Emma Hale Smith Bidamon and references made to her in the Memoirs of Joseph Smith III

Hi readers ....  I will focus on the parts that exclusively mention the name of Emma Smith, as I come across them in the Memoirs from the beginning of the book to the end, this is because I have limited time and want to share what is in the Memoirs of her son, Joseph Smith III for  LDS folk amongst others to glimpse of her from a varying view point.

Additional thought ... I see no reason whatsoever for Emma to be looked down upon in anyway, she lived as an honest upright, dependable character til the day she died. She should be honoured along with her husband Joseph Smith the Prophet. I honour them both, and also their children who valiantly defended the names of their parents, especially that of Joseph Smith Junior.  wackychipmunk.

''Dedication: (of his Memoirs)..

To My mother Emma Hale, whom my father Joseph Smith, married January 18, 1827, and who was his only wife, I dedicate these memories.

To her care I was committed after the death of my father, together with my brothers, Frederick Granger Williams, Alexander Hale, and David Hyrum, and my adopted sister, Julia Murdock, who shared her motherly solicitude and untiring energy.

I acknowledge with gratitude to my heavenly Father that to the precept and example of my father's humble wife I owe the love for right and the hatred for wrong which have characterized my life. She early impressed upon my mind the conviction that under Divine Providence only truth and right would live and that error and wrong must perish.

Upon those teachings I have tried to build the foundation and rear the structure of my life's services to God, ever bearing in mind the nobility of that character to which she pointed, by precept and example, as the best and  the highest that through effort could be attained by man.''

''It may be true that my father was not a schooled man when he began his public career, and it is unnecessary to claim that my mother was early a learned woman; but it is safe to assert that excellent common sense and the faculty of acquiring knowledge were possessed by both in more than an ordinary degree''
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''From my mother I inherited an intense hatred of oppression - of any kind, but more especially the kind displayed by the strong against the weak - and a hatred of arrogance, haughtiness, and that peculiar quality which some people exhibit when they appear to say, ''stand aside; I am holier than thou''.  With this attribute inherited from my mother, I also received a strong and active repugnance to untruthfulness in either man or woman.  To me my mother was ever the embodiment of truthfulness, for she hated intensely any lie, whether spoken or acted, and refused steadfastly to submit to any proposition which was opposite to the truth.''

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Fishing

''The house we then occupied stood on the west side of the street which runs from the Temple down to the Chagrin River and was not very far from the ford across this little stream.  Memory has a picture of my going down to the creek with a number of other boys who engaged in fishing for the small edible fish the stream afforded. Seeing their success I, too, wanted to fish.  My mother, to gratify me, procured a little pole and attached a thread thereto, with a bent pin for a hook, and away I marched to the creek. I threw my hook without bait into the water and the little fishes gathered to it as it fell. By some strange chance one became fastened to it and was drawn to the shore. In great excitement I dropped the pole and gathering the fish in my hands rushed to the house with it, shouting, 'I've got one! I've got one!''

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Father's arrest

''I remember vividly the morning my father came to visit his family after the arrest that took place in the fall of 1838. When he was brought to the house by an armed guard I ran out of the gate to greet him, but was roughly pushed away from his side by a sword in the hand of the guard and not allowed to go near him. My mother, also, was not permitted to approach him and had to receive his farewell by word of lip only. The guard did not permit him to pass into the house nor her to pass out, either because he feared an attempt would be made to rescue his prisoner or because of some brutal instinct in his own breast. Who shall say?''

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Liberty Jail visits

''I remember that later I visited the jail at Liberty when my father and others whose names have passed into history were confined in that period of imprisonment which followed Doniphan's refusal to execute the order of Generals Lucas and Clark to 'march the prisoners to the public square and there shoot them to death!'  There were present in that prison several men, among them Uncle Hyrum Smith, Caleb Baldwin, Lyman Wight, Alexander MacRae, Sidney Rigdon, and a singer whom memory seems to indicate was Erastus Snow. He sang two ditties or ballads characteric of the times, which made an impression upon me.  One was called ' The Massacre at the River Raisin,' and referred to the butchering of Americans by Indians in Michigan in 1813, during the war upon the northwest borders. The other was a parody called 'Mobbers of Missouri,' sung to the tune of 'Hunters of Kentucky.'

I am of the opinion the man was only a visitor in the jail at the time. He was quite a singer and I very fond of music, so I well remember this circumstance of his singing to entertain those in the jail, the time I was left by my mother to spend the night there with my father.

There is a memory of accompanying my mother on another visit to the jail, and it was upon the occasion of one or the other of these visits that my father, with another, laid hands upon my head and blessed me, as his eldest son, to the blessings which had come down to him through the blessings of his progenitors. It could not be expected that I, a child of but six years, should remember the phraseology used by Father upon that occasion but the circumstances itself was indelibly fastened upon my memory.

