(From "The Woman's Exponent" July 1911)

In the burial of Sister ELIZABETH F. YATES at Scipio, Utah, on Jan. 3, 1911, there was closed the mortal career of another of that splendid type of Pioneer Mormon Womanhood of which Utah is so justly proud. Sister Yates was born in South Moulton, Devonshire, England, Oct. 8, 1833, and received the Gospel there, being baptized and confirmed a member of the Church on Dec. 4, 1851. On May 23, 1863, she had decided to make the sacrifice of home, and sever all family ties, (for she was the only one of a large family to receive the Gospel) and emigrate to Zion.

Leaving Liverpool on that date on the sailing vessel Antartica, seven weeks were spent on the sea, nine days on the train, three days on the Missouri River boat and two months and three days on the plains, arriving in Salt Lake City with rejoicing and thanksgiving on Oct. 3, 1863. Spending a year in Lehi, Utah, she came to Scipio, then called Round Valley, in 1864, and began the real life of a Pioneer.

Her first home was a "dugout", of which she was very proud. She often spoke with pride of this humble home and rejoiced in the fact that even in the days of her poverty, she was permitted to receive and entertain in this primitive "dugout" home such prominent Church officials as Pres. Geo. Q. Cannon and other members of the Council of Twelve Apostles.

Sister Yates was a superior woman in every way, dignified in appearance, impressive in her address and humble in her spirit, she impressed everyone with whom she associated and her influence for good can hardly be estimated.

She loved education and refinement, and in later years, as opportunities came, on her table could always be found the choicest literature.

She was a subscriber for the Deseret News from the time she came to Utah in 1863 and for the Woman's Exponent from its first publication till her death, and for the Juvenile Instructor from its first issue till after her youngest child was married.

She was always active as a Church worker. As a Sunday School teacher, as an officer in the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association and the Primary Association she wielded a splendid influence among the young people of her home ward, and many bear testimony that they received their first impression of correct living from Sister Yates.

From July, 1867, till May, 1883, she was President of the Relief Society of the Scipio Ward. On this latter date she was released from this position to accept the Presidency of the Relief Society of Millard Stake, which position she filled with credit and honor until the Fall of 1904, when she left the stake in order to be near her children who had moved to Salt Lake City and Ogden. Sister Yates was the mother of nine children, six of whom,together with her husband, Bishop Thos. Yates, who died Feb 22, 1903, had preceded her to the other side.

Dying in full faith in the Gospel she looked forward to a happy reunion with these and other loved ones, and left with those remaining an incentive for good living, so that they too may enjoy the society of those "gone before".

The end came peacefully in her beautiful home in Salt Lake City, on Dec. 31, 1910. Her son, Thomas J. Yates, and her daughter Lizzie Y. Thompson (the other daughter, Louie Y. Robison being detained at home on account of sickness) accompanied the remains to Scipio, where she was tenderly laid to rest by the side of her husband.

The funeral services were beautiful and impressive. Remarks were made by Frederic R. Lyman and Orvil L. Thompson of the Millard Stake Presidency, by the members of the Bishopric of the Scipio Ward, by PATRIARCH DANIEL THOMPSON, a life long friend and associate of Bishop and Sister Yates, and Elder Peter Nielson, a counselor to Bishop Yates during his long service in that position. All bore strong testimonies of the splendid life and character of Sister Yates and encouraged her children, her twenty-eight grand-children and her eight great-grandchildren, to emulate in their lives her worthy example.

Nothing could be more beautiful than her life. While she was in possession of physical strength, she ministered to the physical as well as the spiritual needs of her associates, and no one was ever turned from her home unwarmed or unfed.

As her physical powers failed she was able to spend much time in the Temple of the Lord where she did work for many of her loved ones who had passed away, and as the end approached she could well say: "Father, my work is done, take me home to Thee".

IN MEMORIAM

Sister Elizabeth Yates died in Salt Lake City, Utah, on December 31st 1910, where brief funeral services were held, presided over by the Bishopric of the Emerson Ward, after which the remains were sent to Scipio, Millard County, for burial.

