Here the two wives lived in exile with their small children, hid away from society and associations of their friends. In December, Aunt Vendla gave birth to her daughter, Eliza, now the wife of Dr. Kerr of Ogden, Utah. Aunt Vendla did not enjoy good health, being afflicted with a weak heart and during one of these attacks, she passed away during the winter of 1887 and 1888. Imagine the feelings of mother, her bosom companion who was sharing the trials of exile with her, the one who helped to make the situation a little more bearable, to see her taken in death in her young womanhood, leaving three small children, would make a real drama of trial.
But I will add that the Swann family were kind and considerate of them in all of their troubles. Father under arrest and waiting trial, her two eldest children in Richmond with Aunt Mary, and the death scene that came into the home and she to be left with the small children was an extreme experience for both father and mother and the rest of the family. The clouds of persecution were hanging very heavy over them. With heavy heart, but without complaint, and with true Christian devotion she accepted her lot, firm in the belief that she was living a sacred law and with the faith that she would again be privileged to live with her family, her husband and friends.
But I will add that the Swann family were kind and considerate of them in all of their troubles. Father under arrest and waiting trial, her two eldest children in Richmond with Aunt Mary, and the death scene that came into the home and she to be left with the small children was an extreme experience for both father and mother and the rest of the family. The clouds of persecution were hanging very heavy over them. With heavy heart, but without complaint, and with true Christian devotion she accepted her lot, firm in the belief that she was living a sacred law and with the faith that she would again be privileged to live with her family, her husband and friends.
On June 23, 1888, father was sentenced to serve six months in the Utah Penitentiary at which time he began his sentence. During his imprisonment mother gave birth to her daughter, Sarah, on August 5, 1888. Father’s term expired on December 23, 1888 at which time he was released and arrived home Christmas eve. Father set about to get mother a little nearer home so that he could visit more often and in the early spring of 1889 he moved her to Franklin to the farm home of Tolef Olsen which was located on the river south and west of the cemetery. The house could not be seen from the road, and not until you came to the brow of the hill next to the river. Here she remained until the spring of 1890 when she was moved into Franklin in a home that was on the corner just west of the present highway on the south side of Main Street. Father had been encouraged to move his mill from Richmond to Franklin as the lumber supply came from the mountains east of Franklin and would be more convenient to towns in Idaho. He located it temporarily on the river between the north end of the railroad bridge and the river where it remained for two summers when he built a large mill building just south and west of the railroad station, where the Wm. Durand home property is now located. He had a saw mill and shingle mills together with other wood working machinery. He provided a home there where mother lived and cooked for the mill hands.
Her move to Franklin brought her into a new life, not excluded from the world, with her children she enjoyed the privileges of going into society and attending church, so there was rejoicing in her family. Her home soon became the center of attraction of many of the young people as she was tolerant with them. Her children attended the public schools and worked in the various Ward organizations and made themselves useful members. Three of her children were born in Franklin.
On September 23, 1896, her husband passed away leaving her with seven children at home, Ezra having married eleven months before. With a large family, there was not much to be divided for their keeping, so each family was left to make their way through the world. Mother and her children began early to realize the cold facts that were confronting them, and her daughters took up the work of dressmaking and other work where they could help. Fred, the oldest son at home found work and with all working who were old enough to help they managed to get along. Her children felt pride in the fact that at no time in all her life did she have to call for charity from the county or the Church. Some was given to her by kind friends at times, but none was solicited. She kept her family together as a unit, and as each one married her cares were lightened.
If anyone has more info and pictures, that would be fantastic
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