While I was not entitled to any claim of being extraordinarily bright and intelligent as a child, yet I was by no means extremely dull. What I saw I usually understood, and what I heard, if it made an impression upon me at all, I remembered fairly well, together with the circumstances attending. Dates my memory has never held tenaciously, however, except some which have been singled out by circumstances which made them more or less remarkable to me.

Who accompanied my mother in the carriage ride to the jail I do not fully recollect, but seem to remember that one of them was an officer. What office he may have held I do not know but presume it was sheriff or deputy sheriff. At all events, my mother carried a permit to visit her husband in the jail.

My memory of thus visiting the jail in which Father and others were confined is confirmed by the statements of history wherein it appears that my father and his companions were placed in Liberty Jail December 1, 1838; that on the 8th of that month the wives of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon visited the jail and remained overnight; and that on the 20th of December Joseph Smith's wife again visited him. In a list of the visitors to the jail in the month of January following, the names of Mrs. Emma Smith and one John Daley appear as having been there on the 21st of the month. On two of these occasions Emma Smith remained in the jail two days and that the wives of Caleb Baldwin and Reynolds Cahoon were with her at that time.''

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''Another little incidence clings to memory. Times were hard and we had little to eat except that which was raised directly from the soil or gathered from the hunt.  One day all we had to eat for dinner was cornbread made from meal with only  the addition of salt and water, and seasoned as we ate with New Orleans molasses.  There was with us that day a man of whom I remember little more than his appearance but whom I have sometimes thought was Lyman Wight. The conversation which took place between my mother and this man, evidently an elder in the church, was cheerful in spite of the circumstances, and I remember his gay remarks, 'Why, with a chunk of corn bread like that in my hand I could go out of doors and stand at the corner of the house in the northwest wind and eat myself into a sweat!' However, we all did eat of it, and I cannot now recollect that we were any the worse for such a meager fare, although I can remember the taste of the New Orleans molasses.''

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Crossing the Mississippi River

''Of the exodus from Missouri before reaching the Mississippi at Quincy I have one recollection which is definite and clear. That is of our arrival at a log farmhouse at the side of the road, along in the afternoon.  As the team stopped it was assailed by a pack of dogs, but the farmer, coming to the door, told us not to fear for they would not hurt anyone.  In answer to our inquiry as to whether he could keep us overnight he said, 'Certainly,' and bade us enter.

Mother and we children went in, leaving someone, whom I seem to remember as Jonathan Holman, to care for the team.  This team was composed of two large black horses, one called Charlie and the other Jim. Jim must have perished somewhere on the road or soon after our arrival at Nauvoo, but Charlie survived and was used by Father as a riding horse.

The farmhouse was what was called a double log house - that is, it had two large rooms built separately but connected by a large open space closed up on one side and roofed over like the house.  In this space were stored grain, produce, different kinds of harness, saddles, implements, and other things pertaining to farm life in Missouri.

The farmer was a sturdy man and gave us a hearty welcome. The weather was cold, but there was a great fire in one end of the living room and we were soon very comfortable. We had supper and afterwards beds were made, some on the bedstead and some on the floor, which we were permitted to occupy. We slept cozily in the warmth of that big fire as it gradually waned to a bed of coals.

We had an early start next morning, but of other incidents connected with the long journey crossing the State I have little memory until we reached the river.  The weather had become extremely cold and the river was frozen over, so that we crossed upon the ice.  Charlie, the more intelligent animal of the team was hitched to the tongue of the wagon and the driver, walking behind him, held the end of the tongue in his hand, guiding the horse across.  This was considered the safest way to make the crossing for it was feared the ice might not be strong enough to bear the weight of the double team and the loaded wagon.

Carrying in her arms my brothers, Frederick and Alexander (the latter born the preceding June), with my sister, Julia, and myself holding onto her dress at either side, my mother walked across the frozen river and reached the Illinois shore in safety. This, then, was the manner of our passing out of the jurisdiction of a hostile State into the friendlier shelter of the State of Illinois, early in 1839.

From the history called 'Recollections of the Pioneers of Lee County (Illinois)' is taken the following extract concerning that hazardous journey of my mother from Far West to Quincy:

      ' After making such arrangements for the safety of herself and children as she could, Mrs.
        Smith left the home from which she had been driven and turned her steps toward Illinois.
        The winter shut in early and when the fleeing pilgrims reached the Mississippi River it was
        frozen over, and Mrs. Smith, weary, sad, and heartbroken, crossed the mighty river to
        Quincy, Illinois, on foot, carrying her two youngest children, with the oldest boy and little
        girl clinging to her dress.

        She found a hospitable welcome at the home of a family by the name of Cleveland, where
        she remained during the long winter, sad, but trusting, and in faithful expectancy waiting
        for her husband's relief and delivery from bonds.  When at last he was free, she welcomed
        him with a wife's rapture, and was ready to begin again the life of devotion to his happiness
        as she had ever been.'

