The Babes Are Born & A Building's Blemish

A few months after the Adam Patterson Hunter family arrived in Zion, it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby. The nights in late October were becoming very cold. Their dugout was not adequate to birth the baby, so on a very cold, stormy night Elizabeth climbed into the wagon bed, while Adam kept it warm with hot stones from the fire. The mid-wife soon discovered Elizabeth, was going to have not one but two babies. The identical girls, Janette and Isabel, brought much joy to the family. It was difficult to tell them apart.

In November, Elizabeth and her oldest daughter each carrying a child, walked from the canyon dugout to Salt Lake where their home was being built on Seventh East and First South. Soon, the wagon was moved to the site and lived in until the first room of the structure was completed.

Adam continued to work at the Red Quarry, cutting stone and hauling it to the valley. Shortly after this, it was discovered that the sandstone foundation of the Temple, would not stand the test of time or weight of the building. The building had a big blemish. The stone had to be removed and a large vein of granite was found in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Adam had proven his ability to encourage the crews. He was assigned as the foreman of the new granite quarry. The men had come to love and appreciate his fairness and hard work.

The temple construction began anew with the Cottonwood quarry much further away, the stone was harder to cut and took much longer to get to the site. The men were glad the flaw was discovered before more time was spent and the building further along.

Grandma Elizabeth Entertains the Saints

Late in May of 1852 the Hunter family anxious to begin the journey to Salt Lake was assigned to the ten wagon ? Company, leaving from Winter Quarters. It didn't take long for Elizabeth to find how uncomfortable riding in the bumpy, jostling wagon was. Thus she began the 1,000 mile trek on foot and pregnant.

Every morning the family cow was milked and enjoyed by all. The surplus milk was attached to the wagon wheel. By end of day there was a delicious container of butter freshly churned. They shared with all.

At the end of each long day, the folks would gather round and asked Elizabeth and family to entertain them with some singing and dancing. Remember how she loves to dance. The family's favorite song was 'Get Up and Bar the Door'.

The company joined in for the chorus and all had a great time. Singing and dancing gave the Saints something to look forward during the long journey.This ballad became the Hunter family's most beloved song for five generations. Unfortunately, I am the sixth generation and had never heard of the song. You can bet we will be teaching to our loved ones and pass the memory along.