Milton Public Library

Sweetwater rescue, the Willie and Martin Handcart story

eng

videorecording

NRC

Sweetwater rescue

electronic resource

58

the Willie and Martin Handcart story

In the mid nineteenth century, tens of thousands crowded the docks of Liverpool for a one-way voyage to America. In 1856, nearly two thousand of those emigrants were eager to begin a journey that would conclude with a thousand mile walk pushing their possessions in two-wheeled carts across the Great Plains and Rock Mountains. They began the trek in high spirits, even though it meant months of walking. However, for two handcart companies, a late start, harsh winter weather, hunger and illness spelled disaster. More than two hundred perished, and the survivors could only pray for a miracle. And that miracle came - from men who risked their lives traveling hundreds of miles through freezing weather and fierce snowstorms to save almost a thousand emigrants. Dramatic and powerful, Sweetwater Rescue is the true story of one of the greatest acts of heroism in nineteenth century America

adult

live action

Willie and Martin Handcart story