1 Sorrow strikes the Batt family

Charles Batt (1861–1949) married Eliza Brazier in England before they accepted the restored gospel, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and immigrated to America. Most of his history details their life after they came to Utah. This is the fourth of six installments (see Batt & Lee Ancestors, 19–20). Charles was the father of William B Batt (1888–1959) and the grandfather of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982).

The next problem that faced Charles was moving his family from Lewiston to Logan. He loved his family and didn't want to be away from them. He looked all over Logan for a place to bring his family to, but he couldn't find anything. Finally, he went to Presi­dent Sanborne and told him that he couldn't find a place for his family and he couldn't leave them in Lewiston. They had only sage­brush to burn there and they needed him.

The next day President Sanborne called Charles from his work and told him that he had some land with a one-room adobe house on it. He told Charles he could use the house and the ground for a garden if he would move his family to Logan, be­cause they needed him for the work he was doing at the college. Needless to say, Charles was filled with joy and gratitude. He left at once for his family. It was a happy Batt family that moved to Logan and to the little adobe house. It was on the corner of what is known today as the corner of Sixth East and Sixth North.

Sickness struck shortly after their move to Logan. All three children became des­perately ill. The baby Ernest wasn’t quite 15 months old when he passed away October 21, 1890. Doll and Bill were still very sick child­ren at the time their little brother died. Charles and Eliza were saddened and had a great decision to make. Where were they going to get the money to bury their little son? Charles had not received his first paycheck from the college, and they didn't know anyone who could loan them the money. Charles decided to go see the under­taker and see what could be arranged. Eliza got on her knees and offered a humble prayer that things would work out.

Charles went to the Lindquist Mortuary and told Mr. Lind­quist of his troubles. He said he would sign a bank note or anything Mr. Lind­quist thought best. After hear­ing Charles's story of joining the Church in England and coming to America for the gospel, Mr. Lind­quist told Charles he would not have to sign a note or anything else. He would take Charles at his word and knew he would pay him when he could. Mr. Lind­quist had been a convert himself and had come to America too and knew how Charles felt.

While Charles was in Mr. Lind­quist's office, a Mr. H. G. Hayball came in. Mr. Lindquist introduced them, telling Mr. Hayball that Charles was one of his country­men and also a convert to the Church. Mr. Hayball and his brother owned a grocery store in Logan. Mr. Lindquist told Mr. Hayball that the Batt family needed some food. Mr. Hayball invited Charles to come with him and take home some gro­ce­ries. Charles could pay him anytime.

Charles was so overcome by the kindness of these two men that he couldn't talk. Mr. Hayball asked Charles what part of town he lived in. When he found out, he told Charles to go see Mrs. Ross Neilson and to tell her that H. G. Hayball said to let him have some fresh milk for the sick children and that he'd make it good to her.

Charles took the groceries and went home. He found Doll feel­ing a little better, but Bill was still burning with fever and was a very sick little boy.

Charles took a small bucket and went in search of Mrs. Neilson. He told her who had sent him and why he wanted the milk. After hearing his story, Sister Neilson put a shawl over her, took a larger bucket, and got some milk. She also got some eggs and went home with him. Sister Neilson was not a woman of many words, nor very easy to get acquainted with, but she was a good Latter-day Saint who reached out her help­ing hand. After she talked to Eliza and Mother Batt and gave them some words of faith and comfort, she left. A short while later, she re­turned with her daugh­ter and some material to make the burial clothes for Ernest. She sent George and June Neilson to help Charles dig the grave in the Logan cemetery.