1867-06-17-Louisiana

Autobiography of Ruth May Fox

Fox, Ruth May. Autobiography (formerly in Msd 2050) pp.17-22.

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Landing at Castle Garden was a real adventure, on the hustle and the bustle, crowds meeting crowds, boxes to be opened and examined, people disappointed because friends were not there and so on. My father was there, however. It was almost dark and I was looking up through a jam when I heard, "There she is with her dear little face." I think our family must have made a good impression with the ship's officers, for when it came our turn to have the luggage examined, the word was passed on that we were alright. So with the exception of one little box which was full of laundry linen over which they hesitated a few minutes because the examiners thought it was new, our [p.18] boxes and bundles were all marked OK and we were off to our new home in Manayunk, a manufacturing district a few miles out of Philadelphia.

Father married Mrs. Saxton immediately. She was a splendid housekeeper, neat and thrifty. She proved to be a good wife and mother and my debt to her is great indeed. One thing amazed me very much in the new land - whenever I was introduced to as "just coming over" the salutation would invariably be "Oh, she's such a little greenhorn, is she?" That hurt my feelings for in England when I did the wrong thing they called me a little greenhorn.

Soon Clara and I were put to work in a cotton mill where Father was employed, not in the same department, however. I must say the girls, with one exception, were a bad lot. One of their number had recently "got religion" and I was the only girl in the room who sympathized with her. She would frequently say to me, "I shall have to breal." It was hard for her to stand the pressure as all the other girls and men were making fun of her so she came to me to renew her strength. These girls had the habit of rubbing their teeth with snuff. Several times a day they would take a layoff to indulge in this habit and everyday I was threatened with some punishment if I did not join them. Needless to say I did not.

While tending my machine one day the front of my dress which was loose from the lining caught in the rollers. There is nothing to do but brace myself and let the portion of the dress go and thus save my life. When it was over I began to cry, not because of the danger I had barely escaped, but because my dress was ruined. "Don't cry," said one of the women, "there is lots of new clothes in America."

We did not stay in this place very long. Father found work in Philadelphia, whither we moved and again I went to work in the factory for a little while. For four months mother was laid up with rheumatism, so that the housework, washing and everything devolved upon us girls. Father used to wear white fustian trousers to work and these were washed every week. . . . [p.19] This was a hard job, as the mill grease is hard to get out. So I used to think that I did not want to marry a mill-hand. Mother lay in bed and directed us as best she could; but I think it was hard for her as she was very particular. This was one of the coldest winters Philadelphia had seen in fifty years, and as we lived upstairs, we girls must hang our washing out on a flat roof. I recall vividly that the minute that basket of clothes touched the open window they were stiff.

Eventually mother got well and both of us girls went to help with housework in other houses. Clara went to the Fenton home. One of this family, Lissie Fenton, crossed the plains with us and later became the wife of Brigham Young, Junior. I went to live with an old couple by the name of Glaspel. The lady was a dressmaker and taught apprentices. She also kept a little store selling linings, notions, etc. This pleased me very much, as when the other work was finished, I could go behind the counter and be a saleslady. In giving me instructions on my duties when I first appeared the lady said: "I never call my help in the morning more than once." Imagine a twelve year old girl getting up at first call; however, I missed it only one time. I lived there five months and learned much, watching Mrs. Glaspel make and fit dresses. I had a real opportunity to defend my religion with those apprentices. Often they would quiz me, and as always polygamy would come up for discussion; but I was ready with my quotation from Isaiah: "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, etc." This was rather a lonely place for a little girl, especially on Sundays, when after meeting father and mother would leave me there. I occupied my time reading or looking out of the window.

The following incident I thing is worth relating. I was working for one dollar a week and my board with an extra five cents for carfare, my home being about two miles away. During the week I had the misfortune to break a very common tumbler. AS usual I did not want to face a scolding, so I said nothing about it; but when Saturday night came, I walked three or four [p.20] blocks to find a shop where I could buy a tumbler to replace the one I [had] broken, then returned, made my explanation to the lady and walked home.

While we lived in Philadelphia, father was made president of the branch so that missionaries from Zion often visited us. As one time we had John Tullidge and Brother Rudd staying with us. It was at this time that Brigham Kimball died. While I do not recall the particulars, there was much conversation about it. Well do I remember Charlie Kimball and Robert Russel coming into the meeting on Sunday afternoon. The fact that they had come from Zion as missionaries made them look more like angels than men to me.

In July, 1867, Father thought that he could make the trip to Zion, so we started. It took us nine days by rail to reach North Platt, the outfitting post because we were traveling on an emigrant train and were sidetracked every possible occasion. …

Ruth May Fox--From England to Salt Lake Valley in 1867

Fox, Ruth May, "From England to Salt Lake Valley in 1867," Improvement Era 38:7 (July 1935) pp. 406-408, 450.

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After one gets over the usual sickness there are many pleasant occasions to be enjoyed on board a ship. One makes friends and acquaintances, takes walks with them from end to end of the vessel if it be possible to keep one's equilibrium. And then the wonder of it all! The vast expanse of water, the mystery of the starry sky, waves rolling mountains high and splashing over onto the deck, while passengers scrambled to avoid a wetting, and then to have a great calm when the water is so still that not a ripple breaks on its surface and the great craft appears to be sailing on a sea of glass and three long weeks are almost ended. What's that we hear? Oh Joy, "Land in sight!"

Now for thrills! Everybody must see land, and joyously watch the vessel going nearer and [p.407] nearer to the shore. But things must be gathered up and packed. Trunks must be brought up from the hold. Goodbyes must be spoken. Everybody is busy and excited, each vying with the other in seeing who shall leave the old ship first. At last we are landed at Castle Garden and there we must stay until friends or relatives learn that the Louisiana is in port. Meanwhile, a dozen officers are opening trunks, sometimes turning the contents out to be sure that no smuggling is in evidence, while others are OK'd without opening them. All but one of our trunks were thus passed.

It was late evening and quite dark save for the lamp-light when through the crowd I heard my father say. "There she is. Bless her dear little face."

We immediately boarded a train for Manayunk, a manufacturing town a few miles out of Philadelphia, where father had provided rooms for us--he had preceded us five months--and there the marriage knot was tied and we settled down to family life. My new sister and I, thought not yet twelve years old--and I was small for my age--went to work, in a cotton mill which, I am sure, was no place for good girls.

However, we soon moved to Philadelphia and found employment, most of the time with families. My wage was a dollar a week and board. Thus we began to save and prepare for the journey to the Valley.

In July, 1867, we started for North Platte, which was then the terminal of the railroad and the outfitting place for those who were going West. …