At a regular meeting of the Relief Society at the Emerson Ward, held Jan. 3rd, 1911, the following resolutions were read and adopted:

RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT

Whereas, our Heavenly Father in His infinite wisdom, called from our midst, on Saturday, December 31st, 1910, Elizabeth F. Yates, be it

RESOLVED, by the officers and members of the Emerson Ward Relief Society, of which Sister Yates was a faithful member, that we deeply mourn her loss, and that we greatly appreciate the purity of her life, her wise counsel, worthy example and the sweet influence of her noble character, furthermore, be it

RESOLVED, that we extend to the bereaved our sincere sympathy in the loss of a loving mother; and be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of these resolutions be presented to the bereaved family, also that they be made a part of the record of the Relief Society and that a copy be sent to the Woman's Exponent for publication.

Luella Harrow, Secretary

(The following was taken from "Heart Throbs of the West" Vol. 3 Page 113 - a Daughters of Utah Pioneers publication)

HEROINES OF DESERET (By Louise Y. Robison)

Memories! What a rich store is possessed by Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Memories of heroines with whom we lived; memories of heroines who taught us true patriotism in our crude schools and of heroines in every community whose example of courage and honor helped us to meet life more bravely and without complaint. Not until those records are read will the story ever be told - - - -

Precious memories come to me of my own mother - ELIZABETH FRANCIS YATES - who was typical of those other mothers who lived in Central and Southern Utah. Mother was born and grew to womanhood in lovely Devonshire, England, but her courage never failed during those terrible winds which filtered dust into every corner of our home. Although every crack and crevice of our log house would be stuffed with strips of cloth, the grey dust settled on the pails of water and even on the milk in the cupboard. It made our bodies warm and itchy, nerves were on edge, but mother's calmness never failed. She bore her discomfort cheerfully and told us such lovely stories that we, too, forgot our misery. Children were born under these uncomfortable conditions and when death claimed dear ones, they thought of leaving them in barren places, where the sun beat down and the wind seemed to forever blow, became heartbreaking experiences. How our gentle, refined mothers longed for shade! No effort was too great, in planting and protecting trees and bushes. Our heroines were responsible for much of the shade and beauty of our towns and cities today.

The following was written by one of Aunt Louie's daughters. I believe it was Gladys Robison Winter who compiled "The Life and Family of Louisa Yates Robison" for the Historical Department of the Church. I have a photo copy of this history in my files. I am copying it here because it has so much to do with her parents (my Great Grandparents), Elizabeth Francis and Thomas Yates. Aunt Louie is referred to as "Louise" and "Louisa" in this history. I find in the book, "Elect Ladies - Presidents of the Relief Society" Page #112 - "Elizabeth and Thomas named their second daughter Sarah Louisa Yates, and she became known as Louise." Those I have known have called her "Aunt Louie".

- Shirley Taylor Watkins.

LOUISE YATES ROBISON

Often when we hear praises of persons who have left this earth, or read of their accomplishments and rewards, we wonder what they were really like in their intimate family relationships and with their close friends. I feel that my Mother was a person with many facets and abilities, and I am hopeful that I may make a record of her as a warm understanding individual with a delightful sense of humor. This is in addition to her great spirituality, keen business ability and great tact in working with her associates. I want to tell of her so her descendants will feel that they know her as a happy, vital woman with an amazing capacity to love, sympathize and stimulate. No doubt this will be episodic and somewhat disjointed with many quotations and letters from others, but I hope that to her posterity who did not know her in this life, she will become an inspiration as a vibrant inidividual who had trials and sorrows, but had an amazing zest for life and love for all mankind.

In order to show how she became the person she was, it is necessary to tell of her parents, and a little of their life and of the pioneer home they established. The conversion and immigraton of Mother's parents is similar to that of many of the Pioneers who crossed the plains before the railroad reached Utah but Grandmother's is more dramatic than most. I shall enter an account of the lives of Grandfather and Grandmother as told by their son, my Uncle Tom; also a short sketch of her life as written by Grandmother. Mother started to write about her Father, but she did not finish the work, however I shall repeat here as much as she wrote:

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER, THOMAS YATES

Born June 6, 1840 at Entry Hill

near Bath, Somerset, England

"Because I want my grandchildren and their children to know my loving and lovable Father, I have long anticipated writing a simple sketch of his life as I remember him.

Many times I have attempted to begin this tribute but memories came so fast of his kind thoughtful, every-day acts, the choicest of which would be destroyed in recording them in my poor words, that I have postponed writing.

