In 1856, a series of poor harvests left the church with only a meager fund to help immigrants buy wagons and oxen, and church leaders looked for less expensive ways to move poor immigrants. As a result, Brigham Young announced on October 29, 1855 a handcart system by which the church would provide carts to be pulled by hand across the Mormon Trail. Young believed that with their carts and 90 days’ rations the travelers could make the long journey to Utah Territory within 70 days, covering about 18 miles each day. This was less time than it took to travel in a covered wagon, which averaged about 73 days.
