JOSEPH AND HYRUM ESCAPE FROM THEIR PERSECUTORS, AND RETURN TO THEIR
FAMILIES.
We spent the evening after we arrived in Quincy in relating our
adventures and escapes, while making our exit from the land of
Missouri, and the following circumstance, during our evening's
conversation, was related by Samuel, who, in company with a number of
others, fled for his life before the enemy:--
He said that they traveled the most secluded route that they could
find, as they considered it unsafe to be seen by the inhabitants of the
country. Game being very scarce, they soon lacked for provisions, and
finally ran out altogether: yet they pursued their journey, until they
became so weak that they could proceed no further. They then held a
council, in which Samuel was appointed to receive the word of the Lord,
and they united in prayer to God, that he would make known to them the
means and time of their deliverance.
After a short supplication, it was manifested to Samuel that they might
obtain sustenance by traveling a short distance in a certain direction.
This he made known to the company, and immediately set out with two
others in quest of the promised food. After traveling a short time,
they came to an Indian wigwam, and made known to the Indians by signs
that they were hungry. Upon this the squaw, with all possible speed,
baked them some cakes, and gave each of them two; after which she sent
the same number to those who remained in the woods, giving them to
understand that she would send more, but she had very little flour, and
her papooses would be hungry.
From this time onward, the brethren succeeded in getting food
sufficient to sustain them, so that none of them perished.
In a few days, Samuel moved his family into another house, and we
were then less crowded. Soon after he left, Lucy was taken violently
ill, and for several days she refused to take any kind of nourishment
whatever. I had not long the privilege of taking care of her, as I
was shortly seized with the cholera myself, and, although I suffered
dreadfully with the cramp, which usually attends this disease, it was
nothing in comparison to another pain, which operated upon the marrow
of my bones. It seemed sometimes as though it would almost burst the
bones themselves asunder.
Everything that could be obtained which was considered good for such
diseases was administered in my case, but without effect. At length we
applied to a young botanic physician, who gave me some herb tea that
relieved me immediately.
During my sickness, Samuel brought Lucy down stairs several times
in his arms to see me, as they did not expect me to live any length
of time, and they were willing that she should be gratified. When I
recovered, I found that she had taken nothing but ice water while I was
sick, but her fever was broken, and, by careful nursing, she was soon
able to walk about.
Whilst we were sick, the ladies of Quincy sent us every delicacy
which the city afforded; in fact, we were surrounded with the kindest
of neighbors. One Mr. Messer and family, in particular sought every
opportunity to oblige us while we remained in the place.
Previous to our sickness in Quincy, my husband sent Brother Lamoreaux
to Missouri, under strict injunctions to see Joseph and Hyrum, or find
out where they were before he should return. About the time that Lucy
began to walk about a little, Brother Partridge and Brother Morley came
to our house from Lima, to see if Brother Lamoreaux had either written
or returned. When they came we had heard nothing of him, but while
they were with us he arrived in Quincy, and sent us word that he had
seen neither Joseph nor Hyrum. At this information Brother Partridge
was in despair, and said that, when another messenger was to be sent,
he would go himself, as he was instructed. I listened to him some time
in silence; at last the Spirit, which had so often comforted my heart,
again spoke peace to my soul, and gave me an assurance that I should
see my sons before the night should again close over my head. "Brother
Partridge," I exclaimed, in tears of joy, "I shall see Joseph and Hyrum
before tomorrow night." "No, mother Smith," said he, "I am perfectly
discouraged; I don't believe we shall ever see them again in the world.
At any rate, do not flatter yourself that they will be here as soon
as that, for I tell you that you will be disappointed. I have always
believed you before, but I cannot see any prospect of this prophecy
being fulfilled, but, if it is so, I will never dispute your word
again." I asked him if he would stay in town long enough to prove my
sayings whether they were true or false. He promised to do so. Brothers
Partridge and Morley soon afterwards left the house, in order to get
further information upon the subject.
After falling asleep that night, I saw my sons in vision. They were
upon the prairie traveling, and seemed very tired and hungry. They had
but one horse. I saw them stop and tie him to the stump of a burnt
sapling, then lie down upon the ground to rest themselves; and they
looked so pale and faint that it distressed me. I sprang up, and said
to my husband, "Oh, Mr. Smith, I can see Joseph and Hyrum, and they are
so weak they can hardly stand. Now they are lying asleep on the cold
ground! Oh, how I wish that I could give them something to eat!"
Mr. Smith begged me to be quiet, saying that I was nervous; but it was
impossible for me to rest--they were still before my eyes--I saw them
lie there full two hours; then one of them went away to get something
to eat, but not succeeding, they traveled on. This time, Hyrum rode and
Joseph walked by his side, holding himself up by the stirrup leather. I
saw him reel with weakness, but could render him no assistance. My soul
was grieved, I rose from my bed, and spent the remainder of the night
in walking the floor.
The next day I made preparations to receive my sons, confident that the
poor, afflicted wanderers would arrive at home before sunset. Sometime
in the afternoon, Lucy and I were coming down stairs--she was before
me. When she came to the bottom of the steps she sprang forward, and
exclaimed, "There is Brother Baldwin. My brothers--where are they?"
This was Caleb Baldwin, who was imprisoned with them. He told us that
Joseph and Hyrum were then crossing the river and would soon be in
Quincy. Lucy, hearing this, ran to carry the tidings to Hyrum's family,
but the excitement was not sufficient to keep up her strength. When she
came to the door she fell prostrate. After recovering a little, she
communicated the welcome news.
When Hyrum and Joseph landed, they went immediately to see their
families, and the next day, they, together with their wives and the
rest of our connections, visited us. The Quincy Grays also came to
our house, and saluted my sons in the most polite manner. During the
afternoon, I asked Joseph and Hyrum, in the presence of the company, if
they were not on the prairie the night previous in the situation which
I have already related. They replied in the affirmative. I then asked
Brother Partridge if he believed what I told him two days before. He
answered that he would for ever after that time acknowledge me to be
a true prophetess. The day passed pleasantly, and my sons returned to
their homes, happy in their freedom and the society of their friends.
In a short time after Joseph and Hyrum landed in Illinois, George
Miller, who is now the second Bishop of the Church, came and informed
us that he had a quantity of land in his possession; also, that upon
this land were a number of log houses, which the brethren might occupy
if they chose, and that he would charge them nothing for the use of
them, unless it would be to repair them a little, as they needed
something of this kind.
My sons were pleased with his offer, and Samuel, Don Carlos, and W. J.
Salisbury, renting some land of him, moved upon his premises as soon as
preparations could be made for their families.