Lucy Cardon History by James L. Macfarlane

5 Jan 1852 – 20 Aug 1952

Wife of Thomas Barthelemy Cardon

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History of Lucy Smith Cardon – Cache Valley’s Aunt Lucy

Compiled by James L. Macfarlane

Eaton Brae to Logan

Lucy Smith, the daughter of Thomas X. Smith and Margaret Gurney was born January 5, 1852 in Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire, England.  It was from these humble beginnings that a journey of 100 years began.  In March of 1853, little Lucy and her parents gathered together their few possessions and sailed for America.  Thomas was 21 and Margaret was 20 when they sailed for America as new converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Lucy learned to walk on the 3 month trip across the Atlantic, which included much bad weather and heavy seas.  The family gratefully landed in New Orleans then sailed up the Mississippi River to Keokuk, Iowa, where they fitted out for a trip of 1,500 miles to Utah.  They were in Captain Brown’s company of 60 or more teams.  On reaching the plains of Iowa about 20 miles east of Council Bluffs, Margaret gave birth to a second child, Orson; it was 4 p.m., July 4, 1853 in the back of their wagon.  Their wagon and one other were permitted to stop for two days while a Sister Roberta Orr helped Margaret. Both wagons were then moved quickly to overtake the wagon train. One can imagine Lucy’s reaction, now 18 months old, to this new fine baby brother.  For the next 3 months, they rode in that wagon; over plains, rivers and mountains, to the sparsely populated valleys of Utah.  Lucy’s father had no experience in driving ox teams so this was a trial for him.  They were blessed and reached the Salt Lake Valley on October 1, 1853, where friends reached out to help them a great deal.

They settled in Farmington in 1854 where Lucy’s father purchased an acre of land on which he built an adobe house 16’ x  20’ with a  fireplace in the west end. There was a door in the east end and a window on the south side. There was a dirt floor and a roof of boards.  At last, little Lucy had a home of her own.  Her father cultivated the lot and raised a good garden.  After the first season, food was scarce and the family was forced to eat native greens, sego roots and wild potatoes that were found on the bottom lands. During the three years in Farmington, three more children were born to Thomas X. and Margaret; James, Thomas and Frederik.  Tragedy struck the family when baby James, in an unguarded moment, fell into the fireplace which resulted in his death.  Thomas made a little casket and Margaret, Lucy, Orson, Thomas and Fred sat on the doorstep and watched Father Thomas and his brother George carry the baby to his resting place.  Lucy was only 5 years old as she watched and felt of a final earthly separation.

In 1857 – 1858, the family moved to Cedar Valley, Camp Floyd and Cedar Creek, where Johnson’s Army came to Utah.  They did not stay for the winter but moved back to Farmington in the fall.  The Farmington years created many hardships for the family that was finding life in the Wild West very challenging.  Thomas was a scout in the army during these years, spending many months away from home.  During one of these times, after hearing of his return from Echo Canyon, Lucy and Orson walked up the street in hopes of him having something for them.  He kissed them but what a disappointment; he was worse clad than they were.  Ragged shirt and pants, shoes, a powder horn held by a strap over one shoulder, a bullet pouch over the other, an old muzzle-loader Kentucky rifle, no hat, long beard.  It was a motley sight for a young child to behold. Lucy and Orson did not care – Dad was home!

In the spring of 1859, Thomas X. went north to Logan, Utah with others. Here he build a log house, came back to Farmington and took his family which now numbered six to their new home.  The family made this trip with one wagon, a yoke of oxen and one of their cows.  To reach Logan, they had to travel north through Ogden, Brigham City, Deweyville over the Colliston Hill into Cache Valley by way of Mendon and Wellsville, around by Hyrum, Millville and Providence.  It was all wilderness then; they forded the Logan River near where the River Heights Bridge was later erected.  It was the north part of the river and the larger of the two.  They arrived at their home, located on the west side of what is known as the George Ferrel block, in the fall of 1859.  It was un-chinked nor plastered.  The wagon box placed on the east end of the house as a bedroom for the children and thus they all passed a severe winter.  The snow fell three feet deep on the level.  The little family’s strong faith carried them through this difficult time..

Lucy was now 7 and soon to be 8.  For some time, she had done her share of work to help her Mother in and out of the house.  It was while splitting wood, she cut her foot so severely that through her life the scar was plainly visible. A Mrs. Hyde, in her kindness, took care of the wound and saw that it healed properly, thereby preventing blood poisoning.

The original Logan home was replaced after 3 years when they moved into a new, 4 room adobe home which stood, until the spring of 1928, on the corner of 1st East and 3rd North.  It was here the Smith family grew to number 11; 7 girls and 4 boys – a loving, happy family and a very devoted to Lucy, a second mother to the children.

Lucy was very eager to go to school and made every effort to take advantage of the opportunities to do so when they were available. She received her first instruction in the log schoolhouse located in the J.R. Edwards lot on Center and 2nd West.  It was small in size, only 36’ x 18’ (648 square feet).  As a young girl, she would help with the family washing and general house tasks in the early morning.  Sometimes, with feet wrapped in rags to protect them from the snow and cold, she would hurry off to school to study reading, spelling and arithmetic.  Later, her education continued in the Fourth Ward Schoolhouse, where she was taught by Mrs. Hyde, John Reed and Richard Evans.  When she was 16, Harriet A. Preston was her teacher. But, actually, experience was Lucy’s teacher and continued to be throughout the years.  Books had come into Lucy’s life and every book that came within her reach was read. Later in life, she gave her own children the best books and magazines she was able to obtain.

Lucy’s mother Margaret was a great influence in her life.  She passed through many trials in incident to the early settlements which she bore with great patience and fortitude. She was a kind mother and tried to instill the principles of truth into the minds of the children.  Lucy would need all of the qualities of endurance that her mother taught her in the years ahead.

Thomas B. Cardon (Bugler Tommy Gordon)

Lucy, now a teenager, had not yet met Thomas B. Cardon, her future husband. His life was moving in a quite a different direction.

After the “Utah War”, was over and peace proclaimed, Thomas B. Cardon, who had been detailed as one of the home guard, assisted his family in their return to their home in Weber County.

In the fall of 1858, young Cardon visited Camp Floyd for the purpose of obtaining employment. At the camp, he met a number of his countrymen, who had enlisted in Johnston’s Army and the soldiers told him that if he would enlist he would have the privilege of attending the school in the camp for free. Thus induced, he enlisted as a Bugler in Company G, United States 10th Infantry.  However, he did not attend school but received his education in the English language from a comrade who came from New Orleans and who, like himself, spoke French.  This man’s name was Eugene Le Roy.  So anxious was young Cardon to store his mind with a fund of useful knowledge that he frequently pursued his studies all night until daylight.  This, from a natural love of intellectual and moral culture pursued industriously through his life, Mr. Cardon became a fairly educated man.

In the spring of 1860, the company to which Mr. Cardon belonged was sent to Fort Bridger to relive other companies who had been ordered elsewhere.

In the fall of that year, being tired of an inactive life, Bugler Cardon applied for his discharge and would have received it but it was delayed and had not arrived when, in 1861, the Civil War broke out.  Thomas withdrew his application and went with his company on a forced march to Fort Leavenworth, en route to Washington D.C.  They wintered at the national capital. 

On March 10, 1862, his company was called into active service.  They were crossing Long Bridge en route to the Battle of Manasseh when a ghastly sight was witnessed by young Cardon and his comrades.  The bodies of many of the victims who had fallen at the battle which had been recently fought had been recovered from the river and stacked up on either side of the bridge.  That terrible scene had a very powerful effect on the mind of the youthful soldier.

He was with the headquarters of General George B. McClellan from the opening of the campaign in 1862 in Virginia until after the battle of Malvern Hill.  He was in active engagements at the battles of Big Bethel, the capture of Yorktown, at Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, etc.  He also participated in the memorable 7 days fight before Richmond, which began June 26th in which the Union losses were severe and very heavy. At the Battle of Gaines Hill, the brigade to which Cardon belonged was placed in a very critical position being between two hostile forces and exposed to the firing of both armies.  On the 27th of June, Thomas fell by the bullets of the enemy.  He was wounded in the left arm and in the left side.  He was picked up and taken by comrades to the temporary hospital.  They had proceeded with him but a few yards when a leg of one of his supporters was severed from his body by the explosion of a bombshell.  They had moved only a few paces further when another of his comrades fell dead at his side, having been killed by a ball from the rifle of one of the enemy’s sharp shooters. It was from a similar source that Thomas Cardon had received his wounds.  At the hospital, the army surgeon had decided to amputate Cardon’s leg and he was left among others to await the convenience of the doctors to deprive him of that limb.  Meanwhile, the patient swooned.  So lifeless did he seem that he was reported dead and consequently left in the charnel house with the corpses of those who had died of their wounds.  That night, the Union army retreated across the Chickahominy. About daylight on the morning of the 28th, Thomas Cardon revived.  On looking around him, he beheld a scene which almost paralyzed him.  The mangled bodies of many of his comrades lay there rigid in death, far from home, friends and loved ones;  no mother, sister or wife to close their eyes or hear them breathe their sad but fond farewell to earth and all it held most dear to them.

With heartfelt gratitude to God that his own life had been almost miraculously preserved and that he was still in possession of all of the members of his body, Thomas arose to his feet.  He was very weak from the effects of his wounds and the loss of blood but he was nevertheless glad to escape from that scene of horror.  He started out to find his brigade.  He had not gone far before he was seen by the enemy’s pickets and pursued by them.  Fortunately, he escaped being captured and reached the Union army in safety. In time, Thomas recovered.  His wounds were healed but he was rendered incapable of further actual service and, on February 23, 1863, he was honorably discharged.  He received a pension of $10 per month for the hazardous services which rendered to his country in defense of the Union.