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Lucy Rigdon and Julia Murdock

''My first recollection concerned with events after we crossed the Mississippi River begins at the home of the man, George Cleaveland, some three or four miles out from Quincy - in a northeasterly direction I believe, though of that I cannot be certain.  My mother and her children and a part or all of the family of Elder Sidney Rigdon made up a part of the household there.

Elder Rigdon had two sons, Sidney and John Wickliffe, and a daughter by the name of Lucy. Whether he and the boys were there or not I cannot now call to recollection from any incident connecting them with events at the time; but a circumstance in which Lucy and my adopted sister figured leaves the clear impression that Mrs. Rigdon and the daughter were there.  One day Julia came in and began teasing for something which Mother did not think proper to grant just then; I think it was for something to eat. Mother told her to wait; but the child, too impatient to do so, threw herself down upon her back on the floor and with a very good imitation of weeping began pounding her heels and bumping her head on the floor, accompanying the tattoo with a series of screams.

Mother stepped quickly to her, caught the young miss by the shoulder and straightened her to her feet with a sharp command, 'Stop that! If you want anything, ask for it, but don't try any of that nonsense if you can't have it right away.  You just can't come Lucy Rigdon on me!'

The childish tactics my sister attempted at that time were indeed almost a daily occurrence  with Mrs. Rigdon's Lucy, who ruled her mother through inspiring a fear that she would injure herself by bumping her head on the floor in that fashion.  Mother's Julia, however, never tried the experiment on Mother again; it did not work.''
 
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Allen's rifle carrying gets Joseph in trouble

''Mr Cleaveland's farm was an excellent play place for us boys.  Leading out from the pasture was a railroad cut and part of the grade of one of the projected but abandoned roads through the State - remains of the railway excitement that had raged to some extent in 1837. There were no rails, ties, or other material occupying the grade and it was smooth and level, making an excellent play ground.  A fence ran across, with a pair of bars in the centre over the roadbed, from which point of vantage we could see quite a long ways over the grade toward the city. It was quite a bit of fun to steal away from the house into the pasture, go down to the bars, and passing them race along the level grade toward the town until we could see into it.  We did not dare to go into the settlement, for while it was not forbidden we seemed instictively to fear we would not be permitted to return if the people there should see us.

One of the homes nearest to the Cleaveland residence was a small one on the top of a gently rising hill. It was occupied by Dimick Huntington, his wife, and children - Allen, Lot, and Fannie. Mrs Huntington was a tall, spare woman, bright-eyed, shrewd, and withal good-natured. I think Fannie was the oldest of the children and Allen next in age. He must have been two or three years older than I, for he was allowed to take his father's rifle and go out into the pasture and brush to look for rabbits.  Mr. Cleaveland had a son about my age and with the Huntington children we used to form quite a little band of players, ranging the farm at will.

Mother made no objection to our visiting the Huntington children until she learned by some means that Allen was in the habit of taking his father's gun out with him when we were over there. Being fearful some accident might happen by which some of us might lose our lives or be crippled, she bade us stay away from the Huntington house, explaining as she did so that she did not think Allen with his rifle a safe companion for little children.

The game was fascinating, however, and I soon wandered over to the Huntington home again. Returning rather late, I was questioned by Mother, and had to admit that I had been out with the boys among the hazel brush, hunting for rabbits, and that Allen had carried the rifle. Thereupon, with the aid of a ready hazel switch, she promptly administered punishment.

But the end was not yet. The next morning she said to Frederick and me - her command being upon me especially, since I was the older  - 'Joseph, I will not say you must not go to Mrs' Huntington's today, but I will say that if you do go I shall punish you when you return. It is a dangerous thing to play with Allen when he carries the rifle, and I am not going to be responsible for any harm that may come. So just remember what I tell you.'

Again, either forgetful or neglectful of the mandate, I ventured into the forbidden region and spent a portion of the day with the Huntington boys in the hazel brush after rabbits, staying late enough in the afternoon to see the little animals at play on the hillside and to hear the crack of the rifle.

When I returned home Mother had company at supper and nothing was said to me about my visit to the Huntingtons; hence I went to bed thinking it had escaped my mother's notice and that I was safe from punishment.  However, after the guests departed, I discovered my error, for Mother found me and I received the punishment she had promised, applied vigorously enough to make me feel sorry I had undressed as I went to bed!

When morning came Mother repeated her charge, saying, 'I will not say you shall not go to play with the Huntington boys while their mother allows Allen to take his father's gun with him to play; but if you do go, I will punish you; and I shall punish you harder and harder until you stop.'

Once more the allure of the pastime seemed stronger than my mother's counsel and her efforts to deter me, and again I went to the Huntington's and spent the day with the boys and their rifle. When I returned my mother punished me with such decidedly increased severity that I - well comment is needless!  I did not go again, for I found that my mother was indeed a woman of her word.

