Joseph Smith BLACK

                   Historical information included in notes.

THE NAME SMITH WAS PRONOUNCED UPON JOSEPH BLACK BY THE PERSON WHO BAPTIZEDHIM. THE OFFICIATOR WAS IMPRESSED TO PRONOUNCE THE NAME OF JOSEPH "SMITH"BLACK. STORY TOLD BY EMILY P. YOUNG, WIFE OF ALVA ALLEN YOUNG, SON OF MARYHALLEY WILKEN, STEP DAUGHTER OF JOSEPH SMITH BLACK THIS IS ALSO THE SEALINGLINE FOR MARY HALLEY WILKIN Also sealed to parents 12 Jun 1976 SLFamily Records, Journal of Husb. Cemetery and gravestone; TIB, IGI;At Home AgainOur Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.297[p.297] Prior to my leaving for the East, I entered into contract with John W. Young to do some railroad work in Parley's Canyon, the road running from Salt Lake City to Park City. I wrote to my brother William, asking him to go up and view the ground, and if found as stated to commence work at once. He and my son and many others went, and on my return home I found them vigorously at work. This was Oct. 14, 1888. The work was prosecuted until near Christmas, when owing to storms we ceased work, but in settling and making up estimates we found that we had about $17,000 now due. I returned to Deseret and found all well. During my absence I found there had not been much done on the meetinghouse. We soon called a force and commenced laying brick.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.297The foundation had been put in about three years before at the cost of about $1,000. The walls underground were four feet thick. The brick laying was commenced by Cynthia Black, with Fanny Scott carrying and scattering the mortar, and I taking two bricks and uniting them together in the mortar, praying to God that the House might be built acceptable to Him and the Saints be enabled to meet there in the spirit of truth and righteousness.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.297On this occasion, quite a number of the brethren and sisters were present, and thus the building of the walls of our meetinghouse was commenced on the southwest corner, and the work was prosecuted vigorously with short interruption until we reached the square. I had occasion to visit the R. R. Company and during my absence the lime ran short and the work on the Church stopped, but on my [p.298] return I immediately telegraphed north for 100 sacks of lime, which was sent down on the night train and the next morning the work was resumed. Brother S. W. Western, my counselor, did all he could to keep the work going. About this time we established a Church school, and we had attendance of from 40 to 50 students, but as an impression had gained ground that we were running against the Stake Academy, it was deemed best to discontinue for the present. By this time our Ward had increased in membership to something over 800.The Edmunds LawOur Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.298Soon after the passing of the Edmunds Law, in the spring of 1882, the marshals commenced their raids in different parts of the territory, which caused excitement and annoyance almost continuously. The raids on the different settlements were conducted thus:Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.298They would designate a certain number of the brethren that they desired to capture and three or four of them would come into town during the night and lie in wait at the house of some traitor, the people reposing in a peaceful slumber not conscious of any danger being near. Perchance the husband and father being weary of camping out would have returned home for a good night's rest and to enjoy the society of his loved ones. When all was quiet during the small hours of the morning, a loud rap would be heard at the door, the family would spring from their beds and in sudden tones would whisper the word, "Marshals." Perchance a louder and harsher knock would follow and someone of the family would ask, "Who is there?" and they would say, "Marshals, open the door or we will burn it down," and if the father would happen to be in the house he would meet them with a light at the door and admit them, and with cocked revolvers they would demand his surrender; thus by demons in human shape he would be dragged away to some pretended court. In cases where the husband was not at ho
me, the wife with almost frantic haste would admit them to the house and sometimes by threats and abusive language, she would be compelled to show them through the house, while the children would nestle close together in their beds, being almost overcome with fright and anxiety for the safety of their father and protector. In many instances the women displayed a degree of heroism that would be commendable in any age of the world. Generally, on such occasions, the word of alarm would soon spread and lights would glitter in all parts of the town, and perchance if the raid had been successful the news would soon be conveyed from house to house of the capture of some of the most respectable citizens. Excitement would generally run high and many would be the expressions of indignation, and were it not for wise counsel of more mature minds, many of these raids would have ended in a scene of blood, as it was hard to see fathers, relatives and friends taken away in such a manner.