Olive Smoot Bean, Correspondence, 1883

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June 6, 1883-Provo City, Utah
My own true husband
"...On top of the rest of the trouble Lou has taken sick and it is the conviction of the most of the family that she ought to be married. She has run a high race the last year, and Pa is nearly crazy sometimes with the trouble which surrounds him. Positive proof is wanting that Lou is an unvirtuous girl, but circumstantial evidence is very strong and leaves little room for doubt. She and Frank Newell should have been married months ago.... Oh! I am so tired of noise and confusion and yet my duty to mother keep me here...."
June 8, 1883-Manassa, Colorado
My own loving treasures at home.
"...let me enjoin you to loose no time or patience in teaching them everything that will make them pure and holy....I trust that dear Polly is feeling well, and looking forward to the time we may enter into that holy covenant which will unite us all in the bonds of love, and by which, if we are faithful, we will be exacted in the highest glory of our Fathers Kingdom."
June 13, 1883-Manassa, Colorado
My dear and loving wife
"...I am sorry indeed, to learn of the multiplied sickness and trouble which seems to crowd upon your kind and loving father and his family, in his old age. It is greatly to be regretted, that young women of Zion, those, who above all the rest of the world, should keep themselves free and unspotted from sin, should take such a course as that which you say Lou has done....Such things are too much like the world, and will never do for Saints....We had a most excellent Conference [in Manassa] and eight meetings while the brethren were here....Joseph F. [Smith] gave them stronger doctrine than they had been used to hearing in this country. Showing possibly, that if we expect to be followers of Our Great Redeemer, we must believe and practice the Celestial Law of Marriage. I think his remarks rather suprised both some of the Saints as well as those who were not Saints. For our community has the name of being Josephite Mormons, good citizens, who did not believe in polygamy."
June 14, 1883-Provo City, Utah
My dear dear husband
"...I am still at mothers, and we are all well, but things here are so unsettled that it keeps me on nettles. Ma is still very helpless; and I fear always will be, and things have come to a crisis in regard to Lue, and Pa has sent her home. He is going to move mother back into the big house to do for him and ma and those children....Mother does not feel very well about it, but quietly submits as she has always done. If it was only Pa and Ma she would feel perfectly willing, but she dreads having to live with those treacherous untruthful children.... I am glad you were able to take part in the May day festivities, and am perfectly willing you should dance with the "Queen," provided you don't let her steal your "heart." I want that all reserved for myself, and I suppose I must add Pollie, or you will think I am too selfish. I do not see her often, and when I do, have no chance to talk with her so I don't know how she feels."
June 25, 1883-Manassa, Colorado
My own true loving wife
"...For our dear Mothers sake, I regret very much the troubles and change of affairs which has arisen in your fathers family; and I would think it the duty of some of the younger portion of the family immediately concerned to assume the care of those children. But inasmuch as it is your fathers wish, I pray that she may have courage and strength for all her duties....I wish it was so that dear Polly could stay with you more for I feel you would be consolation to each other which would dispel all feelings of loneliness. I wish that I could learn something of her hopes and feelings occasionally, but if she does not desire to make them known, I will have to abide her pleasure; for I believe that whatever the decision is, it will be for the best, for my wishes and desires in the matter, are as pure as love itself."
June 27, 1883-Provo City, Utah
My own devoted husband
"...You say you are composed for another years missionary labor. Of course if it [is] required we are willing to obey, but the time seems long and dreary, and at times I get heart sick and discouraged but try to keep cheerful and contented.... Provo is building up wonderfully. You would scarcely recognize the Smoot block so great has been the change in the last year. Our friends seem to be getting rich or at least some them but I would care little for riches if I only could be happily settled at our own little home with my only treasures, my dear husband and precious children."

Dates

1883

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