Thomas Yates was born June 6, 1840 at Entry Hill, about six miles from Bath, Somerset, England, the youngest child of a large family. My Grandfather, William Yates was married twice. The first wife, whose name, I believe, was Sarah, died early in life, leaving two small children. Grandmother, Hannah House, was the mother of eleven or thirteen children. Grandfather William Yates and Grandmother Hannah House Yates joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when my Father was a very small child. The other children must have been away from home; evidently many of them married before my Grandparents joined the Church, as only those who were home ever became members. Little Aunt Mary Ann (Partridge) with her lovely snapping black eyes, Uncle William, Aunt Louisa (Stevenson) and my Father came to Utah, but not at the same time. My Grandparents were advised not to undertake the difficult journey on account of their age. Aunt Louisa remained in England with them until they passed away which, mercifully for these aged lovers, occured on the same day. Grandfather was a sturdy man, a gardener, enjoying remarkable health until the day of his death when he went to sleep. Grandmother had been a semi-invalid."

My Grandparents sailed from England on the ship Antartic on May 23, 1863 as part of a large company immigrating to Zion, and after seven weeks on the ocean landed in New York and traveled by train to Florence, Nebraska. Thomas 22 and Elizabeth was 29. Arrangements were made to ride in the company whose captain was probably Peter Nebeker. Thomas drove a team of oxen and Elizabeth was expected to ride with them, but there would be no room for her trunk that, with much care and self-denial, had been packed with clothing and a set of pretty dishes. Elizabeth felt that it was necessary to take these refinements with her to that new wild land, so she put the trunk in her place and walked every step of the two thousand miles, wading or swimming the streams. There were seventy wagons in the company and five hundred Saints, largely composed of those who had come on the Antartic. Seven died enroute, including a German woman who was killed in a terrific thunder storm, on August 21st. Many cattle also died. The Company arrived in Utah in October 1863. Life was hard for all the Pioneers, but Thomas and Elizabeth kept a remarkably high standard of living. As I mentioned, Elizabeth had a trunkful of dresses, yardage and pretty things, evidently more than the other women had, so in order to get a start in livestock for the farm, she ripped the ribbon, velvet and lace from her dresses and bartered it for sheep, cattle and chickens. Later, she ripped up the dresses and exchanged the many yards that were in them for necessary items. This was the beginning of the store they had later. Elizabeth had been raised with the military idea of personal cleanliness, so Mother said that as children, one of their evening tasks was to carry water from a ditch "down at the corner" so her mother could take a sponge bath next morning. She never failed. Also Mother could never remember a time when she and her sisters did not have hand-made lace on their many petticoats, chemise and panties. Elizabeth made soap, and dye from the plants, and when the sheep were sheared, she washed, carded, spun and wove the wool, and then made clothes for her family. The first time Thomas went to Salt Lake for Conference, the only article of clothing he wore that his wife had not made, were his shoes. She had even braided straw and made a hat as she did for her little girls to protect their skin and hair from the burning sun and drying wind. Elizabeth was a good manager and very thrifty. Every little delicacy she could get would be saved for special events. She was able to buy a pound of sugar and this was kept for the use of Thomas when he was working in the fields. His health was never robust but his wife saw to it that he was adequately nourished. That pound of sugar lasted almost two years.

Another of the treasures that were in Elizabeth's trunk was a set of pretty china. It took time to build cupboards so these dishes helped decorate the room by being kept on open shelves that were not firmly attached to the wall. These shelves were next to a window, in front of which a bird cage hung. The bird in the cage was an overpowering attraction for a cat, and once it jumped, trying to reach the prize, but instead knocked against the shelves which fell, and all the dishes were broken. Mother said that is the only time she ever saw Grandmother cry. She could be stoic at the death of a baby daughter or a crop failure, but the loss of the little beauty that she had struggled to bring with her to this desolate land, was more than she could bear. Thomas promised he would replace them, and on his next trip to Salt Lake, he put in an order with Co-op to send for a set of Haviland China. This was the first set of good china that the Z.C.M.I. had shipped into the territory. (Note from Shirley Taylor Watkins - I have a "pink lustre" cup which my mother said was the only remaining piece of Great Grandmother Elizabeth Francis Yate's china. It doesn't have the Haviland trademark so it must have been from her original china though this story says all the dishes were broken.)

