Wilson Dailey, curiously enough, was one of the few pioneers who were not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Mormons as more commonly known. Dailey considered this trek to be an opportunity to get to the mines in Colorado in company with a large emigrant train.

Dailey was one of two blacksmiths in the company. Blacksmiths were one of the most important figures in the company, as it was up to them to keep the roadworking tools sharpened and in good repair. They also created horseshoes, nails, wagon wheel bands and other needed pieces. They had several young men help them to build coke ovens at the top of the Hole, and then kept them busy pumping the bellows for the forges.