elder John Jaques says: “It was a severe operation to many of the company. It was the last ford the company waded over. The water was not less than two feet deep, perhaps a little more in the deepest parts, but it was intensely cold. The ice was three or four inches thick and the bottom of the river muddy and sandy. The stream seemed to be about forty yards wide. Before the crossing was completed, the shades of evening were closing around, and this, as every-one knows, is the coldest hour of the twenty-four, especially at a frosty time. When the handcarts arrived at the bank of the river one poor fellow who was greatly worn down with travel exclaimed: “Have we got to cross here?” Being answered “Yes” he again exclaimed: “Oh dear, I can’t go through that!” His heart sank within him and he burst into tears. But his heroic wife came to his aid, and in a sympathetic tone said, “Don’t cry, Jimmie, I’ll pull the handcart for you.” In crossing the river the shins and limbs of the waders came in contact with sharp cakes of ice which inflicted wounds on them which did not heal until long after they arrived in this valley. And some of them are alive, some of them bear the marks of them to this day.”



After this crossing we camped for several days in a deep gulch called “Martin’s Ravine”. It was a fearful time and place. It was so cold that some of the company came near freezing to death. The sufferings of the people were fearful, and nothing but the power of a merciful God kept them from perishing. The storms continued unabated for some days. Said E.K. Hank[s] in speaking of if [it]:—“The storms during the three days were simply awful. In all my travels in the Rocky Mountains, just before and afterwards, I have seen nothing like it—nothing worse.” When the snow at length ceased falling, it lay thick on the ground, and so deep that for many days it was impossible to move the wagons through. I and my children with hundreds of others were locked up in those fearful weather-bound mountains.



Elder Hanks gives the following graphic pen pictures of his first meeting with Martin’s company which he with others had been sent to relieve, and which some of them had given up for lost, believing that they had perished in the storms. “I think” he said, “The sun was about an hour high when I spied somethin[g] in the distance that looked like a black streak in the snow. As I got near to it, I perceived it moved, then I was satisfied that this was the long looked for handcar[t] company led by Captain Martin. I reached the ill-fated train just as they had camped for the night. The sight that met my gaze as I entered their camp can never be erased from my memory! The starved forms and haggard countenances of the poor sufferers, as they moved slowly, shivering with the cold to prepare the evening meal, was enough to touch the stoutest heart. When they saw me coming they hailed me with joy inexpressible.”



Children, I was there, Martha Ann was there, Mary Elizabeth was there, they, my daughters, and Aaron, my son.



Elder Hanks had killed some Buffalo meat which he distributed among us. We eagerly devoured it.



I will not continue this narrative much longer, but will hasten to convey us to our destination. We came by easy stages the remainder of the journey, and finally reached Salt Lake City at mid-day on Sunday, November Thirtieth, 1856. Thus ended the ever memorable overland voyage from the Missouri River to the Capital of Utah, in the eventful year of 1856.

Transcript for Elizabeth H. Kingsford autobiographical sketch, undated

Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914

Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914. Scrapbook Part 7, 1907. Page 11.

Handcart Veterans Association scrapbook, 1906-1914.

Historical Department journal history of the Church

Historical Department journal history of the Church, November 30, 1856, Page 60.

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

Jaques, John, [Minutes of meeting at Devil's Gate

Jaques, John, [Minutes of meeting at Devil's Gate, November 9, 1856.

“Devil’s Gate, November 9, 1856: Minutes of a meeting of the Elders called at the request of Captin Grant to appoint men to remain in charge of goods left for storage at this place by captain Hodgett’s &amp; Captain Hunt’s wagon companies. Meeting opened by singing and prayer by Elder Danl W Jones after which the following persons were appointed to remain—viz., Danl W. Jones, Thos M. Alexander, Benj Hampton, John Cooper, George Watts, Elisha Manning, George Allen, George Austin, William Hansley [Handy], John H. Latey, William Latey, John Shorten, John Wittaker, Edwin Summers, John Hardcastle, Henry Jackman [Jakeman], Rosser Jenkins and Elijah L. Chapple.