I remember Grandmother very well. She died just before I entered my teens, and she lived with us, and in the little house next to us for several years. She was a fine looking woman, rather large, and very stately and dignified. She was very fastidious, and remembered and quoted often what her father had said, "A Lady does not leave her home until her gloves are fastened and her veil adjusted." She talked very little to us children about her life in England. Mother said it was because of too many unhappy memories, as she was forced to leave the children born to her in England, when she was married to Mr. Williams. They were: Susan, Ella, Evangeline Marie and Jessie. The children born to her and Grandfather were Elizabeth (Lizzie) born 1865; Louisa born 1866; Emily born 1868; Thomas born 1870 and Maud born 1874. Of these, only Lizzie, Louisa and Thomas lived to adulthood. Grandmother manifested a great pride in her family. She assured us that we, and she, were gently born and bred, and because of that, our conduct must be good. Evidently the family had belonged to the nobility and had wealth, because whenever a financial crisis arose, Grandmother would say, "If we could get our estate out of chancery, we would never want for anything." Mother said we were entitled to use two coats of arms, one from a Sir Mallette who came to England with William the Conqueror and the other from the Francis family that descended from Saxon nobility. In everything she did, Grandmother showed her integrity and high principle. In her autobiography she said she prayed the Lord would give her strength so she would not murmur, but she never found anything to murmur about. One incident that I think took super-human courage was just before her second child was born in Utah. They had been living in the only log cabin in the village when the Indians attacked, killed three people and drove off all their livestock. The men were called to go to try to get them back. There was no time to get to the Fort so Grandfather put Elizabeth and her fifteen months old child in a potato pit and covered it over. Elizabeth slipped in going down and lay there with her little girl in pain and terror two days and one night until Grandfather returned. Just after this, my Mother was born prematurely. After Grandfather died, she lived with us for several years and worked diligently to get her genealogy in order. At that time, the Salt Lake Temple was open only three days a week, but Grandmother was there each of those days; the other two, she spent in the Genealogical library trying to get a record of her ancestors. This was a strenuous program for a woman of her age, and the walk home from the streetcar seemed long and tiring. My sister, Dorothy, tells of how she would watch for Grandmother to come in sight, and then, because of her great love for her, would run to meet mer and proudly carry her hand-bag and hold her hand the rest of the way. When Grandmother died, her children found a note to them directing them to a box that contained her tithing and fast-offering. This was in case she couldn't get to Fast Meeting to give it to the Bishop.

I did not know Grandfather as well. He was ill and unable to travel for years before his death. I have one very clear mental picture of him, for which I am grateful, so kindly and gentle, with an understanding twinkle in his eyes. I am sorry Mother couldn't write more incidents about him. I remember one she used to tell. As most young children do, she was dawdling along getting dressed and her father said, "Now sister, when you've rested from putting on that one stocking, try to get up enough energy to put on the other." One other incident that Mother told shows his gentleness and helpfulness. He bought a calf from one of the men in town, and several months later, this man told Thomas he had never paid for the calf. Thomas was sure he had, but he had no receipt. He had saved enough money to go to Conference in Salt Lake but he told Elizabeth he couldn't have the spirit that he should have in Conference if another man felt that he, Thomas, had cheated him. So he paid for the calf the second time and did not take the trip that had been so important to him. Later the man came to Thomas and apologized. His wife had remembered that he had been paid, and convinced him that this was so.

One other incident I want to relate that Uncle Tom mentioned briefly. My two cousins who were there, verified as to its truthfulness. Grandfather had been ill a long time, probably with cancer of the stomach or throat, so he was unable to swallow anything, even water, and he suffered greatly from thirst. The time came when he was pronounced dead and the family, including these cousins who were boys at the time, were amazed when he awakened and told them clearly of the experience he had had in another world. He told in detail of the beautiful flowers and the lovely streets and houses. He saw people, but I never learned that he saw any of the family, but these people were so kind and helpful and gave him something to drink to relieve his thirst. He asked his family not to call him back again, as he wanted to go to this beautiful land where he could obtain this delicious refreshment. Grandfather was not a dreamer and everyone who was present was convinced he was lucid and described exactly what had happened to him. Such was the atmosphere and environment in which Louise Yates grew up.

* * * * *

Mother was asked to tell the story of her life at the Relief Society Birthday party held in the Sunset Ward, San Francisco Stake in March 1944. This was taken down as she talked.

"There are times when you can not express the deep joy and thankfulness that is in your heart. It makes me very humble to know that you dear Sisters are such good friends to me. I thank you and I am so appreciative of you. I am so thankful that Sister Huff invited Sister Thompson here. There are few friends on earth so close and so dear to me as Sister Thompson. I am so glad for each one of you here and while I cannot call each one off by name I am so glad that you are here. I want to thank you for the lovely gift. It is just like the Sunset Relief Society all tied up so pretty. I will open it when I get through talking; all of you who sit very still and listen may see it.

