A NEW LIFE...

After making camp just outside of the city, Canute and 5 other men went to see how close the city coincided with their dreams. They walked around what was called Temple Square and were surprised to see how much had been accomplished.

 

They encountered men who had tales of going to find gold in California but they were just glad to be here for now and weren't tempted.

The town was built with a Fort around it.The farms stretched outside the Fort and all the homes were within the walls for protection from the Indians. A tall watchtower served as a lookout and someone was always posted to warn them of trouble. If there was any trouble, an alarm would be sounded and all the men working in the fields would come running into the Fort, the gates barricaded, and they would defend themselves.

After a few days of camping.....

Canute and his friends Shure Olson and Chris Hayer bought a house in the northwest corner of the Fort. They moved into their new little thatched roof log home where they  gave thanks that after such a long and tedious journey, they were snug, warm and safe. It seemed like a palace. 

Life in the Fort wasn't all drudgery. In the evenings after all the daily chores were done, they would gather for an hour or so, enjoying song, dance, foot races and  horseshoe pitching. And as the fall and winter wore on, the women and girls would gather together to make rugs, quilts and many other things to add to their comfort. Nothing was ever wasted. Every little scrap or piece of anything was saved and made into something useful.

Wool from the few sheep they had was washed, corded, spun and then woven into clothes.

 

Fat from the animals they killed for food was used to make soap. Children were taught to use their time wisely and to learn. Classes in school were held, their education was not neglected even in these primitive surroundings. Sara Ann was one of these instructors. Her kindness and keen sense of humor endeared her to the hearts of all, young and old alike. 

The men, working together, built their own little cabins 

and settled down for the winter.

As time passed, Sarah became aware that they were going to have a baby in June. She was so thrilled and happy about it, she  sewed and planned with great pleasure.

When the day finally arrived, June 22, 1850, all the men were outside the Fort working in the fields. Night came and the Fort settled to rest. It was still dark outside the little mud thatched roof when Sarah stirred in her sleep. The great overpowering, awesome silence make her wonder why she was able to slumber so peacefully. As she became aware of what had awakened her, she knew her time was at hand. After another gripping sensation finally subsided, she lay thinking of all that had happened to her the past few months. The long hard journey in the daylight hours then the hustle and bustle of making camp at night. And sleeping out under the stars on warm nights after they were married. She knew it was here that her baby was conceived. Then she thought of her mother and silently wept...

 

As the pains became closer, she spoke gently to Canute and told him he was about to become a father. The excited Canute at first tried to encourage his sweet Sack, then wondered what to do next. Even in Sarah's first experience, she knew much time would pass before her child would make it's entrance into the world.

Hours worn on with nothing to ease the pain. The women gathered around to help and Canute tried to busy himself. In the afternoon the rain began falling and unlike Canute, could not be excluded from the birth chamber.  Pots and pans were brought in to try to keep the rain from the bed. 

Finally when the baby made his appearance, the attending ladies gasped and chuckled at his robust stature. A fine healthy, beautiful baby. Finally one thought of poor distraught Canute and going outside the Fort, waved her bonnet and announced to all of Salt Lake City, "Canute, it's a boy". This brought Canute on the run...

Entering his little cabin, hat in hand, grateful and happy, he sank to his knees and thanked his God and his precious, exhausted  little wife for the gift of his first son. Then after telling Sack of his love and how proud he was of her, he said they should name him after his father, Peter and her father Cornelius.

Little Peter was the first Norwegian male child to be born in Utah and was thereafter quite a favorite of that community. He grew and developed into a husky, healthy child.

Sometime as I near the end of this story. I'll share a picture of Peter, my great grandpa. We was quite a handsome man, even in his later years...

But for now, I'll close this and gather up more for the next post. Thanks for being here and sharing in my bit of family history.

I'll be back yesterday...