Ephraim Knowlton Hanks

Ephraim Knowlton Hanks
(1827-1896)

Ephraim K. Hanks--Hero

The men with one group of relief wagons, not yet met by the emigrants, concluded from their long delay in appearing that the rear companies of the emigration had perished in the snow, and were for turning back to Salt Lake; but Ephraim K. Hanks, commonly known as “Eph Hanks,” who was connected with the mail carrying service, was determined to ascertain the fate of the emigrants, and accordingly mounted one team horse, and leading another, rode on alone. He met the emigrants while yet on the Sweetwater. He had killed a buffalo--two of them, in fact--and cutting the meat into strips, packed it on the horse he was leading; and this with other buffalo he had killed after joining the company, materially added to the meat supply.

B. H. Roberts, Comprehensive History of the Church, Vol.4, Ch.98, p.99