There is a prayer I have always had in my heart:

God give me sympathy and sense

And help me keep my courage high.

God, give me calm and confidence,

And, please - a twinkle in my eye.

Many people who have never seen the town of Scipio have a way of raising the eybrows and trying to look superior as they say, "Scipio, that's a queer name." But the town is not queer. It is situated in a pretty round valley, surrounded on three sides by quite tall mountains and it was originally called Round Valley. Coming down the ridge from the South, this little village, with its many green trees, is nestled on the floor of a natural bowl, with fertile fields of grain and alfalfa reaching up over the foot hills on all four sides and make checkered patterns of green and gold.

When my father, Thomas Yates, and mother, Elizabeth Yates, reached Round Valley in 1864 there were no houses. A few cottonwood trees and grass "knee high". There was probably a little less grass, when I was born in 1866, but there was one, one-room log house standing sentinal over the twelve or fifteen dugouts, where the pioneer families lived.

My parents were English converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were sweethearts in their native land but, obedient to the instructions, they were not married until they reached Florence, Nebraska, and were preparing to cross the plains. Father thought he could take better care of mother if she was his wife and mother knew that he needed her loving care which she gave him, without stint, throughout the remaineder of his life. They were married on July 22, 1863, and in the early afternoon of the same day they began their honeymoon, walking all the way to Zion, reaching Salt Lake City on October 11 more than two and one half months treck.

Indians were on the warpath in parts of Utah in the spring of 1866. Many settlements on the Sevier River were temporarily abandoned and Scipio or Round Valley came next. Shortly before my birth, three members of the little colony - Grandfather Ivie, the Boice boy and Wilson boy - were killed and the Indians drove off all the cattle and horses belonging to the settlers.

My parents with a fifteen months old baby, my sister Elizabeth, were living in the log house when the call came for all able bodied men to follow the Indians and try to recover the property they had stolen. It would not be safe for Mother and the baby to be left in the house so they took refuge in the potato pit and Father fastened the lid. In late May the potatoes were sprouting with long clammy tendrils and only a few days before, mother had seen a toad in the pit. Pitch dark of course, she slipped on the crude ladder and fell, not far, for a potato pit is not deep, but it was a night of terrible anguish and terror. I was not born in the pit however but in the first log house in town. This grandure was not mine for long as all the families "forted up" in the log meeting-house, where only a few men could stand guard over the women and children releasing the others to work in the fields.

I had a happy childhood. While candy was unknown, we always had a Christmas tree, decorated with molasses cookies, cut in fascinating shapes, and the ends of home made tallow candles which had been saved for lighting the tree.

Birthdays were never forgotten. There were always gifts under our breakfast plates -- a new pinafore, hand knit stockings and often a home-made toy. For spring birthdays, a magic whistle made from the green twig of a tree was always a treasure. No chores to do on birthdays; the other children gladly carried the birthday child's share of the firewood and chips for the back log.

I was a large child for my age and very awkward. One time a neighbor gave my sister and me a real treat; a stalk each of sugar cane. Gentle cows roamed the streets and they too enjoyed sugar cane. As we passed a cow, on the way home she caught Lizzie's cane in her mouth and easily drew it out of small hands. We were both frightened and ran home; lizzie wailing loudly, told of her adventure. Father asked how I had saved mine and I replied, "I fell on it." For years I could not understand my parents laughing over such a serious episode and mother said, "My poor child", and laughed again.

I was the ugly duckling of the family, too. In later years Mother verified Lizzie's statementat that she often cried herself to sleep because I was so ugly she knew no one would love me.

Better than the average pioneer school, was dear "School Mam Martin's" home school. Later, men came to teach in the hall that served as Church, school, and place for amusement, but Ann E. Martin set a high standard in her one room house that served as school room as well as home for a growing family.

When I was fourteen years old, Lizzie and I went to the Brigham Young Academy at Provo -- two little homesick girls. Even our new dresses and the joy of wearing them for every day, our cambric underwear trimmed with store embroidery, instead of the bleached muslin with home made lace, could not make up to us our loneliness for home. Father took us to Provo, entered us in school, found a lovely home where we were to live and then took us to Salt Lake City for a "lark". When we came back to Provo, Father bought for us a huge bag of oranges, some candy and nuts but he would not let us go to the station to see him off. I believe he was afraid he could not leave us. He was the kindest, tenderest father. Both he and Mother were eager for their children to learn how to use hands as well as heads -- the old English desire for a "trade". We were reared on the maxim "knowledge is never a burden, learn all you can". At the close of the school year, Mother took us to Salt Lake and arranged for Lizzie to have a six month's course in Millinery, really making hats, and I to take dressmaking.

