The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-10-05

there was no more pathetic page in his
tory than that furnished by the example
OF those men and women heroes who gave
up comfortable homes in peace and plenty
TO obey the dictates of their religious
precepts. He drew striking picture of
the difficulties OF all kinds under which
the various trips were made, and de-
scrlbed the everyday life OF the mem
oers or hand-cart company while on
the march. The carts" said he never
Of the strongest broke down completely
and long delay resulted. All the time
1000 was growing scarcer, and winter
drawing on apace. Men worked with su-
perhumdn strength and the wonder of
II all is that the fatalities attending the
trips were so few. In the depth of win
ter. accidents of the smallest kind re-
suited in heartbreaking consequences. De
lay under certain conditions meant death
Men and women went without sufficient
food and clothing. The ground was often
frozen so hard dS to render it imposSi-
Die to drive q tent peg, and under these
circumstances conditions became well
nigh unbeara bic. Frozen limbs were a
daily occurrence. and mothers, babes. hus-
bands and fathers shared equally in the
awful horror of it all These were the
times that brought out the dominant
characteristics in men, that proved who
were the good and who the bad but to
those who crossed and crossed success
fully. the lesson was one which could
hardly fan TO result in the strengthen
ing and upbuilding of the character and
individuality of each and every one.
True Heroism.
Doubtless many of those who made
the Trip became convinced that some
where some one had Numbered But thew
did not falter or hesitate no matter what
the difficulties, any more than did the
heroes who took part in the charge of the
six hundred at Balaklava The cheerful
ness of all under the most adverse cir
cumstances is worthy of the highest adj
miration. When things were at their
worst, men sang songs as they toiied over
the interminable plains. When the out
looked seemed the blacklist the women
cheered and encouraged the men and the
combined effect was like the music of
the fife and drum to a regiment going
INTO action Death or victory the reward
IN each case, only in this case death
meant victory.
Your forefathers who made this trim
had not lived the high life OF the so-caIled
arlstocrat, neither had they been used
10 the life of perpetual excitement of the
soldier. Their lives had been wholesome
and clean during all their days. and for
this reason thew were enabled to stand
the awful priVations better than any
other class of men in the world couIc1
have done. These people were heroes.
edch and every one, and when the last
rolls are called the members of the hand
cart trains will be found among those
occupying the highest places of honor
An address by John Y Smith followed
~ of brief review of the wears of the
late 50s and early COS, and was listened
to with much interest throughout.
review OF the early church history of
Utah followed. including an account OF
the preparations made by the Saints
abroad. when word reached them OF the
determination of President Brigham
Young to lead his people west in the
live and practice their religion without
interference