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.299[p.299] Another mode they had in capturing those they were hunting was for a stranger to ride to town, looking like a miner or stockman and they would call at the house and make inquiry about something, and would then serve papers on those who happened to be there, perhaps one wanted for witnesses. In all of the numerous cases of that kind, I have never known of any resistance by any lawful person. For four years they had been seeking to arrest me and offered rewards to different persons if they would assist to trap me. I am sad to say traitors were very plentiful. Conscious of having committed no crime, except as made so by law, it was very humiliating to me to be continuously hiding from the officers and spotters, besides it caused me to neglect my business and thereby suffer loss.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.299On one occasion, Marshals Clauson, Morrell, and Mount surrounded my largest house in the night and after a thorough search, being unsuccessful they summoned members of my family and also some of the family of other citizens. I was a short distance from the house and could plainly see them carrying the lights from one room to the other. In the morning a messenger brought word to me that the Marshals were going to capture a brother who lived down the river. His son was plowing nearby and I went and informed him of the fact. He decided to go home at once, and I said I would ride with him as far as six miles below to my ranch and that I would wait at the corner of the street at my daughter's home until he came along. While I was waiting there, my daughter went in the house out of breath and said, "Oh Pa the Marshals are coming up the lane." This was at my daughter Nancy's, and she urged me to get out of the way. I went into a secret place and the Marshals came and surrounded the house. They searched everywhere; two had given up the search, but Morrell continued. They came within three or four feet of me, while Morrell on his way to their carts, having given up the search, came right onto me, he said "G. D. you come out of there," and used other abusive and profane language. I said "Mister you have captured me fairly and now I want you to treat me like a gentleman and use no such language in my presence." The others shouted, "that is the Bishop." "Oh," he said, "I beg your pardon, I thought it was Allred. We were not looking for you." We went to the carts and I rode to my house with Clauson, with whom I had formerly been acquainted. The scene was enacted in the presence of quite a number of people, among them were some of the members of my family, who were overcome with grief. The Marshal told me that they had been told by an individual that a man had been seen in that place, hence their raid, and by the excited manner of my daughter, they were satisfied that someone was there. At the house we talked matters over and I agreed to be before the commissioners at Provo the next week. This occurred on Monday.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.299In all the excitement of the raids there were many amusing scenes, and
we ran many narrow risks of being captured. On one occasion a marshal was making a search for myself and others and boasting of [p.300] what he could do. I passed him right on the sidewalk, and when he learned of the fact he was very much chagrined. On another occasion I met two in the road and was so close to them that retreat was impossible. I passed on, and as I did so I passed my hand into my vest bosom and said, "Good evening gentlemen." They returned the [p.301] salute pleasantly. After passing a short distance, they said "My God, that is the Bishop." They afterwards would have captured me, but I had the drop on them. I had my hand on my revolver. At the commencement of the raiding I felt very indignant and was fully determined to shoot any man who would break into my house in the night, but after Marshal Dyer came into office a more human course was pursued and I had laid my pistols by.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.300Joseph and Louisa Jane Stocks BlackOur Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.301Another amusing instance transpired when I was at Manti attending the dedication of the Temple. A marshal learned of my whereabouts and had planned my capture. I was then stopping at Baton's. A friend informed me of their intention and advised me to go somewhere else and sleep. He took me to Mr. Bench who was an old acquaintance of mine. I informed him that I wanted a bed, but he said he was sorry that he could not accommodate me, as every bed was occupied, as also all the sleeping places on the floor, but said that across the road lived a Presbyterian School Teacher, who had a spare bed and was alone and if I was willing he was satisfied that he could get permission for me to stay there. I said that is good enough and accompanied him into the house; he introduced me as Mr. Brown. She said that I could stay and invited me to take a chair in a nicely furnished parlor. The house consisted of two bedrooms, a sitting room and a kitchen. The lady was about 25 years old, of light complexion, beautiful figure and an agreeable manner. We soon entered into conversation, she gave me an outline of her faith, their Church Organization and Government, and part of her history. I in turn told her of my religious faith and mildly corrected her in some of her erroneous ideas. Our conversation became quite interesting, and after an hour or two I excused myself, thinking it might become tiresome and would retire to bed. She assured me that she was not weary in the least, so the conversation resumed and when I looked at my watch again it was nearly one o'clock. I bid her good night and retired. I arose early in the morning, as I had promised to go out to take breakfast with a friend. She was in the kitchen, I thanked her kindly as I had promised. She invited me while I was in Manti to make her house my home. As the marshals had searched the train for me at Nephi at my coming over, I decided to return by horse and buggy accompanied by my brother. I arrived all safe after having enjoyed my visit and the dedicatory services.