When he first enlisted in the Army, he was only 16 years old; he was 21 when he retired.

After leaving Washington, Thomas B. Cardon visited York, Pennsylvania, where he met many of his army friends.  He remained there about 5 months.  While at York, he studied and learned the art of photography. He subsequently went to Harisburg where he obtained a situation and worked at a business.  He subsequently opened an art gallery.  In 1865, he sold out his interests there and came west as far as Nebraska City, Nebraska, where he remained for 2 years and again turned his face to the setting sun.

In 1867, Mr. Cardon returned to Utah and settled in Logan, where his father and other members of his family had preceded him.  Here, he established himself in business as a watchmaker and jeweler.

A Fine Romance and Eternal Marriage

Lucy’s history describes her romance with Tom:

It was as Thomas B. Cardon was riding west from Nebraska City on a little black mare, along the projected line of the Union Pacific, at the very time that Lucy was cooking for her father’s construction crew, who were helping on the Central Pacific eastward over the Promontory.  Yet neither Lucy nor Tom knew of the other’s existence nor did they dream that within a short time they would become man and wife. That was in 1867, two years before the spike was driven, joining the two railroads.
Lucy tells with her eyes sparkling of the first letter she wrote to Tom.  She had barely known him, although she had admired him silently for months.  The only veteran of the Civil War in that frontier colony, Tom was naturally the center of attraction among the younger people. And, being a fine looking young man, he was the apple of many a girl’s eye. So Lucy was both elated and worried when she received his first letter, written from a ranch in Wyoming where he had gone to visit a sister, Mary Guild.
His letter, received in Logan, in Lucy’s opinion a masterpiece.  He was well read, well-traveled and experienced in the ways of life and able to tell a girl things in very nice language.” In December of 1870, on a visit to Logan, Tom proposed marriage and was accepted, Lucy was then 19 and Tom 29.
Letter after letter followed and 13, November 1871, they married in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City.   They had driven a team of horses on a buckboard from Logan to Ogden and then traveled by the Utah Central Railroad to Salt Lake City. By the time they got back to Logan, winter had set in and they were snowbound for months.

 

Two weeks later, the cherished wedding ring arrived from New York and this little symbol of their marriage rested snugly on Lucy’s left hand all of her life.

A little house on First North Street became their first home.  Part of this place was used as a shop where Thomas carried on his trade of watchmaker while in the other part Lucy made a true home.  Both worked unceasingly to make his trade a successful one and, through their untiring efforts, they built the foundation on which the business flourished.  Lucy worked both in the shop and in the home and did all she could, as the business grew, to encourage her husband.

Lucy was also a very busy mother with her children being born and adding to their family.  Thomas LeRoy, on 20 September of 1872, Lucy Edna on 27 June 1874 and then again heartache struck the family when Eugene was born in July 1876 and Elmer in 1878 both lived only a few months.  Lucy and Tom mourned the loss of two sons however with undaunted faith; the sting of death was eased and the same faith gave them strength to go on.  Joy and happiness returned when a fine new son Ariel was born on 26 June, 1880.

The year 1880 was a pivotal year for Lucy.  Her greatly loved father Thomas X. Smith accepted a mission call to England, departing in March.  Her stalwart mother, Margaret, was in declining health and Lucy the oldest daughter was ever found helpful. Margaret’s health continued to decline and on December 3, 1880, a noble and faithful wife and mother passed from this life.  She was tired and God, in His mercy, gave her rest.  She had requested that Thomas X. remain on his mission and therefore the family locked arms and bravely said goodbye to their much-loved mother.  There were now six Smith daughters left at home; Catherine, Emma, Alice, Drucille, Florence, and Harriet.  Lucy, from all accounts, stepped in to help and provided stability and love to her siblings.  Her life was busy with helping Tom in his growing business and raising her own 3 children.  Lucy and Tom settled in during the 1880’s, growing a thriving business and family.  To make room for the steadily increasing number of children, Tom built first one and then another addition to the house, always providing ample room for everyone. Into that home, in the eighties, came 4 more children – Grehta, Bartlie, Orson and Vincent, making seven in all. Claire was born later, in 1896; Lucy had lost three children as infants – Eugene, Elmer and Alice.

Tom’s business had grown and expanded until his affairs included, besides watch making and photography, a jewelry business, furniture and farming.  He had land, Jersey cattle, standard-bred horses and fine carriages. “Charlie” and “Ben”, a spanking bay team, drew a bright and sturdy wagon to all parts of the valley.  Tom sold to young couples their engagement and wedding rings, photographed the brides and grooms, furnished their homes and supplied the families with birthday and Christmas gifts.  Many a household in northern Utah and southern Idaho displayed photographs, watches and other items bearing his name. 

But Tom was too liberal in the extension of credit. The panic of 1893 caught him all sprawled out financially and broke him flat.  Although the money differences between survival and failure was pathetically small, interest rates were running as high as twenty- five per cent and Tom struggled vainly for five years to gain his financial feet.

Lucy Goes It Alone

The winter of 1897-98 was filled with the deepest sorrow and anxiety.  Tom became ill and steadily grew worse until February 15, 1898 when death came to release him from his severe suffering.  All through his sickness, Lucy was near him, administering the comfort which eased his pain and soothed his tired nerves.  When death had taken him, she once more turned in grief to God with the glorious faith which was hers and therein found solace and peace.  The following obituary appeared in the 17 February 1898 Utah Journal:

Newspaper:

T.B. Cardon Dead.  Passing Away One of Logan’s Most Highly Respected Citizens. The hand of death has again been thrust into our midst and has plucked from amongst us one whom, not only his family, but the entire community, will miss and mourn for.  Thomas B. Cardon passed away at his home on Tuesday evening after an illness reached its culmination in an attack of pneumonia which developed recently, and was the stated cause of death.

Nervous prostration, brought on by worry over business reverses which a less honest man than he would not have noticed, which had weakened his body and made it an easy pretty to disease, was the real cause of death. He built up a magnificent business here, and then when the panic came a few years ago he lost it all, simply because he gave every man credit for being as honest as he was himself.  He never recovered from the shock of the affair, but fell prey to needless worry; for no man in Logan would have deemed Thomas B. Cardon’s word less than his bond. But the strain was too great; the magnificent brain wore itself out and the big, honest heart of Thomas B. Cardon was stilled forever. He leaves a wife and family behind him, who will miss him as much, but will treasure within their hearts the memory of his worth and goodness.

A biographical sketch of Mr. Cardon was partly prepared for this issue but was withheld at the request of the relatives, in order to obtain some additional information in regard to his life.  The funeral services will be held at one o’clock on Friday in the tabernacle.

–      Utah Journal Newspaper, February 17, 1898.

 

Tom’s death left a huge hole in Lucy’s heart; he had been her first love when just

18 years old. Tom told of looking at Lucy through a transom while working blocks away and wrote this poem to her while recovering at the Utah Lake Resort on August 6, 1897.

At Utah Lake Resort 
by T.B. Cardon 
Provo, Aug. 6, 1897

I.
I stand beside the restless lake
And hear the sea gulls weird haloo

The waves come to my feet and break 

Like my poor heart at missing you 

Sweetheart, at missing you

II
The moon in pity veils her face
And softer grow the sea gulls’ cries 
The waves come on with gentler pace 
And scalding tears now fill my eyes,

Sweetheart, now fill my eyes

III
Do they, like me, remember dear 
The happy answering sigh for sigh
When hand in hand while standing here
Your “Yes” made one of you and I.

Sweetheart, of you and I.

IV
But soon upon the golden short
I’ll hear your voice so fond and true
And soul to soul, joy fill once more
My breaking heart, at meeting you, 

Sweetheart, at meeting you.

Lucy was just 46 years old and now must look forward to being alone.  As always, she accepted her fate without a whimper and moved forward, carrying her grieving family with her.

Left almost without resources, her brave spirit bruised but uncomplaining, Lucy made plans to care for her eight fast-growing children. The eldest was Roy, who was called to carry on the business after it had been rescued from the receiver’s hands by John F. Bennett, a friend who proved his sincerity ten times over.   The following excerpt from the family records described John F. Bennett’s role in the family’s history:

Tom and his family enjoyed and benefited by the constant and consistent help and guidance surrendered by John F. Bennett of Salt Lake City.  As a young traveling salesman, “Brother Bennett”, as we called him, had sold his first order to Tom with it there developed a profound and lasting friendship.  John was named by Tom to represent the Preferred Creditor when the crash came and, in that capacity, John protected Tom and his family as far as humanly possible.

“John later told me that his admiration for Tom reached its greatest height when Tom’s innate honesty forbade his taking from the cash drawer the last dollars available to him as means from which to purchase groceries.  John hinted that Tom might take his money as his just dues in the circumstances, but Tom said he was in the hands of his creditors and that the cash with all other property belonged to them.

“Upon Tom’s death, John immediately took hold of the family affairs and, until we were all grown, he was our respected and devoted counselor. Indeed, he continued in that role until his death. We could never express adequately our appreciation of John F. Bennett but can cherish his memory always.

 

The old home was saved for her by the contributions of many friends.  Her family did not know then that she kept the name of every contributor and noted opposite each name the amount contributed.  Many years later, she called her children together and, her black eyes beaming, announced that at last from meager savings she had paid back every cent and checked off every name on her list.

