To the modern reader, even as a descendant of the subject we may see comparisons in contemporary events, productions or writings. For us who are based in Utah the film industry has given much we can use as examples for understanding our origins and immigration to Utah.
Perhaps you have seen the film Seventeen Miracles, following loosely the Willie handcart company of LDS immigration history. We are fortunate to not have parts of that story in our own, indeed we may not have our story at all had some of those events occurred in 1857.
I have recounted the advance payment for wagon and team going to advance someone else, and a half share in another being wiped out when the partner turned around half way. Marie stood fast through these, having as her strength her faith and conviction. She meant to see her Zion. When the wagoneer unloaded her family's belongings upon the immigrant trail and departed she declared her commitment.
These stories reflect faith's response to commitment.
The wagon company needed to keep time, on the road westward. There was scant time for variation or personal side trips. One story (from another family line in my own history) has a wagon pulling out while mother was delivered of child and then pulling back in to continue the trek. Just so the Cowley company continued on a ways before the missing wagon was noted. How fortunate that someone was sent back to investigate, that the family Garff was located and places found for their persons and some of their belongings. Marie and the three youngest were offered space in the wagon company, and Peter given a job of helping an elderly woman in the handcart train.
Another time, newly widowed, nursing an infant, losing another child- daughter Trina- Marie went off to seek solace in the prairie. Setting her infant in shade she spent time in prayer and contemplation so deep she lost sense of time and when she became aware that the company had moved on she raced to across the land to catch it. She had gone some distance when she realized her arms were empty! Imagine the thoughts as she turned again to retrieve her child- every bush seemed the same, every sound or shadow may have meant harm. Deacon lay where she had gently placed him and together they meant to catch their company. Darkness over took them and then rushing a river further impaired their movement, Marie must have pictured any number of outcomes. Suddenly at her side a person she did not know was asking how he might help in her need. She indicated the urgency of crossing the river safely with her babe. He told her to get on his back and how she must hold him for safety's sake and then he walked across the river and placed her ashore. As she turned to give him her thanks he had vanished back into the night. Soon lights from the company approached, as searchers came looking for her. No, the rescue party told her, there was no one as she described the man among their number.
The history of Utah has many details of conflict. Our family left Denmark in April of 1857, arriving in Philadelphia thirty-six days later. In July a letter to the president of the United States declared that the Mormons were in rebellion there in the west and the Utah Expidition was ordered to go put it down. This army would later be put under the command of Sidney Johnston. Guerilla tactics would be employed by the Utah militia- still know as the Nauvoo Legion- to slow the advance and other defensive efforts made through the canyons approaching the Great Salt Lake valley. Feelings were running high. One wagon train, the Francher party, passing through the south-central part of the Utah territory was waylaid and set upon only days before the Christensen and Cowley companies came into Sat Lake. That event is now known as the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Many of the immigrant Mormons were being sent with the exodus out of Salt Lake valley. It was with or near these that Marie Garff and her children as well as Gudmund Gudmundsen came to Spanish Fork.
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