Joseph Young, a nephew of Brigham, who had captained a wagon train that left Utah in the spring of 1860 and returned that fall, was invited to deliver a sermon at the October general conference on “the science of Ox-teamology,” describing the possibilities of future “down and back” trains. Such wagon trains could take produce and food for migrating Saints eastward and bring back the immigrants and needed freight. These “down and back” trains were started in 1861 and during a six year period, utilizing nearly 2,000 wagons, 2,500 men, and 17,500 oxen, were able to transport thousands of tons of goods and machinery and helped bring in over 20,000 immigrants. The entire operation, costing an estimated $2,400,000 was borne by voluntary labor, teams, supplies and provisions.
Arrington, Great Basin Kingdom, pp. 207-209.
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