“On motion of Elder Cyrus H. Wheelock, Elder Danl W. Jones was appointed <s>Captain</s> Prest of the company remaining and Thos M Alexander and Benjn Hampton his councillors and John H Latey be clerk after which the following instructions were given.



Capt Grant addressed the meeting saying that we were met together to arrange matters relating to the safe keeping of the luggage left here. It was a great trust reposed in those men appointed to remain, and he wanted them to guard and care for it more so than if it belonged to them individually. He wanted no half or chicken hearted men to remain but men with large souls, men of integrity, men of God who would not do a wrong thing, would not steal one from another if any[.] if any such were among them, he wanted them to be passed through the Devils Gate and he did not want any grumblers or fault finders, and he did not want one of the company to be the butt of the others because he may not be so smart[.] He wanted them to agree together and be obedient to the brethren who have come from the valleys and were called to preside over them for they were good men[,] had been cradled in Mormonism and had the spirit of Zion burning within them. He believed the men remaining were good men and would not go to do anything wrong—Whished them to improve their time that they might come up to Zion in the spring with the spirit of God increased in them[,] wished them to attend to their prayers not only night and morning but on the mountain tops to remember to call on the Lord mightily that his mind might be revealed to them and that they might be blessed. anticipated they would have hard times but they need have no fear of starving[.] they could kill Buffalo and Antelope etc[.] He wanted the twenty left here to sleep with one eye open and one leg out of bed for there were devils, mountaineers and Indians round about here and a guard would be necessary if only one man at a time and if Indians were prowling about two men would be necessary and the guards he wanted to be vigilant and not to sleep on their posts for the lives of their brethren were in their hands[,] and if they were killed the blood would be on their garments[.] wanted them to be careful of fire and look sharp that their enemies did not put a torch to the buildings[.] wanted them to have water in their vessels at all times, wanted these old shanties to be repaired and made comfotable and good, the guns also to be kept in good order and loaded and not lying all in a pile but every man knowing where to put his hand on his own gun and if Indians were prowling about[,] did not want them to fool with them. Word would be sent from the Valley before the spring and the provisions here he wanted to <have> rationed out and take care of the flour in portion[.] Wished them to be obedient to the counsels of Prest Jones and he wanted Prest Jones to maintain the dignity of his calling and not joke too much or suffer himself to be joked with for he knew where a man in office joked with those under him so sure was he to lose his influence[. ] Did not wish any families to remain here for if women and children remained there would be the devil to pay and there was not much prospect of anything for them to eat but meat, wanted those remaining to see that each other did not get lost and frozen to death. Wanted care taken of the wagons and cattle and not use the latter in hauling firewood but use the handcarts—expected the heifers left would improve in condition. </have>



Elder Cyrus H Wheelock exorted those remaining to be obedient to the counsel of Prest Jones and his councilors[;] spoke also on the necessity of leaving joking alone and of Pres. Jones maintaining the dignity of his calling and keeping his place as President and Captn of this [illegible] company[;] did not wish one to be a butt for the others to make jokes and fun of and if any was more dilatory than the others he wanted them to be chastised[.] he wanted the men remaining to busy themselves all winter, hunt buffalo, draw logs and build up these old shanties and that cheerfully and if they would not do it he would say put them through the devils gate



Elder John A Hunt felt that what had been said had been dictated by the spirit of God and felt that those remaining could have a good time, hoped none would [illegible] the counsels of Prest Jones and his councilors or the commandments of God, and not fall back in the faith or in other words go through the devils gate[.] hoped to see them come up to the vallies in the spring like young lions[.] did not want to leave anyone here who would not stand up to the rack, hay or no hay, flour or no flour[.] wanted them to attend to what Captn Grant had said. Keep themselves clean and pure and attend to prayers that they may go to the Lord with confidence and offer up a prayer that will be heard and answered[,] if they did not do so fear would seize upon them in the day of trouble[.] wanted them to be ready at all calls day or night and at short notice, to improve themselves in leisure hours, would use his influence in leaving all he could for their comfort and sustenance. Wished them to pray for and uphold Prest Jones &amp; his councilors that they may have wisdom and discernment to see through those who may come about these shanties



