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Shoal Creek, on the Plains of Nebraska. The flowers were buffalo chips spread over the grave and set fire to keep the wolves from smelling the corpse. "Come. Come, Ye Saints. no toil nor labor fear, but with joy. wend your way." Joy was now turned to sadness, hut the family must go Mary, only 15, now had to assume charge, and shoulder more responsibility as the father was ill with mountain fever. Mary tried to keep her baby brother alive and well, but the only baby food they had, thin flour gruel, was not sufficient to help run, and he, too, passed away October 13 at Needle Springs and was buried on the Plains. Through all the hardships, danger of Indians, and ail the trials they had to go through, they did not give up courage. Their love for each other, and for their new-found faith, kept them going. After their many hardships and sore trials, they reached Salt Lake Valley October 15, 1862. and soon moved to Farmington, their new home. It was necessary to find work, and in January, the older girls lured out. going to Ephraim with a Pioneer who would give them a home and living. In April, these two girls and their employer, Peter (Oldroyd), journeyed back to Salt Lake, by wagon, where Mary and Peter were married and sealed in the endowment House, April 5, 1863. The following year they (the Oldroyds) were sent to Glenwood, Sevier County, to assist in building up that settlement. Here, in a dugout, dirt floor, dirt roof, Mary gave birth to her first child, a boy, August 9, 1865. He was named John after her father. The Indians were so dangerous and troublesome mat the people had to abandon Glenwood. They were sent to Ephraim and then to Fountain Green in Sanpete County, where the family would make a permanent home. It was here in Fountain Green where Mary gave birth to her second child, a son. July 26. 1867. He was bom in a wagon by the fort wail. The top of the wagon was covered with willows. This child died February 29. 1868. Her third son was born in a log room that had a willow and din roof. He was born January 16, 1869, It seemed Mary's lift was not to be of ease, but she was the type of woman who did not complain. She was energetic and loved life, loved to work. When the Indians became less hostile, both the men and women worked in the fields, trying to save their crops, fighting hordes of grasshoppers and crickets. 19 |
