LIFE OF JEFFERSON SLADE
A few notes on the life of Jefferson, son of William Rufus (Washington Slocum) and Juliann (Higginbotham) Slade, born 22 Sep 1836 at Opelousas, St. Laundry, Louisiana. They lived on a large plantation in a two-story colonial type house. His father was a hard working man who loved the great out-doors. His mother, a tall stately, athletic woman with long dark hair and small, dark beady eyes. She could jump up and crack her heels together three times before alighting.
His brother William tells us, “Jeff could mimic the cries of the wild animals” and some quiet nights when the boys were sleeping on the upper balcony, they could hear the cries of wolves and mountain lions. Jeff would mimic the cry of the lion, and when it got close the hunting dogs would be released and they would tree the lion. At daylight a big hunt would be on. He said it was all very exciting.
Jefferson was young when the family moved to Texas, it was near Houston, Harris Co. Here the Slade family first heard about the restoration of the Gospel. One of the missionaries, Elder James McGaw baptized and confirmed the parents and two sons. The family must have loved this Elder for when a baby boy was born he was given the name, James McGaw. Jefferson was proxy for this brother to receive his endowments as he died young. Jefferson also named a son James McGaw.
After their baptism, the Slade family were preparing to join the Saints in Utah, but the mother was taken, so not until a new mother came to the home were they able to go. This was Dorenda Goheen, a widow with her family, which made eleven children.
Jefferson was a strong, husky lad. It has been said, “The only time he was ever in school was when he would run away and go just to see what it was like.” He was given much responsibility in the trip across the plains. They were over three years making the journey and had many cattle to care for. When they reached the valley they were advised by President Young to settle near Ogden, Utah. It was here Jefferson met and married Sarah M. Chestnut. They were not together long when President Young called this group of Saints from Texas to go to Washington Co., to try and see if cotton could be raised and start an industry in that area. Sarah would not go on this pioneering venture, so Jefferson must go on without her as they had been called by the Prophet. It was not easy to go this extra mile.
Sarah had a soon, she named him Jefferson Chestnut, born 11 April 1862. He did not see his father until he was a young man. He has a large posterity of good men and women to carry his name.
Jefferson met Sarah Joanna Barron here and married her 29 April 1865. In the Endowment House they were sealed 29 June 1867. In five years he married again, Mary Jane Western. Sarah was not happy with this marriage, but it was not long before the two mothers found much joy in unselfish service to each others children. My father often told us how a stranger coming to the home could not tell which mother the children belonged to. This must be true, for our grandmother died in 1894, Aunt Joanna was always like a grandmother to us. She came often to our home, and even after we married and had homes of our own she would come and stay with us. We never said half brothers and sisters when speaking of the two families.
Going back to pioneer days. Lorenzo Brown writes in his journal some interesting events. August 1864 “Last night an express came from Meadow Valley with word that the Indians were very bad and stealing and killing beef.” The men had to stand guard days at a time. Another item, “There is a great deal of sickness, mostly diptheria or sore throat, a dangerous complaint which generally carries off the patient for four to six days if nothing is done for them… the remedy used here and effectively, is alum and salt dissolved in vinegar and gargled in the throat every ten or fifteen minutes. A plaster of salt with the yolk of an egg is applied to the neck and throat and renewed occasionally. It has helped all who have tried it.”
Sept. 4—There has been no meetings for weeks.
Sept. 11—The water in Pine Valley grows beautifully less every week. An express came stating Pres. Young will be here tomorrow to speak. Speaking by the Twelve mostly. Pres. Young does not speak a great deal. Meeting at 5 pm, the Pres. Feels first rate and is full of blessings. We had a dance at George Hawleys in the evening. They brought the brass band from Nephi… about 9:30 pm Pres. Young called order saying, “It is time to dismiss. We knelt down and he offered prayer in which he asked God to bless this settlement and all pertaining to it in a most fervent manner. The party then broke.”
Feb 5, 1865—A cold day. People generally very poor. Some living on boiled carrots. These are the pioneers of which the historian Bancroft writes. “All ties of the past had been sundered. They were so poor that their utmost hope was to secure the merest necessities of life. If ever a dream of anything like comfort or luxury came to them they made a grave in their heart for that dream and buried it that it might not longer vex them”.
May 1866—Pres. Young has written for the Saints in small settlements to gather together for protection as the Indians are so bad.
May 1, 1867—President E. Snow came and dedicated the new meeting house at Pinto.
Jefferson took his two families to Panquitch in 1875, where he put up two homes. They were one room with a lean-to for the kitchen. Here they lived until 1882 when they left for Bluff City. A group had been called to go. The others left in 1880. It was this group who went through the “Hole In The Rock” so many write of. It was a very hard and dangerous trip. They did not stay long in Bluff City. Pioneering there was very trying. The President sent word they could be released to go where they wished. It was at this time the Church was having trouble with the government about plural families. Jefferson took one family to Mancos, (this was Mary Jane) where she lived until she died in 1894. Aunt Joanna’s family was taken to Kirtland, New Mexico.
A large posterity lives to honor the early pioneers. In compiling this short sketch, let me add here what Francis B. Hewitt has said. “It has been a labor of love and so far completed in the hope that it may be useful and of interest, especially to the younger generations. Other chapters wait to be written of events past, present, and future. It should be a point of honor with the younger generation as they come to bear their part in developing the history of their Ancestors, in recording the events of their “present” and in verifying the traditions” which we have heard and known and our fathers had told us.”
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