Elder Burton would like before meeting closed to have minutes of same read and letter of instructions before they (the Elders) left, given to Prest Jones -- spoke on the necessity of guarding against Indians and especially white Indians and also against fire[;] wished Prest Jones or one of his councilors to be at all times about the buildings[.] also to attend to daubing the walls to preserve the goods left from wet[.] thought the counsels about joking excellent for when a man in office begins joking with those under him so sure was he to lose his influence. spoke on the necessity of attending prayers. Knew that those who stayed did so from a desire to do good and money would have no influence in inducing them to stay[.] Capt Grant had expressed his feelings about families remaining in this place.



Elder Webb thought plenty of instructions had been given and wished them to profit by it[.] felt to indorse what had been said by Cap Grant &amp; Brs Wheelock, Burton &amp; others and if they acted up to it[,] they would go up to Zion with their heads up and not be ashamed[.] urged the necessity of the guards being vigilant for the lives of their brethren were in their hands and to sleep was a capital offense and if through their negligence[,] their brethren were killed the blood would be upon their skirts



Prest Jones wanted everyone remaining to provide themselves with soap and combs to keep themselves clean for anything like filth was an abomination to him and if those remaining with him were not cleanly they would chance to get duncked under the ice[.] down here he wanted them to be obedient to him as he had been to Cap Grant on this trip



Motion by Elder C H Wheelock that minutes be received and copy taken which was carried unanimously



Meeting closed by prayer by Elder C G Webb.—



[Taken from hand penned copy of John Jaques.]

Transcript for Jaques, John, [Minutes of meeting at Devil's Gate, 9 November 1856], in John Jaques, Collection, 1846-1920

Jaques, John, [Minutes of meeting at Devil's Gate.

Jaques, J[ohn]., [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star

Jaques, J[ohn]., [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, April 18, 1857.

I will therefore say that the fifth Hand-cart Company, under Captain Edward Martin, arrived in this place on Sunday, November 30, about noon, rejoicing greatly in their deliverance. 
The company left Florence finally and fully on the 27th of August, and 
about the middle of October arrived at the last crossing of the Platte. The day they forded the river there, was the first of winter. A very heavy hail and sleet storm, accompanied by a very cold strong wind, tokened the change of season. 
The next two days snow fell, some of our cattle and people gave out, and died. When about 16 miles above the Platte bridge, and 12 miles above the last crossing, we were "snowed up" for about ten days. Here Elder Joseph A. Young, with two companions, galloped into the midst of our camp, and after briefly informing us that ten wagons with flour were at Devil's Gate waiting for us, went on to Captain Hunt's Wagon Company, who were then encamped at the crossing. 
The next morning we made a start, and in a few days pushed forward to Greasewood Creek, where six wagons had come to meet us. We then rolled on to Devil's Gate, where we staid several days in consequence of deep snow and severe cold. At Greasewood Creek we found Elders G. D. Grant and Charles Decker. Elder C.H. Wheelock met us a few miles before we reached it. At Devil's Gate the two wagon companies forted up all their luggage, leaving 20 men to guard it till spring. Undivided attention was then given to the saving of the people. The Lord in His mercy divided the storms and opened up our way, so that with the assistance of about 100 mule and horse teams, which met us, we reached this place as above named. 
We have had a number of deaths, one of which the Liverpool Saints will hear with regret—that of Elder Thomas Dodd, whose faithfulness and straightforwardness are well known. My wife's father [James Loader] died about 13 miles east of Ash Hollow, of diarrhœa [diarrhea]. You will recollect that my daughter Flora had the measles just as we were leaving the ship. She was never thoroughly healthy afterwards. At Iowa City she had the diarrhœa, which afflicted her with more or less severity, until we arrived at Green River, 
where on Nov. 22nd, her spirit returned to Him who gave it. We brought her body to this place, where it was interred on the 4th inst. 
My wife gave birth to a son at Cutler's Park, two and-a-half miles west of Florence, August 27th.
Brother Linforth and family have not yet arrived. The last I heard of them they were at Bridger. Teams and provisions have been sent out to bring in all persons belonging to the two wagon companies, leaving their cattle and wagons at Bridger or Fort Supply. We expect the teams to return in a few days. The whole territory will rejoice and be thankful when the emigration is all in.

