The Autumn and Winter passed pleasantly away. Health being restored,
homes were being being made for these tent-dwellers.
The busy hum of the workman sounded on every side. Trees were set out;
houses, one-roomed, two-roomed and sometimes double-storied, slowly
arose to take the place of the parti-colored tents.
The first time Joseph came across Newel, he shook hands with him and
enquired:
"Have you brought your mill?"
"No, sir; I had no way to move my mill, it was much too heavy to bring."
"Well now, Brother Newel, I want to give you a mission. Grain is very
plentiful here; flour and meal are scarce as it is so far to the
nearest mill. Now, go to; build a mill and accomplish it as soon as
possible."
This was in the first Spring that they were there, in '39. Brother
Knight spent the Summer in erecting a mill. After it was completed he
was taken ill, as was related in the last Chapter. On his recovery, he
set to work to build a log cabin for his family.
Lydia took possession of her new house as proud as any queen, and far
happier.
In October, on the eighteenth of the month, 1840, a little son came to
Newel and Lydia, whom they called Joseph, after his grandfather. Two
years passed happily and busily away, and on the 14th of October, 1842,
another son came to their home, he was called after his father, Newel.
The house, its care, the duties of a mother and wife occupied the hands
and mind of Lydia during this time.
In 1842, the Relief Society was formed by the Prophet Joseph. It was
an organization of women for the relief of the poor, the culture and
improvement of its members. Joseph, in organizing it stated that the
Church of God would not be complete without this society.
Sister Lydia was enrolled as one of its first members.
The years of '42 and '43, passed away. During this time the Prophet
was eagerly sought for by his enemies. Again and again was he taken
prisoner for imaginary offenses, and once some ruffians tried to kidnap
him into Missouri.
In the Spring of '44, persecution raged high against the leaders of the
Church. Mobs once more began to gather and commit depredations.
In the midst of all these persecutions and tribulations a little girl
was born to Lydia, on the 6th of June, 1844.
As she began to recover her strength a little, rumors that the
blood-hounds were again seeking the life of the Prophet grew more and
more frequent. On the 24th of June, Joseph gave himself up to his
enemies, his brother Hyrum and eighteen others going with him.
The narrative of the horrible, sickening murder of the Prophet and
Patriarch which occurred on the 27th is too ghastly in its details to
give in this little story. Who can tell the bitter anguish, the wild
unavailing woe that struck the faithful hearts of the Saints in Nauvoo!
The murdered Prophet and Patriarch were brought back to Nauvoo for
burial, but Lydia was too weak and too much overcome with grief to
attend the services over their remains.
Mourning, deep and solemn, filled the city. And every heart was wrung
with grief and woe. But over all brooded the spirit of Christ.
Time passed on without anything of special moment occurring to Lydia or
family until the Summer of '45. The Winter of '45, however, brought two
little orphan girls to her care by the name of Ames. From the time that
Lydia had her first home in Missouri, it might almost be said until
the present, her home has been the peaceful asylum for some one or two
children who have been homeless.
In the summer of '45, just a year, a month and a day from the time of
the martyrs' death. Newel and his wife paid a visit to the scene of the
murder.
The jailor's wife who admitted them, showed them up stairs to the
large, low-ceilinged room where the deed was committed.
"Do you know," the loquacious woman said, as she lifted the carpets up
from the floor, "I have scoured and scrubbed those spots with all my
might and it's no manner of use; just as soon as the water is dried off
they are as bright as they were the first day. And look at these scars
in the wall," the woman seemed to be possessed, as she spoke, with a
trembling horror, "I have tried my best to get them filled up."
"Can't they be leveled up? I should think a good plasterer could fill
them up," observed Mr. Knight as he examined the holes in the plaster
evidently made by rifle and pistol balls.
"Well, you would think so perhaps; but the best workmen in the country
have endeavored to plaster the scars up, and you see them now as plain as
they were a year ago. The plasterer no sooner leaves his job, than next
morning it is all to do over again. It was a terrible affair."
Too much overcome by the remembrance of the tragedy committed there to
answer the woman or remain longer on the spot. Newel and Lydia hastily
left and wended their way homeward with heavy hearts.
About this time the wicked and those who wished the destruction of
"Mormonism," grew more bold and committed depredations without number.
The Saints who were so unfortunate as to live outside the confines of
Nauvoo, were annoyed, abused, insulted and maltreated. People began to
move into Nauvoo as the mob became fiercer and stronger; for houses and
barns were burned, and all the awful scenes of rapine and pillage of
Far West and Jackson county were repeated with redoubled violence.
