Transcript
Transcript for Ferguson, Phyllis Hardie, [Reminiscences], in Lydia D. Alder, "The First Handcart Company," Improvement Era, July 1909, 721-23
"When it became quite dark, we reached the top of a high hill, where by Captain McArthur's instructions we left the handcarts, and quietly walked down towards the blazing camp fires. Just before we reached the Ellsworth company, we all began to shout, 'Hurrah for the handcarts.!"
"Captain Ellsworth, thinking it was the overland mail coach, in which was Franklin D. Richards, the returning president of the European mission, and others who were expected, hurriedly called out the band to give them glad welcome. Imagine his chagrin when he discovered that his welcome was given to the Scotch handcart company, who had overtaken him! But he was a good man, and has long years ago ended his life's journey. Peace to his ashes! The English people, though just as good and zealous, had not the endurance that we had, and it was difficult for them to be first. This ended our thirty-two miles' walk.
"At this camp ground the Scotch company rested for two weeks, making ready for the home stretch to the valley, thus giving the English a grand start ahead. What an indomitable will had these handcart people! How zealous for their religion!"