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Show 10 MADELYN CANNON STEWART SILVER also entertained presidents and apostles of the church, gover and secretaries of the territory, colorful frontiersmen like nors Porter Rockwell, various Indian chiefs, and important English, French, German, and American travellers. She was very short, kind and gentle, and had soft, wavy white hair that was held neatly in place with a silky grey net. She regaled Madelyn and her sister Ruth with stories about the girls who sold flowers in London and their song, "Who Will Buy My Sweet Blooming Lavenders." Her pronunciation was still English; she left off her "aitches." Madelyn noted that Elizabeth's four sons, all of whom lived in Salt Lake City, took a street car on a stipulated day each week and traveled to Draper to visit their mother. Neighbors often commented on this example of filial devotion. Madelyn was both respectful and proud of her Cannon and Stewart ancestors. Since all four of her grandparents were pio neer immigrants to Utah and settlers in the Salt Lake Valley, Madelyn, when she was in her twenties, wrote two poems in sonnet form in celebration of them. The first recreates the hard ships and dreams of the pioneers who drove oxen teams across the Great Plains and founded Salt Lake City. The second cele brates the founders of the Mormon culture region in the West. WESTWARD Monotony, dull, stretching far away, A wilderness of fable and of dream; Close by, a baby wailing all the day, The wagon's rumble, lurch of oxen team, The constant scanning glance to horizon For signs of danger lurking ever near, The mounted leader passing, urging on With words of faith and promises of cheer; Then night and camp, with wagons drawn around The hope-fed fires, doubts and fears allayed, God-given sleep of weariness profound, With morning vigor, all impatience stayed: The faith-envisioned ever must respond To hopes that beckon high and point beyond. |
