ELIZABETH VAUGHAN HUNT
Like the elegant lady from a lustorus painting or a lovely cameo come to life is Elizabeth Vaughan Hunt, "Aunt Lizzie" to so many people, both old and young, in the western half of Washington County. She sits prim and straight in her high-backed rocker, whose springs keep up a tick-tock in rhythm with the cathedral-shaped eight-day clock on the shelf across the room. As always, she is immaculately dressed, and her room is spotlessly clean, the feather mattress of her bed plumped to its highest proportions, the heavy white spread covering it without a wrinkle. The clock, more than sixty years old, strikes off the hour with vibrant assurance, as if, like its owner, it brooks no laxity because of age. For, though "Aunt Lizzie" is nearing eighty-eight, and her heart gives her trouble, she still does her own housework and cooking, regretting only that her impaired eyesight keeps her from reading and sewing and keeping busy, as has always been her habit.
Her father, William Vaughan, was a grandson of Major Vaughan of Revolutionary fame, and lived in Wales, where he married Dinah Davis. Both came of wealthy families and were well educated, but were never compelled to work until after they joined the Mormon Church and their families ostracized them. Dinah Davis Vaughan was a graduate doctor of the period and, had her health permitted, could have found plenty to do; but, in spite of his training, the only work her husband could procure was that of a collier's laborer. But they were not to be discouraged.
Then late in 1849, the president of the Wales branch was released, and they decided to come to America with him. Taking their seven-year-old daughter, Martha, and a trained nurse, since another child was expected soon, the Vaughans, accompanied by the missionary, set out for the seaport where they would get boat passage to Liverpool and thence overseas, as the main bodies of emigrants embarked from that port. On the journey, Mother Vaughan became ill and they stopped at a large farmhouse and asked for shelter in the barn. And there, on the 14th of November, 1849, Elizabeth Vaughan was born, the travelers glad enough for shelter from the cold and the raging snowstorm without.
When the baby was ten days old, a woman whom they did not know came to the barn to warn them that a mob was gathering to destroy them. The missionary and Mr. Vaughan were in town working during the enforced stopover, and in spite of the warnings and pleadings of her nurse, Dinah Vaughan arose from her bed, dressed and trailed through the snow to town to warn them. She was drenched to the waist when she returned, but taking a bowl of ginger tea, she went again to bed and felt no ill effects from the exposure. In some way, the mobbing was averted, the mob taking the opposite road. Soon they were able to continue their journey and were on their way to America, many converts being on the ship that left England.
When sickness overtook the passengers, Dinah Vaughan went regularly to the cook's quarters to make gruel for them, much to the cook's disgust; but the captain's full permission overcame his protests. One morning a lurch of the ship caused her to spill the boiling gruel, and one of her feet was badly burned. The cook thought he was rid of her, but she directed what should be done for it; and the applications, plus the faith exercised in her behalf, brought immediate relief; and she went on caring for these who were suffering.
After reaching America, William Vaughan stopped in St. Louis, Missouri, where he found good employment, and was Branch president. But Mrs. Vaughan, with her two little girls, came on to St. Joseph. In a short time, Father Vaughan became ill and died, leaving his wife with the care of her two small girls; hence they remained for some time in St. Joseph. It was here, at the age of five, that Elizabeth received her first schooling. The nearest school to them was a Catholic Nunnery, but Mother Vaughan felt her daughers must have education and knew they would be well taught in refinement and learn much about the Bible in this school; also it would give her more opportunity to earn a living.
Small as she was, Elizabeth was much impressed with the surroundings in the Nunnery, with the beautiful young women who were in training to take the veil. Her whole life was affected by the technical teachings regarding the sin of laughing or speaking aloud on the Sabbath, or the vanity of looking into the mirror for more than just to part the hair; and as she grew up was very happy to relax from that phase of the schooling in the teachings of her own church. She recalls the loveliness of one young sister who was so trusted she was finally permitted to go to the town unattended. Before leaving, she kissed Elizabeth and told her "Good-bye." There was great commotion and concern for weeks when she did not return, having renounced the life of a nun for marriage, or so it was thought.
When Elizabeth was seven her mother married William E. Jones, a young Mormon whose wife had died, leaving a small adopted daughter. He was younger than Mrs. Vaughan, but they felt that with their united efforts they might more quickly come to Utah. Elizabeth's sister, Martha, was now fourteen. Their mother continued to work, as she had no more children. They moved to Omaha and from there to Crescent City, where most of the people were Josephites; and being excellent singers, her mother and stepfather were often called to teach them the tunes of hymns. The three girls often grew weary of the long hours of practice that followed, and were glad when they moved back to Omaha. Later, they moved to Florence, Nebraska, and from here Father Jones and other elders were called to Genoa to build a ferry for the Mormons across Loup Fork River, since the other ferry was closed against them.
Genoa was the old reserve of the Pawnee Indians, but they did not like it and were to be moved to a new reserve opened for them. However, Judge Gillies, the Indian agent, required them to stay at Genoa; and he encouraged them to harass and bother the Mormons, since he had no sympathy for this church.
When the ferry was completed they returned again to Omaha; and from here, when Elizaeth was eleven and Martha eighteen, they came by wagon train to Utah, arriving in the latter part of June, 1860, in time for the July Fourth celebration, which was a grand time in Salt Lake City.
On meeting Brigham Young, Dinah Vaughan Jones asked him pointedly, "Have you more than one wife?" In answer he invited her to his home for supper, and she was deeply affected.
