Saving Baby Alice

Alice Ryan Jones

As I was reading stories of our pioneer ancestors yesterday I was very moved (to tears!) by this one comment written by my great grandmother, Alice Ryan Jones, about her travels across the plains at a very tender age, "My mother often said that I would not have survived because I was so tiny and frail if it hadn't been for the teamster who carried me most of the way."

Because of the daily kind act of this man carrying three month old baby Alice with him on the wagon, my great grandmother was granted the opportunity to grow to adulthood, marry, have children, and live a full life.  I have no idea the name or identity of this man but I am truly grateful to him for the great kindness he showed in caring for this small baby who was one of my ancestors.  He didn't have to do it.  He had no obligation to baby Alice or her mother.

Alice's mother set out across the plains with her 2 year old daughter, Kittie, and Alice who was only 3 months. Alice's father and 16 year old brother were to follow two weeks later to drive mule teams and freight.  During the trek, Kittie died and was buried near the Platte River.

Blessed, Honored Pioneers

I got an email from FamilySearch today with this link showing how many of my ancestors (that they know of) were Mormon pioneers who crossed the plains.  Any guesses how many?  YOU count them!

Pretty cool!  And I think there are even more.  We come from some pretty tough people who had faith in God that was strong enough to get them half way across the United States on one very tough trek.

http://historyofmormonism.com/files/2012/05/mormon-women-ruth-may-fox.jpg

One of them was Ruth May Fox.  She is your Grandma Jones' grandmother so that makes her your great-great grandmother.  She was 13 years old when she came across the plains.  She wrote the song "Carry On" which is in our hymnbook.

Here is Grandma Fox's testimony:
“Ever since I could understand, the gospel has meant everything to me. It has been my very breath, my mantle of protection against temptation, my consolation in sorrow, my joy and glory throughout all my days, and my hope of eternal life. ‘The Kingdom of God or nothing’ has been my motto.” 

Here is a story she remembers from the trail:
"One day we camped a short distance from a river, and we girls were sent for water.  Apparently we stayed too long. While we were gone, Father had unyoked the cattle and being very tired had thrown himself on the ground to rest. One of the brethren came along and asked, "Brother May, how are you?" The answer came back, "Oh there isn't much the matter. I have a sick wife, two sore heels, and two dummies." I was one of the dummies."

And this was her reaction when she first saw the Salt Lake Valley:

"At last the long journey was ended. We had pulled up the hill out of Parley's Canyon just as twilight shrouded the valley. We could still catch a glimpse of the city below, but I confessed to some disappointment as I asked, "Did we come all this way for that?" This, however was my first and last disappointment."