The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-04-06
REUNIONS AND SOCLALS TAKE PLACE OF
GENERAL SESSIONS OF CONFERENCE
HANDCART VETERANS
STRENGTHEN OLD BONDS
Continued From Page ons.)

they had been spared to the glorious
present day, they did so in a manner
which seemed to say: I'VE have fought
a good fight and have kept faith
inspired by Song.
Tears gIistened in the eyes OF tn,
gray-haired old men and women Of
pioneer days in Utah, when Thomas
DObson, one of the Oldest handcar
pushers sang the song that so Otter
inspired the weary pilgrims:
Some may push and some may pull
AS we go marching up the hill
So merrily we go until we reach the
Valley ho!"
And with what spirit did the veteran
men and women enter into the slogan
songl One could almost fancy he could
see bedraggled band Of half-starvec
men, women and children beating theil
way through the desolate plain where
those less secure In the belief of reach
ing a goal of rest and plenty might
have despaired and fallen by the bleak
roadside.
When Mr.. Dobson stood on the plat
form and told how he had walked 300
miles in the dead of winter across the
plains barefOOted, with his feet swollen
with biting frost and stone bruises, his
story carried with it but one incident
of the many days of long, patient suf-
fering.
And when James Gardner, in defiance
20 the general trend Of the speeches
made so often during the general con-
ference, imploring the Mormon children
to remain by their own fireside, and
not leave their parents and go to the
four winds of the earth, said: Don't
worry, our chickens will come home tC
roost," he manifested a spirit of the
undaunted days of his youth.
Membership of Company.
OF the ten companies of handcar1
pilgrims who crossed the plains to the
total number Of about 1000 during the
years 1856, 1857. 1859 and 1860, there re-
main about 300 old men and women, all
of whom are numbered in the member
ship Of the Handcart Veterans associa-
ton, of which J. ], Jones Of Provo is
president.
1t was with apparent and Unsuitable
pride that Mr.. Jones called the meet
ing to order at 4:90 o'clock yesterday
afternoon. He introduced Harvey H.
Cuff, who in a feryent prayer, said
My brethren and sisters, we have as
sembled here today for the purpose of
reunion OF the handcart companies, and
We raise our voices in praise of the
courage which inspired us in the glo-
rious undertaking which safely brought
us to the beautiful valley, where we
found rest and comfort secure in Thy
blessing. We thank Thee, Heavenly
Father, for the integrity Thou hast in
spired in our church. We thank Thee
for the intrepid men, who have been
called to lead our people out of wilder
ness into light and promise. We thank
Thee for the joy that has come with
the fulfilment of Thy promise We be-
seech Thee to ever look with favor on
this great and Independent people OF
the government of the United States
and lastly We ask that Thou bless the
officers of our commonwealth and
guide them IN the carrying out OF the
covenant of the Lord
In the way Of Introductory remarks.
President S. S. Jones said in part: 81
take pleasure In meeting with Won again
and while we have met to shake hands
and recall the heralds of the past, we
should not forget the spirit of the ever
living gospel of Jesus Christ which has
made it possible. There is a solemnity in
this meeting which casts a shadow of
hope and life, and reflects the story of the
troubles and dangers which we came
through. Our faith knew no fear We
have fought good fight, and IL our course
is not run, we have kept the faith and
henceforth for us there Is a crown of
glory. 1t was not for dreams of wealth
that we journeyed through the wilderness,
but because OF the abiding faith we had
that MOrmonism is the true religion
President Jones then introduced Cover
nor Wiiliar Spry.
TT is needless to express my gratitude
for the opportunity of participating in this
reunion, said the Governor. In a meas
ure feel that l am handcaft veteran
myself. My parents left England to join a
company of hand cart people, but owing to
the death of one of their number at Coun-
ell Bluffs, Iowa, the intrepid trip
was not made by them. L want
to say that there is no greater
evidence of faith in God than you
ney across a wild and dangerous country
under such trying circumstances. You
certainly have kept the faith, have fought
the fight and are entitled to the reward.
l don't know Of an example of greater
fortitude than you undertook when you
stands even against the history of the
Crusaders. You people are entitled TO
live as long as there is any pleasure in
life for you. Your children owe you much.
They owe il to you to take up the bur-
dens when you lay them down. The
younger generation need your counsel,
your advice and your warnings, for you
alone know the danger Of the paths Of
life"
L. A. Bailey of Nephi briefly outlined
his experiences with handcart company
which came to the state in 1853.
II WAS is years of age when I arrived
in the Salt Lake valley said Mr.. Bailey,
land l may parenthetically add that
weighed 60 pounds So it can be seen that
the hardships of the trip and a ration of
four ounces Of flour did not agree with
me. / crossed all the rivers. Those ]
could not ford / swan. We were not
blessed like the children Of Israel, whose
clothing never wore out and who were fed
on mama, but We defied obstacles, hun
ger and famine, and triumphed, for we