Two emigrant companies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Willie and Martin companies, suffered significant casualties during a late-season crossing of the plains in 1856. The groups, consisting of approximately 1,100 people, departed from Florence, Nebraska Territory, in August 1856 to travel toward Utah Territory using handcarts.
The decision to use handcarts was driven by a need to save money and time following drought and famine in Utah. The carts were constructed from green lumber in Iowa and carried limited supplies, including one pound of flour per person daily.
As the journey progressed through what is now Wyoming, the companies faced severe hardships. A sub-captain in the Willie Company, Levi Savage, had previously warned against the late departure, noting the risk of having to endure snow and frozen ground. Despite these warnings, the companies proceeded.
By late October, the Martin Company encountered a winter storm while crossing the North Platte River. The freezing water and lack of fuel for warmth caused extreme distress among the emigrants. At the same time, food supplies were running low, leading the company captain to order a reduction in personal baggage weight.
Relief efforts were organized by Church President Brigham Young after missionaries reported the status of the companies in Salt Lake City. Rescue parties sent east found the Willie group stalled and starving near South Pass on October 19. Scouts later located the Martin Company about 100 miles further east at Red Buttes, where they noted that fifty-six people had died during a particularly desperate period.
Rescuers, including Ephraim Hanks, described the emaciated state of the survivors. To assist the weakened members of the Martin Company, rescuers utilized wagons from nearby commercial freight trains to transport the most vulnerable travelers.
The tragedy resulted in significant loss of life, with modern historians estimating 67 deaths in the Willie Company and between 135 to 150 deaths in the Martin Company. The Willie Company reached Salt Lake City on November 9, followed by the Martin Company on November 30. This event remains one of the most significant non-military disasters on the emigrant trails.
