Lucy Ward Cole 1833-1920

Lucy Ward Cole 1833-1920

Lucy Ward Cole's Story

1833-1920

(from stories written by Isador May Tinsley Johnson and Ruby M.F. Hall, granddaughters)

"Sing a faster song than that, May." Grandmother often urged me on to work faster by saying that, for I was usually singing and timing my job to the speed of the tune.

Dear old Grandma, being a pioneer, had the habit of making the best of every bit of time as did all the pioneers.

It was still pioneer days when she said that to me, 1893 to 1900. Yes, we were very much pioneers then. We used kerosene lamps or candles, washed our clothes on a washboard, scrubbed bare floors, that is, if we were fortunate enough to have floors. Many houses at that time still had dirt roofs and when it rained all rushed for pans, pails, or anything to catch the water leaking through the roof, even so, very often, things were soaked.

Indians still came to the door begging for food or sat on the sidewalks with their papooses on their backs.

We lived in Ogden then, and I always think of Ogden as it was thenBa lovely mountainous frontier town, but it is far from that today. In fact we live in a different world today. All of our modern conveniences have come into existence since I was a child when Grandma urged me on with my work. The past sixty-three years has brought about great changes too numerous to mention.

When I was ill Grandma would come with an orange. "An orange?" You would think that was not much. At that time transportation was quite different than it is today. Oranges were ninety cents per dozen, and many men received only one dollar for a day's work. But better than the orange was that Grandma brought sunshine and cheer. She was a nice person to have near if you were sick or well. However there is one thing that bothers meBwhy was it, with a story like hers, that she did not tell it to us? Maybe it was because of the sad memories, or maybe just because she did not have time for non-essentials. At any rate she was old and blind before she told this story in its completeness to us.

This story is pieced together from what she finally did tell and it is told as nearly as I can tell it as she told it, with bits of historical facts woven in.

In 1900 we moved from Ogden to Albion, Idaho, then in 1902 to Oakley, Idaho. Grandma came when my mother passed away in 1904 and spent a few weeks with us. She was nearly blind then with cataracts, and again we feel the change the years have broughtBtoday her trouble could be overcome, but not for her then. She sat in darkness all the years that followed. She went back to Ogden to visit and lived with my mother's sister, "Artie Fronk." The next year I went to Odgen to see Grandma and others. We traveled by team and wagon and were one week from Oakely to Ogden.

Now let us go back to Lucy Ward. Her parents were Alfred George Ward and Elizabeth Forth. Lucy was born in London, England, and christened there in 1833. She was born May 1, 1833. Most of her youth was spent in Nottingham, Nottingham Shire, England where her sister and two brothers were born. When she was about three years old her father lifted her up on his shoulder so that she would be able to see the coronation of Queen Victoria.

When Lucy was about ten years old her father whom she loved so dearly, was taken in death. At the time of his death, he was an optometrist. The times were times of unrest and workers and factories were at odds with fighting in the street. Later the family moved back to London from Nottingham. In 1849 Lucy's mother Elizabeth joined the LDS Church.

In 1851 Lucy and her sister both joined the Church; later the two brothers joined. Lucy was baptized into the LDS Church 5 May 1851 in England. In 1852 Lucy's sister Elizabeth died and in 1853 her mother passed away.

Lucy's story is pieced together from what she finally told her daughters and granddaughters as there is not a journal for Lucy.

Lucy attended boarding school in London but she wanted to go to "Zion". She had a superior education. She was very poised and spunky. Not long after her parents and sisters had passed away she came to America. It was the fall of 1855 and she stayed in New York City that winter and worked at a millinery shop.

