Francis Webster : The Unique Story of One Handcart Pioneer's Faith and Sacrifice
BYU Studies
2006
45
no.2
2006
117-140
Francis Webster is well known as the old man in the corner of a Sunday school class who stood up to silence criticism directed at those who allowed the Martin Handcart Company to travel west late in the season. He demonstrated faith and sacrifice in his journey west as he chose to travel by handcart when he and his wife had the option and the means of traveling by wagon. Due to this choice, he was able to pay the fare for nine other people to journey to Salt Lake City. Other members of the Martin Company were also faithful, including Nellie Unthank, who had the lower portion of both legs amputated. Throughout the Martin Company's journey, the members of the company experienced divine intervention as angels lightened the load of these pioneers. In this article, Chad Orton discuses Webster's choice to travel west and the question that Webster proposes in his testimony: "Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart?"