In March, 1850, Sister Bathsheba moved into their own house. In December, 1850, George A. Smith was called to go south to found a settlement in Little Salt Lake Valley, two hundred and fifty miles from home. In 1851, he returned, having been elected a member of the Legislature from Iron Co. In 1856, he was sent to Washington to ask for the admission of Utah as a State. In May, 1857, he returned to Utah. In 1858, they went south, bidding farewell to their home, feeling as they did on leaving Nauvoo; that they should never see it again, fleeing as they were, before the approaching army.
However, President Buchanan sent out his Peace Commissioners who brought his Proclamation, declaring a general amnesty to all offenders. Peace being restored, they returned to Salt Lake City in July, having been gone three months. When they entered the city it was almost sundown; all was quiet, every door was boarded up. From only two or three chimneys smoke was rising. How still and lonely, yet the breath of peace wafted over the silent city, and it was home! They had left a partly finished house, and resuming work upon it, by October it was finished. Sister Bathsheba says: "It was so comfortable and we were so happy! We had plenty of room. My son and daughter took great pleasure in having their associates come and visit them frequently. They would have a room full of company, and would engage in reading useful books, singing, playing music, dancing, &c. My son played the flute, flutina and was a good drummer. My son and daughter were good singers, they made our home joyous with song and jest." In 1860, this son was sent on a mission to the Moquois Indians. He was interested in this and apt in learning the language. After being set apart by the authorities for that mission, he started on the 4th of September, and had traveled about seven hundred miles, when on the 2nd of November he was killed by Navajo Indians. On the 3rd of January the daughter was married.
In 1873, Sister Bathsheba made a tour with her husband and President Young and party, to the Colorado and up the Rio Virgin as far as Shonesberg. In 1872, they made another tour with President Young and party, visiting at St. George, Virgen City, Long Valley and Kanab. In 1873, went again with her husband, President Young and company and spent the winter in St. George, going by way of San Pete and Sevier counties. During this journey Sister Bathsheba attended several meetings with the sisters, returning home April, 1874. She has visited the Saints as far south as the junction of the Rio Virgen with the Colorado, has visited the settlements on the Muddy River, and also the Saints as far north as Bear Lake and Soda Springs. On their travels they have often been met by bands of music, and thousands of children bearing banners and flags; and singing songs of welcome. Sister Bathsheba has enjoyed these tours very much. She has accompanied many explorations down into deep gulches to see the water pockets, over beautiful plains in carriages or cars, and over mountains and deserts.
In reference to her position in duties of a public and spiritual character, we find the following: Returning from a tour, February 19th, 1878, they arrived in Salt Lake City, finding all safe at home. I quote again from Sister Bathsheba's journal, written in her own hand:
"My dear husband was not well; I thought I could soon nurse him up to health, but my efforts were all in vain, he expired on the first of September after a long sickness." The departure was a shock to many. For many months prayers had been offered up through all parts of the Territory, for the restoration to health of this great and good man. Seated in his chair, his faithful wife beside him, he turned from his conversation with President Young and others who constantly attended him, and leaning upon her devoted heart breathed his last.
Sister Bathsheba W. Smith belonged to the first Relief Society which was organized at Nauvoo, and was present when it was organized, the Prophet Joseph presiding. Officiated as Priestess in the Nauvoo Temple. Was Secretary in the Seventeenth Ward Relief Society, Salt Lake City; had been First Counselor to President Rachel Grant in the Relief Society of the Thirteenth Ward, Salt Lake City, for many years. Is a Counselor to M. I. Horne in the General Retrenchment Association, Fourteenth Ward, and is also Treasurer of the Relief Society of the Salt Lake Stake. Has officiated in the holy ordinances of the House of the Lord in Salt Lake City for many years. Is also one of the Board of Directors in the Deseret Hospital. She says, "I have attended many meetings of the sisters and had many seasons of rejoicing."
Sister Bathsheba is often reverently spoken of as "the beloved wife of George A. Smith." To her, in one sense, this would be the dearest praise that could be spoken. But yet a loftier, holier, than even the earth-love seems to hover around her very presence. A little child once said, "When I look at Sister Bathsheba, I do not see her with her bonnet on, I see her as she will look when she wears that crown that is waiting for her." Such is the impression her face, her gentle voice and manner convey. To the record of her life, and this, I could add nothing.
ELIZABETH HOWARD.
SECRETARY OF THE RELIEF SOCIETIES OF THE SALT LAKE STAKE OF ZION.
Mrs. Howard furnishes a very brief sketch for one whose life and labors among the people and faith of her adoption, have been so extended, important and interesting, to all who have ever come within the influence of her noble, generous spirit; who have received the stimulus to failing spirits and energy which emanated from her animated face, so good and motherly, her voice so cheerful and sympathetic, and her every movement like an inspiration of strength, happiness and life.