In the spring of 1856, the handcart company, with whom she was supposed to cross the plains, was detained in England and failed to arrive until late. Lucy traveled to Iowa City to where handcart companies were being made up to cross the plains. The Church agents at Iowa City who had worked hard and successfully to equip and send off the first three handcart companies now had to struggle to provide for an unexpectedly large body of late arrivals. Most of these 1,620 immigrants were poor Saints who had elected to travel in handcarts. Three hundred were principally Scotsmen, 500 Scandinavians, and the other hundreds were mostly English. They were divided into 100's with a sub-captain over these. James G. Willie would be the Captain of this company. They had 500 people, 120 handcarts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen and 45 beef cattle and cows. To each hundred there were five tents with twenty persons to a tent; twenty handcarts and one Chicago Wagon drawn by three yoke of oxen to hold provisions and tents, each person was limited to seventeen pounds of clothing and bedding. The strength of the company was equalized as much as possible by distributing the young men among the different families to help them. Several carts were drawn by young girls exclusively. Lucy was one of these. She had just turned 23 years old in May.

The Willie Handcart Company arrived at Iowa City, June 26, 1856, and it was July 15, 1856, before their handcarts were ready to move again. At Florence, Nebraska, the terrible heat and dust turned to mud, which made traveling difficult for the company. In addition to this, the few wagons they had were searched by a Sheriff's posse for young girls they had been told were strapped to the wagon bottoms. After these, and many other delays, a vote was taken to see whether they should stop where they were or go on. They voted to go on.

The advancing season was of deep concern in the camp in Iowa City. The Mormons were coming in so fast there were not enough houses to accommodate them. Tents were pitched on the outskirts of the city, but even then they had to keep them moving on as the people of Iowa City did not like so many Mormons coming in. They were cutting wood and drying it with as much speed as possible to make the handcarts but, even so, the wood dried so slowly that the handcarts were being made of poorly seasoned wood. Usually the parts were kiln-dried but that was too slow now. Three companies had already made the trek and fared reasonably well.

It was announced that in Captain Willie=s company none must ride who were able to walk. One thing was certain, Lucy Ward would walk. She was probably one of the strongest women in the company. Each handcart had its particular place in the procession. There was great excitement.

When all handcarts had been inspected and a solemn prayer offered and after singing, "Come, Come Ye Saints," they were on their way with much excitement and squeaking of wheels and a 'Gee' and a 'Haw' and away they go. They had caught up sort of a theme song in some of the previous companies as they trudged along and now Captain Willie's company was singing it with great enthusiasm."

"For some must push and some must pull

As we go marching up the hill,

As merrily on our way we go

Until we reach the Valley, O."

They were happy but knew that this was a serious undertaking because the season was so advanced. However, they had little choice as the congestion of the LDS people in Iowa City was a serious matter. I can visualize Lucy Ward as she marched along, pushing or pulling, small of stature but high spirited, pretty and clever.

They reached a creek just as a California-bound wagon did. The driver of that wagon whipped up his horses as he went into the stream and splashed dirty water on them. The men with the wagon laughed and made great fun of it as one of them said, "Hey, Bill, loo't the poor whites. Do ye think they can cross the Rockies pushing them baby buggies?"

Many little graves were made all along the way. It seemed the children did not have much resistance to the fever known then as 'American Fever.' It claimed the lives of a few adults, but mostly children.

Except for the deaths from the fever the Willie Company felt they had been successful thus far as they pulled into Florence, Nebraska (now part of Omaha). It was called Winter Quarters by the first pioneers under President Brigham Young. Here Captain Willie said: "The authorities in Salt Lake City have made arrangements for us to stock up with provisions here. It is the last frontier town before entering the real wilds of the west."

The emigrants were entirely ignorant of the country and climate. They were simple, honest, and eager to go to Zion at once. Under these circumstances it was natural that they should leave their destination in the hands of the Elders. There were but four men in the company who had been to the valley, viz: Willie, Atwood, Savage and Woodward; but there were several at Florence superintending the emigration, among whom Elders G.D. Grant and W.H. Kimball occupied the most prominent position. These men all talked at the meeting just mentioned and all with one exception, favored going on. Levi Savage declared that they could not cross the mountains with a mixed company of aged people, women, and little children so late in the season without much suffering and sickness and death. He, therefore, advised going into Winter Quarters without delay.

A vote was taken with the result to "Go now." Brother Savage said, "Brethren and Sisters, what I have said I know to be true; but seeing you are to go forward, I will go with you, will help you all I can, will work with you, will rest with you, will suffer with you, and, if necessary, I will die with you. May God in his mercy bless and preserve us."

