Lydia Knight's History / The First Book of the Noble Women's Lives

away. Health being restored, homes were

et out; houses, one-roomed, two-roomed and sometimes double-sto

across Newel, he shook ha

brought

o move my mill, it was m

lentiful here; flour and meal are scarce as it is so far to the nearest

ummer in erecting a mill. After it was completed he was taken ill, as was related in

er new house as proud as a

ther. Two years passed happily and busily away, and on the 14th of October, 1842, another son came to their home, he was called af

women for the relief of the poor, the culture and improvement of its members. Joseph, in

nrolled as one of

erly sought for by his enemies. Again and again was he taken prisoner for i

against the leaders of the Church. Mobs once

and tribulations a little girl was bo

seeking the life of the Prophet grew more and more frequent. On the 24th of June, Josep

on the 27th is too ghastly in its details to give in this little story. Who can tell the bit

auvoo for burial, but Lydia was too weak and too much ove

And every heart was wrung with grief and woe

r, 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 m

day from the time of the martyrs' death. Newel an

wed them up stairs to the large, low-cei

y 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

ould fill them up," observed Mr. Knight as he examined the h

ster the scars up, and you see them now as plain as they were a year ago. The plasterer no so

re to answer the woman or remain longer on the spot. Newel and Ly

ed the destruction of "Mormonism," grew more

treated. People began to move into Nauvoo as the mob became fiercer and stronger; for houses and barns were burned,

obbers; no official just enough to punish the perpet

d again be driven from all her comforts. One evening Newel came ho

s to be done? Why a

d, and again flee into the wilderness. The outrages of the mob have become so frequent, and they are so encouraged

ulge in useless regrets. Our place is with the kingdom of G

s soon as it became generally known that another exodus was to be made, all wh

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

e 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 collec

was made, and meetings were held. Oh the peace, the res

How her heart swelled with love to Him who

Mount Pisgah, where they found many of the Sai

he march was taken up, and again the untrodden p

company to Council Bluffs, where another

went down into Missouri and got a few jobs of work that gave him the means

i river. The company were then all drawn up on a pleasant camping place and here they awaited the arrival of Pr

lves with a year's provisions, and a team able to travel, to cross the river and await his coming. He

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 wat

he first organized company for overland travel. Soon after the departure of the Presidency

take the lead of the Church. They had gathered up a company in Missouri and were determined to be ahead in the gran

e thoroughly as its bearing on

at he had not been instructed by Brother Brigham t

h 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 de

h 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. A

g what the white men wished, offered them a Winter asylum on their lands. They said, only a

the plains, traveling two wrecks over the place the

e-face; and the wagons, cattle, pigs, sheep and chickens were objects of wonder and admiration. The

and as Winter drew on, the little camp were getting ve

of the long journey would be reached, and she and Newel were once ag

the little cabin where Lydia worked and hoped there

usband. She did not see its dusky wings as Newel's voice awoke her, but dimly, so dimly wondered what st

n my side. Be quick, my

brought but g

hands and wild agonized eyes watching the breath of th

. Joseph wants me. It is needful that a messenger be sent with the true c

wel, here in an Indian country alone, with seven little children. No resting plac

t, and then said with a peculiar lo

ffering seemed to seize him. His very fram

her knees, she cried to God to forgive her if she had asked amiss, and if it was really

sufferer, and with one long loving look in the eyes of