During the years three more children had been welcomed into the family, two little sisters, both of whom had died and a wonderful brother. Father was Bishop of the Ward and Superintendent of the Co-op Store. He was working far beyond his strength. He was never a robust man. After years of service as Ward President, Mother was now Stake President of Relief Society. Traveling over a Stake of widely scattered wards, required a great deal of time. Home was the dearest place on earth so it was a great pleasure to stay there and help with the work.

I was in Scipio when they held the first Stake Conference there. How we worked to get the old meeting place spic and span. They had always held it at Fillmore, but now we were to have it in our own midst. Conference was held in November 1882. We still had the one hall for all public gatherings but for such an event the whole town turned out to give it a thorough cleaning. Windows, benches and floor were shining evidence of the excellence of the women's work but the calcimined ceiling was far from perfect. After the scaffolding was taken down there was nothing to do about it except to pray that the "city visitors "would not notice the ceiling and upper walls but we were sensitive over the mottled appearance.

Stake Conference convened as usual with a Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Stake Presidency and others in attendance. Joseph V. Robison was a counselor in the Stake Presidency at the time and his son, Lyman, who had just returned from a mission to England, came to conference with him. The boys in Scipio were fine but when this boy came with his dashing sideburns, a derby hat and caned umbrella, latest clothes --- well ---. But the first thing he did was to look at our dirty ceiling. My high estimation dropped immediately and I was hopping mad.

At Christmas time all the boys were home and we had lovely parties and dances. I dearly loved to dance. Just before Christmas, I received a pink note from this dashing cavalier asking if he could come and spend the holidays at my house. All of the boys of the town would be home for the holidays so I wanted my sister to write and tell him I would not be home but it all ended I had to write the letter myself.

When anyone passed away we showed our sorrow by staying up all night and sewing. This was one of those times. Early in the morning, my father was in the kitchen and after a night of sewing I was a sight. There was a knock at the door and my father called to me. When I walked into the kitchen whom should I be face to face with but Lyman Robison. Well, to think he had caught me in such a mess I was angry at the poor man again. Almost more than when he looked at our dirty ceiling. But, we were married the following October. There were six children, Harold, Florence, Winifred, Rulon, Gladys, Dorothy. When Gladys was six she was not satisifed with her name. After thinking for several days she decided it should be "Buttercup". The older children were disgraced. Especially when she told the kindergartrn teacher her name was "Buttercup". The oldest child was a strong sturdy little fellow and I think I imposed upon him because I had so many coming along so fast. When Winifred was born in the spring I put her out in her carriage and Harold would wheel her while I took care of the children and my house. He often got tired and complained then I told him he should be thankful the Lord sent this baby sister to him. He replied, "Well I do thank the Lord for her, but I wish He'd kept her until she could walk." There were times when I thought I could rest but I had so many little things to be done. I would just settle down and the boys had just gone to bed then I would hear, "make him move over."

When I was in Provo, I had a malignant growth the Doctors called cancer. Brother Pat Blackburn came to administer to me. That was fifty years ago and today I am well. God healed me. Brother Blackburn told me in my blessing that my voice would be heard in many parts of the world, but until I moved to Provo, I had not held an office in the Church. There I was secretary of the Mutual. When we moved to Logan I was counselor in Mutual in the Ward. We had some big times in the Granite Stake when I was President of the Mutual in the first Ward in Salt Lake.

In the Fall, I was at Conference with Sister Henderson and I said to her that it did not seem like conference but more like a board meeting. We knew there was to be a new Relief Society President. The next morning President Grant released the present President with the usual thanks then he announced Sister Clarissa Williams would be the new President and Sister Louise Robison would be second counselor. Well, I had never heard of her but I voted for her. When I realized it was myself, for days I was so upset, so I finally went to a dear friend, Anna Musser. She gave me the courage to go home and told me "True, many people had money but it was the poor and humble people that make up the Church." The advice of Sister Musser and the courage it gave to me that day has helped me over many occasions. I enjoyed every minute that we spent in visiting the different wards and stakes; going with the President to visit at conferences. We had many contraptions to travel in such as a Ford without any brakes, in which President Williams was very nervous.

