Description

None Too Soon

Robert Angus Bain was born in Dundee Scotland August 28, 1830. At the tender age of nine he went to work in the factories. At the age of 17, he was baptized. His mother, sisters, and little brother were baptized in 1851. In 1854, Robert managed to work his way to Zion aboard the ship John M. Wood. He later described arriving in Salt Lake City. “I drove 3 yoke of cattle and a wagon over the plains to Salt Lake City and camped on the Public Square. I landed in the city without one cent of money, and nowhere to go.”

He was soon taken in and that fall made his way to Lehi, Utah where he found work. Then in 1855, he took over management of the farm of Lorenzo Hatch while Elder Hatch served as a missionary to England. Robert worked hard through 1856 to provide for himself and the Hatch family. Many days he went without food as the times were lean. Robert became very ill with mountain fever and was cared for by kind sisters. It was in that weakened condition that Robert received word that his mother and siblings “were on the plains in a handcart company short of provisions and many of them dying every day.” Robert borrowed a wagon and one yoke of oxen. Sister Hatch prepared for food for him. Robert then said, “They had to lift me into the wagon, put the whip in my hands and I started for the plains to meet my mother’s family. When I got to the city Jens Willes helped me from the wagon to his house. Brother and Sister Willes were very kind to me. They fitted the team and made me very comfortable then helped me off the next day to the mountains. I got better every day.”

He traveled as far as Fort Bridger expecting to meet the Willey Company. They were not there. Instead, he met Porter Rockwell and camped the night with him. Robert said, “He was surprised to see me looking so sick, he thought I would die on the road.”

It was while camped there that word reached him that the Willey Company was out of food and dying daily—that 16 had died and were buried in one grave. Notwithstanding his weakness, Robert yoked his team and set out immediately to find his family. He found them the very next day three miles from the crossing of the Green River. He described that meeting,

“I met, my sisters and brother and, OH! The joy to find them living and well, but where was mother and sister Mary? I could not ask, but Sister May, draped at my feet, thanking God for sending me to them. She then told me mother had to lie down on the road to rest and Mary was with her. I then drove on to find them and found mother lying in the sagebrush nearly gone. I gathered her up and got her into the wagon. My heart overflowed with love and gratitude to God. He had preserved them in life in the midst of death and I had found them.”

Robert’s sister, Betsey later described his timely arrival.

The next question from Rob was, “Where is mother and Sister Mary?”

“They are behind somewhere, Robby. You will find them by the road.”

Mother was still sick, and when she stopped to rest, she had to lie down; she could not sit up. Some had died that way; they would go to sleep and never awaken. Mary was afraid that mother would do likewise and tried to arouse her by telling her about a team coming with only one yoke of cattle on.

Mother replied, “Well, never mind, Mary; don’t bother me; I am so tired.”

“Well, mother, the man is running this way. It surely is Robert.”

“Oh, no, Mary; that would he too good to be true!”

Well, she was soon convinced, as Robert took her in his arms and helped her into the wagon. As he did so, mother exclaimed, “I couldn’t be more thankful to get into the kingdom of heaven than I am to see you and lie here and rest.”

Explanations followed. Robert stated that he had suffered from a mountain fever and was just recovering when he received a letter that we were coming. He then borrowed and hired an outfit to come and meet us. None too soon!”

With his family secured in his wagon, Robert turned west toward the Valley. His mother gained in health daily. On November 11, 1856, they pulled up in front of the Beehive House in downtown Salt Lake City. After so long a journey, where would they go now? Who would take them in? Robert told of that moment:

“Dear Brother [James G.] Willey, God Bless him and his, claimed us for his share. He took us to his home and Sister Willey was so kind to my mother and sisters. Their goodness will ever be remembered.”

Is it possible to so live, love, and serve, that those who know us are that grateful that we exist? I hope and pray that it may be so.

Sources:

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KWJD-L62

http://files.lib.byu.edu/mormonmigration/articles/tiredmother.PDF