A Child of the Sea; and Life Among the MormonsWilliams, Elizabeth Whitney
History
A Child of the Sea; and Life Among the Mormons
Williams, Elizabeth Whitney
Beaver Island (Mich.); Latter Day Saints -- Michigan; Strang, James Jesse, 1813-1856
other women made an appeal to him, but left without gaining any promise
from him, saying he would give them an answer the next morning. I heard
nothing more. Next morning I was sent home in a lumber wagon. My two
children and husband were not allowed to come with me. My home was very
near to the Gentile settlement. My heart was heavy. I went to some of my
Mormon neighbors. Their doors were shut in my face and none spoke to me
when I met them. After a week I was very sick in bed. I became
unconscious. When I realized anything I recognized a Gentile neighbor.
She was preparing some food for me to eat. I asked her many questions
about my children and husband, but she could give me no information. She
told me I had many friends among the Mormons, as it was a Mormon woman
who had directed her to come to me. She told me to be quiet and have
courage and all would be well and that I must get well as fast as
possible.
Strang had gone for the winter and she feared there might be trouble
between the Gentiles and Mormons, as the fishermen felt they could not
endure much more robbery. I felt more courage because I knew this woman
had an influence with the Indians, as she could speak their language and
was always the Indian's friend. This woman's children were away for the
winter and her heart was sad. We could sympathize with each other. One
dark night in March I heard a gentle tap at my window. I opened the
door. It was my husband. He had been handed a note that morning saying,
"Go home. You are safe for awhile." He had walked all the distance after
dark. Next day the neighbor woman came and told me my children were both
well and cared for. Oh joy! I could get well now, and gained my strength
fast.
Navigation opened; Strang came home, remaining only a few days. He was
becoming greatly troubled over the discontent of his people and thought
best to be away for a time. The fishermen began to come, and several
Indian families came also to fish and make oil. Myself and husband were
left to ourselves. One night a letter came to my husband saying, "When
the king comes home Mr. Sinclair must be prepared to obey the law or
suffer the consequences." It was signed by the head apostle. My husband
was greatly worried, knowing the laws so well. In my heart I asked God
to help me in my sore distress. I recalled the words of Mrs. Strang that
if ever I needed a friend to call on her and she would come if possible.
I wrote her to come. I gave the letter to my faithful friend.
The letter was taken to Mackinac Island and from there it was taken to
Mrs. Strang. She came, she got my children and brought them to the
Indian camp. Myself and husband were disguised as Indians, our children
the same, and all were taken away from the island in a birch bark canoe.
CHOLERA AT THE ISLAND.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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