I worked on the Red Cross and we established Honor Funds. It was at a reception and President's breakfast that I was given the Red Cross pin for making gauze and surgical dressings. I worked on the Travelers Aid and in the Near East Relief. We established the Wheat Fund in P.B.O. for Child and Mother. I went to the National Conference of Social Workers in Toronto, Canada. We visited Boston, Philadelphia, and Valley Forge. I was at the National Council of Women in Washington, D.C. and was entertained at the White House. I attended the convention for Travelers Aid in Denver, Colorado and was speaker at one session. I was mde general President of the Relief Society in 1928 and the first thing I did was establish the Relief Society colors and the Singing Mothers. In 1934 I visited many of the Missions. When I was made President of the Relief Society I automatically became a member of the National Council of Women. I attended board meetings of the Council in New York and Washington. We wanted to make it a world-wide affair so on July 16-22, 1933, we held the convention for the Women of the United States and invited women from all over the world to attend. We had a trememdous crowd and when they asked me to take charge of one meeting I felt I could not do it. Then the thought came to my mind to make the best of all opportunities. The names I had to pronounce were terrible. Most of them being foreigners. It was a wonderful thing and I had a dear note from Emily Blair thanking me for her introduction.

We went from Chicago to the Dedication of the Relief Society monument in Nauvoo. We wrote a letter to the Mayor of Nauvoo asking him to speak and at first he said he would come but later had to send his secretary to read it. The monument was the

beginning of the chain of monuments from Nauvoo to Salt Lake.

Next I went to Paris and there is so much to tell you I don't know where to begin and what to leave out because it would be utterly impossible for me to tell you everything I did while I was abroad. I went to Paris with the International Council of Women. They meet in different cities each year all over the world. I was then called to work on the equal moral standard.

When we were at Chicago, they asked me to come to New York and bring the Singing Mothers but in Salt Lake they did not think the Mother's voices were strong enough without the organ, but the radio network gave us a half hour on the air. Each organization gave a part on the program but the negroes gave the best. They sang from the shores of the Lake and it was wonderful. I will never hear angel's voices more beautiful than that. Even when I went to Paris I heard from all over the world about the program.

I traveled through Europe and London with President Lang. In Munich and Zurich with President and Mrs. Salzner. I heard Lady Aberdeen, Countess of Tamor of Dublin, Ireland, speak and although she was eighty years old she had a remarkable voice. We were in Madam Curie's laboratory when she died. The American women raised a great sum of money for her to carry on her work. I went to the royal palace in Paris July 6, 1934.

I went to Honolulu in 1935. That was like Paradise. I was the only woman on the Utah State Welfare Board and I wish I had the time to tell you of the many wonderful things we did in Hawaii. There just isn't time for everything so now I must stop. Thank you again for the lovely gift and the pleasure of this afternoon."

Further from Aunt Louie's daughter:

This is one of those delightful mysteries that I suppose will never be solved. This "Daughter Ella" was one of Grandmother's four children who was born in England when she was married to Mr. Williams. As Uncle Tom mentions in his story of Granmother's life, the children were taken from her by her husband. The two youngest died in childhood and the oldest, Susan, ran away in search of her Mother, and lived with a family in London who had joined the Church. Grandmother located her through a returned missionary and because cash was lacking in the Pioneer economy, Grandfather went to work on the railroad that was entering Utah and earned enough money to send to her so she could come to Utah. A letter that he wrote at that time from "John Young's Camp" on December 21, 1868 will be found a little earlier in this book.

Ella is the second child, Susan's younger sister, who came to this country and settled and was married in Michigan. A traveling salesman spoke of Susie's resemblance to a young woman he met in Michigan, and in reply to "personals" in the papers, Ella and her Mother were united. This Susie that Ella mentions is her sister and the Benzon is Susie's husband. The mystery lies in what skulduggery Ella's father had committed involving Nettie Williams. Had he married her when he already had a wife, or what was the dreadful affair she mentions? He was not an admirable character at all, and how could "Brother Yates make Father crawl in his horns", conjurs up all sorts of spicy ideas. Can your imagination find an answer?

This letter of Nettie Williams may help to understand why Grandmother's first marriage was not successful, and will justify her in her decision that her religion was more important than life with him. Also it indicates that the people in those days had other trials, besides the hardships of Pioneer life and that Ella inherited the strength of character from her mother to

resist her father.