Whether or not  George Cleaveland and his wife were members of the church at the time we sojourned with them and before Father and Uncle Hyrum reached us there I do not know.  It is certain they received the refugees from Missouri with kindly welcome and, so far as Mother and her children were concerned, gave them excellent care. I remember him as a middle-sized man, with a kind face and soft, even voice. I do not remember hearing him speak harshly or exhibit any temper or impatience. His wife was a fine-looking woman, approaching middle age, and well qualified for the cares and labours of a farmer's wife.

The winter passed away and Mother heard from Father at intervals more or less extended until April 22, 1839, when he and Uncle Hyrum reached Quincy and their waiting families after an escape from the unlawful custody of men who conducted them about from one county to another on an unsigned mittimus.''

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Malaria and John Huntington

''It was during Father's absence on this matter of business that the severest trial of the season was put upon my mother. The breaking up of the ground, the exhalations from the swamp, the insufficient supply of good water, and the privations usual to pioneering resulted in an epidemic of malarial fever which took the forms of chills, chill-fever, and ague. Many were ill. I remember that Mother filled her house with the sick who were brought to her from near and far, giving them shelter, treatment, and nursing care.  When the house over-flowed she stretched out in the yard east of the house the tent which had served us as a shelter on our journey to Nauvoo.

There were days during this time when our house was thus made into a hospital that there was no one to carry water to the fever-burned patients but myself - then about seven years old.  I used to trudge up and down the hill between the house and the spring, carrying a small bucket and making the trip frequently in order that the water might be cool for those who drank of it.

There was among the patients a young fellow by the name of John Huntington - son of Father Huntington who married the widow of Edward Partridge - the Bishop who had died of a broken heart through the persecutions in Missouri.  The Huntington family had raised that summer among other things, some long-necked gourds, sometimes called calabashes. From one of these John had fashioned a drinking cup with a handle, but of course did not bring it with him when he was conveyed, ill, to Mother's 'hospital'.  In the paroxysms of his chills he would lie with his head and body covered, shivering from head to foot. As I brought water to his bedside and offered it to him he snarled out, 'Why don't you put the handle in?'

Not understanding, I thought he was out of his head, and since he was such a big, strong fellow, I was a little afraid of him.  I called to Mother, busy preparing food and other attentions for the sick. She came and asked what he wanted.  When he said he wanted a drink she answered, 'Well, Joseph is here with the water; why don't you drink?'  At this he again mumbled something about putting the handle in.

Mother took hold of the bed cover and turned it down so she could see his face, and said, 'Why, John! What is the matter with you?'  He looked a bit sheepish and said, 'Oh, I just forgot. I thought I was at home,' and then told us about the gourd dipper. He had bored a hold through the end of the handle in such a way that when they brought him water they would just lift the edge of his cover slightly and push the handle of the gourd in to him. This he would place in his mouth and drink, without having to be uncovered from his chills. It was applausible contrivance and the explanation proved he was in his right mind. We thought his ingenious expedient a good one; the gourd was secured and often used thereafter.

This same John Huntington went west at the general migration of those who followed Brigham Young, but after a time he became disgusted with what he saw and heard there. He returned to northern New York where he had been raised and from whence his family had come first to Missouri and then to Illinois.  I met him in Nauvoo on this return to the east. He was dressed in rather rough clothing, having tramped with an occasional lift nearly the entire distance from Utah. He had nothing but the clothes he wore, a cup made from a cocoanut shell which hung to the strap with which he was belted, and a common butcher knife.  He had one dollar in money, I believe, in addition to the above-named possessions.

Mother had ten or twelve patients that fall, for whom she cared principally by the labour of her own hands,  although we children including our sister Julia, who was quite small for her age, tried to help her as best we could. She managed to keep well herself, and to live through the strenuous trial. In the language of the Scripture, 'not one was lost', nor did she or her children suffer - a gratifying result chiefly attributable to her wise care and excellent administration of affairs.''

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  Joseph Smith III and malaria

''Two instances in my experience with this disease come to mind. One occurred after Father's death. I was slowly recovering from an attack of the fever and wanted something or other. There was no one about the house but Mother, so I called her. When she failed to answer, I seemed to get frantic, and got right out of bed. I was not strong enough to stand, however. My head whirled and I fell to the floor, calling loudly as I did so.

Mother hurried to me, helped me back into bed, and told me I should not be so foolish, explaining that she had her work to do in addition to waiting on me, and that if she couldn't come at once I should be patient and remember that she would do what she could for me just as soon as she could. The lesson was a good one and I took it to heart.''

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Cow

''Farmer Hibbard was among the first acquaintances we made upon moving to the Hugh White farm. Soon after we came Mother purchased a cow from him and it became largely my task to look after it.''

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Teacher - Miss Durfee

''The first teacher with whom I recollect studying was Miss Julia Durfee, daughter of a church member by the name of Jabez Durfee. She and her sister Servilla were employed by my mother, the former as a seamstress and the latter as a maid-of-all-work. Not having enough work in the sewing line to occupy all of Miss Durfee's time and attention Mother thought it prudent to have her assist in our education, and my sister Julia and I were placed under her care for this purpose. Thus our earliest instruction was received in the home.''

