Arizona Photography

America, America, is all I hear about, exclaimed Emma to her sister Frances. “it’s their gold rush, wide open spaces, beautiful blue skies. Here I am in Suffix, under grey skies digging for potatoes. I feel so poor and dirty. I give anything to go to America.”

This is a historic story given by Cloverdale’s professional photographer Gerald French about his great-grandmother coming to the United States in the 1850s.

Emma had a determination to sail to the US while only nineteen, not married, and looking for a new life.

The Morman missionaries gave her an opportunity to sail to the US and join the Mormons.

She sailed on the Horizon, arrived in Boston, and took a train to Iowa City. She joined a “Push Cart Company,” of 500 and they had to build their own carts and took off for Salt Lake City in the dead of winter crossing the frozen plains. Out of 500 only 250 made it alive.

Want to hear the rest of Emma’s story? Reserve your spot now and see all the incredible pictures of Arizona Gerald has to share, while you enjoy a delicious lunch.

Members - No Fee, Guests - $8

Please sign up by Monday, September 9