ON TO EPHRAIM...

The start of a new life anywhere is an adventure. But with 3 wives and numerous children, it could be a challenge. So Canute set out with his new wife in a Surrey that his son Peter had given to him, along with the team of horses. The rest of the family waved good byes and began preparations for their departure sometime in the future....



They rode along in their Sunday best, passing through towns and small settlements along the way. People would wave and call out greetings to them. Ephraim was well to the south, which gave them time to enjoy the beauty and nature of the country and Canute enjoyed pointing them out to Charlotte.

They drove steadily on and finally came to the settlement of Ephraim, going directly to the Fort. Here the people came to greet and welcome them. They were very happy to know Canute was to be their Bishop and immediately felt the charm and strength of his personality. He and Charlotte were quickly made to feel at home.

Not long after their arrival, Canute started building his home on the half-block lot he'd purchased in the heart of town. It was a three room adobe with a large dining room, kitchen and bedroom. Also a porch in front.

It wasn't long after, that the full impact of leaving Lehi impacted the rest of the family. Peter and Jo had a hard time saying good bye. But the most tearful parting was that of Sarah and Emma. It wrung Canute's heart to have to take his family from their dear friends. All the settlers were saddened at their departure also. Many good memories had been made there. One last thing Sarah did before she climbed onto the wagon was to cut a few branches from her beloved willow trees. They had come across the plains with her, been planted in her first yard, then by the second large home. Now they would go to her new home in Ephraim. The precious memories of her mother would always be with her.

When Canute finally climbed into the front seat of the surrey next to Peter with Sarah, Marie, little Bertie and Jacob comfortably seated in the back seat, he knew he would miss this first settlement he helped start. But knew also he was needed in Ephraim, and gave a silent prayer of thanks for all he'd been given. They headed out with the other children and all their belongings in two wagons following the surrey.

As they traveled along, Canute again pointed out the beauty he had seen on the previous trip and Sarah wondered what her new life would bring. Canute had told her of all the kindness and how friendly the people were. And she knew she could endure anything. But she had heard of the Indian problems there and of Chief Black Hawk, and started humming her little tune. Canute turned around to look at her, gave her a little wink and smiled.

They reached Ephraim just at nightfall. They couldn't travel as fast in a group of three outfits as when he first made the trip. The towns people came out to meet and welcome them. Everyone in the community had came together and prepared a royal welcome for Canute's family. There was feasting and dancing that lasted for hours. When at long last everyone departed, they wondered how they would all manage in the little house. But they were all soon comfortable and even though they were crowded, the beds were made and everyone dropped down into an exhausted slumber. Sarah was so glad to learn she had come to a community so hospitable and generous. And knew things were going to be fine.

Knowing the little home was very inadequate in meeting his family needs, Canute again built an new home in 1869. It was a nice two story made of brick and stone that Peter hauled from a nearby quarry. The family felt more comfortable in the home, but as time passed and the family continued to grow, it became necessary to build two more homes. A home was built for Marie and her family just north of the big home and one for Charlotte on the north side of Marie's. These homes weren't as large as Sarah's but just as comfortable.

One of the first things Sarah did when she arrived in Ephraim was to plant twigs of her willow tree at the new home and again at the larger one.Then as they grew, she would gibe twigs to friends and newly arrived settlers. She also planted quite a few along side the road entering Ephraim. These trees are still standing. So are the three houses and I'll share pictures of them soon.

I'd like to continue this story and get it told before the weekend is over....
So I'll do the best I can and then move on to more stories of my diverse family.

Thanks for visiting again and remember, all comments are welcome (o:


See ya yesterday...