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Mr Corey

''Ever a friend to education, Father, counseled with his neighbours - Uncle Hyrum, who had a number of children, Peter Hawes, Father Huntington, Hyrum Clark, Theodore Turley, the Fordhams, John Brackenbury (stepson of Jabez Durfee before-mentioned, son of Mrs. Durfee by her first husband), and perhaps others - and they joined in the employment of Miss Wheeler as a teacher for the whole group of children.

The little log house was fitted with the necessary seats, writing table, and fireplace for heating - and we had our first real school.

How long that school continued I cannot say. My next memory is concerned with one kept by Howard S. Corey in a house across the street, on the block in which Brother William Marks lived, opposite to the residence of Elder John Snider. The building was one-story and the school, held in a large room, was well attended. Uncle Hyrum's children John and Jerusha, Elder Snider's John, two of Elder Marks' boys, two of the Hawes' children, and numbers from other families furnished quite a band of scholars.

The teacher, an elder in the church, was a married man whose wife assisted him at times in his duties as teacher. He had lost his left hand in some way but had an artificial one made of cork or other light substance, on which he always wore a glove.  He was a tall and slender, lightly built but quite active.

When or how he came into the life of the Saints I do not know, but I do recall an accident which happened to him and which I witnessed from a position near our front gate.  Father came out to mount his horse at the hitching post. In a playful manner he took hold of Elder Corey and suggested throwing him down. As he spoke he  gave the young man's leg a little knock with his foot, to unbalance him. It was an apparently light blow, but it upset him, or would have, had not Father caught him as he fell.

Then it was discovered that the playful kick had broken the leg.  Father carried him into the house, called a doctor, and had the bone properly set. Mother was installed as nurse and he was given the best of care until his injury healed.  I still remember Father's great remorse over the incident and how he not only took care of the unfortunate man and paid the physicians bills, but saw to it that the teacher lost nothing financially by his enforced absence from the school. I am inclined to think Mrs. Corey kept us going until her husband returned to the schoolroom.

.... School days under the care of Teacher Corey were very pleasant and marked not only by his ability and kindness, but by the good fellowship which existed between the scholars.  Mrs Corey, I may add, was the one who at Grandmother Smith's dictation wrote the manuscript for the book, Joseph Smith and His Progenitors.''

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Parents Discipline!

''Teacher Cole was in charge of the school [this was another school created] which are fixed particularly upon my memory.  A number of accidents had occurred upon the ice at the river and Father had instructed us boys not to go there or out upon the ice without asking permission of him or of Mother. Father and Mother were very strict in matters of family discipline or command, and worked always in harmony concerning them. What Father said Mother acceded to; and when Mother gave commands, Father did not interfere with them. So we kept off the ice obediently until one day when the teacher directed another boy and myself to take the water pall to the river and bring it back full of water.

We obeyed, and had we taken the water back to the school directly after dipping it from the hole in the ice it might have been construed that I had not broken my father's command. But - the ice was smooth, the opportunity attractive, and so we two had a little sliding before we returned with the water to the schoolhouse.

There are usually some busybodies and telltales in every school and someone must have reported to Father that I had been upon the ice.  When called before him I made excuse that the teacher had sent me, but it was not considered good. I was told my first duty was to obey my parents and that I should have told the teacher I had been forbidden to go upon the river.  Whatever may have entered into the spirit of the judgement passed upon me I do not know; at all events, I was severely punished. At the time it seemed to be one of those chastisements which a boy cannot account for. I thought my father was unnecessarily severe and his judgement in the matter faulty.  However, it had this wholesome effect upon me; ever afterward, when commanded by my father to do or not to do a thing I never presumed to take choice or privilege about it just because someone else asked or told me to do differently. As I approached manhood and reached a period of more mature reflection I absolved my father from blame in the matter.''

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Hotel - reason to learn mathematics

''There was an old Irishman who taught school in the Seventy's Hall for a term or two, I think about 1847. I was lamentably deficient in arithmetic; had worn out copy after copy of 'Ray's Arithmetic' in my various attempts to master its difficulties, but would promptly be turned back at the beginning or each term.  I seemed to balk at 'vulgar fractions', and did not succeed in getting beyond the merest rudiments of this most necessary branch of education.

I was desirous of mending in this particular, as my mother was engaged in keeping the hotel and I knew in order to be of help to her I should have some business qualifications, among them a working knowledge of figures.  Mother encouraged me to attend this Irishman's school.  Accordingly I went up, asked for an interview, and was told to come back at the noon hour.''