Lucy had now survived the death of her beloved husband, three of her own children, a near collapse of the family business and an uncertain future.  Despite what might have appeared to some as a bleak future, Lucy turned her life into a beacon of light to those around her.  She continued her daily tasks of raising her family and of serving diligently in her church callings.  She was proven in the fires of adversity and strengthened with a powerful faith that all would work out.  She always faced every adversity with a simple pronouncement: “we have much to be thankful for”.

Service to Others

Although sorrow was heavy upon Lucy and the cares of her family weighed on her mind, she regularly discharged her duties as President of the Cache Stake Relief Society.  She had worked in the capacity of Counselor for some time but on May 18, 1897, she accepted the presidency, thus complying with an expressed wish of her sick husband.  It was only after seeking the counsel of God in prayer that she decided to continue the position which she filled so splendidly for twenty-three years.  Throughout the entire valley, women loved her dearly because of her warm heart, her great faith in God and His work and her cheerful spirit and kind, comforting words.

As Tom died, Lucy put her arms around some of her younger children and told them he was gone but they would all be together again sometime, if they would live the word of the Lord.   “We have much to be thankful for”, she told them. Shortly thereafter, the sheriff came and took away all of the livestock, farm implements, wagons and carriages, except for Lucy’s own carriage, a Phaeton, which Bart said the boys had thoroughly hidden in Uncle John Bailiff’s barn.  As President of the Cache Stake Relief Society, Lucy later used that carriage for twenty-three years.  She would hire a horse from the liveryman, “Cache Valley Hans”, and drive with her counselors to all parts of the valley, visiting the poor and afflicted and bringing them comfort, food and a blessing.

Lucy increased her efforts to serve in the church and many felt of her courage and faith that had been developed through the trials of her life.  During this period of church history (between 1900 – 1920) a practice of women “washing and anointing” the sick and afflicted was approved apparently by Joseph F. Smith.  The following comes from  Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism by Maxine Hanks:

“Evidence shows that this practice continued in similar form for several decades. In Cache Valley a 1910 Relief Society meeting was devoted to the topic of healing. President Lucy S. Cardon ‘read some instructions to the sisters on the washing and anointing the sick, and how it should be done properly’ adding a testimony of the importance of having the spirit of the Lord. One sister asked a question on ‘the sub(ject) of washing and anointing’, and sister Martha Needham, with brisk earthiness, answered that she had done ‘as much washing and anointing as anyone in this Stake….she said she had written to Pres. J. F. Smith on the sub and he told her to keep on & bless & comfort as she had done in the past.  It was gift that was only given a few, but all sisters who desired and are requested can perform this.’ Relief Society president Margaret Ballard added ‘how she had been impressed to bless and administer to her father who was sick and suffering and he had been healed.  Had also been impressed to bless her husband and he was healed’ The meeting closed appropriately with the singing ‘Count Your Many Blessings’.”

Lucy was blessed with a spirit of love for those needing help; she, as a matter of necessity, blessed her family with her strong testimony of the power of the Holy Spirit and probably during her 23 years as President of the Cache Valley Stake relief society ministered to many in this way.

Lucy was active in her support of Brigham Young College as illustrated in the following article from The Salt Lake Herald Republican of December 19, 1909:

“The Alumni association of the Brigham Young College held a social on Saturday evening.  There was a brief business meeting and then the time was given over to social pleasures.  Mrs. Luna Y. Thatcher entertained a number of her friends Wednesday afternoon.  There was a brief musical season and a fine dinner was served.  Those present were Mesdames Luna Y. Thatcher, Moses Thatcher, Adeline Barber, Hannah Thatcher, Lucy S. Cardon, M.R. Needham, Mary Thatcher, D.H. Thomas and Nettie Sloan.”

She also may have touched her toe into politics in 1903 as reported in the local newspaper:

There is this to be said of the Democratic convention in nominating Mrs. Lucy Cardon as its candidate for city treasurer; it was an astute, clean, clear-cut political trick, and we give the originator it credit for possessing a long head but it is only on the principle that ‘all’s fair in love and war’ that the trick can be justified.  Mrs. Cardon is a sister of Miss Hattie Smith, a precinct Recorder and candidate for Ion on the Republican ticket. It is hoped that Miss Cardon’s unquestioned popularity will elect her but above all else it is hoped that her presence on the ticket will weaken her sister’s candidacy and that in the event the vote is close between Miss Ormsby and Miss Smith, sufficient votes will be taken from the latter to make Mrs. Ormsby’s election certain.  It is not for Mrs. Cardon’s stake that she was put on the ticket but Mrs. Ormsby’s benefit and the control of the Treasurer’s money and she has been the victim of political trickery in order that her sister may be sacrificed.  Mrs. Cardon knew nothing of the intention of the Democratic convention, and the matter was sprung on her as a surprise.  In the excitement of the moment, she accepted.  Since that time she has expressed a desire to resign, but the Democrats who tricked her refuse to listen to her and now that they have tricked her are attempting to bluff her into submission.  The whole thing is one of the keenest, most palpable insults that could be placed on any woman.  It showed that the men who engineered the scheme hoped to catch her or attributed to her a character so small that she would become their tool willingly. This is not the work of men but scheming tricksters who care naught for anything but political triumph.  We do not say the entire convention of Democrats is a party of this 
miserable affair, for undoubtedly most in that body were ignorant of this scheming trickery as was the victim herself and it is only at the few who were directly concerned in originating and carrying out the scheme that we direct these remarks.  We have sufficient confidence in the great majority of that Democratic body to believe that had they known that they and Mrs. Cardon were being worked by a few scheming men, they would have revolted at the idea.    The Democratic party has the right to name its candidates, and any person named as the right to accept but neither that nor any other party has the right to take any man or woman at a disadvantage and offer such an insult as has been offered to Mrs. Cardon.  In thus taking advantage of her and in making her a tool to further political designs and against her sister. It will be difficult to have Mrs. Cardon take her name from the ticket, and thus stigmatizes the fair name of the family, of which she has the honor of being a member. Mrs. Cardon’s statement is that no pressure has been brought to bear.   Mrs. Cardon should not be bluffed from that ticket any more than she should be bluffed into staying by that ticket but it is certain that, under the circumstances, she is not obligated to the party in the least.
Although the party nominated her and would nominate her at any time she wanted any office, the party in this instance was unconsciously the victim of the men who engineered the scheme.  If Mrs. Cardon chooses to return the insult offered her and take her name from the ticket, she should do so without fear of injuring herself. Whatever course Mrs. Cardon takes finally will be along the line she believes is right and not the result of influence one way or the other and she should be and will be respected in her decision although some may not agree with her.

Politics in 1903 were rather mean-spirited between the political parties and sometimes innocent people were unfortunately involved.  This election turned out very well, contrary to the newspaper story, for the Smith sisters with the following results:

For Treasurer:
Hyrum E. Crockett (Republican) – 931 votes 

Lucy S. Cardon (Democrat) – 979 votes 

Elizabeth Crowther (Socialist) 133 votes

For Recorder:
Hattie Smith (Republican) – 989 votes 

Maretta S. Ormsby (Democrat) – 956 votes 

Henry C. Olsen (Socialist) – 122 votes

(Source:  Jason Cornelius, MLS)

The sisters Lucy and Hattie, representing different political parties ran for different offices and both won.  It is quite apparent that both were supported in the community despite the parties they represented.  Lucy has now added a new responsibility to her busy life.

Lucy needed to somehow provide for the seven children living at home, ages two

(Claire) to seventeen (Bartlie), and also be concerned with the two polygamist wives and families of Tom.  Roy took over the family businesses, working with John F. Bennett, with Lucy the new Municipal Treasurer. 

President Brigham Young constantly urged them to greater diligence and one must remember that the ward Relief Societies had been appointed and the work commenced throughout the entire stake, which comprised all of Cache Valley.  Quilts were made, mulberry trees planted and silk worms imported making silk to spin and weave, it was their feature project.  Wheat gathering was begun, visiting teachers were chosen and their work outlined.  The stake extended from Avon to Mink Creek, a distance of about 50 miles. It was almost a two week undertaking to visit all of the wards. The meetings were held regularly in both the stake and wards.  Work meetings were held regularly and the articles were used for charity. One president reported that a party was given to raise money as the society had been called on for more assistance than they could supply.   These women were resourceful; if there was no way, they found one and if there was no opening, they found one.

During the period that Lucy Cardon was president, meetings were held faithfully and regularly on alternate weeks in the wards and monthly in a stake capacity.  All wards in the stake were visited twice a year. This visit was often made under difficulties as vehicles were scarce and horses were hard to get.  The meetings were frequently held in cold and uncomfortable school houses with few present; but the members were always blessed with the Spirit of the Lord.  Love and unity existed among the sisters and much good was accomplished.  Work and testimony meetings were held once a month and every ward collected wheat and struggled to store it safely.  Relief Society officers and teachers administered to the needs of the poor, laid out the dead, made burial clothes and gave comfort to the distressed.

Lucy, in addition to serving in the Cache Valley Stake Presidency, for over 43 years with 23 years as president, also served from October 10, 1892 to October 5, 1902 on the General Board of the Relief Society. The board as it was constituted in 1899, consisted of the following:  Zina D.H. Young as President; Jane S. Richards as First Vice-President; Bathsheba W. Smith as Second Vice-President;  Sarah J. Cannon as Third Vice-President;  Emmeline B. Wells as Secretary and M. Isabella Horne as Treasurer.  Serving as Directors were:  Romania B. Pratt, Emelia D. Madsen, Lucy S. Cardon, Susan Grant, Mary Pitchforth, Harriett M. Brown, Martha Tonks, Helena E. Madsen, Aurilla Hatch, Hattie Brown, Martha B. Cannon, Emma Woodruff, Julia L. Smith, Emily S. Richards, Rebecca Standring, Ellis R. Shipp and Julia P.M. Farnsworth.