The handcarts were giving much trouble on account of the wood not being properly seasoned, they were so flimsy. Soon the company came upon the mutilated bodies of the Colonel Babbitt Party, which had passed Captain Willie=s company on the way. This event was still in their minds when a man approached them and said gasping, "I'm the only one left of the Thomas Margetts company. Mrs. Margetts was taken captive after her husband and baby were killed." They had traveled three hundred miles since they left Florence where they had decided to go on. That decision could not be altered now.

Lucy Ward, with the others had been dragging through miles upon endless miles with heavy feet, for as usual, all who possibly could must walk. The camp was stampeded by a herd of buffalo and all of the company was saved by quick action, but about thirty of their milk cows had gone with the wild animals.

"Now here is North Bluff, we are about 613 miles on our way," said Captain Willie, "It is necessary that we cut our rations to 15 ounces for men; 13 ounces for women and 5 for babies." That night President Franklin D. Richards, George D. Grant, William H. Kimball and others came into the Willie Camp. They had remained behind to see the Martin Handcart Company and still later the Unt and Hoget wagon trains started on their journey to the West. Next morning they held a meeting in which President Richard promised to go to Salt Lake as quickly as possible and have relief sent back. He also said he would buy blankets and robes and provisions at Ft. Laramie and have them waiting for this company when they arrived there.

Surely, Lucy was homesick but thrilled with the joy of her faith even though so many were being buried along the way, "and should we die before our journey's through, Happy Day, All is well."

There was a terrific peal of thunder, "Form a circle," came the order. Hail came down like bullets and all rushed for shelter. Lucy thought she would never be warm again, it was so very cold.

Captain Willie said, "we are now about two hundred miles from Ft. Laramie." Now the valley of the Platte came into view. Here were buffalo and the men rushed out for the hunt. Lucy helped gather buffalo chips for fuel.

Some who were very tired would lag behind and the stronger ones would go back to help them. There was an effort made to pick up speed. Now they came up between the bluffs of the Platte. "We are now starting into the Rockies. Great hazards lie ahead. I need not remind you that our shield and armor against heavy odds is our faith in God," said Captain Willie. Then he continued, "We have seen and probably will see again wagon trains destroyed by Indians. It is uncanny the way they have left us alone except to run off our stock. No company on the trail has been better treated by them. With our night and morning prayers we have become engendered with faith and trust in our Heavenly Father, which they take for bravery. It is no secret that our deepest concern is not for the Indians but for the weather."

It was the morning of the 17th of September that they found the bushes white with frost. The next morning was more alarming. Dense gray clouds were hugging the mountains. The sun did not shine all day. One night the man who was on guard came in and told the captain "The Indians who have been hanging around all day have driven away the milch cows." There was a frantic effort made to find the cows, I believe, but am not sure they were unsuccessful.

They were shooting squirrels, owls, and coyotes for food. Their daily diet was minute pudding or lumpy dick which were one and the same.

Not far away, between the perpendicular walls of clay was Fort Laramie. It was the morning of October 1st when they learned that the provisions they had expected to find waiting for them at the Fort were not there. What a disappointment that must have been. It was cold and frosty now and the 17 pounds of clothing was not enough to keep them warm. They shivered as they prepared breakfast around the camp fire and the usual jokes and singing were not heard this morning. The captain advised them to relax and enjoy the diversion. Next day Parley P. Pratt and others passed through Laramie on their way east for a mission.

As they were about to leave the Fort all eyes were turned upon Captain Willie wondering what the orders would be. On the 10th of October he said, "The rations will be cut to ten ounces for men, nine for women and three for children." Many women gathered rose berries and dried them along the way. This would save many lives. It began to snow and all who could walk trudged hour after hour over a low range of mountains, pushing and pulling, and I can see Lucy Ward as one of those plodding humans moving on in line with other human beings and beasts like a wet apparition.