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Joseph III's love of books

''Shortly before Father's death I had undertaken, at his request, to memorize his views on government, for the purpose of declaiming it.  I had progressed fairly well before he was taken away, but his death removed both the desire and the objective for continued work upon it.  My memory was of such a character that any piece of prose or poetry which attracted my attention or fancy was easily retained therein, and while I had no histrionic ability nor special liking for the stage I frequently read in public.

Father had put quite a number of books into a collection known as 'the library', which was dissolved at his death. Some of the volumes were returned to Mother. Some of them I had already read and later Mother secured for me Gibbons' History of Rome, Greece, England, and the Continent, and a history of the Reformation in concise form. At fourteen and fifteen years of age I had become an inveterate reader, early developing a taste for history and the biographies of celebrated men - generals, statesmen, philosophers, and others.  I read every book of these sorts that I could get my hands on and, in addition, began to develop some liking for the sciences which dealt with the human mind. Soon after my mother's second marriage I began taking a phrenological journal published by Fowler and Wells, of New York. In connection with this reading I studied physiology and such works as Coombs and Thall, and others, on the subjects dealing with the reformation of character.''

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Charlie - a horse Joseph Smith III loved

''Old Charlie was absolutely afraid of nothing. I have seen him stand close beside a cannon when it was fired, and all the notice he appeared to take of it was that as the smoke rolled about him and its scent was in the air, he would lift his head high and blow a veritable trumpet-blast of a breath through his nostrils - answering the description in Proverbs of the horse that 'scents the battle afar off '.  I have seen the drummer of the Legion, carrying the big bass drum against his breast, walk up close to the horse, thundering and beating as loudly as he could, but the only effect it had upon the animal was to exhilarate him.

He used to allow no one to ride him except Father, Mother, Loren Walker (his attendant) or myself.  In spite of this spirited notion he was essentially a family horse, and an ideally faithful servant, always as gentle and patient with us boys as if he instinctively knew it was his business to be. I remember how we used him to haul water from the river for washing and other household uses. For the purpose we had fixed up what was called a frog - it would now be called a boat - a kind of platform laid upon a forked branch of a tree, in the front end of which, where the limbs came together, a hole was bored to which the singletree could be attached. With this contrivance and a sort of caught up harness, I used to take Charlie down to the river, fill up the barrel on the improvised truck, and he would drag it back to the house.

After Father's death I used often to ride Charlie into the City, day after day, to watch the work being done upon the Temple. Often upon these excursions I was accompanied by my cousin John Smith, who rode his father's white horse, called Sam. We doubtless made quite an interesting quartet - the two boys and the two splendid horses, one coal black and the other snow white.

In order to mount Old Charlie I usually got him up by the side of a fence, where I could climb up the rails high enough to be able to scramble upon his back.  Being a mischievous fellow, he would often sidle over against me, pinning me tight against the fence.  Though he never pressed me hard enough to hurt me, he could quite effectually prevent my getting high enough to mount him.  He seemed to quite enjoy tormenting me in that way, and he indulged in it quite often until I discovered a way to outwit him.

In Mother's workbasket I found a big brass pin, which I put in my jacket and carried around with me.  Whenever Old Charlie would catch me against the fence I would get this big pin out and prick him with it vigorously. He would waggle his ears back and forth, shake his head playfully, and stand away at the proper distance to allow me to manage the business of getting upon his back.

We were excellent friends and good playfellows. We used to have him in the yard where he would play with us children almost as familiarly as a dog would do, allowing as many of us as could to get upon his back and be carried about. He was particular about his teammates and would not work with an inferior companion. The big sorrel, Tom Carlin, made a good mate for Charlie, and they worked amiably together. This was the team which Father drove to Amboy upon the occasion of our visit there in 1843, an account of which appears elsewhere in these narratives.

Mother kept the two horses that came to her from Father's estate until obliged to sell one - the Joe Duncan horse once borrowed by Brigham Young and abused by his clerk, George Q. Canon, as will be related duly. It was Charlie we took with us when we left Nauvoo in the fall of 1846 for Fulton City; he accompanied us back next spring.''
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Walker family

''Our house was a convenient place of gathering and was always more or less crowded with those who came from a distance and those employed in house-hold affairs within its precincts. My memory here brings back the advent into our home of the young man, Loren Walker. His father came to Nauvoo about the time of his wife's death, bringing his family of children with him.

There were the sons William, Loren, Edwin, and Henry, and the daughters, Catherine and Lucy.  Loren was engaged by my father as personal attendant, to look after his clothes, his horses, military equipments, and at request, to attend him in his rides and journeys.  He continued in this capacity until my father's death.

He was a trusty young man, and one so peculiarly alert that the quietest call of his name at the foot of the stairway which led to the room where he slept or outside of the house near his window, would bring immediate response. He and I were bedfellows, and he exercised a friendly watchcare over me when not busy with other duties.  His sister Lucy was employed by Mother as a maid, working for her board and going to school. She was a few years older than I, and used to marshal us children to and from school as would an elder sister.

