Mormon Trail Center Tells the Story of Mormon Migration to Utah: Down and Backers

 Starting in 1860 the Down and Backer wagon teams were used to facilitate the westward migration.  No longer would immigrants need to supply wagon or handcart.  There would be church sponsored teams sent out from Utah in the Spring.  They would pick up the immigrants at the staging point for that year.  (This changed based on where the terminus of the grain might be.). The teams and wagons were provided by the different wards.  Usually young men would be called by the wards to drive the teams.  When the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869 there was no longer a need for wagon companies.  

There is a song that the down and backers use to sing, Whoa Haw Buck and Jerry Boy.

Whoa Haw Buck and Jerry Boy

With a merry little jig and a happy little song
     Whoa Haw Buck and Jerry Boy
We trudge our way the whole day long
     Whoa Haw Buck and Jerry Boy
Look at us now all covered with dust
It's better than staying home to rust
We'll make Salt Lake someday or bust
     Whoa Haw Buck and Jerry Boy

There's a pretty little gal in the outfit ahead
     Whoa Haw Buck and Jerry Boy
Wish she was by my side instead
     Whoa Haw Buck and Jerry Boy
Look at her now with a pout on her lips
As daintily with her finger tips
She picks for the fire some buffalo chips
     Whoa Haw Buck and Jerry Boy

Well we dance all night by the light of the moon
     Whoa Haw Buck and Jerry Boy
To the fiddler's best and only tune
     Whoa Haw Buck and Jerry Boy
Holding her hand and stealing a kiss
Never a step to the dance we miss
Never did I know a love like this
     Whoa Haw Buck and Jerry Boy

Mormon Trail Center Tells the Story of Mormon Migration to Utah: Travel by Handcart

 Starting in 1856 and continuing through 1860, handcarts were used for the westward migration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lagtter-day Saints.  There were ten handcart companies in all, five the first year.  The last two in 1856, as well as two wagon companies, hit early snow.  There was considerable suffering and loss of life as a result.

Leaving Nauvoo

Across Iowa

On the Missouri

To the Salt Lake Basin

A New First Presidency

Ship travel

By Handcart

By Train

Mormon Trail Center Tells the Story of Mormon Migration to Utah: Train Travel

 All those traveling from Europe had not only a boat trip, but also a train voyage.  The train voyage did not involve taking one train from the east to Utah, or the end of the line.  It involved several different trains, and several different ferry crossings of rivers.  The extent you traveled by train increased every year.  In 1856 this was Iowa City.  In 1860 it was the Missouri.  In 1869 the train went all the way to Ogden, Ut and there was no need for overland travel.

Leaving Nauvoo

Across Iowa

On the Missouri

To the Salt Lake Basin

A New First Presidency

Ship travel

By Handcart

By Train

Mormon Trail Center Tells the Story of Mormon Migration to Utah: Ship Travel.

 During the time of the Mormon immigration, travel from Europe involved Maritime travel.  The primary port of disembarking was usually Liverpool, sometimes London.  Saints from other countries in Europe would often take passage to Liverpool, and from there another ship to America.  Ports of Call included New York and Boston.  Some would travel all the way to the Mississippi, and then up the Mississippi on a river boat, landing in St. Louis, and then across the plains from there or up the Missouri to outfit with the Saints in Florence.

A steamship could make the journey from England to America in two weeks.  However more common for Mormon migration were sailing vessels, which took six weeks.  

A typical berth

Leaving Nauvoo

Across Iowa

On the Missouri

To the Salt Lake Basin

A New First Presidency

Ship travel

By Handcart

By Train

Mormon Trail Center Tells the Story of Mormon Migration to Utah: A New Prophet is Called

 Since the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith in June of 1844, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had been lead by the Council of twelve apostles with Brigham Young as the President of the Quorum.  After the first group had traveled to Salt Lake, and Brigham Young had returned to the Iowa/Nebraska area, he felt impressed that is was time to reorganize the First Presidency.  A tabernacle was built in Kanesville (now Council Bluffs) to facilitate this.  Although not all twelve apostles were present thee was enough for a quorum.  The others were impressed as well that ut was time.  Brigham Young was sustained as prophet and president of the church.  His counsellors were Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards.  

12 Apostles

Brigham Young

The New First Presidency

Sustaining by the apostles

Leaving Nauvoo

Across Iowa

On the Missouri

To the Salt Lake Basin

A New First Presidency

Ship travel

By Handcart

By Train

Mormon Trail Center Tells the Story of Mormon Migration to Utah: To the Salt Lake Basin

 There was intense planning before the trek.  And there would be several groups to travel the Mormon Trail.  The first was in 1847 with Brigham Young.  

Th Mormon Trail from Nebraska to Utah

They arrived in Salt Lake Juy 24 1847.  Some actually arrived a few days earlier and began plowing and digging ditches.  From the valley bench Brigham Young has declared, "This is the right place."

Leaving Nauvoo

Across Iowa

On the Missouri

To the Salt Lake Basin

A New First Presidency

Ship Travel

By Handcart

By Train

Temple to Temple

Mormon Trail Center Tells the Story of Mormon Migration to Utah: Across Iowa

It was thought that the 300 mile trek across Iowa would take four to six weeks.  However in reality it took three and a half months or more.  This was because of the muddy conditions they encountered as they traveled, and poor preparation due to being forced to leave more quickly than they had planned.  After leaving in June, the first Saints arrived along the Missouri River in mid June.  They had hoped to arrive at their final destination that year, but they realized this would not be feasible.  Instead they settled along the Missouri.  

trek across iowa

Wagon stuck in the mud

William Clayton wrote Come Come Ye Saints

Diantha Clayton his wife

Come Come Ye Saints

Reaching the Missouri River

Leaving Nauvoo

Across Iowa

On the Missouri

To the Salt Lake Basin

A New First Presidency

Ship travel

By Handcart

By Train