They were very short on food and the weather was very cold at night. The Willey Company received a letter form apostle Richards informing them that they might expect supplies to meet them from the valley by the time they reached South Pass. They had not traveled far up the Sweetwater before the nights, which had gradually been getting colder since leaving Fort Laramie, became very severe. The mountains, before the handcart companies, revealed themselves a view mantled nearly to their base in snow. The 17 pounds of clothing and bedding was altogether insufficient for comfort. Cold weather, scarcity of food, lassitude and fatigue from overexertion soon produced their effects. The old and infirm people began to droop, and they no sooner lost spirit and courage than death's stamp could be traced upon their features. Life went out as smoothly as a lamp out of oil. At first the deaths occurred slowly and irregularly but, in a few days, at more frequent intervals, until they soon thought it unusual to leave a camp ground without burying one or more persons.

The snow was thick and heavy as they entered the land of the Arapahos. Near their camp site there was a small trading post run by Oregon Immigrants. As the wheels of the rickety handcarts churned through the soft snow all were dejected, but the sun came out as they came to the last crossing of the Platte River. It was wide and deep and icy. They rested a while before crossing.

My grandmother said a fine old man had a handcart next to hers and when they came to the Platt River she was stronger than he and she waded across and took his cart, then went back and got hers. She was asked to wash his clothing. She didn't refuse, but went to her tent and prayed about this matter. Before she left England for this trek she never even washed her own, and now a man's, a stranger until a few weeks previous. She was taught to be very proper. She prayed for strength of character, enough courage to do as she was asked. She had courage enough to come and faith in God, and faith in herself to do right, be true to herself. When she went out of the tent she felt almost happy about the prospect. She knew faith without works was dead. The next night the man died. She was so happy she had washed his clothing because he was now buried in them.

On the other side a blizzard broke loose and everything was blown loose and

torn--tents, handcarts, everything. When camp was made, the poor cold creatures huddled together like cold suffering birds in a storm.

The morning before the storm, or the morning of the day in which it came, they were issued the last ration of flour. On this fatal morning, therefore, they had no issue. However, they had a barrel or two of hard bread which Captain Willey had produced at Fort Laramie in view of their destitution. This was equally and fairly divided among all the company. Two of the brokendown cattle were killed and their carcasses issued for beef. With this they were informed that they must subsist until the coming supplies reached them.

Lucy had brought a fur cloak with her from England. In New York she had worked in a millinery store and had some experience in hat-making in England. She cut the bottom of her fur coat off and made a covering for her head to keep her warm. As the weather grew worse she took from her precious belongings a green veil to tie around the fur hat to hold it close to her head and protect her face from the cold.

In Salt Lake City it was October Conference, Elder Franklin D. Richards, who had made the promise to Captain Willie's Company that he would send help back to them, was present at this conference. The message had been delivered. President Brigham Young arose to speak and said, "There are four companies of our people who are out on the plains and need help badly. We want twenty teams by tomorrow morning to go to their relief. If any of you have suitable teams for this undertaking make it known, please." Conference adjourned to prepare.

All twenty-seven men who were prepared to go, appeared at President Young's office at an appointed time and were blessed by laying on of hands and set apart of this great task. James Barnet Cole was one of these men. The first night out they camped on Big Mountain. George D. Grant was elected their Captain with William H. Kimball and Robert T. Burton as assistants. The constantly falling snow had the trail completely obliterated. The next day it was still snowing but the men and teams fought their way through. At Fort Bridger they expected to find the handcart company but they had not been seen, so they sent two men ahead to inform the handcart company that help was on the way.

Now the command was given to the wagon train, "We must press on with all possible speed while there is a lull in the storm." But only forty miles was traveled when the storm broke in all its wintry fury. "Double up teams and go to it or we'll never cross the Continental Divide," was the next order. One team was down. The owner said, "Go, leave me. Too many lives are at stake. With rest my horses will be al right."

At South Pass it was almost impossible to make it down hill. By the time they reached Sweet Water most men and horses could not possibly go on, so they camped there.