In what employment Mr. Walker engaged I do not remember, but his eldest son, William, a strong and hearty man, used to work about the premises and upon the various buildings being erected, and so continued, according to my knowledge, until a little while after my father's death. After the arrangement of the Nauvoo Mansion as a hostelry and its opening for business, William Walker married Olive Farr. She was, I think, a sister of Loren Farr, a prominent elder in the church then and subsequently. She had a sister, Diantha, a very beautiful woman, with whom Chauncey Higbee, son of Judge Elias Higbee and brother of Francis, became enamoured.  It appeared that she did not favour him, and after the break-up and the exodus west, she became a polygamous wife of Amasa Lyman - according to Dame Rumor.  [one wonders if this is a reference to 'rumour'?]

Before Father's death William Walker and his wife, Olive, boarded at the Mansion House, and he did teaming work with an outfit Father procured for him.  I remember that one day he delivered a load of wood at the Mansion and came into the house afterward. While thus away from them, one of the horses shook his bridle off and the team started to move away. Finding themselves free from the accustomed restraint they became frightened and began to run. Just below the barn they made a little turn and one, becoming entangled in the lines, fell and struck her head on a stub in the road, which caused her death.

William then made claim upon my Mother for the value of the mare upon the hypothesis that the accident had happened when he was hauling wood to the house for her benefit. Mother could not see the justice of this reasoning and declined to pay, but offered to assist him to what extent she was able, in the purchase of another.  He became offended over the matter and took his wife and established a home elsewhere.

Just a few days before my father's death, Loren Walker married Lovina, the oldest daughter of my Uncle Hyrum. They were closely associated with the fortunes of our family for many years.''

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A frozen tongue

''One cold morning ... I went outdoors to get some wood. As I picked up the axe at the wood-pile I recalled I had heard someone say no one could touch his tongue to a frosty axe ever so lightly without the tongue becoming fast to the steel. wondering if that could be true I held the axe up to my mouth, intending to just try it with the tiny tip of my tongue and then instantly draw it away from the metal. To my astonishment and dismay my whole tongue, about as far as it could be drawn out of my mouth, instantly became fastened to the blade!

In a panic and holding the axe up in front of my face I rushed into the kitchen where Ira was. Seeing the situation at a glance, he caught the teakettle off the hook, its contents only tepid as yet, and poured the water on the axe which immediately released its grip and set my tongue free!

How Ira [Ira Willis a man of all work, used to build the fires, and stock the wood piles] did laugh! He affirmed that he imagined I would never need another lesson like that, and I agreed with him, for I had had experiment enough for one person.  By breakfast time I had besides, a mouthful of swollen tongue and had to go without food since I could neither chew nor swallow.  Mother joined in the laugh at my expense, though she did take pity on me and poured some oil in my mouth which eased the smart. Had I attempted to pull my tongue loose from the cold metal the skin would have come off.

Some piquancy was added to the incident by the fact that there was a party to be held at our house that day, in my honour, and I was much afraid that I would have to sit in a corner, nursing my sore mouth, and watch the other youngsters enjoy the hiliarity of the occasion.  To my relief, however, before the time for the party arrived, the swelling has subsided, and I was about as good as new. I had acquired an increase of experience, however, which was valuable to me in after life.

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Emma on Charlie

''On parade days, a number of ladies used to ride. On such occasions my mother rode the black horse, Charlie. She was a splendid horsewoman and made an excellent appearance upon that magnificent animal.''

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Maria

''Connected with the Legion was a unit known as the band. It was rather a thrilling sight to see the long train of drilled and uniformed men marching to the martial music of the band, headed by the portly figure of Drum Major Dimmick Huntington.  The drum itself was a mammoth affair, made by William Huntington, erstwhile sexton of the city and a man of some genius. I watched him work upon this drum, and when the barrel part was finished I stood up in it without stooping, which, since I was a pretty fair-sized chunk of a boy then, gives an idea of its breadth. During use it was carried by a large Negro named Isaac Manning, who beat it so vigorously when the Legion was on parade in Nauvoo that its reverberations could be heard, it was said, in Fort Madison, twelve miles away.

After the dispersion from Nauvoo I lost sight for a time of this Drummer Isaac Manning, and also of his brother Peter. Years later , upon the occasion of a visit to London, Ontario, I met them both. They were living in that city, each with a white woman for a wife.  A third Negro, a barber by the name of Armstrong, also lived there with a white wife, the laws of Canada at that time permitting such marriages. Peter Manning died in Canada, I learned later, and Armstrong's wife left him. Isaac's wife went back to Ohio where she was raised, and also never returned to her husband.

He finally drifted to Salt Lake City, where I met him again, in 1905. He was living in a small but comfortable house, with his sister Maria who, in the old days in Nauvoo, had worked as a domestic for Mother.  This aged woman made quite a characteristic statement about my mother: 'She was the best woman I ever knew'. Then she added, 'And them was all lies about the Prophet Joseph having any other wives than her!'

