Olive Smoot Bean, Correspondence, 1883

File — Box: 1, Folder: 19

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March 5, 1883-Swords Creek, Virginia
My loved and loving ones at home
"...I am so thankful to see dear, dear Polly a sharer of your joys and in sympathy with your sorrows. To me, she has long since become a very part of yourself, and always included among my loved ones at home, if it were not so I would write to her separately, this of course she fully understands. Sometimes I wonder if it is not seeking too much for one so unworthy as I to desire to love and companionship of two loving and devoted women as you, but I earnestly hope and pray that I may yet be worthy...."
March 18, 1883-New Garden, Virginia
My own true and devoted wife
"Today, I made my last attempt, I suppose, at preaching in Old Virginia, as I received a letter from Prest Morgan last Sunday; calling me back to Colorado to labor among the Saints who have gathered there. It is with some regret that I leave this State and county, as I have met with very kind treatment during all my stay here....I do not know how it will be in Col.: for I learn of Bro. Ball that there is dissatisfaction existing there among the people about the country, and also antagonism between them and the authorities there....You say, if Polly bore that love for me which you do, or rather, if she prized my love as you do, it would more than recompense her for all her kindness towards us. Oh! my darling, true, and noble wife. I know that: but inasmuch as we have no legal claim as yet for her love, and kindness, I advised you as I did.... I have been led to write as I have, in my former letters, and built up my hopes to the highest anticipations...for I had thought you had made full confidents of each other in regard to your future hopes...but, alas, I find such is not the case... Oh! Olive you judge me harshly, when you fear that I love her more, than that Godgiven treasure, who has shared the joys and sorrows of the few short years of our happy union, and who has reciprocated that love which fills my whole being, with her whole heart and being. Oh! my loving wife there is not enough women in this wide world to draw away a single thought of the pure love I bear for you....It is true that I do love her but unless that love is reciprocated would it be wise and prudent to always be reaching out after nothing?...You will readily, see, by studying your own nature, that this passion is cultivated and grows by reciprocation, and that love begets love: therefore, when I assert that I love her as yourself, you may know that it is in the hope and prayer that she will receive and reciprocate, and grow into that perfect love which only true husband and wife possess...."
March 22, 1883-Provo City, Utah
My own dear husband
"...There is a little matter which I did not think of mentioning in regard to my letters. They come with Pa's mail through the Court House, and then mother sends them up to me. They are not addressed to Mrs Bean, and some of the men have been laughing at me about it. Wilson told me to quote him as saying it was something of a joke on me that you would not address me as Mrs. So to gratify the public, not me, you had perhaps better address them so in the future."
April 2, 1883-Provo City, Utah
My own devoted husband
"...Dear Pollie is here tonight and I have read her your letter, for there is nothing I wish to keep from her. She has shared every loving letter with me, and I had no wish to keep this one from her to screen my own selfishness. She is the same loving creature as ever, and when I say I love her as tenderly as a sister, I speak only the truth. Only Our Heavonly Father knows how sincerely I wish for her happiness and yours and how earnestly I pray that I may do my duty by both of you as becomes a wife in Israel....I have not shown all I have felt because I have feared to lose your love, and if that should ever happen, I would pray to die, for all charm of life would be gone....And, Will, no woman ever gave in return a purer, deeper love than I bear you, with all my unworthiness. But I do not, can not, blame you when you say you love Pollie, for she possesses a facination for me, which no other woman I ever knew has. So do not think I oppose you in this essential principle of our holy religion, but remember I am a loving wife, with all the weaknesses of human nature."
April 2, 1883-Manassa, Colorado
My own dear loving wife
"...I bid farewell to Russell Co. and the Saints there, one week ago last Friday....We arrived here yesterday about 3 P.M. all in pretty good spirits."

Dates

Creation: 1883

Creator

From the Collection: Thatcher family (Family)

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