James Barnett Cole was traveling with William H. Kimball. They made camp at Sweetwater when the men and horses could go no further. The next morning Brother Cole told Brother Kimball, "I had a dream that I saw a beautiful woman in Captain Willie's Company. She was wearing a green veil and she was my wife." Brother Kimball laughed at him and said, "Jimmy, you'll see no beautiful women in a green veil in this forlorn outfit."

Then coming down hill they saw Captain Willie and Joseph Elder . Captain Willie had burlap sacks wrapped around his feet and legs. "The Company is east of the Rockies in a freezing, starving conditions." The Willie Company continued to pray in faith and the words of the glorious song gave them strength,

"And should w die before our journey's through,

Happy Day, all is well."

The last crossing of the Sweetwater was reached in a howling blizzard. The water was waist deep in places and a hundred feet wide. Many there were who could not make it through that icy waterBothers such as Lucy Ward and some of the others of the stronger men must help them. Captain Willie had been constantly expecting the promised relief. This stopping place would be a vast burying ground if relief did not come soon. He decided to take Joseph Elder and ride out to urge the relief party to move more speedily.

Captain Atwood took over and tried to push on with the company but they were just too weak, they settled in their tracks. This camp was then two miles below Rock Ridge on the Sweet Water. The snow continued to pile up. The cries of little children and babies were more than parents could endure. In desperation, men, in spite of frozen feet and frost-bitten fingers, continued to go out into the blinding sleet for firewood, so they managed to keep a few fires burning. Seventeen or eighteen, I'm not sure which, were buried in one grave. It was not so much sickness but freezing and starvation. One who helped dig a grave one day might be the one for whom the grave was dug the next day.

On October 29th the first relief wagon came in sight. It must have been pathetic. Reminiscing, James Barnet Cole said that they saw the encampment just as the sun was sinking in the west. It looked like an Eskimo village which was fully a mile away. The snow was very deep and paths had been made from tent to tent giving the camp that appearance. It was located on a plain near the river. When the people caught sight of the rescue party, brave men wept as shouts of joy filled the air. More than two hundred of the company had died. They threw off all restraint and freely embraced their deliverers.

As Brother Kimball and James B. Cole came into camp, Lucy Ward appeared wearing the green veil on her fur hat and Brother Kimball remarked, ABrother Jim, there is your dream girl.@ James Barnet Cole asked her to get in the wagon and her reply was, "No, I don't know you." Anyway, she got used to the idea of having him around. Three days later Lucy Ward and James Barnett Cole were married on November 2, 1856 by William H. Kimball, while yet on the plains at Fort Bridger. James B. Cole kept his weak, ill bride there until spring at Fort Bridger. They stayed over the winter at the fort for Lucy to gain strength. She had frozen feet. From there they went to Willard, Utah to help his father run the flour mill. She raised a large family of children and worked with her husband at pioneering in many different localities and under every circumstance you can think of.

They had 11 children, Lucy's husband was killed by a run-away team in 1876 while working on the farm. Lucy had gone for provisions and James was buried before she returned. It was July and the intense heat made it impossible to preserve his body until it could reach the nearest cemetery. Now a metal fence has been placed on his grave on the farm they lived on.

Lucy W. Cole lived forty-four years after she was made a widow. In all that large family there was but one boy. She said he was the worst tease in the world. One thing I remember her telling is that he would nail the girls' shoes to the floor with the girls in the shoes. That was an example of his teasing.

Lucy lived to be 87 years old. At the time of her death she had one hundred and fifty-six descendants.

James Barnet Cole and Lucy Ward had 11 children as follows:

1. Lucy Elizabeth 31 Jan 1858

2. Svtemesia Ann8 Oct 1860

3. Phoebe Welch22 March 1862

4. James Barnett Jr.29 July 1863died one day later

5. William George Cole 2 April 1865

6. Amanda Ariminda 2 April 1867

7. Isa Arivinda4 March 1874 died at 6 mo.

8. Lydia Mahalia Cole20 Nov 1870died age 9

9. Anna Isabella 28 June 1872

10. David Allen 4 Mar 1874died 6 mo

11. Edith Viala 8 February 1876died abt 2 mo after her father