Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Sunday, December 16, 2018

Grandpa Edward

Today’s story is a tragedy.
As often happened in the early days of the pioneers . . .

I love the stories of my pioneer ancestors.
The things they accomplished under often harrowing circumstances. Stories of strength, patience.
Perseverance.
But their stories very often end tragically--including that of my Great-Great-Great Grandfather, Edward Tuttle.
Edward had been a baker in the town of Nauvoo, Illinois.
But when (over religious differences) he and his people were driven out in the mid-1840s, they settled in a place called Winter Quarters, Nebraska. Living, at first, in a dugout, they later moved to a small, hastily-finished house with makeshift cupboards on the wall. Cupboards that will play a significant role later . . .
In true ‘pioneer’ fashion, they carried on. Edward worked a lot with the livestock. A very necessary skill at a time when your animals could mean your survival.
Or something very different . . .
You have to know that Bulls (male cattle) can be particularly cantankerous. Living in close proximity with humans, they have more deaths to their credit than grizzly bears.
True fact.
One day, while he was working with the community’s cattle, Edward was badly gored in the abdomen by a particularly vicious specimen of the breed.
Unlike many others who had been similarly injured, he survived.
Though in considerable pain, he began to heal. A slow process.
One day in mid-August, 1847, while still in a rather delicate condition, Edward insisted on being up and around, though not capable of moving very fast.
Remember when I mentioned the cupboards and the fact that they were ‘make-shift’? That becomes significant now . . .
One of the cupboards started pulling away from the wall. Instinctively, Edward tried to catch it.
His action re-opened his terrible wound.
This second injury proved fatal.
He was buried there in Winter Quarters on August 17, 1847.
I’m grateful for every single one of the men and women who has gone before me.
Though often tragic, their experiences are inspiring.
I would love to have their strength and perseverance.
Though maybe not those actual experiences . . .

Sunday's are for ancestors. Tell me about yours!

6 comments:

  1. I love this story! Do you write about ancestors every Sunday? I love it...Life isn’t random at all, your ancestor is a great example and is doing a new job of watching over you! He is tickled by this post, I promise!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. How lucky you are to have these stories (even the tragedies) to refer too. And I am certain that their determination often inspires you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I find them so inspirational! I couldn't do half of what they did! :0

      Delete
  3. How sad for your g-g-g-grandfather. We have come so far in medicine in a relatively short time, which is good for us but sad for our ancestors who didn't have our advantages.

    I suppose someday when people no longer age and die they will feel sorry for us, too. That is, if there's anyone left due to climate change . . .

    Gah, how did I get from your post to this?? :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting! Drop by again!

Real Estates: All Murders Included in the Price!

Real Estates: All Murders Included in the Price!
My FIRST murder mystery!

Blessed by a Curse

Blessed by a Curse
My very first Medieval Romance!

God's Tree

God's Tree
For the Children

Third in the series

Third in the series
Deborah. Fugitive of Faith

The Long-Awaited Sequel to Daughter of Ishmael

The Long-Awaited Sequel to Daughter of Ishmael
A House Divided is now available at all fine bookstores and on Amazon.com and .ca!

Daughter of Ishmael

Daughter of Ishmael
Now available at Amazon.com and .ca and Chapters.ca and other fine bookstores.

Romance still wins!

Romance still wins!
First romance in a decade!

Hosts: Your Room's Ready

Hosts: Your Room's Ready
A fun romp through the world's most haunted hotel!

Hugs, Delivered.

Compass Book Ratings

Compass Book Ratings

Ghost of the Overlook

Ghost of the Overlook
Need a fright?

My Granddaughter is Carrying on the Legacy!

My Granddaughter is Carrying on the Legacy!
New Tween Novel!

Gnome for Christmas

Gnome for Christmas
The newest in my Christmas Series

SnowMan

SnowMan
A heart warming story of love and sacrifice.

Translate

My novel, Carving Angels

My novel, Carving Angels
Read it! You know you want to!

My Second Novel: Kris Kringle's Magic

My Second Novel: Kris Kringle's Magic
What could be better than a second Christmas story?!

Join me on Maven

Connect with me on Maven

Essence

Essence
A scientist and his son struggle to keep their earth-shattering discovery out of the wrong hands.

Essence: A Second Dose

Essence: A Second Dose
Captured and imprisoned, a scientist and his son use their amazing discovery to foil evil plans.

Looking for a Great Read?

E-Books by Diane Stringam Tolley
Available from Smashwords.com

The Babysitter

The Babysitter
A baby-kidnapping ring has its eye on J'Aime and her tiny niece.

Melissa

Melissa
Haunted by her past, Melissa must carve a future. Without Cain.

Devon

Devon
Following tragedy, Devon retreats to the solitude of the prairie. Until a girl is dropped in his lap.

Pearl, Why You Little...

Pearl, Why You Little...
Everyone should spend a little time with Pearl!

The Marketing Mentress

The Marketing Mentress
Building solid relationships with podcast and LinkedIn marketing

Coffee Row

Coffee Row
My Big Brother's Stories

Better Blogger Network

Semper Fidelis

Semper Fidelis
I've been given an award!!!

The Liebster Award

The Liebster Award
My good friend and Amazing Blogger, Marcia of Menopausal Mother awarded me . . .

Irresistibly Sweet Award

Irresistibly Sweet Award
Delores, my good friend from The Feathered Nest, has nominated me!

Sunshine Award!!!

Sunshine Award!!!
My good friend Red from Oz has nominated me!!!

My very own Humorous Blogger Award From Delores at The Feathered Nest!

Be Courageous!


Grab and Add!

Search This Blog

Ghost of the Overlook

Ghost of the Overlook
Need a fright?