This is a letter that Uncle Ervin wrote about his mother Mary
Jane Broadhead Olsen
I got this from Linda Belter’s files.
October 18,1987
The little Methodist Chapel at Creston, B.C. was filled with people, the white
satin covered casket was in its place below the pulpit surrounded with sweet
scented flowers. The minister looked nervously at his watch, then glanced up
at the clock on the wall with its huge pendulum swinging back and forth. For
some reason at the last minute the organist was unable to be there. Finally
the minister stood and asked, is there anyone who can play the organ? A young
mother stirred as if to get up abut felt the restraining hand of her husband
on her arm. Then the minister asked again, please is thee anyone here who can
play the organ? At that she quickly stood to her feet , walked up the aisle,
and seated herself at the organ,. The minister announced the number of the hymn
and she began to play. The room was filled with the beautiful strains of the
organ.
You see my Mother was a very talented organist and loved to play, At the end
of the service the minister was very grateful and lavished in his praise to
her.
Mother was born in Nephi Utah where she had a very happy childhood. Her parents
bought a lovely organ and she began taking music lessons from a Charlie Morris,
her Fathers uncle who was a very strict music teacher. When she reached the
age of thirteen her family came to Canada, requiring her to leave her many friends
and associates, but bringing the precious organ with them.
She loved music and tho she was unable to take more lessons she kept up her
practising on the organ. She used to accompany her father when he sang or played
his accordion.
Mother was always there when we needed her. She was so kind and loved her children
very much. She loved Nephi and I remember her often talking about Nephi and
Mt. Nebo, a Mt. very near the town.
In sixteen years Mother had eight children, the last being a lovely little brown
haired girl who only lived a few days. Being sick so much, Mother lost the will
to live and passed away Sept. 6, 1924, at the age of 3_.
I must tell of another mother, my great great grandmother Sarah Ann Brett. She
joined the church in England married and had three children, then was deserted
by her husband. Being very poor, the officers came and put them in the poor
house. She was broken hearted over it, but after nine days a friend of the family
who had means, heard of her trouble and helped get them out. In a couple of
years with the help of the Perpetual Immigration Fund of the Church, they were
able to come to America. They were about six weeks at sea in a sailing ship.
Her Mother who came with them became ill, died and had to be buried at sea.
She crossed the plains with her three children in the ill fated Martin Handcart
Co. Walking all the way and pulling their handcart.
The hardships they suffered were almost unbearable and many did lose their lives.
Out of 576 persons in the Co. 56 died, before help arrived from Salt Lake City.
Ervin D. Olsen --
Diamond City, Alta. --
October 18, 1987 --