logan ut

The Davis family, being among the first settlers to Cache Valley, suffered untold privations and hardships. Amelia remembered the trials they had with the Indians, and how frightened she was. They would come to the door begging for food and no one dared to turn them away. As Ann H. fixed food for them, the Indians would play with the white children. When coming out of the house with food one day, Ann H. discovered the Indians had exposed her children to the black smallpox. The twins soon came down with the illness. The settlers were all so frightened of the deadly disease that a log shelter was hurriedly built a short distance north of the Logan Cemetery. The Davis family, including the stricken twins, moved there in isolation. Amelia told of rats, mice, and snakes so thick that the healthy children took turns with willows, brushing the snakes from the beds of the sick children. Their beds located on the floor were made with a straw tick. The weather was severe coming through the open cracks of the shelter. The family was badly neglected and almost starved to death. Remarkably, the twins recovered from the smallpox epidemic, but after being home only a short time, diphtheria struck, taking the lives of both twins, Henry and Catherine. Childhood days were very strenuous and hard. These early settlers had lots of troubles, yet they had some thrilling and good times too. Amelia often told stories of the exciting sleigh rides, dances and house parties they enjoyed. How she loved her church activities! Amelia's greatest desire was to do good for others and scatter sunshine wherever she went.