Olive Smoot Bean, Correspondence, 1882

File — Box: 1, Folder: 10

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This folder and the next fourteen folders contain eighty-four holograph letters between Olive Smoot Bean and her husband, James William Bean (Will), exchanged during his sixteen-month mission to Virginia and Colorado. The letters have been inter-filed chronologically in order to preserve the continuity of Olive and Will's "conversations." All of the letters are legibly written but transcribed copies of each can be found in Bk 1. Will Bean was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in June of 1882. He left his wife, who was expecting a child in November, alone with their two year old daughter Diana (Nina). He also left a sweetheart, a young woman named Pauline (Polly) Hardy whom he hoped to marry as a plural wife upon his return. Will Bean faced the complex task of courting a second wife and cajoling Olive into accepting the arrangement--all through the mail. The evolution of the relationship between Olive, Will, and Polly is part of the charm of these letters. Most of Will's letters are addressed to both Olive and Polly, who often stayed at the Bean home to help with the children and household chores. At first, Olive willingly accepted Will's plan. But the long separation from her very much loved husband, the anxiety surrounding the birth of her fourth child (the first three children had died before reaching the age of two), and the strenuous hours of work to maintain their home in Provo, wore down Olive's patience and good nature. She became more resentful of Will's affection for Polly and finally openly expressed her discontent. Olive eventually accepted Polly as Will's second wife determined that the arrangement would not diminish her love for Will. Extracts from the letters follow:
June 23, 1882-Ellen Dale, Virginia
Dearest Olive
"I improve the first opportunity of writing to you, since I landed in "Old Virginia"....Bro. Carlisle and myself [are assigned] to go to Tazewell County, where I expect to do my first missionary labor."
JWB
July 2, 1882-Provo, Utah
My Own Dear Husband
"Your eagerly watched for letter came to hand yesterday, and I can assure you I was glad and happy to hear of your safe arrival at your destination, and your good health and spirits....Will, if I may judge from present appearances, you will not only come home to a wife and two children, if God is willing but a sweetheart who is willing to become a wife."
OSB
July 4, 1882-Jeffersonville, Virginia
Dearest Olive
"Heaven only knows how I appreciate the blessing conferred upon me of a good, true, and faithful companion of this life, and also of eternity.... Oh! how I long to hear from home, and know that all that are so dear to me are well. Remember me to Polly, also, for I feel that it is our Fathers will, that we should all grow in the bonds of unity and love."
JWB

Dates

1882

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.