Jan 6th 1880

Mrs. William Kincaid

Dear Madam,

I received your letter from Mrs. Granger and since then, I have had it constantly on my mind and in fact have written to Ella but have concluded not to send it as I am so much afraid of involving myself in more trouble. I have had so much already about this dreadful affair that it has seemed to me that I should die and if I do anything to help them, I may have still more. Mr. Williams was so angry because I refused to live with him after I found out how it was that he would not give me one dollar, not even the things in the house and what he could not sell, he left in the house. I had to leave and am now supporting myself. He has done everything he could to injure me so I have no feeling left toward him but dread and dislike and if I could help them without hurting myself I would do it. I have the certificate and two of the witnesses are living, everything was done legally as I supposed and thought all right but I ought to have known better than deal with a stranger that I knew so little about. He kept everything of this affair from me. I did not know that Ella was gone until a long time after she was gone. When Mrs. Harris came here, I found out some things from her. When I asked him about it he denied it nearly all, said he had not heard one word from his wife. Only from his daughter. And afterward, I was told that Mrs. Harris denied to one of the neighbors here even telling me. There has been so many lies told me, I dont know what to believe anyway. I have been deceived and blinded all the way through and am still in the dark about many things. I wish I could see you and have a long talk with you. Maybe it would make me feel differently.

I am sorry for you in your troubles about your children. I have suffered so much myself, it makes me pitiful toward all suffering ones. Please write again if you feel like it. I hear not a word from Will and your letter was the first I have heard of him for a long time. I don't want to hear from him but I would like to know what they are doing and how they came out.

Yours very respectfully,

Nettie Williams

Grand Ludge,(?sp) Michigan

* * * * *

The following letter was written on letterhead: "Kilpatrick

& Brown, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in FURNITURE AND

UPHOLSTERED GOODS - 410 and 412 Lawrence Street.

Denver Col., February 10th, 1881

My Dear Mother

I suppose you are tired of waiting for an answer to your letter but it seems I couldn't get a very good chance until now and this is Sunday Evening. I was going to write this afternoon but there's been so many here that I couldn't get a chance. I am so sorry you have those bad spells so often. Dont let that other affair worry you for I know Bro. Yates can carry that out all right and make Father crawl in his horns considerable. I've got a letter from Father's Wife that she sent to Dell's Mother and Dell's Mother sent it to me and so I will send it to you and if you have a cause to use it why do so if not please destroy it, for I wouldn't want to get Nettie into trouble. I have to much respect for her if she did make a fool of herself in marrying. Now in regard to Susie I think she is very foolish not to be able to know and see for herself. Thank goodness I can see for myself and I am not very easily turned. And if Father's mad at me he will have to scratch his madden place as the old saying is. But as for me writing back - Telling that Benzon had more than one wife it is no such a thing But Mother I knew it before I left Albion (?sp). I told Dells Mother but she wouldn't breathe it to anybody. I never mentioned to Aunt Maria's folks. But I will tell you how I think it must have got started that is after Charlie Amsden went East. He might have possibly told it not thinking any harm in it. For you know he spoke of you and Benzon's folks in the highest terms to his Mother and I know Charlie nor his Mother is neither deceitful. But I want to ask you if it's Susie's religion. What's she ashamed of it for. Because I know she is mad at me about something for she don't write to me any more but I don't lay awake nights thinking about it. Did Lizzie get that paper I sent. I will send Louie one in a few days. I am real glad the girls has got such a good chance to learn music. Tell them to pitch in for they are young now and it will come so much easier to them than it would when they are older. There was a lady friend of mine came up yesterday for me to go with her to look at some organs for her husbands going to get her one. I think they will get an Estey for I told her I didn't think they could be beat. Mrs. Amsdens niece had one and I never thought before that an organ was nice untill I heard hers. I've changed my mind now. I shall be real glad when you get one for I think you will all enjoy it so much. You will have a little troupe all to yourselves. Tell Bro. Yates I enjoyed his letter ever so much shall be glad to hear from him anytime for you know I think he's just O.K. Tell the girls not to get angry with me for I send lots of love to them in this letter. I have got five letters to write now - some I haven't answered for months. Well goodbye - kiss Tommy for his big sister and lots of love to all from your loving Daughter Ella

A note of clarification about the above letters:

It appears to me that the Mrs. Kincaid the first letter was written to was the mother of Ella's husband, Adelbert P. Kincaid who, according to Uncle Tom's history, proved untrue to Ella and she left him and came to Utah to live with her mother.