No law could be found strong enough to reach these robbers; no official
just enough to punish the perpetrators of the crimes which were
constantly committed.
Lydia often looked around her little home and wondered if she would
again be driven from all her comforts. One evening Newel came home from
council where he had been for hours, with a very sad face.
"Well, dear, what is to be done? Why are you so downcast?"
"Reason enough, my girl. Brother Brigham and the council have decided
that we must once more turn our faces westward, and again flee into the
wilderness. The outrages of the mob have become so frequent, and they
are so encouraged in their deviltry by those who should protect us,
that our leaders have given the word to take up the line of march."
"If it be so, Newel, it will ill become us to murmur or indulge in
useless regrets. Our place is with the kingdom of God. Let us at once
set about making preparations to leave."
The Winter of '46 was spent by most of the Saints in laboring in the
temple. As soon as it became generally known that another exodus was
to be made, all who were able devoted their time to receiving their
blessings in the house of God.
As Spring came on Lydia grew anxious to start on the proposed long
journey. Many of the Saints had left or were leaving, and at last Newel
succeeded in getting two wretched wagons, three yoke of oxen and one or
two cows. A few necessary utensils and the provisions for three months
were packed in one wagon, and the family in the other. Thus equipped
Newel and Lydia joined a moving company and left Nauvoo on the morning
of the 17th of April, 1846. They left mills, house, barn and all their
possessions to be occupied by any of the mobbers who might chance to
come first.
What a journey! For hundreds and hundreds of miles after leaving
Nauvoo stretched away an unbroken prairie. How very long seemed a mile
when traversed by oxen! Often the wheels of the wagons would be up to
the hubs in the soft, miry land. But here, at least, was freedom. In
the evenings the great camp-fires were lit, supper was cooked on the
glowing coals and the little ones were put quietly to sleep. Then a
merry, cheerful crowd collected around the fire, and talked of the
prospects for making homes where mobs could not come. About nine
o'clock the little circle would kneel down in simple, humble worship to
the Great Omnipotent, and then retire to rest.
The Sundays were always days of rest. A temporary halt was made, and
meetings were held. Oh the peace, the rest of those quiet Sabbath days!
How fervently Lydia sang,
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow!" How her heart swelled with
love to Him who had brought her to these lovely, quiet days!
Four weeks' travel and the company arrived at Mount Pisgah, where they
found many of the Saints who were resting and recruiting their teams.
Two or three weeks were spent here. Then again the march was taken up,
and again the untrodden prairie rolled away as far as the eye could
reach.
Two weeks of slow traveling brought the company to Council Bluffs,
where another halt for rest and recuperation was made.
The provisions in Brother Knight's wagon had become very low, and so
Newel went down into Missouri and got a few jobs of work that gave
him the means to get another stock of food; this time he got ample
provisions for one year.
One month had passed, and the word was given to start. The "Mormons"
built a ferry-boat and crossed the Missouri river. The company were
then all drawn up on a pleasant camping place and here they awaited
the arrival of Presidents Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard
Richards, who were coming to regularly organize the company.
In a few days the Presidency arrived. President Young had sent a call
to all who could furnish themselves with a year's provisions, and a
team able to travel, to cross the river and await his coming. Here then
they were, and prepared for the organization, which took place on the
same day as he arrived.
"My brethren," said the President, "I am pleased to see you so well
equipped. We shall organize you into companies of fifty. That is,
fifty families in one company, the charge of which shall be given to a
captain. You will then be further divided into companies of tens, also
presided over by captains. This will insure order and good, careful
management. It is imperatively necessary that the utmost unity should
prevail. Let every one be careful to cultivate the spirit of obedience
to those who will be placed to direct. The journey you are to pursue
is one of many dangers and difficulties. You are about to enter into
a wilderness where the foot of white man has never pressed the earth.
Be prudent! Let not the women venture far from the camp. Keep the
strictest watch over the little children that they do not stray. Be
careful in all that you do. God will surely watch over you, but you
must also exert your utmost vigilance. Never anger the Indians by whom
you may be surrounded, but follow the dictates of the Spirit which will
lead you to act wisely and cautiously. Let no man set up his judgment
against your captain, lest disunion creep in among you, and you shall
be deserted by the good Spirit. Be watchful, be obedient and be prudent
and you shall be preserved from evil, from the Indians, from the power
of the destroyer, and harm of every kind inasmuch as you pay heed to
my counsels. You are to go on until you reach the Rocky Mountains, or
until you find good wintering for yourselves and stock. I will appoint
Newel Knight to take the charge of the first company of fifty, and
Joseph Holbrook to be captain of the second company of fifty. These
brethren are to have control of the camps, and God will do unto you all
even as you keep the commandments He has given you and the counsel I
have just given."
