Foreword
I am attempting to write a history
of Isaac Wardle, Mormon pioneer. I have
in my possession two autobiographical histories, and four other histories
written about him. I now also have access to Isaac's missionary letters.
In
this history I am going to attempt to tell the story of the Martin Handcart
Company; but to do so in such a way that it will give some idea of the things
that Isaac went through during this journey.
A fellow pioneer said, “The whole story of the travels and sufferings of
the Martin and Tyler Handcart companies that arrived in Salt Lake City on the
Sunday of Nov. 30, 1856, can never be written or told.” (Jones, Samuel, Church History) This is a true statement. The entire story cannot be told, not even
Isaac’s entire story. John Jaques also
echoed this sentiment. “No human being
knows it all.” (Jaques, Church
History) But maybe we can have bring to
light a little bit more of the picture, and thereby appreciate the man.
Of course there was more to Isaac’s
life than the handcart trek. This
history will also explore these other scenes; before his trek, as well as his
life in Utah and Idaho after arriving in Zion.
I will present the things going on around him at the time, and try to
relate them to Isaac. Of course in this,
we may have to draw some of our own conclusions. We cannot know in all occasions, how Isaac
reacted to and responded to events around him.
But we can know the scope of what his happening, and infer how this may
have affected him.
I am also a descendent of Isaac Wardle. What are the titles of the autobiographies you have. I have been looking for some original sources from him for some time without luck.
ReplyDeleteThey really don't have titles, just as written in his own words. They are both transcribed on my bog. I also have two histories, one written by Orrin Wardle and the other by Mary Ann Tompson Rupp. I have not transcribed these. I have heard of another history and will try to get a copy of it. Billy
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