Lucy’s service to others enabled her and gave her the strength to always move ahead in her personal life.  On January 1, 1907, her beloved father Thomas X. Smith passed away at the age of 78.   His influence and love had been an anchor to Lucy.  He had been “her” Bishop since she was eleven years old – all of her adult life.  Lucy’s younger brother Orson said, of their father, “Thus we lost a noble father and honored leader.  Beloved by all who knew him of our faith.   His life held out a picture for us all to look at and ponder over all of our lives.  I have never heard him in all my life utter one word I could not repeat before a lady.   I have never seen him commit an act I could not emulate.”   Though we do not have any of Lucy’s thoughts about her father, I feel certain she grieved the loss of her great father.

Lucy’s family grew, married and made homes of their own.  One day, the old home was sold and Lucy – Aunt Lucy to everyone in the valley by this time – moved into a new bungalow on First North and First East next to hear oldest son.  It was the house in which she enjoyed her hundredth birthday party.

True to form, she stoically saw Roy to his grave, then turned to her remaining children and again offered assurance that, although Roy had gone ahead to join Tom, they would all be reunited in time.  As always, she reminded them that they had much to be thankful for.

The record from 1914 to 1920 is replete with accomplishments.  During this time, World War I was raging and the Relief Society responded to every call.   Educational lectures on the conservation of food and clothing were features.  Sewing committees were organized and the women remodeled used clothing, made bandages, knit sweaters for the servicemen and for those suffering the ravages of war.

Prior to 1914, no official guide was given to the Societies for the conducting of their meetings.  Cache Stake featured President’s reports, readings and special lectures in their meetings.  Later, genealogy was studied or the life of some great man or woman treated, with a particular focus on biblical characters.

The time had arrived, however, when Relief Society women so hungered for knowledge that an organized program of study was needed.  Consequently, in 1914, courses of study were introduced.  To provide a means of distributing the outlines for these courses and the material for the lessons among the leaders and members, the General Board instituted the publication of Relief Society Magazine.  The Exponent was discontinued and the magazine has enjoyed increasing popularity through the years. 

With the inception of the new accelerated program, board meetings as well as ward meetings were scheduled weekly.  In these meetings, the stake board gave consideration to the prescribed lessons, ward and stake business and inspirational messages from the members of the general authorities.  The minutes of these years testify to the great love that existed among the officers and board members.  The names of brilliant, capable women appear on the roll.  One minute reports a testimonial given in compliment to President Cardon and her counselors; another is a copy of resolutions of sympathy and condolence sent to Sister Cardon at the time of her son’s death; another, of an earlier date, reports a testimonial to Anna Anderson who was moving away.

On October 2, 1916, the Relief Society was requested to sell its wheat.  This, at the time, seemed a trial because the wheat had been gathered and gleaned in times of poverty.  But obedience to authority was ever the first thought of these good women and the wheat was sold at $1.75 per bushel.  It was sent to those starving in Europe so its destiny was fulfilled since it had been gathered to be used in time of need.  For many years, interest on the money received from selling this wheat was paid annually to each ward.

An influenza epidemic swept the land in October of 1918 and many deaths occurred.  At this time of quarantine and fear, Relief Society women did much to alleviate the suffering and to assuage sorrow.  In March 1919, fifty quilts and pillows were sent to the servicemen stationed at the Utah State Agricultural College.  In May 1920, an announcement was made in an officers meeting of a community nurse who would respond to any emergency call or go to wherever help was needed.

The following is an excerpt from the life story of Adeline Hatch Barber, written by Verna R. Daines:

At the request of Brigham Young in April Conference, 1877, it was moved and seconded and unanimously carried ‘that the Relief Societies throughout the Church should take a MISSION to raise silkworms and do all in their power to clothe themselves and their families.’
Adeline Barber was president of the Cache Stake Relief Society and her faithful first counselor was Lucy S. Cardon.  Both of these ladies were determined to do all in their power to carry out this assignment.  Cache Valley was a big territory but both Adeline and Lucy had a good horse and buggy and a host of willing helpers.  There was Susannah Cardon, who had learned the art of silkworm culture in Italy.  Mulberry trees were planted and eggs imported from Italy.  Adeline and Lucy took care of the hatching and feeding of the silkworms and, before long, they were spinning the slender threads into things of beauty. There is a notation in the book ‘A Century of Relief Society’, published during the Relief Society Centennial, which states:

‘Susan B. Anthony, the great woman’s sufferage leader, during the Chicago World’s Fair, wore with pride a dress made of Utah silk, presented to her by the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  The material of which this dress was made was woven by Adeline Barber and Lucy Cardon.’ ,

The last of the old mulberry trees had been grubbed out of the Cardon lot, on Second North, west of the courthouse in Logan, Utah. The project was done away with as the Industrial Revolution moved in, but something remains more worthwhile – the dignity of toil, the love of beauty and the dedication to a call.
In the ‘Logan Journal’ of March, 1918, was the account of the death of Adeline Hatch Barber.  The funeral was held in the Logan Tabernacle and the article had one statement that seemed a bit out of order: 

‘The Stake Presidency and the President of the Cache Stake Relief Society occupied the upper stand and president of Ward Relief Societies the lower stand. President Lucy S. Cardon presided and made various announcements.’

Lucy S. Cardon was still alive in 1949, in good health and extremely alert at 98 years of age. She was living in Logan on First North, just about 1st East and was interviewed about the article. ‘Did you really preside at the funeral of Adeline H. Barber?’  and this is what she said: ‘Well, if the newspaper said so, I probably did but I don’t recall that particular point but women did a lot of things those days that they don’t do now.’
Lucy S. Cardon died in January 1952, shortly before her one hundred and first birthday. She had been made Stake President of the Relief Society when Adeline resigned on account of her age and poor health at the turn of the century and was still the president in 1918 when Adeline died.

Lucy Cardon had served for 23 years as a Cache Stake Relief Society President. She had been working in the Cache Stake Relief Society in some capacity for 43 years –
1877 to 1920, when a division of the stake was made in March of 1920, she was honorably released.

Kennie B. Caine was chosen as president with Lizzie B. Owen and Laura Merrill as counselors.  Violet West was secretary, Ina Barrett was assistant secretary and Inulia Blair was treasurer.  Lucy Cardon and Margaret Morrell were retained as honorary members.

Ariel Cardon, speaking about his mother at the time of her release said “She had become Aunt Lucy.  She was the Relief Society worker who was known from one end of the valley to the other.  Thirty years of unselfish work as Counselor to the President and as the President.  She devoted herself to the purposes of the Society, performing acts of mercy and comforting the afflicted.  That work began when Cache Stake consisted of all of the valley within Utah.  She traveled by team in winter and summer, through wind and snow, over primitive roads similar to the ones so often reported by Tommy in his diaries”

Final Years & Thoughts

In reading partial life histories of Lucy written by members of her family, including Claire and Vince, there is no mention of polygamy.  Thomas B. Cardon had three wives; Lucy, married November 13, 1871, Amalie Jensen, married July 24, 1884 and Ella Hinckley, married June 24, 1885.

On October 15, 1886, Thomas B. Cardon was arrested on a charge of unlawful cohabitation.  His bond was originally set at $15,000 and later reduced to $5,000.  The case was eventually dismissed and all charges were dropped on March 12, 1887.  Though he was only held for 24 hours, the ensuing 15 months must have been difficult for the three women.

Time heals all wounds and hopefully the emotions of the difficulties suffered by the families served to strengthen children and wives.

There is no evidence that Lucy ever complained about any hardships, including being a polygamous wife. Tom’s other wives were not known by many of the Lucy Edna Cardon Langton families until 1990. This certainly suggests that some of Tom and
Lucy’s children had some difficulty dealing with polygamy.  Hopefully, 113 years since

Tom passed away, all are now at peace.

Lucy’s love, honesty, loyalty and concern for others embodied all of her earthly contacts with people.  These same qualities were passed on to her children, exemplified by how they loved and supported each other.  My grandmother, Lucy Edna Cardon Langton, wrote the following in her life history:

I want to write a few lines about my brothers and sisters who were very kind to me.  I loved each one of them.  They were kind and understanding.  When sorrow came to me, each of them was there to help me bear my load.  Guy always sent candy to us at Christmas.  The children always looked forward to Uncle Roy’s box at Christmas time.  Later Guy, Bart and Vince were thoughtful and very kind to us.

Grehta was wonderful. When I went to Logan in the summer time and took the children, she would sew lovely dresses for us to wear.”

The Cardon family stuck together through the good times and bad; a great bond was created in their home by Tom and Lucy.  The following insights about Tom and Lucy were provided again by Grandmother Edna’s history:

During the time I was in Logan, my mother sponsored many carpet rag bees.  The women would all bring their carpet rags to a central place, like my mother’s home, where they would first sort out the different colors into the respective piles and then therags of the same color would be sewn and wound into a ball. The white rags and lighter shades were saved to make the carpet for the Logan Temple.  All of the early carpets used in the temple were made in carpet looms by the people of Cache Valley.  This was tedious and exacting work, but the women were glad to perform it because they knew it was their work which made the Logan Temple the beautiful spot that it was with their homemade rugs on the floors.

