From Deseret News archives:
Facts and trail rules of first pioneer trek
The first pioneer trek of 1847 included 148 people (143 men, 3 women, and 2 young boys), 72 wagons, 93 horses, 66 oxen, 52 mules, 19 cows, 17 dogs, and some chickens. No one in this first group died along the trail — everyone made it to the Salt Lake Valley.
Originally, this group of pioneers was not going to include women or children. But Harriet Snow, wife of Lorenzo Young, pleaded that she be allowed to accompany her husband because she did not want to stay in the damp climate of Missouri, which would worsen her health.
Clara Decker Young, wife of Brigham Young, and Ellen Saunders Kimball, wife of Heber C. Kimball , also made the journey, as did two children, Perry Decker Young and Sobieski Young.
The women were ministering angels to the sick along the route.
The Mormon pioneers had some trail rules:
• A horn or bugle was blown at 5 a.m., and each man was expected to rise, pray, get his team, eat breakfast and be ready to start by 7 a.m.
• A horn was also blown at 8:30 p.m., and fires were extinguished at 9 p.m.
The Mormon trail is 1,032 miles from Winter Quarters, Neb., to Salt Lake City.
