160 years ago today - Sep 28, 1856

Brigham Young begins a sermon: "I think it is now proven to a certainty that men, women, and children can cross the Plains, from the settlements on the Missouri river to this place on foot, and draw hand-carts, loaded with a good portion of the articles needed to sustain them on the way. . . . As for health, it is far healthier to walk than to ride, and better every way for the people" Less than two months later over 200 handcart pioneers died in Wyoming when caught in an early snow storm.