My mother was President of Stake Relief Society in Logan for a period of 23 years.  Her first counselor was Mrs. Luna Thatcher, who was Brigham Young’s oldest daughter.  Mrs. Ames and Mrs. Morrell were counselors at different times.  When they went by buggy on Relief Society business, mother always did the driving and wore out two buggies on the many trips. She knew personally all of the presidents of the Church, from Brigham Young, including the present president, David O. McKay. The president of the church, upon visiting Logan in the later years of her life, would always take time to come to her home to pay her his respects.

My father was an ambitious, dominant person. He built the first house he lived in Logan from logs cut, shaped and fitted with his own hands. He later employed a contractor to build a fine jewelry store in front of the house and a photograph gallery above the home.  Many of the early pictures of Logan society, political life, and note-worthy characters were taken in this gallery.  My mother was a member of the
Logan Choir, and the choir had many social events including banquets which were held in our downstairs living quarters.  After the banquets, the choir would go into the photograph gallery, remove the equipment, and hold a dance.  Brother Alexander Lewis was the conductor of the choir and Miss Lamoreaux, contralto and Ann Cowley, soprano, were soloists.  The choir consisted of about thirty persons and was considered an excellent singing group. They also had a very fine social time together

My father was an artist in everything he did. When we went to church on Easter Sunday, he would stay at home, blow the yoke out of the eggs and, with pen and ink, would make beautiful pictures and drawings on the egg shells and give them to us upon our return from church.

Among the important social events of my early life was the dancing around the Maypole on May 1. This was one of the most memorable events of a social nature during the school year.

Transportation in Logan consisted of a streetcar, which ran from the old depot on Center Street east to Main Street, north on Main Street to 4th North and east on 4th North to the foot of college hill.  I always walked to school and when I was in college on some occasions I rode in a carriage or surrey. In the summertime we took trips to Bear Lake in a white top.  This is a light wagon with a white canvas top, which was well known in those days as a white top.  We took our food and stayed a number of days to fish, boat and have a pleasant time.

Lucy’s life was filled during her declining years with continuing service to the church and her many friends in the Cache Valley.  She continued to support the Relief Society, to crochet beautifully, and to lift her many friends and family.  Visits to her loved sisters, who lived close by was a daily adventure for Lucy.

When Lucy was eighty-seven years old, she had her hip broken and needed additional care.  Grehta, a daughter, and her husband Ted Rechow lived with her and provided wonderful care for her.  Lucy spent many a happy day on her front porch visiting with her many friends and kin.  She was always cheerful and interested in others’ lives.  She enjoyed going to Logan Canyon with Grehta and Ted to visit the Bambi cottage there and partake of the fall and spring glories.  She did welcome a chat with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were good to her and very thoughtful of her. It was necessary to get in the side of her good ear and speak loudly and plainly.  She looked them in the eye and spoke directly to them, showing her knowledge and love with each one. She was an impressive person and at times could be intimidating because of her commanding presence.

On April 7, 1952, death came again to Lucy’s household and took away another son, Bart, as he was about to leave his home for the jewelry store.  The first impact of this shock left her wondering why he was chosen to go ahead of her but, as usual, she accepted the will of the Lord and was consoled by her belief in an early reunion.

She not only was a source of strength to her own children and a great inspiration to all Cache Valley women, but she also was a great strength to her own sisters and brothers who had been motherless for so many years and fatherless later. They turned to her for guidance and comfort in their trials. She was so wise and kind.

On January 5, 1952, Lucy enjoyed her 100th birthday party, given by her children, where all of her friends and relatives gathered at her home to celebrate with her.  She was surrounded by 100 red roses and 100 burning candles.  Lucy enjoyed every minute of the party with over 60 descendants and many friends.

Lucy Smith Cardon, a gallant, brave and loving child of God, returned quietly to a heavenly home on August 20, 1952.   She left behind six living children and joined five in paradise.  All eleven were the final legacy of an extraordinary life. She had finished her journey with honor. She is buried in the Logan City Cemetery next to loved ones.

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APPENDIX A

Lucy was honored in a 1939 edition of the Relief Society Magazine: 

In commemoration of the organization of Relief Society in Nauvoo, March 7, 1842, programs were held in all the wards in Cache Stake. These programs also honored Lucy S. Cardon, 87 years old, who served as President of the original Cache Stake for 23 years and who has been a devout member and loyal supporter of Relief Society during her entire lifetime. She is the only living member of the first Relief Society organized in Cache Stake in 1868. The original Cache Stake over which she presided has since been divided into 7 stakes.

Sister Lula Y. Smith, the present President of Cache Stake, pays the following tribute to Sister Cardon: “She has won the love and respect of everyone who knows her and in the twilight hour of her life she still sheds the inspiration of a great personality. Years of public service remove all sham and reveal a spirit aglow with an inner glory. This is true of Sister Cardon. 87 years have added to the charm of her gracious dignity, stately bearing and humility of soul. Her life is a lesson in the power of serenity and understanding to shed great peace. Her courage and faith through all the trials of life have given strength to so many of those who know and love her. Her dignity, her wonderful service and inspiring personality will live with us always as a monument to a life made perfect. She truly exemplifies Relief Society in it’s highest form.”

In appreciation of her wonderful life and her untiring devotion to the Relief Society cause, which she still supports in her inimitable way, the wards of Cache Stake presented her with a beautiful flowering plant and a letter expressing their love and appreciation.

Julie F. Lund, General Secretary
“Notes from the Field”

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MOTHER TELLS ALL 

It would seem that mother, after many years in the Cache Stake Relief Society, was asked for a short sketch of that work. It must have been written after her retirement which followed 30 years of labor. The old paper is still in her children’s hands. It was headed, 

Relief Society Work by me since May 18th, 1877

I was chosen as a second counselor to Sister Elizabeth Benson. We traveled around the Stake under very trying conditions to try and do our duty. No carriages in those days, but lumber wagons and spring seats. But we had the Spirit of the Lord and we enjoyed our labors and were received well by our sisters, although the work was new for me. I was then one of young mothers having my third baby in arms; but whenever it was possible for me to go I went and took my baby, which I have continued to do up to the present time. 

In 1885 Sister Benson was honorably released from being President on account of ill health. Sister Adeline Barber was chosen to fill hr place with myself as First Counselor and Luna Y. Thatcher as Second. 

On the 18th of May, 1897, Sister Barber was honorably released and Lucy S. Cardon was sustained as President with Luna Y. Thatcher* as 1st and Rebecca Eames as 2nd Counselors of the Cache State Relief Society. 

The first conference held after I became President, Sister Thatcher presided. I was absent on account of my husband being very sick. We left home on the 2nd of August and remained until the 28th. We went to Provo and had a very pleasant time as his health improved. Rest was what he needed. After we got home he began to overwork and his health began to fail until the 15th of February, 1898, he passed away. He was a great help in my Society work, always encouraging me and helping me in every way he could. 

May 18, 1897, Lucy S. Cardon was set apart by Pres. Orson Smith; Luna Y. Thatcher by Simpson Molen; Rebecca Eames by Isaac Smith. 

Mother continued in her position for ten years after father died. 

* Luna Young Thatcher , daughter of Brigham Young 

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APPENDIX B 

Lucy’s Funeral

Funeral Services for 

LUCY SMITH CARDON

Held Saturday, August 23, 1952, 1:00 p.m. 

Logan Fourth LDS Chapel 

*** 

Grant Sorenson, conducting

REMARKS by Grant Sorenson:

Brothers and sisters and friends of the Cardon family, we have assembled on this solemn occasion to pay sincere tribute to a queenly, noble pioneer saint who was privileged to live on this earth one century, seven months and fifteen days. An extremely unusual span of time. Those of us here are highly honored to be present I am sure. 

On her 100th birthday, family, friends and neighbors joined in a celebration in her distinguished honor. Many extended personal greetings, sent generous amounts of beautiful flowers, and among those to send congratulations by telegram were Governor J. Bracken Lee, Governor of Utah, and President David 0. McKay, President of the Church ofJesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Since that occasion, however, her son, Bartley Cardon, has passed away. 

To her six living sons and daughters, Dr. P. V. Cardon, Washington D.C., Mrs. Claire Sullivan, Los Angelos, 0. Guy Cardon and Mrs. Gretha Rechow ofLogan, and Mrs. Edna Langton of Salt Lake City and Ariel F. Cardon of Los Altos, California, she is known as mother, the sweetest word ever spoken. To her 24 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild she was known as grandmother. To her two living sisters, Alice Smith and Drue Smith, she is known as Lucy. To countless friends and neighbors she was known as Aunt Lucy. And to the membership of her great church she is known as Sister Cardon. 

Lucy Smith Cardon was born January 5, 1852 in Eton Brae near Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England, and passed away while asleep on August, 20, 1952, at her home, 109 E. First North, Logan, Utah. 

Her courageous father, Thomas X. Smith, a hat braider by trade in England, presided over the Logan Fourth Ward as bishop for forty years. Her devout mother was Margaret Gurney. 

In behalf of the Fourth Ward we would like all of you to know that Sister Cardon was held in high esteem. She was very generous with her tithes, offerings and time to the Lord and was stern in defense of truth and right. When she was only 14 months old, her parents, converted by missionaries of the Mormon faith, migrated to Utah. In a booklet written by her son, P. V. Cardon , in honor of her lOOth birthday, an account is given that she learned to walk as the family was sailing across the ocean and that her oldest brother was born in a covered wagon while crossing the plains.

Among the countless services filled by Sister Cardon to her church and community was
Cache Stake Relief Society President. She and her counselors visited the poor and afflicted, taking them comfort, food and blessings. She also was one of the first officiators in the Logan temple.