In Salt Lake she resumed her medical practice and was soon recognized for her work among the sick. Since she was so constantly absent from home and had no more children, she consented to the marriage of her eldest daughter, Martha, to William Jones, she having been sealed for eternity to William Vaughan, and their lives were very agreeable under this setup.
Elizabeth had attended a Mormon school for a short time at Genoa, and in Salt Lake City went to school in the old 16th Ward. Her teacher was a Mr. Green. They had a small, one-roomed, adobe schoolhouse and hall. Here she completed McGuffy's Fourth and Fifth Readers, and still has her Fourth Reader in good condition, the Fifth having been recently loaned and lost. "They taught us something those days," said Mrs. Hunt. "We must go through a reader completely twice before we advanced to a new one, and those readers had real stories and lessons for us." Here she attended, also, the shcool of music of D. O. Calder.
When she was thirteen she was employed as governess for the children of Captain William H. Hooper, the Mormon's First delegate to the U. S. Congress. The marriage of Mary Ann Knowlton and Captain William H. Hooper is a matter of church history and state history. Elizabeth enjoyed her work at this home and learned to love the three Hooper children.
In 1864 the family moved south, William Jones coming as substitute for John Bennion. Mother Vaughan did not come, however, as she had patients to care for and could earn more in Salt Lake. They came direct to Clover Valley, crossing over through Pinto and Hebron from Cedar City. There was much suffering and many hardships in those small settlements, and they might often have gone short had it not been for the generous supplies, sometimes as much as $100 worth at a time, sent by Dr. Vaughan from her earnings.
Later, William Jones was called to help settle Beaver Dam, and after they returned to Clover Valley, Martha died, leaving several small children. Elizabeth was always frail and was subject to severe fainting spells, but seemed to be better after they moved south, at least for a time. When the others moved to Beaver Dam, James W. Hunt persuaded her to marry him and remain, which she did, Bp. Luke Syphus officiating. She was only fifteen, but was very happy in this marriage. Indians were bad at Clover Valley, and soon the eight families there were advised to go to Hebron in 1866. Elder George Crosby was called from St. George to be bishop of Hebron, and for some years James W. Hunt served as his counselor. Elizabeth also taking active interest in church organizations. She was president of the first Y. L. M. I. A. in Hebron and later secretary of the Relief Society.
Five children were born to James W. and Elizabeth Hunt, only one, her dauhter Dinah A. (Mrs. Robert Chadburn, of Longdale, Nevada), being alive at this time. The others were James A., Alice E. (Mrs Henry D. Holt), Nancy Jane (Mrs. Hyrum Jones), and Martha (Mrs. John Chadburn).
When Hebron settlement broke up, the Hunts with their four children moved to Thurber, Wayne County, Utah, where their last child was born. Neither Mrs. Hunt nor her husband had good health in Thurber. In May, 1885, they came back to Hebron. It was feared that Elizabeth would not live though the long, hard journey. Late that summer her husband countracted penumonia and died on August 11. Before passing, her husband made her promise she would move to Gunlock, but she didn't know how she would make a living for the five children in such a small community. For three yars she worked around, having bought a log house, a lot, and three acres of land from the payments received from their Thurber property. Her children were small, but they helped, and soon they had a peach orchard bearing, also a good garden and a vineyard. Each year they would dry five or six hundred pounds of peaches for which they found market in St. George.
In March, 1886, Elizabeth Hunt was pleasantly surprised when she was given the appointment of postmistress for Gunlock, and this position she held for the ensuing sixteen years, resigning to move to Central when her daughter Martha died, so as to care for her children. Almost at once, she was made postmistress at Central and completed eight years of service in that community. "My health began to fail after four years," she said, "and I sent in my resignation, but the Postmaster General would not accept it, and wrote me such a good letter I decided I must carry on for a while; but after another four years, I just had to give it up. And somehow I have been able to get along. I had been promised my family should never lack for bread, and we never have.
"Remembering my mother was a doctor, people seemed to think I should follow her work, and were always sending for me. I dreaded this work but couldn't say no when help was needed." Thus she brought more than fifty babies into the world besides assisting in other sickness, and today she is often made happy by those who remind her of her kind care when they were ill.
Among her treasured memories, this stately grandmother prizes her Jubilee badge given for having worked more than twenty-five years in the Sunday School, and her honor certificates for long service in the Postal Department, one of which is signed by Woodrow Wilson, and from the Postmaster General. And she cherishes many dainty silk fringed name cards, gift books, and merit badges. Twice she had been Primary president over a long period, first in Gunlock, under the personal appointment of Eliza R. Snow. She was school trustee in Gunlock for eight years and registry agent for three different elections.
Thinking back over the constant illness of her early life, even she marvels today that she is still alive at nearly eighty-eight. Though she has been a widow for more than fifty years, she has never wanted to marry again and feels her life has been amply blessed for every effort she has made. Though only one of her five children still survives, she has thirty grandchildren, 108 great-grandchildren, and seven living great-great-grandchildren.
"Life has been wonderful to me," she remarked as she rocked daintily, "but I'd be happy to keep right on working if I could." It is heartening to see how beautifully one may accept life, turning sorrows and bitter experiences to ultimate happiness. Such has been the program of Elizabeth Hunt, a living cameo, reflecting perfection of polish, and famed in the virtues of wife, mother, friend, and public servant.
NOTE: Elizabeth Vaughn Hunt passed away at the home of her daughter, Dinah Hunt Chadburn, in Longdale, Nevada, in the year 1941, at the age of 92. At that time there were 26 grandchildren, 105 great-grandchildren, and 30 great-great-grandchildren.
-- Mabel Jarvis