Transcript for Jaques, J[ohn]., [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 18 Apr. 1857, 254-55

Jaques, J[ohn]., [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star.

Jones, Albert, Address, Handcart Veterans Association

Jones, Albert, Address, Handcart Veterans Association, October 4, 1906.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Address read by Albert Jones of Provo to the Hand Cart Veterans assembled 
in the Assembly Hall Temple Block Salt Lake City 
on the Evening of October 4th 1906.</center>



Brethren, Sisters, and Friends of the remnant of those who crossed the great plains with Hand Carts.—



I was one of them,—but as a boy of fifteen, my trials were light in comparison to those of mature years,—fathers and mothers of families—the storry of your privations is well known, and has been told at your hearthstones many a time, with no intent to harrow up the feelings of your children and friends—but to show up more vividly the comforts that you now enjoy—and have for the many years past—it is not in the nature of the true Saint, to repine at trials past; as the verse correctly renders this point which reads:



 



<blockquote xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">"How will the Saints rejoice to tell, 
And count their sufferings o'er, 
When they upon Mount Zion dwell 
And view the landscape o'er."</blockquote>



 



I remember that my Brother S.S. and myself led out at the head of the column of Hand Carts from Iowa Camp Ground, and it was with a certain amount of pride that I rejoiced in my youthful strength—as I grasped the handle bar of the cart—and bore it forth so easy with the keep of my brother.



I was short in stature then for my age, and broadly built—was strong—not sick one day through the long journey—no frost or frost bite on my young body in spite of the bitter cold weather endured by our company—the Martin &amp; Tyler which arrived in Salt Lake City, November 30, 1856.



Our traveling companion now deceased, Francis W Webster of Ceader [Cedar] City—after an interval of thirty years met me at the home of a friend in this beautiful city, &amp; made the remark—"had I been looking for you—should have expected to have met a short stocky built man.



You know my friends how we suffered better than I—through your personal expirence—I was the youngest one of a family of five—and we all came through alive—without scar and blanish [blemish]. My dear old mother [Sarah] then fifty-five (55) years of age stood the perils and the hardships of the journey and lived in Provo eleven years after her arrival—many many others that lived through the ordeal have gone to the great beyond, John Watkins our bugler who called us to prayer, &amp; our old time friend Wm. L. Binder, a man of unbounded charity and a lovable disposition.



The latter carried me across the Sweetwater when it was freezing terribly hard; and my brother S.S. pulled our Cart through the cold stream when our handcart broke down, upon it coming out of the water on the other bank—and my brother went on to camp in his wet clothes, while I stayed behind, and after a long time succeeded in bringing our bedding &amp; other things into camp on another handcart.



John Jacques, one of our company has gone; but his name is immortalized in his grand poem, sung by the Saints these many years, "O say what is truth," this poem I might say adorns yes adorns the last page of one of our acknowledged scriptures, of these the latter days, known as the 'Pearl of Great price."



You are of Iseral [Israel], &amp; though you gathered to Zion in the humble manner you did—you are of the best blood the earth affords—what greater claim exists to superiority of birth—that you have not; when the Patriarch with hands upon your heads, has with the vision of the seer declared you of the Ephriamic stock.



Rejoice ye Saints of God in the grand promises made you—since you laid down the shafts of that rickety old cart you have been blessed—many of you have been laboring unceasingly since then—you have spent years on missions—you have in turn gathered your fellow-religionists home to Zion,—have fought the Indians who sought your lives,—endured persecution for the Gospels sake—have been in peril both by sea &amp; by land. Imprisoned &amp; fined for conscience sake—all this and more have you passed through, scince your entry to these grand vallies to which God in His mercy has led you.