Some writing has been done, but many interesting volumes could be written about her colorful life of joy, sorrow, romance, and hardships; spiced by her intensely keen sense of humor.

On various occasions of a Sunday afternoon Bishop NewelS. Cahoon, accompanied by some members of the ward Priesthood visited and administered the sacrament of the Lord’s supper to Sister Cardon, for which she was always appreciative. 

Her declining years were ideal and made pleasant in that those who cared for her were loving, kind, considerate and administered to her every need. 

Commendable services have been arranged by the family for this occasion. Brother Grant Macfarlane offered the prayer at the home. Mrs. Kenneth 0. Lindquist is at the organ and played the prelude and will play the postlude. A double quartet from the Imperial Glee Club will sing one of Sister Cardon’s favorite hynms, “Come, Come Y e Saints”. Sister Elaine Johnson will accompany them. Brother Serge B. Benson will offer the invocation. Sister Laura Menill will be the first speaker. 

(A double quartet from the Imperial Glee Club sang, “Come, Come, Ye Saints”.) 

INVOCATION by Bishop Serge B. Benson:

Our Father and our God, humbly we bow before Thee this beautiful day to pay our respects to thy beloved daughter, one of the choicest daughters and mothers that ever lived. We thank Thee, our Father, for her life because it has been a noble one. We have koown her these many, many years. We have received instruction and encouragement from her. We realize the wonderful life she lived, the beautiful faroily she has brought into the world and her life has certainly make this world better.

May the peace of heaven be here this day, that our hearts will be touched. May those who speak or sing be touched with Thy holy spirit that we may be inspired to go on and carry forward. We realize that she has done much these many years. She has been devoted to Thy cause and has been a responsible citizen.

Bless her family, those who have been so true and kind and sweet and spent so many hours to make her life comfortable and happy. May Thy spirit be with them in their homes, that they may be comforted and realize the wonderful mother that they had. May the peace of heaven be with us all, I humbly pray through Jesus our Lord, Amen.

REMARKS by Laura Merrill:

My brothers and sisters, I am grateful to see you all here. You surely are the people she loved to see about her. And it is a great honor for me to represent the women of this valley, for that is who she worked with. 

We don’t gather to mourn, but rather to pay our meager tribute to this century old daughter. How wonderful to have lived for 100 years, with your mentality keen, your speech and hearing and eyesight functioning to the very last. With a rich zest for life, for her marvelous family and her friends and the whole community. To have a supreme faith in God and love for all his children. 

As I wrote that I thought John Gunther must have had her in mind when he wrote about the Mormons as being “flint -hard believers” in the living God. And certainly He lives. 

I think of her, even in this 100th year, with her magnifying glass in her hand pouring over the Relief Society magazine or the National Geographic, or other times with crochet hook and beautiful gay yarns fashioning table mats for all her dear one. Her brain and hands were always active. Her table close by, laden with choice things and always fresh flowers. She aged as gracefully as age the years – spring, summer, autumn and winter. Always attractively dressed, spotlessly clean and always eager to greet any coming guest. She always reminded me to the last of a Royal Dalton figurine, only with spiritual eyes expecting to greet you. All of this seemed to be accomplished by magic, but not so. Gretha and her husband, who was a son to her, along with her own sons and daughters performed the most faithful service you can imagine. I am sure you know how wonderfully they cared for her. They all seemed to compete to see that nothing was missing. 

A truly queenly mother who can preside in a home for 81 years and have such consideration and have such fine sons and daughters and more than half of that time she was without her husband. There is a powerful germ of greatness in these two powerful pioneer families, Thomas X. Smith and Thomas B. Cardon. It is evident in so many of their lives, so you who are heirs should make a great effort to build into the lives of your children some of the gifts that are bound to reach back to their forebears. 

She presided in Cache Stake when it extended from Preston to Paradise. The truly great women who worked with her in those days have all gone on before, such as the Barber sisters, Sister Caine and the Caryles and a host of others. I am sure you will remember. They traveled in wagons and white tops when roads were muddy and they had children at home and they had their own work. It was the time of taking silk from the cocoons to weave cloth, of making your own clothes, of women suffrage, yes, and often they were the only morticians. Think of it! They worked along with Eliza R. Snow, the first general president, Emily B. Wells and all that have followed in the general presidency.

Since I have been home I ran across what I thought was such a choice poem and I went over to share it with her, but it wasn’t convenient at that time so I would like to give it to her now. It was written by LeRoy B. Meagher and it is called “Deseret”.

Freedom
was aflame
carried oxen-paced
across a desert waste;
Courage
was a song
of handcarts
and searching hearts;
Peace
was a dead land,
wakened by plow seams
and mountain streams;
Faith
was a quarried stone
lifted by tithing hire
into a temple spire
Those are the words
Time caunot erase, Not these:
“This is the place!” 

How fitting her!

This service today is by no means our final tribute to her. She will be remembered by women all over this whole valley, all over this state, I am sure, who can’t be here but who will pay tribute to her in their own wards. And each of us will reach up in our lives a little higher because of her high tandards. And certainly not least will be how we treat her children and her grandchildren to the last generation. There is nothing makes a mother’s heart glow so much as somebody being interested in her children. So be sure you remember them, not only them, but Alice and Drue who are working on. 

But don’t worry about death. It is a friend no to be feared in anyway. I am sure that no life ends when the body disappears. They enter the stream of life and function in stronger mediums that before. Her salvation was earned not on Sunday alone, but she was always living her religion as she worked her daily affairs. No doubt she arrived at the time in the autumn of her life when God was her main source of help and she found that He was enough.

We are grateful she live for 100 years among us. We are all richer for that experience. Bless her family and all of her devoted friends — all of the old dear ones who could not be here, bless them all. 

Now I would like to close with some lines I have cherished for many years. You have heard them before, but they are precious to me and I think you will find them useful. They were written by an American, but they were made famous, almost, at the coronation of the late King of England. He recited them. This is only a part. But if you are ever in a tight place they will help: 

“I said to the man who stood at the gates of the years, ‘Give me light that I may safely travel into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer that any known way.”

I pray that you will all do this, the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Grant Sorenson, Dr. Ariel Ballif, a nephew will sing a solo, “Count Your Many Blessings”. He will be accompanied by Mrs. Kenneth 0. Lindquist. President Ira N. Hayward, a member of tbe Cache Stake Presidency will then speak to us. Dr. E. G. Peterson will be tbe concluding speaker. 

(Dr. Ariel Ballif sang, “CountY our Many Blessings”.)

REMARKS by Ira N. Hayward:

It is with a very sincere feeling of being greatly honored that I occupy this position today. I see so many here who knew Sister Cardon long before it was my privilege to know her, yet I feel that I have known her ahnost all my life so very deep was the feeling of love and respect that I had for her. From the first time I met her she commanded love and respect, and that, when you think of it, is a rather rare combination. There are many people who we can’t help but respect, but who rather awe us with a feeling that we can hardly describe as love. She did have that rare combination of ability to command both respect and love. 

I made of a point, as often as I could to visit her during the years I was bishop of the Fourth Ward. It was my pleasure to visit her many times. I formed her acquaintance at just about the time of the accident that left her partly crippled in the later years of her life. I was impressed with the fact that it seemed as if there was a spirit that rose magically above the flesh. I never had the feeling that if the occasion demanded it she could go out and do a hard days’ work. She gave that feeling of self-command in every ligament of her body. 

With Sister Merrill I was impressed always with the beauty of her appearance, her immaculateness. It was always a pleasure to see her. When Guy called and asked me to speak, he said he would rather I didn’t say much about the family, but I do want to acknowledge Ted and Gretha for their devotion. I am sure their lives are going to be rather empty for awhile, but it will be a great comfort for them to know there was never a day, or an hour that she was in any doubt that whatever she needed it would be provided. And that great commandment of, “Honor thy father and thy mother”, was kept to the letter by these fine people. God bless them and comfort all the family for their devotion. 

The beautiful testimonial on her 100th birthday anniversary. The windows of the glassed in sun porch blazing with 100 candles; the home beautified with flowers and guests from every walk of life coming and being welcomed. Several times in both written tribute and coments made the adjective “queenly” has been used. If ever I saw queenliness exemplified it was there, as I saw her alert and keen receiving the guests that came to pay their respects. 

I have been thinking a good deal about what it has meant to live for the past 100 years in terms of world history. When this woman was born this country barely extended to the Mississippi Basin. Half of the states approximately, maintained the law of the institution of human slavery. The Civil War was nearly 10 years away. There was no Germany. What is now Germany was a few small states alternately dominated by Austria and Prussia. No Italy. What we know now as Italy was part of Austria or the Papal States. There was no French Republic such as fought through the First World War and the Second. It wasn’t yet born to the modern world. She was a girl with a memory that could well extend to the time when the Golden Spike was driven at Promontory. Her history was the history of Logan and Cache Valley, in the modern sense. 

Yet we don’t measure lives in terms of years lived. Within the past week I tried, and I know I failed, to comfort the heart of a mother, whose son was shot down over North Korea — a jet bomber pilot. A boy as pure and as beautiful as an angel. And it seemed as we talked that we wondered why a life so promising should be cut so short. And yet I couldn’t help but think that life had been majestically full A span of only 20 years and yet what a rich life and what a magnificent finish to a life. He died clean, noble, in the cause of liberty and right. What more could anyone ask of life than that. 

