Great, Grandma Elizabeth - Saved Her Baby From Being Tossed Overboard

Shortly after Adam and Elizabeth joined the Church, they began making plans to come to America. In July of 1849 Adam left for St. Louis. He got a job in the Crowley Coal Mines earning money to send for his family. In November Elizabeth gave birth to their fourth child, Mary. Just two months later she, her mother, step-father and their children boarded passage on the Josiah Bradley ship bound for New Orleans.

During the journey, many passengers came down with small pox. The captain and ship's doctor threatened to throw the seriously ill people overboard. They enforced the rule and to stop the disease, the worst cases were sent to a watery grave.

Tiny baby Mary became ill with the pox. Mother Elizabeth, could not bear for her to be tossed into the ocean. Two of the children stood as guards and warned their mother, when they had sickness checks. The baby was placed under the straw mattress, until the coast was clear. She never cried or made a peep. Many times, Elizabeth wasn't sure if the baby was alive or not.

With many prayers, Mary, got well. She lived to old age. Finally their family arrived in New Orleans. The brand new Big St. Louis steamboat took them to St. Louis on the Mississippi River. They had a happy reunion with their beloved father, Adam.