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Brigham Young borrows Emma Smith's horse ....

''Soon after his return from a mission abroad, a conference was held, and - either at his own suggestion or that of others - a parade of the Legion was planned in order to foster the idea of his supremacy as a leader, or as the leader.  In preparation for this event, he dispatched a written order to my mother, requesting the use of one of Father's favourite riding horses during the proposed parade.

In the sentiment of my father's estate Mother had retained Charlie (the old black horse from Ohio) and another, the dark sorrel pacer which Father had purchased from the sheriff of McDonough County, Illinois, and named in honour of the former owner. He was a very swift stepper, of strong will, and hard mouth.

Father had usually preferred to ride the black, but the animal had a peculiar temper and a strong prejudice against being ridden by anybody except his master, my mother, his caretaker or myself, as I have explained. Elder Young doubtless knew of this disposition on the part of the horse and deemed it wise not to risk himself with the latter's fiery temper; thus his message expressed a preference for the sorrel.

Unfortunately poor Joe Duncan had recently been over-driven by two business men who had traveled to Fort Madison or some town further up the river, and had just been nursed back to health again, by great care and pains.

When Mother received the note she told me to saddle and bridle the horse for the messenger to take to Mr. Young. I remonstrated, reminding her of his recent condition, but Mother, unsuspicous woman that she was, sharply directed me to do as I was bidden, saying that according to the note received, the horse would be carefully used and would only be needed during the parade, between the hours of ten o'clock and noon.

So I put saddle and bridle on the horse and turned him over to the messenger. Who the man was I do not now remember, if indeed I knew at the time. It was not long, however, before he returned with the terse information that Mr. Young wanted the full military housings put upon the animal, including the holsters for the pistols.  It was with a considerable and rising sense of outrage I obeyed the dictatorial request, and caparisoned the horse, fitting on the military saddle and housings, holsters and bridle.

I did not approach the parade grounds that day, the conditions surrounding us being unfavourable. Mother preferred that I remain at home and I had no inclination to go. The reader may judge of our feelings when by four o'clock in the afternoon the horse had not been returned and no word of him received. About that time I caught a fleeting glimpse of him being ridden rapidly down the river-road with George Q. Canon, Elder Young's clerk, in the saddle.

Mother sent a message to Mr. Young at once, stating that the horse had not been returned as promised and requesting that he be sent home at once. In reply she received word expressing that gentleman's surprise at the information - which I grant was genuine, for I believe he had given instructions that the horse should be returned as promised. He set an inquiry on foot at once to locate the animal and in about another hour the faithful servitor was brought home, in a most pitiable plight. His hair, from ears to fetlock, was matted with sweat, and everything about him showed he was both hungry and thirsty, for during his long absence from the place he had received neither food nor drink. The day had been intensely hot, and whether or not it was carrying the leader through the parade or the extra 'exercise' given him by the clerk later, the whole experience had been too much for his vigor, already at pretty low ebb, and he was surely what was termed a 'used up horse'.

To say that I was disturbed is to put the matter mildly. I was thoroughly indignant, furiously angry, and utterly heart-broken! All the while I was caring for him and trying to comfort him, I was crying bitterly. I removed his gay trappings and sponged his coat with warm water, as he stood with drooping head and legs sprawled apart in the attitude characteristic of horses when they have been overworked. I gave him food and drink and sympathy. Indeed, as the picture and details of the event come up in memory even now, I am conscious of tears, and am not ashamed of them!

I made a vow then and there, while washing that horse and giving him proper nourishment, that never again would I put saddle or bridle upon him for Elder Young. Going to the house I told Mother so, adding that if ever in the future she wished to loan one of our horses to that man she would have to get someone else to saddle it, for I would not do it.  My resolution in this matter was never put to the test, however, for no request ever came again for 'one of Brother Joseph's favourite riding horses.'

It was many weeks before poor Joe Duncan returned to normal condition, if indeed he ever was as good as he was before that day's experience. I do not think now that Mr. Young meant any harm to come to him.  Rather, I think he just felt that his using Father's horse and equipment in the parade on  that day would enhance his appearance in the eyes of the people, and cause them to say, 'Why, he looks just like Brother Joseph used to - the very image of our Prophet!'

It is but right that I should give Elder Young due credit and state that he sent an apology, explaining that it was not his fault that the horse was not returned as promised.  His clerk, an Englishman, was probably unused to the care of horses and evidently thought it a fine chance to have a good ride before returning the borrowed animal, and so had just kept him out in the hot sun during those afternoon hours. However, apology and explanations did not mend either the horse or my feelings over the way he had been abused.

Time passed, and I saw Brigham Young frequently, but not with any degree of intimacy, for Mother and her family were not favourites with the new leader.  Rumours of different kinds were afloat and some circumstances took place which were not calculated to establish the man very firmly in the confidence of the family of the Prophet, fallen in death.''

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Come back to read more of this posting, as i am adding more as you read.....