Emma Lee French facts for kids

Emma Lee French was an English nurse born on April 21, 1836, in Uckfield, England. She later moved to the United States. There, she became famous for helping sick people in Utah and Arizona. She passed away on November 16, 1897, at the age of 61.

Emma's Journey to Salt Lake City

After becoming a member of the Mormon faith, Emma Lee traveled from England to Chicago. From there, she went to Iowa. She then began a long journey to Salt Lake City, Utah. Emma pushed a cart filled with supplies given by her church.

She walked 1,400 miles, pushing the cart herself. She was one of many Mormon handcart pioneers. Emma joined a group of church members for this trip. Sadly, 150 people in her group died during snowstorms. Many others got sick or suffered from frostbite. Emma Lee helped care for them. Thanks to her help, most of them recovered. During the trip, she also helped a pregnant woman. Emma carried the woman in her cart as she was about to give birth.

Life with John D. Lee

When Emma arrived in Salt Lake City, she worked for a year. This work paid for her trip from England. After that, she met John D. Lee. He was an important man among the Latter-day Saints. They were married on January 7, 1858. Emma was John's 17th wife.

John D. Lee was later found guilty for his part in a sad event. This event was called the Mountain Meadows massacre. About 140 people died there. Before this, federal marshals followed John and Emma Lee for about twenty years. John Lee was tried once but was set free.

In 1868, a writer named George Hicks wrote bad things about the Lees. He said they had to leave town or John would be harmed. Emma then spoke to George Hicks herself. She warned him to stop threatening her and her husband. Hicks listened and stopped writing against them.

He did complain to the town's Bishop. The Bishop suggested that Hicks and Lee should be baptized together. Emma Lee agreed, but she also complained. She told the bishop it was unfair to ask a woman to be baptized in icy water. She said it was especially unfair since she was defending her husband. The bishop was impressed by her words. He then agreed not to go ahead with the baptism.

John D. Lee was given important tasks by the Mormons. In 1871, he was sent to the Colorado River. This was near the border of Arizona and Utah. His job was to start a ferry service. This place is now known as Lee's Ferry.

Because John Doyle Lee had multiple wives, he traveled often. He visited his other wives and children. This meant Emma Lee was often left alone. She had to take care of the ferry and her children.

In 1873, a group of Navajo people settled near the Lee home. Emma was worried for her children. She decided to become friends with the Navajos. She found out that the tribe's chief was a friend of her husband. One night, she and her children stayed at the Navajo camp. The next day, the Navajos left. A Navajo Chief told his tribe that Emma was a strong woman. He told them to leave her alone. Another time, a group of warriors camped nearby. Emma heard them talking about hurting her and the children. She quickly took her children and camped with the Navajos for safety.

Later that year, Emma Lee had her sixth baby. John Doyle was away. So, she asked her oldest son, John Jr., to help her. He helped her cut the umbilical cord. They did it perfectly, and a daughter was born safely.

John Doyle Lee was caught by the US Army. He was tried again for the Mountain Meadows Massacre. He was found guilty and shot on March 23, 1877. He was buried at the site of the massacre. Emma Lee had small children and needed money. In 1879, she sold the ferry to her church. She received 100 milk cows for it. She was helped by Franklin French, a former soldier.

Life with Franklin French

On August 9, 1879, Emma Lee married Franklin French in Snowflake, Arizona. They found a home near Holbrook, Arizona. Later, they moved to the White Mountains. In 1882, the White Mountain Apaches attacked settlers. Emma was warned just before the attack on her ranch. She was able to escape with her children and some ranch workers. She heard the sounds of animals being hurt and saw smoke from burning buildings.

In 1887, Emma and Franklin moved to Winslow, Arizona. They started a dairy ranch there. At that time, the Santa Fe railroad was being built. The railroad often sent a special train for Emma. They needed her to help care for injured railroad workers. She was known as "Dr. French," even though she had no official medical degree. She also helped many women, including Navajos, give birth.

In 1888, her daughter, Victoria Lee, passed away. In 1892, her son Ike was murdered.

Emma's Death

On November 17, Emma was making breakfast. She said, "I don't feel too well." She then had a heart attack. That night, many people, including businessmen and Navajos, waited outside her home. They stayed there as she lay dying.

Her funeral was one of the biggest ever held in Winslow. The Santa Fe railway even stopped their trains to honor her.

Her tombstone is in the old cemetery in Winslow, Arizona. It is marked "Dr. French."

See also

• Lee's Ferry and Lonely Dell Ranch