On 3/2/2015 8:34 AM, TimR wrote:
I have read that the Mormons did not use
covered wagons for that trip.

They had two wheel carts, pulled (or pushed?)
by people, and made far better time than the oxen
pulled covered wagons.

The sister who trudged may have been pulling
the cart rather than riding. It does make sense
that someone riding would get cold.


http://heritage.uen.org/companies/Wce12e3ec9f140.htm

In 1860 Mormon leaders abandoned the handcart experiment
in favor of the church ox-team method. This was done for
two reasons: the discovery that loaded ox teams could be
sent from Utah to the Missouri, pick up emigrants (and
merchandise), and return to Utah in one season, and for
better use of the church's own resources, that is to
save money. Furthermore, although cheaper and somewhat
faster, the handcart system was never popular. In the
few instances where emigrants had a choice between
handcarts and wagon trains, most chose the latter.

By means of these "down and back" trips, the Mormons
could export their own flour, beans, and bacon to
supply the emigrants, and use the cash saved to buy
and freight back needed supplies not available in
Utah. Furthermore emigrants could be saved the
expense and trouble of obtaining their own wagons
or carts and draft animals to take them west.