And here a life of 100 years. Not one day wasted. Busy, not just busy about petty little details – for as the philosopher Thoreau said, “Our lives are frittered away by details” – and we do not fritter away our lives by details so often. But this woman’s life was focused on the greatest of things. She never held a political or public office, outside of the office in the church. She wasn’t active in the field of business. But she presided over her home and her family. Bereft of a companion at a very critical period and yet not one of these children was left without guidance and care. I know that guidance and care has gone right on. What a priceless heritage these men and women have to look back on. A life so full and rich, the consul of such great wisdom throughout their lives. What a blessing!

Devoted to her family constantly. I never went to the home that she didn’t tell me what a grand family she had and how she loved them and how she loved her grandchildren and what a comfort their lives were to her. And her devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the great plan of life and salvation revealed to us in these days. That was her great concern outside of her family. Her faith was the sort of faith that moves mountains. That magnificent hymn that she loved so that was sung at the opening of these services, expressing the spirit of this woman — her devotion to God, her faith in Him, unwavering faith. Her constant study of the gospel. Her ability to converse, her fondness for conversing on the principles of the gospel.

And so she has lived her life. A life that has radiated her love for the fine things, for the noble things. There was never a good cause sponsored in this community that she didn’t applaud and there was never a degrading thing done that she didn’t condemn. Always on the side of a fine community. Always appreciating the lives of fine people.

And so 100 years full of rich experience, full of service and as Sister Merrill has said, lived up to the very last minute in the full possession of her mental keenness, of her senses, able to converse, fond of conversing, delighting in conversation and friendliness. And I would like to pay my personal little tribute. I thank God for the strength that her character and example added to my life during the years I knew her. And I pray that we may all of us keep her memory green in our hearts and remeber the fine things she stood for, that we may live as she lived and be worthy of the reward that she has so richly earned.

I am sure there is rich rejoicing in the courts above today for the return of this faithful woman. I am sure her husband, her grand father and all her loved ones who have gone before have received her with open arms. And I am sure she has earned that great last tribute, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord.” May God bless her memory, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

REMARKS by President E. G. Peterson:

We have all been touched, my brothers and sisters, I feel by this service. We have been thinking not only of this magnificent life which we are thinking of now particularly, but we are thinking unquestionably of our own parents and grandparents who traveled much of the same road — the story of pioneer life, the story of the trek across the desert and the settling of the desert and the barren valley at that time. My own grandmother, a little Scotch girl 16 years of age, walked quite a bit of the distance from Omaha to Salt Lake in the early 50’s. And we all know something of the struggle which followed the trek across the desert, something of the desperate kind of character that was required, determination and courage, blind courage sometimes, to start to build a new civilization in these valleys. The story of the part the pioneer women played in the pioneer history has never been told, but I hope it will be told. There has been no one properly write it. 

Brother Hayward spoke of the rich heritage to us, of the courage, the faith, the nobility, of all the characteristics of man. I was talking this morning about Sister Cardon’s work over 20 years in the Relief Society. All you who have touched that beautiful organization or have been touched by it, I am sure feel deeply the sanctity of it. What ministering must have been carried on in those days, as this mother and friend traveled throughout this large valley in horse and buggy to help those in need. It was a work instrumental, not only for the relief of those who needed help but for the development of the character we are talking about.

Today we have glorified those who played this part. The history of this region, not only our own state, but surrounding states is replete with memories and records of these great women. It was a testing period for character development. A time, not only crossing the desert, but the infant civilization that followed.

I have often thought that deserts served a great purpose in life. Remember the one Moses had to cross. It took long years to cross an area that could now be crossed in hours in an airplane. But he had to take the children of lsrael out in the desert until most of the unworthy ones had died off and a new generation was raised worthy of the promised land. That wasn’t true of the pioneers of our church. They were mostly worthy. The weak physically, the weak mentally were filtered out; they could not cross the desert and only the strong and the valiant, speaking generally, survived, and many valiant did not survive, and many faithful. It was a time of hardship and I think that we, surrounded by our numerous gadgets and embellishments, sometimes over-estimate the hardships. It was a glorious time. The building of a new kind of civilization. It was a challenge in the minds of these people and it was a time of victory, great victory. So, though we have felt the feelings of remorse that we are not able to supply to them the blessings of civilization, to our mothers and grandmothers, the dream of their lives, the struggle of it and the embellishments could be compared to the magnificent vision which was in their hearts and which they brought to realization.

We might on occasions such as this ask the question, “What was the cause of this nobility of character in these great mothers of ours. Not only of our own limited history, but throughout all the world’s history. Those magnificent men and women who established principles on earth that made our blessings possible. I guess we have all thought about that a great deal, as to what this cause was that created this to sacrifice so much that we might have so much byway ofblessings and opportunity. The answer, I think, has been already suggested by Sister Merrill. It was a true faith in God. Probably the most powerful motive that can reside in the heart of man. Not a superficial or merely surface impression, but a persistent, dynamic force, as has been called a “flint -hard faith in a living God.”

Well, the name and life we all turn to in great crisis and in the presence of death is the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Savior of the world. He himself has said that He was given all power in heaven and on earth. It is a faith in Him that characterized a good life. A faith, these circumstances permit us to say, a faith that has been revitalized and expressed powerfully in human society by modern revelation.

The world now in these immediate years is coming to know what faith is and what it does to men and to nations when that faith dies. Witness great Germany. Such a masterful people, a more masterful people has never lived on earth. And the ordeal through which that great people has been forced to go under the rule of anti-Christians. And witness the threat today to the freedom which it has taken a century to recover, witness, modem Russia, determined to control the world. A nation dedicated to the belief that there is no God and that religion is an opium that puts people to sleep. And witness for a moment, and recognizing the great intelligences that have come from the people of the Orient, but witness the powerful tragedy of the Orient which has been denied adequate knowledge of the true God. We have been so concerned in these modern days with the marvels of science and other progress that we often overlook it’s significance, because we don’t think it’s modem enough. We overlook the majesty of the human spirit as manifest in a living faith. No matter what the other attainments of the individual may be that is the greatest attainment, that is what distinguishes those who so order their lives in faith.

Many years ago I made a clipping from some source, I don’t remember where, and have carried it in my desk since, relating to Charles Lamb and some ofhis brilliant associates. And, of course, we are all aware of Lamb’s great contributions in his essays. This is the clipping: “One evening, Charles Lamb, and a company of friends, learned men, were engaged in an interesting pastime naming great personages they would like to have known. Actors, artists, and poets were named. Finally Charles Lamb arose and in his usual quiet way closed the discussion: “After this there is but one name left. If Shakespeare came into this room we would all rise to greet him, but if this other were to come we should fall down and try to touch the hem of his garment.” 

I wanted to read that in connection with a statement from St. Mark. Jesus was talking with some of the learned of his day about the fact that men arise from the dead and one of the scn”bes came and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, ” Which is the first commandment of all?”

And Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, 0, Israel the Lord our God is one Lord;

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself There is none other commandment greater than these.

And the scribe said unto him, Well Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is none other but he:

And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more that all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

That, I think, possibly was as beautiful a statement of the spirit which moved this great woman as anything that could be said. You saw in her every act, love and patience and devotion to society. And may the memory of a great mother and friend be sanctified to the good of the fine family she reared and to the good of all of us who have admired her. And may we all, from the contemplation of such a life gain new strength and understanding of the meaning of life and what it is, after all, that constitutes true victory and glory in the struggle we all must make in the good and evil that surrounds us. Amen.

Grant Sorenson: It is only because of the absence of Bishop Cahoon that this opportunity has come to me. I am grateful for it. I think we all consider it a privilege to be at the service of this good woman. Very few people are privileged to live for a century. 

In talking previously with Brother 0. Guy Cardon, he suggested and hoped that this funeral would be a good, old-fashioned one. In my heart I feel that it has been just that. The songs that have been sung, the spoken word, has been true and inspiring. I hope that we shall someday in part have such said of us, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord.”

In behalf of the Cardon family and relatives we wish to express sincere appreciation to those who have taken part during these services; are: Guy Cardon, Sidney Cardon, Phillip Cardon, Howard Baugh, Grant Macfarlane and James Macfarlane. 

The double male quartet will now sing “The 23rd Psalm”. President Joseph E. Cardon will offer the benediction. We will then proceed to the Logan cemetary where Dr. V. P. Cardon, son of Sister Cardon will dedicate the grave. Aster the closing prayer the congregation will remain seated until the family leaves the building.

(The double quartet sang “The 23rd Psalm.”)

BENEDICTION by Joseph E. Cardon:

Our kind Heavenly Father, humbly and meekly we bow before thee in the outpouring of thy Holy Spirit upon those who have come here to honor this wonderful daughter of thine. She has been true and faithful all the days ofher life. She has been loved by all who ever knew her and she has finished a mission which will bring back into the presence of God, the Eternal Father, and she will dwell with him throughout the eternities in the Celestial Kingdom of our God. 

The family, the sons and daughters; grandsons and granddaughters, down the line have been devoted to her welfare and blessed will they ever be because of this they have done for a dear mother who has done so much in the world for them and for her fellowmen in holy places. 

May this day ever be remembered by us all, which I feel it shall be. For she has been the means of bringing joy to our souls and helpfulness in our ministry among the people here. 

We know that no one could do more than has been done for Sister Cardon and in this connection Brother Rechow and his darling wife have been there night and day to wait upon their mother. Bless them and comfort their hearts. 

Go with us now to the cemetery. May we arrive there in peace and safety to place the mortal remains of this good woman until the morning of the resurrection and she will come forth and go on and on, forever and forever. These things we pray for humbly and we do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, even so, Amen.

DEDICATION OF GRAVE: 

Our Father in Heaven – in thy name we have dedicated this grave. 