Brothers Kimball and Richards also left many blessings with this little
party who formed the first organized company for overland travel. Soon
after the departure of the Presidency, the emigrating Saints again set
out, slowly traveling by day and quietly resting by night.
A week thus spent and they were overtaken by a company under Jas. Emmet
and George Miller, who had set up jointly to take the lead of the
Church. They had gathered up a company in Missouri and were determined
to be ahead in the grand exodus. These men immediately attempted to
assume command of the two companies under Brothers Knight and Holbrook.
I must explain this circumstance thoroughly as its bearing on what
followed is very important:
There was much discussion, and Newel maintained that he had not been
instructed by Brother Brigham to submit to the authority of either
Emmet or Miller.
Two weeks were spent in argument and remonstrance, all traveling on,
until when within six miles of the missionary station of the Pawnee
Indians. By this time quite a number had been so impressed with the
perilous picture drawn by Miller and Emmet of their course if they did
not unite with his company, that there was quite a division in the
camp. A council of the officers was held, and it was decided that Newel
Knight and John Kay should return to Winter Quarters, where the body of
the Saints were encamped for Winter, and there obtain the word and will
of the Lord through His servant Brigham.
Only a short time elapsed before the messengers who were sent to Winter
Quarters returned with a letter from President Young. He counseled them
not to attempt to reach the mountains, as the season was now to far
advanced. But to seek some good place, where people and teams could be
fed and be made comfortable through the Winter. And thus it was, the
three companies united, and, for the time at least, Emmet and Miller
submitted to counsel. The captains then sought for a suitable place to
winter.
Some Ponca Indian chiefs came up while the party were in doubt what to
do, and after learning what the white men wished, offered them a Winter
asylum on their lands. They said, only a few suns would bring them over
to the place, and that there were grass and water in abundance.
Accordingly, the companies made their slow way across the plains,
traveling two wrecks over the place the swift Indian ponies had
traversed in two or three days.
The red men were very kind and hospitable to the white men. Many of
them had never before seen a pale-face; and the wagons, cattle, pigs,
sheep and chickens were objects of wonder and admiration. The white
men were equally amused with the odd dress, manners and habits of the
children of the prairie.
A treaty was made for mutual interest and protection, and as Winter
drew on, the little camp were getting very comfortable, with log cabins
for homes and stables.
Lydia was calm and happy, and looked forward to the time when the end
of the long journey would be reached, and she and Newel were once again
settled in a home with the dear little ones growing up around them.
The Winter had nearly spent its violence, when over the little cabin
where Lydia worked and hoped there was cast a lingering shadow. A
shadow dark and grim.
One night in the beginning of January, the shadow drifted in and
silently settled down on the faithful husband. She did not see its
dusky wings as Newel's voice awoke her, but dimly, so dimly wondered
what strange influence was in the room. The grip of the shadowy
presence was fastened on Newel, and he knew it.
"Lydia, I have a pain in my side. Be quick, my dear, it is very acute."
The remedy was brought but gave no relief.
On the 11th of January, a woman sat with tightly-closed hands and wild
agonized eyes watching the breath of the being she loved better than
life itself, slowly cease.
"Lydia," the dying voice faintly whispered, "it is necessary for me to
go. Joseph wants me. It is needful that a messenger be sent with the
true condition of the Saints. Don't grieve too much, for you will be
protected."
"Oh Newel, don't speak so; don't give up; oh I could not bear it.
Think of me. Newel, here in an Indian country alone, with seven little
children. No resting place for my feet, no one to counsel, to guide, or
to protect me. I cannot let you go."
The dying man looked at her a moment, and then said with a peculiar
look: "I will not leave you now Lydia."
As the words left his lips, an agony of suffering seemed to seize him.
His very frame trembled with the mighty throes of pain.
The distracted wife bore his agony as long as she could, but at last,
flinging herself on her knees, she cried to God to forgive her if she
had asked amiss, and if it was really His will for her husband to die,
that the pain might leave him and his spirit go in peace.
The prayer was scarcely over ere a calm settled on the sufferer, and
with one long loving look in the eyes of his beloved wife, the shadow
lifted and the spirit fled.