I well remember the scene of then, Joseph A. Young &amp; companion reached us, as the first noble band of rescurers from the vallies—Jos. A. rode a white mule down a snow covered hill or a dugway into our camp the white mule was lost sight of, on the white background of snow—and Jos. A. with his big blue soldiers overcoat, its large cape &amp; capacious skirts rising &amp; falling with the motion of the mule, gave the appearance of a big blue winged angel flying to our rescue.



The scene that presented itself on his arrival, I shall never forget; women crying aloud; on their knees, holding to the skirts of his overcoat as though afraid he would escape from their grasp &amp; fly away—Joseph stood in their midst drawn up to his full height and gazed upon their upturned faces; his eyes full of tears; I boy as I was prayed "God bless him."



His coming gave us a pound of flour that night instead of the four ounces we had issued us for several days past—I have the little print sack my mother made me in which I received my ration of flour &amp; shall hold it as a sacred momento of those days: the next morning after Josephs arrival we left the camp, where we had been about four days, &amp; had buried about fourteen of our number.



As we neared the vallies—younger men—boys in their red shirts, their trousers thrust well down into their boot tops made their appearence felling the dry timber for our fires—&amp; even trying to make merriment to cheer up our gloomy &amp; sorely tried people



I think it must have been Coopers tale "The Prairie" which I read in London, that gave me so great an addmiration for the "American axe," and these red shirted young giants received from me the greatest admiration for their skill in cutting down the trees, with their quick &amp; rapid blows—&amp; I thought my fortune would be made if I could only swing the axe so gracefully &amp; effectually as these youths from the vallies.



I followed them from fire to fire &amp; if allowed to cut a stick into two with their axe I was in my glory—although they laughed at my first attempts to acquire its use—one night I well remember after I had sung sever[a]l songs to the boys around their jolly big campfire—I moved to the other side of the fire—from where they were sitting—&amp; in my admiration of these active young fellows, I made a vow—That should I and my people reach the vallies in safety—and a call should come to go out to rescue belated Saints in their incoming through the mountains, I would go out to help them—in six years the call came: Bishop Duke of Provo in the year 1862 called me to take my own dear self—my one yoke of Oxen—and my own wagon and go 1000 miles to Florence to bring in a wagonload of such emigrants.



I went under the late Cap. Homer Duncan making the round trip in the shortest time of any of the ox trains dispatched from the Vallies in that business—fulfilled the vow I had made—&amp; this effort is among the most pleasant of my life.



In all the labors of your frontier life you have nobly taken your post of duty—&amp; this day you feel in your hearts that the toils and labors of the past are amply rewarded in the blessings of today—in your grasp of the principles of the gospel, the material blessings of this life, which through a life of constant labor you have realized—today you travel to &amp; fro perchance in your own carriage or upon the cars:—our hearts are lifted up in praise to God for all his blessings we now enjoy—&amp; though the handcart episode is one of the unpleasant expirences of our lives, the schooling that it gave, &amp; the training of our unpleasant episodes in our lives since then—all have tended to make our faith in our religion the stronger—&amp; our appreaceation of Gods own hand dealing to us as a people, more easily discerned.



May Gods blessings be upon you aged people &amp; may your children ever be true to the cause for which you have spent your lives.

Transcript for Jones, Albert, Address, Handcart Veterans Association, 4 Oct. 1906. Handcart Veterans Association, Scrapbook, 1906-1914, fd 1

Jones, Albert, Address, Handcart Veterans Association.

Joseph Beecroft, Journals 1844-1882

Joseph Beecroft, Journals 1844-1882, March 1856, Vol. 6.

Transcript for Joseph Beecroft, Journals 1844-1882, Volume 6, 1856 March-1859 April

Joseph Beecroft, Journals 1844-1882.

