Handcarts – The New Plan

Between 1856 and 1860, nearly 3,000 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Mormons, pulled their earthly possessions in two-wheeled handcarts from Iowa to Utah. Most handcart pioneers were poor immigrant converts from northern Europe. A typical fully loaded handcart weighed between 300 and 500 pounds, and at as little as $10 apiece to build, it was far cheaper than the $300 to $500 needed for a wagon and ox team. Only the better-made handcarts had iron-rimmed wheels, leading at least one elder to question their sturdiness, but Church President Brigham Young expressed confidence that emigrants could travel just as quickly, or quicker, and much more cheaply, while starting earlier and escaping the sickness that annually struck many of their brethren. Of the 10 handcart companies that attempted the journey, all but two completed the trip successfully. The Martin and Willie companies, however, were crippled by a late departure, a shortage of provisions, and an early severe winter storm, and in October 1856 near present-day Casper, Wyoming, more than 200 members of those companies died. After 1860, church leaders ended the handcart era and chose to use only wagons and ox teams to haul emigrants and freight west.

Fort Laramie, Wyoming · United States