For in it we are burying our Angel Mother– 

Whose sweet and noble spirit thou hast taken to grace thy heavenly home. 

Dear Lord, cause the birds to sing above here- 

The four seasons to caress this hallowed spot, 

The sun, stars, and moon to keep their constant watch. 

And may the bright light of her dear spirit guide us, her children, till we meet again. Amen. 

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GRAVE DEDICATION OF LUCY SMITH CARDON

August 23, 1952 

By her son, Vince

Oh God, The Eternal Father:

We offer now a humble petition for Thy protecting influence over this grave, wherein as a last, sad rite we place with tender, loving hands the mortal remains of one who, for a hundred years, labored nobly in Thy vineyard. 

Each day she exemplified the teachings of Thy son, Jesus Christ. In every act, she conformed to Thy will. In every child she instilled devotion to Thy cause. In every friend and associate she inspired love, hope and charity. She noted with tolerance and kindliness the human weaknesses that marked the sphere of her existence in our midst. Yet she neither thought nor spoke ill of anyone. She knew pain and sorrow, too; but always with courage-never with complaint or resentment.

At this final stage of her sojourn among us, we do not mourn her passing. Rather we rejoice, believing that her days on earth, rightly lived, are now transfixed into eternal life. We believe thus, because at her knee we were so taught; because by her faith all doubt was dispelled from our minds.

We see her now with Thee. We see her queenly presence welcomed by the hosts of Heaven-welcomed as one whose exalted soul imparts an aura, even in the light of everlasting glory.

This body which we lay aside with tender care is all of her that is left to us-a mere remnant of the mother we knew, and loved, and cherished. But we would have Thee protect and preserve it for whatever purpose, in Thy great plan, it may best serve at the dawn of Thy promised Day of the First Resurrection.

All of her that is left to us, did I say? Then, indeed, I spoke in error. For we have a far greater heritage-in our veins, in our hearts, and in our minds. By that heritage our lives have been bettered, and will be, forever.

Hear now the voice of my sister, Claire, raised to Thee in further supplication:

“Our Father in Heaven-in Thy name we have dedicated this grave.

For in it we are burying our Angel Mother, 

Whose sweet and noble spirit Thou has taken to grace Thy Heavenly home.

Dear Lord, cause the birds to sing down above her here—

The four seasons to caress this hallowed spot—

The sun, stars and moon to keep their constant watch;

And may the bright light of her dear spirit guide us,

her children—till we meet again.”

Thus, with Thee, in Christ’s name, we leave her. Amen. 

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Appendix C: 

Lucy 

Lucy Smith Cardon

Written for Lucy Smith by Claire Cardon Sullivan 

(Appears to have, at one time, been in booklet form) 

Feminine of the Latin Lucious, “light”. In Roman mythology, Lucina was the goddess of childbirth and the moon, but the light names that honor her memory are favorites for a child born at dawn. Three saints changed the pagan origin of the name to one of the greatest feminine Christian names and it is Saint Lucia, virgin martyr and patroness of Italy, to whom the Italian fishermen sing one of their most haunting melodies, “Santa Lucia”. The Normans took Lucianna and Lucia to France where they were made Lucienne and Lucie and thence into England, where Lucy began. The name, once borne by Roman empresses, became a favorite cottage name and Wordsworth sang of Lucy “fair as a star”. But the classic Italian forms still held, Lucasta, from the Italian masculine variant Lucanus, with the added meaning of “the chaste”, joined the list of favorites and it was to her that Lovelace wrote the poem: 

“I could not love thee, dear, so much 

Loved I not honor more.” 

Twenty-two years ago, Vince and I compiled a little book relating some of the interesting events of Mother’s life. As mother is now nearly ninety-six years of age, the events of these twenty-two years should be written down and added to the others. We wish her to know that we want her charm and spirit to be chronicled in order that the children who never actually knew her may, in this way, know what a splendid woman Grandmother Cardon was. 

Many of her brothers and sisters have passed on. She, the eldest, has lived to see those whom she cared for as a child laid away – their souls gone on to join the mother and the father who wait for them. Her three sisters, Alice, Drue and Mattie, whose lives have been examples of faithfulness and unselfish service, live in the Smith home and though good health is not their blessing, they are surrounded by living friends. 

Until eight years ago, Mother was able to go to her sisters’ home as often as she liked. At that time, however, she suffered and accident which fractured her hip, making it impossible to attend her beloved church and to visit her friends. But, whenever she can be taken out, her first wish is to visit her sisters. 

Grehta, whose serious illness just preceded the accident, met the crisis with a brave heart and mind. She and Ted have made Mother’s life a happy one, surrounding her with every comfort. The responsibility has been great and the card binding, but they have helped Mother’s brave spirit survive the ordeal. They softened the first bitterness of losing one’s ability to live independently of the care of others. I know of none, save these two, who could have done the task so well. 

Guy, whose loving thoughtfulness for Mother, I can remember even as a small child (he brought peanut brittle every night, which I ate every morning) has, when in town, visited her daily, invariably bringing a little gift with this love. Bart has come often, bringing news and cheer. 

Edna’s beautiful spirit and understanding has been given freely at all times. Since the death of Uncle Jay, she has been able to go to Logan and stay with Mother, giving Grehta and Ted a chance to enjoy their lovely cabin. 

These years spent caring for Mother have been years of adjustment for all those who assumed this care. Certainly Mother would never have brought this physical handicap upon herself. Many times she prayed that a miracle might restore her to usefulness and free those who are so kind and good to her to go more freely about their own lives but it was not God’s will. 

Mother’s faith and superb courage never falters. Her daily life is a positive inspiration to those around her. We who have lived away have missed doing for noble a Mother whose care of us exceeded eight years many times. 

Though Mother has been forced to give up the daily tasks which she had always performed without complaint, she has kept her fingers busy and has crocheted afghans for all of her children and some grandchildren. Her needlework excels even that of her daughters. When World War II came, she knitted for the Red Cross and would have gladly done more had she been physically able to do so. 

The Church has not forgotten her years of devoted service and has sent to her home the Sacrament, which has meant to much to her. 

Ariel and Vince have not been mentioned in the foregoing pages by the same token I have not. We have been away the past ten to twenty years and unable personally to do the things the others have done. Though our interest and love of home is as deep, our letters and visits have had to suffice. 

Mother made my family’s visits homes occasions which are still remembered with the keenest joy. Ariel, on her last trip here, said how wonderful folks had been to him, making each of his visits home an “event” in his life. Vince, too, has in his letters expressed to me how much Mother has done for his children and regretted, along with Ariel and me, that we could not do for Mother in any way other than writing to keep her informed as to our lives and gifts which in a meager way express our love for her.

Mother’s eager mind has kept alert and only until recently have her eyes failed to let her read as much as she desired. With better bearing the time could have been passed more pleasantly because then she could have enjoyed conversation and the radio. Her interest in a good story has never been wanting and the hours of good music would have delighted her. With these denied her, she has endeavored to keep busy and amuse herself. Her sense of humor is as keen as ever. 

Friends there have always been but now most of her generation are gone. Those with whom she worked so long and faithfully have long since preceeded her into God’s Kingdom. Yet Mother truly is not of one generation only. Her amazing adaptability makes her a part of all groups and ages. Her tolerance of the shortcomings of others and her happiness in the success of others both make her the confidante of many. 

Mother’s life has been full. She has lived through years of war and peace, love and deep sorrow, to attain in a near-century of experience the mien and bearing of a queenly woman. It has been a life of constant service devoted not only to her loved ones but to all those about her. 

Thanksgiving Day 1947 

This morning, Grehta called to say Mother had fallen and hurt her foot and perhaps would be laid up for some time. However, she was at the time smiling and in good spirits. We send our love and best wishes to her and may God in His wisdom care for her. 

Claire and family

The cover is taken from a tea set given to Mother by Father during their earlier years together. 

Mother has attained the summit of greatness for it only in the forgetfulness of self that life is truly and richly and completely lived. Beyond doubt, we the children of such a mother, whose love and compassion is dedicated to those about her and whose faith in God is unswerving and everlasting, should constantly strive to emulate her innate goodness, precept and example as a benediction to her blessed memory that will surely shower the blessings of the Lord upon us and our children and our children’s children for ever and ever. 

To the wives and husbands of Mother’s children, to the grandchildren, and the greatgrandchildren and the great great-grandchildren, whose love and devotion has meant to much to Mother, her heart swells with pride and thanksgiving to God who has so blessed her earthly life. 

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Postscript from James L. Macfarlane, a great-grandson of Lucy Smith Cardon 

It has been an honor to assemble information from several life histories prepared by family members and LDS church records detailing the life of Lucy Smith Cardon. Lucy passed away on August 20, 1952, almost 59 years ago, at the age of 100 years. A journey like Lucy’s cannot adequately be told in the few pages that have been written but much can be learned from her exemplary life. She exemplified loyalty in every facet of her distinguished life. Loyalty to family, friends, leaders of the church, community and country. She taught the value of honesty and lived life to the fullest. She was kind to all, particularly to those in need. She was grateful for the blessing of life and courageous in her support of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was a person of great faith and understanding and never afraid to call upon God in support of her family and those in need. She led with a sweet humility and love in her callings. She suffered trials of immense proportions and never faltered, though she was a widow for the last 54 years of her life. 

She was well acquainted with death, with failure, with disappointment but she was able to overcome all with her undying belief in her savior, Jesus Christ. 

We must read her story and rejoice for the example she has left for us to follow. In her own words: “We have much to be grateful for.”