Reddick Newton Allred: A Handcart Rescuer of 1856 (1822–1905)

Reddick Newton Allred was born February 21, 1822, in Bedford County, Tennessee. In October 1856, news reached Salt Lake City that the Martin and Willie handcart companies were stranded and perishing in the early-winter snows of Wyoming. Brigham Young sent rescue parties eastward to bring them in, and Reddick Newton Allred was one of those rescuers—riding out into the blizzards to find the starving, freezing Saints and carry them to safety. He kept a very detailed written record of the rescue, which has been preserved and bears witness to the courage and faith of both the rescuers and the rescued. He is portrayed in the film '17 Miracles.' He married Lucy Hoyt and died October 10, 1905. His rescue of the handcart pioneers is one of the great deliverance stories of the Latter-day Saint pioneer movement.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in Reddick Allred - Living Heritage Tours):

Prior to abandoning their duty, the men asked Reddick to seek the Lord’s will to know what to do. Reddick said, ‘To this I objected as the Lord already said what he would have us do’. Reddick Allred refused to budge. Brigham had sent them out, and as their priesthood leader had told him to wait there. When the others abandoned their duty, they took several wagons and much need supplies with them. Even more tragic, they encouraged each rescue wagon they met on the way back to Salt Lake to likewise turn around. They turned back 77 rescue wagons! Reddick Allred was there, waiting to offer life saving support to those in such desperate need. Had Reddick Allred returned prior to fulfilling his duty, hundreds of lives certainly would have been lost. Captain Grant, leader of the rescue party, greeted Reddick with a cheer: “Hurrah for the Bulldog. Good for hanging on.”