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.301At the appointed time, I appeared before the Commissioner and was bound over in the sum of $800.00 to await the action of the Grand Jury. George Sutherland, one of the attorneys, and Jacob Gates, Jr., went my bond. On the 17th of September the Grand Jury indicted me for unlawful cohabitation, having procured a number of witnesses from our settlement. I appeared in the Court and in my plea admitted that technically, according to the ruling of the court, I was guilty while at the same time I did not feel the least guilt in my own heart. I was given until the 10th of October for sentence to be passed on me by the court. I immediately returned home to put my [p.302] affairs in proper shape and also arrange the affairs of the ward. Virgil Kelly was called to fill the place of S. W. Western as first counselor in the Bishopric, as he had been called to go to England on a Mission. The meetinghouse work on the walls had been stopped owing to cold weather and the following spring they were completed. Tim
e began to draw near when I should appear before the court for sentence. Being much perplexed and embarrassed, I am sorry to say that some of my brethren, instead of encouraging and assisting me, did all they could to embarrass and perplex me.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.302The Saints generally felt well. The Sabbath before leaving, after addressing the Saints for a short time, I bade them adieu for how long I did not know. After the services, many were the kind embraces which I received from the sisters, many a warm clasp of the hand from the Brethren, exhorting me to be of good cheer, the sentence would only be short. The day before, the Young Ladies made a beautiful dinner in the Scotts Grove. Some of the brethren were there from the City, Brigham Hampton and C. W. Wilkins. After dinner the sisters sang my favorite hymn. "Oh Awake Ye Defenders of Zion."Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.302The President of the Y. L. M. I. A., in behalf of the sisters, presented me with an autographed album with many loving expressions. I offered a few remarks and blessed them in the name of the Lord and I felt much affected by their manifest kindness, causing tears to flow. On the evening previous to my departure many of my family and a number of Brethren and Sisters assembled at my home and partook of a sumptuous supper, about 70 sat down. Afterward the table was cleared and the time was occupied by song, recitations and music. In the course of the evening I made a few remarks to my family and those present, exhorting them to be faithful and steadfast in keeping the commandments of God, read a biographical sketch of Father's and prayed to God that they might do right and defend the right of the Saints. I went to prison conscious of being guilty of no crime and rather than break the covenants which I had made before God with them and forsake my family and those I loved so dearly, I would bid them the last farewell and spend the rest of my life in prison. The company was much affected, and I spoke words of comfort to cheer them. Brother Jesse W. Fox of Salt Lake and Brother Williams and Brother Hales spoke words of comfort and encouragement. I had seated with me at supper my four wives, my mother, Mother Stocks, my mother-in-law, and daughter Courteniah read the following address:Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.302Most Beloved Father:Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.302The time is at hand when we shall part for a short time. We shall miss the familiar sound of your footsteps on the threshold and the welcome smile that greets us as we meet you. We shall think of you in hours of your loneliness and every evening as we retire we [p.303] shall pray to God to protect our darling Father until your return to the homes of your beloved ones.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303May He who clothes the liliesAnd watches the Sparrows fallGuide and protect you dear FatherAnd bring you safe through all.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303Courteniah Black, Louisa Black, Emma A. Black, Phoebe D. BlackOur Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303The above named daughters are all mine by three different wives. The following which had been composed by my first wife was read:Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303True, my darling, life is hardAnd its ways are dark and dim,But God knows that path you tread,I can leave you safe with Him.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303Tears are but the hearts pure dewdropsSoft distilled through virtues spring.Sorrows are the clouds that night dropsE're the day here joy shall bring.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303Crowns are won by faithful valorOn the trying fields of strife.Virtue comes from patient laborIn the busy school of life.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303Hours are darkest near the morning,Shadows are deepest at dawning.Every mound is but a tokenOf a brighter and better day.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303From one who loves you -CynthiaOur Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303It was now near twelve o'clock at night and the b