Josiah Rogerson, "Martin's Handcart Company, 1856," Salt Lake Herald-Republican

Josiah Rogerson, "Martin's Handcart Company, 1856," Salt Lake Herald-Republican, November 24, 1907.

Transcript for Josiah Rogerson, "Martin's Handcart Company, 1856," Salt Lake Herald-Republican, 24 November 1907

Josiah Rogerson, "Martin's Handcart Company, 1856," Salt Lake Herald-Republican, October 27, 1907.

Transcript for Josiah Rogerson, "Martin's Handcart Company, 1856," Salt Lake Herald-Republican, 27 October 1907, 21

Josiah Rogerson, "Martin's Handcart Company, 1856," Salt Lake Herald-Republican.

Patience L. Archer reminiscences, undated, 57-92

Patience L. Archer reminiscences, undated, 57-92.

Transcript for Patience L. Archer reminiscences, undated, 57-92

Perpetual Emigrating Fund, Financial Accounts 1849-1886, Ledger B

Perpetual Emigrating Fund, Financial Accounts 1849-1886, Ledger B, Page 260.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund, Financial Accounts 1849-1886, Ledger B.

Salt Lake Tribune

Strong Men, Brave Women and Sturdy Children Crossed the Wilderness Afoot

Josiah Rogerson, "Strong Men, Brave Women and Sturdy Children Crossed the Wilderness Afoot", Salt Lake Tribune, January 4, 1914.

Transcript for Josiah Rogerson, "Strong Men, Brave Women and Sturdy Children Crossed the Wilderness Afoot," Salt Lake Tribune, 4 January 1914

Salt Lake Tribune.

Stella Jaques Bell, Life History and Writings of John Jaques: Including a Diary of the Martin Handcart Company (Rexburg, Idaho: Ricks College Press, 1978), 118-22, 129, 134-37, 140-41, 143-44, 150

Stella Jaques Bell, Life History and Writings of John Jaques: Including a Diary of the Martin Handcart Company (Rexburg, Idaho: Ricks College Press, 1978), 118-22, 129, 134-37, 140-41, 143-44, 150.

Transcript for Stella Jaques Bell, Life History and Writings of John Jaques: Including a Diary of the Martin Handcart Company (Rexburg, Idaho: Ricks College Press, 1978), 118-22, 129, 134-37, 140-41, 143-44, 150

Workman, Mary E., [Interview], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 30:177-79

Workman, Mary E., [Interview], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 30:177-79.

10.	At what place did you join the company or wagon train with which you came to Utah? 
 
 10.	Crescent City, Iowa
 
11.	When did it leave for Utah? 11.	Summer of 1860. 
12.	What was the place of your destination in Utah? Why did you come to Utah? 12.	Mill Creek, Utah. to avoid persecution and to help Colonize. 
13.	When did you arrive there? 13.	In Fall of 1860. 
14.	Who was the leader of your company or train? 14.	Willey [William] B. [R.] Corbitt. 
15.	Method of travel (handcart, ox team, mule team, horseback, etc.) 15.	Horses, Oxen and Handcarts. 
31.	Do you recall seeing any buffalo or hunting any wild game? If so, tell abaout some incident. 31.	Saw many buffalo, but did no hunting. 
34.	Tell about any incidents connected with the Indians. 34. 	. . . . during their journey from Iowa to Utah, they made camp one evening on the plains, and had just finished supper when one of their company looked up and saw a cloud of dust about 2 miles away coming towards them, and by instinct they knew it was a band of Indians, so they gave orders for all women and children to get into the wagons and pull down the ends of the covers and to cover up in the bedding for fear the Indians would be hostile, and when The Indians arrived they were met by the captain of the company who demanded to know what they wanted, and were informed that they wanted food, and when asked what kind they said they wanted coffee, bacon, flour and sugar, when asked what they had to put these things in they handed the captain a blanket in which he Put a fair amount of provisions they had asked for, which proved a good thing as the company preceding them had objected to giving the Indians any food and in consequence a number had been killed.

Transcript for Workman, Mary E., [Interview], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 30:177-79

John Jaques

Alternate Names

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