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When they arrived in Iowa City, it was discovered that the provisions and handcarts were not ready for them, so valuable days were wasted securing the supplies they would need. The Martin Handcart company, named for their leader, Edward Martin, finally left Iowa City on July 29, 1856. In this Martin Company, there were 576 persons, 146 Handcarts, 5 wagons, 6 mules, and 50 cows, oxen and beef cattle. The company was divided into two sections with three wagons drawn by mules and two by oxen to each section. While at Florence, Nebraska, the question whether they should continue their journey or stay put for the winter was discussed. The company was advised by Elder Levi Savage that such a journey so late in the season should not be undertaken; that it would be better to stay in Winter Quarters until Spring. Elder Savage had been over the route and knew the dangers they would likely encounter. However, he was overruled and they decided to go on; they fully hoped to reach Salt Lake before the chilling blasts of winter. Elder Savage said, "What I have said I know to be true, but seeing you are to go forward I will go with you, will suffer with you, and if necessary die with you. May God in His mercy bless and preserve us".
This was a fatal error but unexpected by most of the company for the winter came much earlier than usual and was most severe. With longing in their hearts for the Great Salt Lake, these two companies pressed on with all possible speed. In the first few weeks, they made favorable progress but as they continued, the roads became rough and repairs were constantly necessary so that their progress was delayed. Due to the lightness of their handcarts and the hasty manner in which they were constructed of unseasoned wood, they began to fall to pieces and to repair them required time and delay. They had taken so much time that their food supply was getting low and it soon became necessary to discard some of their handcarts, as they were beyond repair.
19 year old, Eliza, carried her sister, Emma,13 months old, under her clothing so that she might get warmth from her body. It is believed that without Eliza's tender care, the baby would have never reached Salt Lake alive.
It was not long until it was found necessary to cut the rations. The pound of flour per day was to be cut to 3/4, then to 1/2 and later to something less. By the time they reached Fort Laramie the company was so hungry that those who could, were glad to exchange their watches and other valuables for provisions. At Deer Creek, October 17th due to the growing weakness of emigrants and teams, the baggage, including bedding and utensils were reduced to 10 pounds per person, children under 8 years, 5 pounds. Good bedding and clothing were burned even though they were needed for the next 400 miles of winter.
On the 19th of October, these pioneers awoke to find their beds covered with snow. There was a strong wind blowing that drove particles of snow in every direction. They camped near the last crossing of the Platte River. During the day the river had to be crossed, the water was exceedingly high and the current strong. Some of the women and children were carried across by men, but Eliza, along with most of the women tied up their skirts and waded through as they had done through many other rivers and creeks. It was so cold that the bottom of their skirts that got damp and froze as they walked along. Many had frozen feet. The company was just barely across the river when snow, hail and sleet began to fall accompanied by a piercing north wind. For several days, the snow continued until it was 15 inches deep. John Briggs gave most of his portion of food to the children, thinking he could get along until a relief party arrived. But on the morning of November 3, 1856, near Devils Gate, Ruth found her husband dead. He was buried hastily with several others.
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At Martin’s Cove near Devils Gate the emigrants held a council to determine whether to stay there for winter or push on to Salt Lake. They decided to go on hoping that supplies would reach them sooner the farther west they went. It was necessary again to leave some of their belongings at Martin’s Cove to lighten their loads. A relief company did reach them bringing food and young, strong men to help them move forward. They arrived when the pioneers were ready to give up.
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The crossing of the Sweetwater River proved to be a terrible ordeal to the weary travelers. Standing shivering with cold on the river bank they watched huge pieces of ice floating down stream. The water at the crossing was about 2 feet deep and it was evening, the coldest hour of the day. In spite of the information that this was the last river they would have to cross, it seemed impossible for them in their weakened condition, to make the crossing. A relief company did reach them bringing food and young, strong men to help them move forward. Some of these young men carried the women and children across the river. Thomas,age 13 was so weak with cold and frostbite he could not go on and he died November 11, 1856.
Devil's Gate on the Sweetwater River
(present day Wyoming)
As the company traveled up the Sweetwater River and over the mountains, they began to meet more relief wagons from the valley and in a few days there were plenty of wagons to carry all the pioneers. There were about 104 relief wagons by the time they reached Salt Lake. They were so close to their destination but it did not stop the death of 7 year old Mary Hannah. She died in Eliza’s arms the day before they reached the Salt Lake Valley. That night they camped at the head of Emigration Canyon and arrived in Salt Lake about noon November 30th.
The handcart pioneers were taken into homes of the citizens of the Salt Lake Valley and nursed back to health. Ruth and her younger children were taken in by the Benjamin Thomas Clark family. Eliza was taken in by James and Francis Stratton. Her feet had been so badly frozen that they bothered her for the rest of her life. But she reached adulthood and married James Stratton and had 8 children.
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