Soon after our return to the island after the going away of the Mormons
I became acquainted with a lady that had come to the island just a few
weeks before Strang was shot. She came to visit her brother. She was a
nurse. She told me what a sad time it was to those people when their
king was shot. Some would not believe until they saw him. Soon after
Strang was carried home the doctor sent a messenger to this lady to come
and take charge of the sick room, as no one else could be found capable,
all being in such an excited state of mind. She said, "When I reached
Strang's home I found him resting under an opiate. His wounds had been
dressed. The doctor was sitting beside the bed. I knew him well and he
motioned me to a seat. I went across the hall into another room, hearing
the sounds of crying and sobbing. There I saw the four wives with
several neighbor women all in a sorrowful state of mind. There was one
that sat by herself by an open window looking out over the water. She
was silent and quiet with a far away look in her eyes. I motioned to the
rest to be quiet, as I feared it would disturb the sick man. I went
close and spoke to the quiet woman. She was the one called 'Douglas,'
the favorite wife. Strang often called her Charley. I told her why I had
come, that I had been sent for. She roused herself up, saying, 'Oh yes,
now I remember some one is needed in the sick room.' She seemed to be
almost in a dream. I said to her, 'This may not be so bad. He may get
well.' She shook her head, her lips quivered, then she spoke in low
tones to me, saying, 'No, he says himself he can't get well and he wants
the doctor to take him away from the island.' She stopped a moment and
then went on, 'He wants to go to his wife in Wisconsin. He says he must
go. The doctor told him he had better not go, but his mind is made up to
go. And I think it is best, but the rest don't think so,' meaning the
other three women. She told me where I could find everything I needed.
There were soon large crowds gathering about the house, women were
wringing their hands and sobbing aloud. The quiet woman went out among
them, telling them they must be quiet and not disturb the sick man, but
they did not seem to know what she said. They acted as if they were
dazed. The doctor went out and explained to them that they must be
quiet. Some of them went away, others sat down on the grass, sobbing
quietly, seeming almost heartbroken. I was in the room when Strang
awoke. The doctor was near him. The first words he spoke were, 'Doctor
can I go? Will a boat soon come to take me home to my wife?' His voice
was strong. The doctor answered, 'We will think about this later.' 'No
doctor I must go, I cannot die here on the island. I must go to my wife
and children. I must see her before I die. I can't get well, I know it,
and I know she will forgive me.' His voice was pleading. It was hard for
the doctor to know just what to do or say to him. I soon went to him
with some drink. He looked straight in my face saying, 'Tell the doctor
I must go home to my wife and children. I am going to die.' Then after a
few moments of quietness he exclaimed, 'If I had only heeded her counsel
this would not have happened.' His pleadings never ceased until the
doctor said. 'Yes. I will take you.' Such a look of joy came over his
face and the great tears started from his eyes. The quiet woman came and
took his hand and wiped away the tears, but he seemed not to see her. He
repeated several times, 'I am going home to Mary.' His eyes had a far
away look and his mind was not dwelling on the daily cares, and he took
no interest in anything about the house. He never mentioned anything
about the business of the temple, as his only desire was to live until
he reached his wife. This quiet woman that seemed so much to him before
was nothing to him now. Her sorrow was great but she bore it quietly and
helped in the preparations to make him comfortable on his journey,
knowing she would never see him again in this life. Four days after he
was wounded he was carried on board the steamer. The scene was a
sorrowful one; everybody came to see their King who had taught them no
harm could come to him. Strang was calm and quiet through it all, for
to him they only seemed as passing friends. His thoughts were not of
earth and his lips moved often as if in prayer. He stood the journey
well, and the kind and loving wife freely forgave him as he died in her
arms. He suffered much, but bore it bravely, seeming perfectly satisfied
to be at home with his true wife."