The Hunt and Hodgetts Companies were wagon companies that followed the handcart companies in 1856. Many of the saints in these two wagon companies had been a part of the Willie and Martin Companies on the ships Thornton and Horizon and during their travel from England to the campground at Iowa City. At Iowa City they were organized into the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies and the Hunt and Hodgetts Wagon Companies. The Hunt and Hodgetts Wagon Companies included many teamsters hauling freight to Utah - Hunt & Hodgetts Journal.

"They had orders to travel in the rear of the handcarts to assist them if necessary. The handcarts were not ready, so the whole company had to wait while the handcarts were made and fitted out".

"Our company camped on the east side and the hand cart company passed over that night. All our able-bodied men turned out to help them carry women and children over the river. Some of our men went through the river seventy-five times. The snow fell six inches during that night; there were thirteen deaths during the night. They were so worn out. It was a terrible night for them. . . We kept behind the last handcart company so that our able-bodied men could assist them. My brother Bernard, with others, would go into their camp and see how they were suffering. He said it was terrible. Our company assisted them all they could. . ." - Elizabeth White Stewart.

Mary Goble Pay - Hunt Wagon Company
We arrived in Salt Lake City nine o'clock at night the 11th of December 1856. Three out of four that were living were frozen. My mother was dead in the wagon. Bishop Hardy had us taken to a home in his ward and the brethren and the sisters brought us plenty of food. We had to be careful and not eat to much as it might kill us we were so hungry. Early next morning Brother Brigham Young and a doctor came. The doctor's name was Williams. When Brother Young came in he shook hands with us all. When he saw our condition -- our feet frozen and our mother dead - tears rolled down his cheeks. The doctor amputated my toes using a saw and a butcher knife.

Brigham Young promised me I would not have to have any more of my feet cut off. The sisters were dressing mother for the last time. Oh how did we stand it? That afternoon she was buried. When we had been in Salt Lake a week, one afternoon a knock came at the door. It was Uncle John Wood. When he met Father he said, "I know it all Bill." Both of them cried. I was glad to see my father cry. Uncle said for him to pack up and we could start right away. That night we got to Centerville. There Aunt Fanny was waiting for us at Brother Garns. We stayed there that night. The next morning we went to Farmington and stayed there until the following April. My father married again. Instead of my feet getting better they got worse until the following July I went to Dr. Wiseman's to live with them to pay for him to doctor my feet. But it was no use he said he could do no more for me unless I could consent to have them cut off at the ankle. I told him that Brigham Young had promised me. He said all right sit here and rot and I will do nothing more until you come to your senses. One day I sat there crying. My feet were hurting me so - when a little old woman knocked at the door.

She said she had felt some one needed her there for a number of days. When she saw me crying she came and asked what was the matter. I showed her my feet and told her the promise Brother Young had given me. She said, "Yes, and with the help of the Lord we will save them yet." She made a poultice and put on my feet and everyday after the doctor had gone would come and change the poultice. At the end of three months my feet were well. One day Doctor Wiseman said, "Well, Mary, I must say you have grit. I suppose your feet have rotted to the knee by this time." I said, "Oh, no, my feet are well." He said, "I know better, it could never be." So I took off my stockings and showed him my feet. He said that it was a miracle and wanted me to tell him what I had been doing. I told him to never mind that they were now healed. I have never had to have any more taken from them. The promise of Brigham Young has been fulfilled and the pieces of toe bone have worked out. - Autobiography of Mary Goble Pay.

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