by Emily S. Myers, daughter of Joseph Fielding – Julina

As I remember my Grandfather Smith I always see a very kindly man who often was dressed in a white suit. He always carried candy in his pockets to give to “his babies” as he called all of us. Rock candy that looked like the crystal knobs on my father’s dresser and little pink or chocolate covered musk candies that tasted so good.

One of my earliest memories was the July 24th parade when many of the children joined our Grandpapa on the upstairs porch of the Beehive House to watch the parade go by. They were held in the evening. The streetcars were turned into magic floats. Bands marched, as did clowns and horses all dressed up for the occasion, all to bewitch the young and old alike.

When I was eight years old my father baptized me on my birthday, as had been custom of Grandpapa’s family. I had the Tabernacle font all to myself. After we were dressed my father took me to the Church Office [Building] to Grandpapa’s office where Grandpapa confirmed me.

My last memory of him was a few weeks later. I knew he was sick and I wanted to see him. I went to the Lafayette School just a block away from the Beehive house. One day after school was out I went over to see him. It appeared he had on a white night shirt. I always associated white with him. Grandmother told him he had a little visitor. He tapped me on my head. After these many years I can’t remember the words he said to me, but Grandmama suggested that I hurry home as it was dangerous for little girls to be on the streets alone at that time of day.

In November he became very ill. My father took turns with his brothers staying during the night with him. One morning I arose very early and saw my father rocking and reading in the rocking chair. I knew that my Grandpapa had died.

Because of the flu epidemic of 1918 all public meetings were forbidden. The city was under quarantine. No funeral service could be held. Grandpapa lay in State in the front room of the Beehive House. Thousands of people followed the hearse, many walking all the way to the cemetery. As the cortege passed the Cathedral of the Madeline, the bells of the tower rang for this solemn occasion. The younger children remained in the Beehive House where we were served a delicious stewed chicken dinner, always my favorite. I remember standing around the round oak dining table, elbow to elbow, on other occasions.