The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 73, July 1969 - April, 1970 Page: 10
605 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Southwestern Historical Quarterly
authorized by the town to secure his return and that of a young
lady he wanted to take as a polygamous wife." At another stop, Separ,
New Mexico, which consisted of no more than a ranch and post
office, the single female on the premises not only refused the emi-
grants any facilities whatever but used the most abusive language
she could conjure to insult the Mormons, saying, among other things:
"I hope to God either the Mexicans or Yankees will kill you,
everyone of you, I would rather be a hundred times a prostitute
any day than to be a polygamous wife."" When a friendly settlement
was found, it was not uncommon for some of the travellers to
yield to the exhausting costs of the journey and make their home
in the locality. Often such interruptions were planned as a neces-
sary interval of rest. Some found living under an assumed name
with all the secrecy and duplicity surrounding a polygamous arrange-
ment so preferable to the ordeal of travel that they remained in the
communities for years."'
As with those who participated in the great hegira of the 1840's,
the Mormon pioneers to Mexico always tried to compensate for
hardships of the road with warmth and activity in their evening
camp. However tired, they attempted to find time for recreation
as well as work. There was singing and dancing whenever the weather
permitted." There were also prayers: family prayers and prayers by
the entire travelling party. These were earnest, vocal petitions which
expressed the anxieties as well as the hopes of those hazarding their
lives and fortunes in this difficult enterprise. And it is illustrative
of the severe hardships encountered that in these invocations, which
were offered both morning and night, special blessings were asked
on the animals, wagons, and equipment as well as the people them-
selves."
The camp was not without its own peculiar problems. Rattle-
snakes seemed to be not only more numerous but larger than those
encountered in parts farther north."' Wolves would sometimes gather
4"Smith, Journal of Jesse N. Smith, 305. This was probably "Parson Williams," who later
helped settle the Mormon colony of Oaxaca in Sonora. Williams formally left the Mor-
mon Church in the 189o's. "Diary of James Henry Martineau" in "Miscellaneous
Mormon Diaries," XI, 37.
"3From Levi M. Savage as quoted in Jenson, "Juarez Stake Wards."
"See, for example, Merrell, "Edward Milo Webb," 13, 14-17; and "Life of Henry Lunt
and Family," 23-24.
4"Jenson, "Juarez Stake Wards."
" Ibid.
4I"Biographical Sketches of John W. McClaws ...," 46.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 73, July 1969 - April, 1970, periodical, 1970; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117147/m1/26/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.