How the Armstrong's came to Utah

Isabelle Siddoway and Frances Armstrong had vastly different experiences in coming to the Valley.

Isabelle’s mother, father and brother were excited to come west. Their little family had saved enough to purchase a covered wagon to carry their life’s treasures to their new home in the Salt Lake Valley. It was not however, to be easy for them. When her mother became ill they were forced to use all their money to try to get her well enough for the trip and in the end failed and lost it all. Her father promised his wife to continue on west and they started to gather their supplies. The family found a company and with their handcart headed west. Isabelle held little Frank’s hand as they walked beside the cart as their dad pulled all they had towards the valley. Her story was one of hardship and pain as her shoes slowly fell away and she was forced to walk barefooted much of the trek across the plains. Her story was similar to many of the pioneers that sacrificed to get here.

Frances however looked back on his journey as a “lark”. He was so anxious to get on his way that he arrived at the gathering place ill prepared. “Where are your supplies?” his friends inquired. “We can’t guarantee that we will have enough to share, we might not even have enough for ourselves” they lamented. “We do not want to leave you but you must bring your own”. Francis sadly realized that they were right. With a promise to meet them at the Valley he turned and headed back to the Rooming house, planning to spend his time earning money to get the supplies needed. David Whitmer’s son, a good friend, was heading to a neighboring town to gather product for their store. When he saw the state that Francis was in he stopped and inquired if he could help. After Frances told him of his disappointment he was excited to hear that his friend would be going overland and would pass the wagon train, if Francis traveled with him he would still have time to work in that town for his supplies and be able to go on with his friends headed west. Francis accepted the invitation and happily was on his way. The two men did not travel far out of town when they saw a broken wagon and it’s two young owners in the middle of the trail. Upon further investigation Francis found that he could help the couple. Being trained in wood work and metal work he could get their rig up and going. His friend went on his way and Francis worked into the evening but was able to get the couple on their way. As they climbed up on the wagon they turned to Francis and said “We don’t care if you have any supplies or not, you are coming with us”. He was found to be a great asset to the pioneers and he was fed, given a horse and generally taken care of, all he had to do was keep them going. When Francis arrived in the Valley he was penniless but in great spirits.

Next time I will tell you how Francis met and married the “Cinderella” of his dreams.

IF YOU ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD STOP BUY AND TAKE A TOUR OF THE ARMSTRONG MANSION THE HOUSE THAT FRANK BUILT.

Judy Savage, Innkeeper
The Armstrong Mansion - Salt Lake City, Utah