Rachel A. Woolsey was born in 1825, and married John D. Lee in 1845.
She bore eight children and died in 1912.
The following is an account from Rachel's life
as she traveled with the Saints to the Salt Lake Valley,
written by the historical writer Juanita Brooks.
Though the days were often dull, there were other times when the excitement was almost more than these prairie women needed as Rachel Lee found out near the end of her journey. As she walked beside her wagon, delighting in the wind that cooled her a little as she trudged along, an unexpected gust whipped her skirts into the wagon wheel. Before Rachel knew it, her skirts were being "wrapped around and around the hub. She screamed for help as she tried to extricate them, but in an instant they were being drawn so tight that she could only grasp two spokes in her hands, her feet between two others , and make a complete revolution with the wheel."
The wagon was finally stopped, and Rachel found herself almost right side up but still tightly bound to the wheel. Everyone gathered around, trying to decide how to get her loose. There was no question of cutting her clothing, as that would mean one less item for wear that she needed badly.
It was decided they would unhook her skirt and unbutton the petticoat, and by carefully slitting the placket, she could be pulled free. Her shoes were unlaced, then, as one woman held a blanket to protect her from curious eyes, she was plucked from skirt, petticoats, and shoes "clean as though they were skinning the legs of a chicken." Later the clothing was easily removed from the wheel, and in the privacy of her wagon, Rachel shook them free of wrinkles and put them on again. As she took up her walk, she kept a wary distance from the wheels.
As a mission we have learned so much from these wonderful pioneers.
From Rachel's story we decided that
sometimes
its wise not to take ourselves too seriously,
and that laughter truly is the best medicine.
I have loved reading about the pioneers.
They were more often then not "city folk" with little experience
of camping and and handling large wagons.
What courageous, wonderful souls.
4 comments:
Your blog is listed in my Favorites, and I enjoy reading of your 'exploits' and time in the field. The Kunz family is one of the few things I miss about living in Pennsylvania, and you aren't even there anymore! [grin] Your family was always a wonderful example for me, and still is. Thank you for sharing.
To see pictures of where we moved to, you can go to my (not-so- posted-to) blog: http://forkswadailyphoto.blogspot.com/ . Corinne
Thanks for sharing that story. I have heard it before but it was good to read again and I'm glad that so many other people will read it also. There are so many stories and interesting things out there about the people that came through here on their way to "Zion" and I"m grateful that I was "called to serve" here so I could learn about these wonderful people.
What a wonderful story. I know Elder Osmond has written several times about the appreciation and love that he has developed for the pioneer history there. Thanks for sharing it with us all.
What a wonderful story . . . I'm left with quite a picture in my mind of Rachel holding on and just turning with the wheel! Scary! We just got Sister Hale's last email and she is so excited (and a little scared) about her new assignment. She will truly miss the saints in Plattsmouth, as she has grown to love them so much. Thanks again for working so compassionately with her when things were tough for her last year. Your faith in her and in the Lord will have consequences that literally reach into the eternities. I'm so grateful. Sandra Hale
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