Small Pox Experience

June 3, 1902                Small Pox experience in Monroe.

June 3, 1902                My son Samuel William Jr. came down from Kimberly (a minning camp on Gold Mountain as it is called) sick, he had been with fever for about two weeks before, Dr. Kerby advised him to come down to his home in Monroe.  He was considerably reducded in the flesh and strength.  It might be well to state right here, that Kimberly is situated in the tops of very high mountains in Piute Co. State of Utah.

June 6                          The sickness with which he was troubled developed into Small Pox conlfuent of a malignant type and on the family was quaren­tined by the Town Board and the Quarenteen Dr.  Those who were home of the family at the time were my Wife age 49, daughter Effie age 17, sons Franklin age 13 and Leo age 8.  Franklin however had commenced to work for one Alfred Newby Jr. the day before the Quarenteen was estab­lished and he (Alferd Newby) considering that the boy was perfectly free from the contagen. desired him to continue to work for him, which he did for one week.  He then came home feeling quit sick but nothing serious developed in his case.  There was also staying with us at this time a Miss Ellen Swindle (sweetheart of William as we usually called him) also of Monroe.  She continued to stay with and assist us in waiting upon William in his sickness for one week.  When she was taken down with the same maladay her self, and accord­ingly went to her own home which was only about a stones throw from our place. She went home by the request of her mother.  William had so far recovered by this time that he accompanied her home and remained for about 10 days to assist her mother (which by the way was alone) in waiting upon Miss Ellen.  In a few days After Miss Swindle was taken down, my daughter Effie was seized the a heavy fever of 4 days duration , which also terminated in Small Pox ‑ Her fever was becoming serious when the rash broke out.  Her case was not nearly as bad as Williams, Leo also had some fever and a few pimples which was similar to the others in appearance and feeling ,but nothing of a serious nature.  Franklin also had a few pimples break out on him but nothing to speak of and no fever.  Dr. Neil of Richfield attended all the patience and was kind and pleasent and encouraging.  His fee was‑‑‑‑.  During this time my Wife also became very sick for about two days and it almost looked as though she would come down too.  But she railed again and did not take the dreaded disease.  My health continued to be fairly good during the entire time, though I considerable mixed up with the sickness from the beginning.  My eldest daughter Mrs. Sarah Frasier was living at Richfield at the time a distance of 10 miles who came over to see us several times during our confinement.  My daughters Mary and Ida were up on Gold Mountain (or Kimberly) during the entire time and could not come to see us.          

  My daughter Luella was staying with my daughter Mrs. Emma Nilson also in Monroe about a half mile distance.  Both coming occasionly to see us being under the necessity of standing about 15 feet off while conversing with us on account if Quarenteen regulations.  My father and brothers Frederick B. and Charles with their families also lived in Monroe at the time and came frequently to see us during our confinement which was in all nearly 5 weeks.  This is said to be the first case of Small Pox ever known in the town of Monroe.  A peculier coinsidence connected with this case is the fact of it being the first one and coming to my family so shortly after my appointment and ordinnation to the office of Bishop of Monroe Ward in the Sevier Stake of Zion.  Scarcely 6 monthe has elapsed when this terrible sickness and consequent confinmentcame came to us bringing nearly all the operations of the Ward to nearly a dead stand still, almost at the out set (so to speak) of my administrations as Bishop, and right connected with this embarring condition; my 2nd counciler George A. Smith (a good man) was under the necessity through embarrising circumstances of tendering his resignation as my 2nd councilor in the Bishopric of Monroe Ward all tending to make the mater serious and compleated.  During this time my first crop of lucern hay was ready to be harvested and several of the brethern performed this labor for me gratuitously.  The names of those contributing were A.W. Bohman F. B. Goold, Joseph Nilsson, Leslg Nilsson, Lester Quist, Freaie Bohman, A U Yergonson and George A. Smith.

July 8, 1902                 The Quarinteen was raised after a confinment of 32 days and we were once more at liberty.  My first official move after the Quarinteen was lifted was to attend a meeting of the town Board to see if any objections still existed against our holding Sunday School and meeting.  No objections being raised we accordingly opened up our meetings on Sunday July 13th  1902.  Very good representaion at S.S. and meeting.  Bp. and 1 counciler present 2 Patriarchs a number of high priests 2 presidents of Seventies 41 Quorum, President P N Lundgreen of 20 Elders and many members.

June 30, 1902              My son William, Mrs. Mary Swindle and Miss Ellen Swindle were released fron their confinment of 25 days by Quaranteen law and given their liberty by Dr. George B Loring.

June 29, 1902              Quarterly conference of the Sevier Stake of Zion at Richfield.  There were present of the first Presidency Pres.Joseph F. Smith, Anton H. Lund.  Apostles George Teasdale and Reed Smoot:  Prominent among the subjects treated, the faithfull payment of tithing and advising the brothern not to join those secret organizations or lodges if they did they could not be recommanded to the Temple of the Lord, and said that Bishops should not recommend them.  I was very sorry that I could not be present at the conferance on account of being under Quaranteen regulations for Small Pox in Monroe Sevier Co. Ut.

June 29, 1902              Received a very nice, kind and feeling letter from Sister Magleby, a member of the Monroe Ward, who is working in the Manti Temple expressing her sympathy for us in our small pox affiction and consequent confinment by virtue of the Quarantee laws of our town and Co.  She also repoted her labors in the Temple as being of the most pleasant nature and where in she had gained a most valuable experience.

June 26, 1902              Received a very kind, inteligant and interesting letter from Elder John E. Magleby.  Then President of the New Zealand who when home is a member of the Monroe Ward of the Sevier Stake of Zion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He expressed much pleasure and satisfaction in his labors in the New Zealand Mission and express his desire and determination to keep the harness on when he returned home and do what ever he was required to do by the priest­hood of God.

About June 18, 1902 President W.H. Seegmiller, President of the Sevier Stake of Zion visited me as the Bishop of Monroe Ward during my confinment with Small Pox.  We talked over many matters pertaining to the welfare of the Ward.  My 1st Counciler A.W. Bohman accompanied him.

July 3rd 1902               Coldest time on record for many years considerable damaging crops in general.

July 4th                         No Celebration of Independance in Monroe on account of Small Pox.  Myself being under Quaranteen law at the time.

Aug. 4, 1902                Presided over the Baptismal Services held at Br. Ths. Cooper's springs.  There was a goodly number present 22 children being baptised.  A.W. Bohman officated in baptisms.  S.W.Goold, Orson Hutchison, and P. N. Lundgreen officated in the confermations.  W. A. Warnock clerk of ward.

Aug. 3, 1902                General Fast meeting I took lead in blessing the children.

Aug. 13, 1902              My eldest son Sanuel W. Goold Jr. and Miss Ellen Swindle were joined in wedlock by John Jorgenson (at Richfield) Co, clerk of Sevier Co. State of Utah.